Choosing the Best Tools for You in Your Witchcraft Practice
Tools aren't necessary for your craft.
I really want to stress this especially if you are beginner witch and you are starting out and you were drawn to this path because of all the cool things it entails.
There's nothing wrong with that but I want to stress before I dive into this article that they aren't the only thing in your craft. They aren't the only thing that makes up your spirituality and just because you have "all the witchy stuff" it doesn't make you a witch in the end.
With that aside I'd like to dive into choosing tools for you and how to go about doing it.
For some of you it will be super easy and you will just find something right off the bat and go yep that does it that's good enough.
And that can be a good...or bad thing depending on how you're going about it.
For others you will be drawn to a tool, but not know how to go about finding the right one for you so let me try to break this down for those of you that are in the latter group so you can stop stressing about where you are going to find XYZ tool for your practice that you wish to begin using.
Start by seeing if you can make it yourself
Many people get so caught up in the capitalism of witchcraft that they forget that where witchcraft originated from is in nature. 500 years ago they didn't have witchcraft markets. 500 years ago all the tools that the witches used (in private obviously) were handcrafted by them. And in many types of witchcraft this is often viewed as being more powerful as a result. If you are looking for a want don't go to Amazon. Instead head out onto a trail and ask for a specific tree to please lend a branch for magical workings. This may take a few times. You may have to go to a few locations and ask the trees of that location for their help.
Eventually you will find a branch has fallen that more than likely can suit your needs. Then it's just a matter of cleaning it up and decorating it how you see fit (or not...that's fine too). This methodology applies to a lot of different tools of the craft. Anything you have can be turned into a ritual item if needed. Get creative with it.
Look at Pagan Shops First
Now if you are reading this thinking "I tried that but I'm not getting anywhere" then...there is a school of thought that would say that you aren't ready in your practice to be using that tool. However there is another school of thought that says if you are hell bent on purchasing your tools from a shop of some sort at least be sure to vett the shops that you are shopping at.
I wouldn't advise that anyone shop for spiritual materials on amazon. Or walmart. Or target. The reason being is that while it's okay for simple things like candles to get from there anything like an alter kit or athame or wand needs to hold a certain vibration and energy to it...and do you think Amazon is holding that energy? I didn't think so.
Pagan shops tend to be smaller and are usually run by pagan or witchcraft practitioners themselves. They tend to carry things and cleanse them before they even end up in the public eye where someone like you will go about purchasing them and they are typically intuitively purchased by the seasoned pagan witchcraft practitioner to start with. So as a general rule they are a safe place to start.
Etsy
I personally LOOOOOVE Etsy. I am a bit of an Etsy fiend if I'm honest and the great thing about Etsy is they have a slew of items from all over the world that are unique and handcrafted. Etsy helps to support small businesses and allows for small creators to showcase their workings easily on Etsys platform. You can read reviews and ratings. You can customise your search area. And you have pages and pages and pages of different options at your disposal. And just like many Pagan shops Etsy shop owners typically specialise in something that they are passionate about and have a lot of experience in (I say typically because it's not 100% foolproof so again...make sure you always vett and use your discretion). So in terms of looking for tools for your craft you can find many custom made pieces from ritual clothing to alter items, athames, wands, herbs, storage and more. Again I would caution against getting caught up in the capitalism of it all. This is a spiritual practice not a physical one so make sure you aren't getting caught up in all the fun, cool looking woo woo items that may initially grab your attention.
The most important thing I would say to all of this is to take your time. You will know when something is meant for you, but if you rush to purchase an item just to have it you may find that when the time arrives for you to use it that it won't resonate with you the way you hoped. Patience is a virtue in this case. You lasted this long in your life and practice without the item it's not going to change now.
"The wand chooses the Wizard, Harry, it's not always clear why." --Ollivander, Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone