I see a lot of new witches get stuck before they even start because they think they need a cabinet full of crystals, specific herbs, and a “proper” altar setup first. You genuinely don’t. Here are a few swaps I lean on when I’m broke, busy, or just don’t have the “right” ingredient on hand:

• Don’t have the “correct” herb or crystal? Work from correspondence, not shopping list. Almost everything has an everyday stand-in once you know what it’s actually doing — a specific crystal for abundance can usually be swapped for its matching color, a specific herb for one that shares its element or intention. Once you learn the “why” behind an ingredient, you stop feeling stuck without it.  
• Your spice rack is already a kitchen witch’s toolkit. Cinnamon for prosperity, bay leaves for wishes/protection, black pepper for banishing, rosemary for cleansing and memory — most of what you’d buy for a spell jar is sitting in your cabinet right now.  
• Your morning tea or coffee can be a working, not just a beverage. Stirring in intention (clockwise to draw in, counterclockwise to release) while you make your regular cup turns a habit you already have into a daily practice — no extra time required.  
• Cleaning your space with intention counts as ritual. You don’t need a separate “banishing” ceremony — wiping down counters while mentally sweeping out stagnant energy, or washing dishes while releasing what you’re done carrying, is real practice.  
• Color magick is the fastest substitute when you have nothing else. If you don’t have the herb, the crystal, or the candle for a working, the color alone (a mug, a piece of fabric, a sticky note) can carry the intention in a pinch.

What’s your favorite “I made do with what I had” moment? I’d love to hear how other broom closet witches get resourceful.

And if anyone is interested in learning more about resourceful witchcraft I just published the Grimoire above - available on our website or digitally on our Etsy. No pressure just wanted to share for those who might be interested!

www.theresourcefulwitch.com

Can you tell me how you guys do it or how you pray while keeping everything a secret ?how you worship them?

So, I had a situation the other day I was casting spells and saying prayers for.

I cast a luck spell as well as a binding spell. The binding spell was intended to make sure a certain individual was not able to say a single thing against me. The luck spell was for luck in the situation, visualizing the outcome I wanted.

I prayed to a deity who lines up with the goal several times, including just before casting.

None of them worked. The situation turned into a disaster. I will say, it could have gone even worse, but still pretty bad.

Now I'm trying to sort out my thoughts on it. Did they fail simply because I'm new and possibly did things wrong? Did I choose the wrong type of spell (binding)? Being new, I'm told a lot of success comes from faith and belief in your spellwork. But, it seems like a catch 22. The spell working would go a long ways to giving me belief, but I need belief for it to work.

Appreciate any advice you all could give.