What makes a witch's life better?

The essentials (and the fun stuff!) 🍰

I recently read a post by

Molly Ella

at Slow Scottish Stories called “Things that make my life better” and was surprised (and pleased) by the simplicity of the listicle.

In this post, there was a:

• pair of walking boots

• pet-hair remover

• Bento box

Such small yet satisfying items that just make your day… better!

It got me thinking about my own list; about how my intensely cosy dressing gown, colourful rucksack and Aery “Eternal Optimist” hand cream make my world an infinitely better place. But it also got me ruminating on what can greatly improve the life of a witch, whether it be for ease, practicality or wonder.

Of course, candles of every colour of the rainbow, a well-stocked herb cupboard and a cauldron are fantastic additions to any witch’s sacred space, but what about the rest?

Here is the list I’ve created. What makes your life better? Let me know in the comments.

Disclaimer: If you are a regular reader of my Substack, you’ll know I aim to be as sustainable as possible in my witchcraft practice and life in general. Therefore, if any of the items below take your fancy, I advocate buying second-hand, borrowing or repurposing items you already own. Enjoy!

Now, let’s be practical

• Wildflower ID book - In the days before the PlantNet app existed, my wildflower book was always in my rucksack while out on a walk. I’ve spent so much time hunched over gateposts and cattle grids trying to identify the spray of wildflowers there, only to spring up jubilant when I’ve got it! I make notes in my wildflower ID book to remind me of the date and place I first saw a particular flower, letting it jog my memory when I forget them the following year. I’d recommend the lovely RSPB collection below for any budding green witch.

• Thermos - Believe me, a good soup or drinks flask is worth the investment! Think sunrise Litha hot chocolate at the stone circle, steaming water for the herbs you’ve just discovered by the river, or a welcome mouthful of stew on a chilly autumn walk while getting lost in nature. Hot, tasty, you get it.

• Binoculars - So much of our Pagan practice is based on symbolism and legend. I take my binoculars with me whenever I’m off on a hike to watch the curlews - signs of spring, but also death - and hares - symbols of rebirth and fertility - out on the moors. By having a deeper understanding of the creatures of our land, we are able to incorporate their personal magick into our lives. Seek out your local wildlife through the lens of a pair of binoculars (this is the pair I use) and see what messages they have for you.

• Eye mask - Sure, who doesn’t love getting 40 winks? But an eye mask is actually really helpful for meditation, shamanic trancework, and my personal Distance Reiki practice. Think “Eleven-in-Stranger-Things-sensory-deprivation-tank”. While I don’t need one all the time, it’s very helpful when the evenings are bright and you need to sink down. Personally, I use a turquoise scarf so that all my meditations are bathed in sea-green light.

• A robe - Nothing saucy, mind. A ritual outfit in the form of a robe isn’t a necessity, but WOW does it make you feel good wearing it. My personal robe is a deep, rich sunset pink and threaded with gold, and I wear it for only my most stately of rituals. Some witches say it is a good idea to have a separate ritual outfit as your day clothes jangle with everyday energies. While this is true, the act of donning the robe can also help you shift into a different mindset and elevate the experience of practising witchcraft.

• Fluffy, woollen socks - Even in the spring/autumn, these are a must-have for me! Rituals often involve a lot of sitting verrrrrrry, very still for long periods of time, so I find that socks made of a natural fibre (I use wool but you can wear bamboo or hemp socks if you can find fabric thick enough) keep my tootsies nice and toasty.

• Journals - It goes almost without saying that witchcraft involves a lot of deep processing work - it’s not just “wham, bam, abracadabra.” Having somewhere to store your emotions and work through difficult thought patterns is wonderful. Even better if your journal is pretty! I read The Body Keeps the Score a few years ago, which talks about the importance of somatics and the physical act of writing things out (rather than typing) when we are working through something tricky. Having at least one journal on the go feels like a must for anyone wanting to go deeper into their practice.

• Yoga mat - Forget the stretching; this is for lying down on the earth without getting a wet bum! In the spring and summer, I often take my morning tea out into the garden and sit on my yoga mat under the cherry tree to feel close to Mother Earth. Bonus: I’m often joined by my cat, Linnet, who loves to tear into my poor, battered mat! Don’t have one? A picnic blanket does the trick.

The fun stuff!

• Himalayan salt lamp - Of course, there are the benefits of the salt, but I just love that these lamps make everything around them pink. As the secondary colour of the Heart Chakra, I love that I can bathe my magickal practice in this beautiful colour. It gives my heart joy!

• Homemade cake - Gimme! Two weeks ago, my coven-mate created a CREME-EGG-UPSIDEDOWN-CAKE as our post-Beltane-ritual treat, and I cannot get over it. It’s common to have a feast after working magick, as rituals often take a lot of energy out of you (especially if you’re planning on dancing around the fire all night). Take advantage of this tradition and bake yourself a little treat.

• Bluetooth speaker / CD player - Oh, we do love to dance during our rituals, don’t we?! I have a rule not to bring my phone into the energetic boundary of my rituals, but I do enjoy having some music playing in the background. My Bluetooth speaker means I can leave my phone elsewhere and still do a little Litha jig.

• Faery doors - I’m all for practical witchcraft, but a bit of whimsy never hurt anyone. My mum bought me a stone faery door when I was a teenager and it is now at the bottom of the cherry tree in my garden. Whenever I’m gardening and come across it, I burst out in a smile. Not only does it bring a sprinkle of magick to my day, but it also reminds me of all the Earth spirits around us. What a gorgeous nudge to help us remember the non-human world.

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This was fun to write! Add to the list in the comments below and I’ll see you next week with more witchcraft.

I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has given us such amazing feedback on The Divine Void Podcast so far!

Laura Derbyshire

and I are incredibly grateful. We recorded episode two this week and can’t wait for you to hear it on Thursday 29th May! Follow us on Spotify to get our next episode straight to your phone.

Sending lots of springtime love,

Jennifer x