Spell bags are small fabric bags into which you can place a variety of herbs, crystals and other objects chosen with specific magical associations in mind. They can be any size or colour, and can be placed in numerous locations around the home, office, or car, and can also be carried with you in a purse or bag. Spell bags can cater for many intentions; protection, abundance, love, and health to name just a few. Many of the ingredients can be sourced at home, while others might require a trip to a local metaphysical shop or a hunt around the internet, but the depths to which you do, or don’t, go with a spell bag, are entirely up to you!
I was first introduced to spell bags when I attended a witchy gathering hosted by a friend of mine. We had a wonderful evening chatting about tarot, celebrating the full moon and all things magical, when towards the end, my friend hauled out a basket stuffed with fabric squares, herbs, crystals, and essential oils. ‘We’re making spell bags!’ she announced to the room. Ever since then, I’ve been making spell bags for all manner of things, and because they’re so simple and fun to make, they appeal to my love of KISS. (Keep it simple, stupid.) Convoluted ritual is not my thing, so the simplicity of this crafty witchery is right up my street.
Spell bags can serve a multitude of purposes: A protection spell bag in your vehicle to protect you and it. A love spell bag to manifest positive, healthy relationships, or a creativity bag to encourage inspiration and motivation. The list is as endless as your imagination!
To begin, consider what you’d like to manifest in your life. Once you know the purpose of your spell bag, use the correspondences list here, or dive into an internet search for more. Then, it’s simply a case of gathering the ingredients, whipping out a needle and thread, and your spell bag will be made in no time.
Below are a few themes you might like to consider. An internet search will turn up relevant correspondences for other intentions, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to me at julie@creativesoultarot.com and I’ll do my best to help!
To KISS, I’ve listed the most commonly found herbs, oils and crystals, but each intention has numerous correspondences, so a quick internet search will bring you more results if you want to dive deeper.
What you’ll need
If you already have a suitable pouch, feel free to use it! I have a collection of pouches that packaged jewellery and crystals, and they work just fine if the idea of sewing makes you want to run for the hills.
2 pieces of fabric approx 3 x 5 inches. Select the colour best suited to your needs.
Matching thread
Needle
Pins
Ribbon or yarn approx 12 inches long. (Again, use the colour best suited)
Any one or two of the corresponding crystals.
1 teaspoon of any two of the corresponding dried herbs.
3 to 5 drops of one of the corresponding essential oils.
How to make the spell bag
If practical, make your bag during the appropriate moon phase, or on the corresponding day of the week listed above. If you work with tarot or oracle, why not choose a card aligned with your intention? You can keep the relevant card to hand as you work, and/or once your bag is made, charge it on your altar with the selected card beside it overnight. You could even make a photocopy of the card and add it to the spell bag!
Make a hem along one of the 3 inch sides of the fabric rectangle by folding it down about ¼ of an inch (wrong side to wrong side) and pin in place. (You can iron into place too.)
Using a simple running stitch, sew the edge. Repeat on the second piece of cloth.
Place the cloth pieces face to face, right side to right side with the edges matching. (The folded and sewn edges should be facing out on both) Pin into place.
Using a running stitch, sew along the three raw edges. The side with the edges sewn first must be left open.
Turn the pouch right side out.
Fold the yarn or ribbon in half. Secure the fold to the outside of one of the side seams of the pouch with a few stitches, approx 1 to 2 inches down from the opening. (Or you can just tie up the bag with the loose yarn or ribbon.)
Place your crystal and herbs into the pouch. Add 3 to 5 drops of your chosen essential oil. (Less if you feel the oil might leak through and cause stains.) If you have other items you wish to add, slip them in too.
Use the yarn or ribbon to tie the pouch securely shut.
If it resonates with you, charge the spell bag on your altar overnight, or allow it to sit under the corresponding moon phase for an extra charge of magickal goodness.
And now you’re good to go! Your spell bag can be placed in one location, or carried around in a bag/purse throughout the day. For example, let’s say you’ve made a spell bag for protection. Place the bag where you feel the protection is needed most; maybe in the office if dealing with a toxic colleague, or in your car if you’re nervous of getting into an accident. You can also place the pouch near the front or back door of your home, or even by your bed if you suffer from nightmares—wherever you feel it’s necessary!
At any time you can open the bag and add more herbs, crystals, or oil. Be careful if you carry the pouch in a purse or bag, in case the oil leaks through and stains fabrics. The bag can be charged under the appropriate moon phase whenever you feel it needs a boost. If you’re especially crafty, you could embroider or draw a sigil reflecting your intention on the inside or outside the bag.
When you feel the spell bag has worked its magic and is no longer necessary, then undo the bag and separate the items inside. The herbs you can compost. Recharge the crystals, and if possible, reuse the fabric.
Have fun crafting your spell bag! If you’d like to share your finished masterpiece, you can brag about your crafting and witchery skills at julie@creativesoultarot.com
If there’s a topic you’d like to see featured in the blog, or have a subject you’d like to chat about as a guest blogger, let me know at julie@creativesoultarot.com
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