Hi, this is just my 2nd post. I am wondering how does someone practice their path on a limited income? I am living off my SSDI am 34 and require guidance with regards to my fiances from my folks because of one of my disablities. I am not practicing yet. This was on my mind tonight. Thanks
Presumably you have internet access. In addition to that you have your self. Anything else is surplus to basic requirements. I would add that having a low budget is very motivational to the creative side of the craft. Good luck! :)
There is no need for fancy tools or ingredients to practice magick. In fact, most spells and rituals are performed with very little to nothing. A member we had here a while back used to perform his rituals while astral projecting. Many do so in a trance (as I do). Only ceremonial magicians are prone to having fancy tools. The common witch (especially in the old days) used regular household items. The broom they swept their floors with was their besom. No special broom was necessary. Everytime they swept their floors was a cleansing. The stove is the altar in kitchen witchcraft. I have a topic about it if you search "kitchen witchcraft". Their knife (commonly known as an athame now) was their common knife. Did you know that most people ate with just a knife before? No forks. The knife was a person's greatest tool. I use my pocket knife. I've found great staffs while walking through the woods. What's a staff? A big stick! What's a wand? A smaller stick!
Magick is a way of life, and when you live a life of magick, everything is "tool". But the most important ingredient of all is will, belief, and focus--you!
As for herbs, if you look at my topic on kitchen witchcraft, normal foods you eat everyday have magick properties. The most common herbs do too. Basil, thyme, rosemary, garlic, dill, etc. There is no need for the ones you can't easily get from the grocery store (or probably have in your cabinets!) Use what you have. The other herbs that are less commonly found (or expensive) were wildcrafted by magick users easily in their area.
I have a collection of gemstones, but I also love picking up regular rocks off the ground. They have a character to them that gemstones do not--they have not been handled by a bunch of people before me! Each one has its own personality and after handling it for a while, I usually get an idea of what the best way to use it will be.
You must understand that communication has grown tremendously in the past 100 years. And within the past 50 years, after two thousand years of persecution, we are finally free to practise without fear. The magick of every culture was separate, but now it is melding together in many texts and websites due to the extreme amount of information easily acquired worldwide. And of course, it is becoming commercialized and people are gaining profit from selling supplies, fancy ones that people feel will make them more powerful. But it doesn't matter how fancy your supplies, or which ones you use, all in all, it is you that is absolutely necessary.
