Keeping it Simple: Pagan/Heathen on a Budget

It seems like there are just as many individuals in the business world catering to those of alternative faiths as there are those practicing them. All in all I think it is a positive, especially with the rise of sites like Etsy and even Amazon which allow authors and craftspeople to sell their wares without the need to deal with outside retailers. I feel it is a positive thing, but there are definitely some instances where one may feel like being a heathen or pagan may get a little expensive, in trying economic times. The abundance of available wares is a good thing, but it is important as well that we can learn how to use what is immediately available to us, and never base our devotion on the size of our altar.

So I decided to use this week's post to simple give some of my own tips and techniques for acquiring the things we might need or want, regardless of how large our small our budget might be. I feel this is especially important for me as  Vanatru, practicing an earth focused tradition. Of course, as an American, to claim that my lifestyle ever has or will be completely green or earth friendly would be hypocritical. Frankly such a thing would be pretty impossible without a level of isolation and labor that I am not mentally nor physically capable of. But all the same, I feel it is important for me to at least attempt to reduce the impact I have as a consumer.

On the smaller levels, I have found that reducing impact can often result in reduced cost as well. So I frequent both local thrift shops and make occasional trips to larger cities and their junk stores as well. I have been junking for pretty much my entire life, and in my opinion is one of the best ways to find just about anything on the cheap, including magical supplies. Here is a list of some of the more common junk store finds I have seen over the years which can be used in your magical practice.

• BRASS: Nearly every shop I frequent has a large selection of small brass goods. From cauldrons, incense burners, snuffers, candle holders, containers, and bowls
• GLASS: decorative bottles small and large can be used for spellwork. Loads of small candle holders or candle sticks
• OIL BURNERS: I have several ceramic oil burners I purchased from thrift shops, and I see them in junk stores constantly. I have them in small and large sizes, and some of them I even use to simmer herbs during spellwork and ritual
• TEALIGHTS: I could not count how many packs of tealight candles I have seen in junk stores with only one or two missing from the box. I purchased a bag of white tealights at a thrift store about five years ago for 3.00 which held about 500 of them. Still have plenty left. 

Dollar shops are also a great resource for magical supplies on the cheap. They usually stock a large selection of candles, incense, and even small oil burners and incense holders. Granted the quality is not always great, but I really have a hard time believing that the gods care if my candle came from the dollar shop or a more expensive boutique. Craft supplies are also readily available in most dollar stores, as well as small seasonal decor items which can be great for sprucing up the altar as the seasons change. Some of my favorite ideas from the dollar shops are

• unlabeled glass jar votives can be used for both spellwork or as representations of the gods on the altar. Just find an image you like, print it in the correct size, and glue or tape it onto the jar. Voila, Instant deities for your altar.
• glass pebbles or river rocks sold in bags for decor can be painted or carved into runes for divination.
• small plastic spray bottles can be used to hold homemade perfumes. Simmer herbs in unfiltered water or simply add a few drops of essential oil and pour into the bottle. Keep in the fridge for a nice cooling mist or room spray as needed.

If all else fails and you need specific magical supplies, I suggest buying them direct from the wholesalers. There are hundreds of online shops which sell magical products, as well as plenty of individual sellers on sites such as ebay or etsy as well. I have bought from many different shops and sites, and my favorite by far is Azuregreen.com. I have been buying from them for over 15 years now and have yet to be disappointed. Azuregreen is one of the largest wholesalers of magical supplies and such, and you will find that about 85% of the items you find on alternative sites are actually Azuregreen products which have been marked up. You can visit the Azuregreen site HERE and see for yourself. Some of my favorite items from the shop are their herbal spell mixes and the 1618 Gold line of powdered incense. I also absolutely love my small cauldron which I purchase their about two years ago. You won't find lower prices on the items anywhere else. 

And for clarity sake, I have not been asked to advertise this site or reimbursed in any fashion. This is just simply my experience with the Azuregreen brand which I wanted to share, since it has helped me acquire many things I would not have been able to afford otherwise.

Hope you enjoyed these tips, and I will try to do some more thrifty tips and trick postings in the future.

In Frith
Cena