Let’s talk about Spell Jars!
Spell jars are the hottest thing in beginner witchcraft right now. And for good reason. Sort of. Let’s jump into the pros and cons of these spells.
Spell jars are a type of spell worked within a contained vessel. As the name implies, usually jars of some kind. Many have taken to recycling their old sauce jars and pickle jars for this purpose. The jars are themed for the type of spell that is being cast, such as money, protection, prosperity.
Spell jars go way back. If you’re a newer witch, you’ve seen these things all over Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr. But spell jars have been around as long as jars have been a part of human history. Witch bottles were a common one, and are still being found in historic homes to this day. While there is a rich history that comes with Witch Bottles and Spell Jars, the history has been put on the back-burner lately.
Spell jars are also one of the first spells most new witches try, after they study briefly some correspondences and gathering all the herbs and spices, pretty rocks, and strange trinkets in their homes.
So do I like Spell jars?
Not really. To be frank.
I think they take a bit of the fun out of witchcraft by making these cookie-cutter recipes. Spell jars are things that I’ve of course tried, but it feels less like making magic and more like making a mess, for me. If they work for you, if you can feel their energy, feel the power, the magic in them, then don’t let me rain on your parade. And I’m glad you found something that works for you.
Pros of Spell Jars
The Pros are that these are some of the easiest accessible spells to get started. Most people have jars available, or can easily get one (yay recycling!).
Most people have a wide variety of spices and herbs available in their kitchens already (RIP to the ‘salt is too spicy’ people).
Spell jars are actually quite customizable, and easy to suit to the needs of the caster.
Because Spell Jars are contained, they are easy to store away, hide, or use in closeted craft.
Cons of Spell Jars
Spell Jars come with some very impractical cons.
Spell Jars are hard to dispose of. Because of the ingredients involved, namely salt (why does every spell jar recipe call for salt?), these items are hard to dispose of safely. If you bury them and they break, there is now salt contaminating the soil you put the jar in. If you throw it away in general, there is still the chance it can break and get salt everywhere. I don’t know about you, but even at my local dump, I wouldn’t want to dump 4 cups of salt somewhere just on the off-chance that it might be ok; water run-off can still take that salt elsewhere.
It’s not unheard of for spell jars to explode. Depending on the ingredients that are mixed, they can become unstable and volatile while ‘cooking’ in the jar. If you’re closeted, this begs the risk of the jar exposing you, or making a mess you can’t clean up without exposing you. If you do your research well before making a jar, you should be ok though.
Spell jars are inferred to be aesthetic. And when yours don’t turn out beautiful and picturesque, it makes it feel like a cheap gag. This is my biggest complaint for spell jars – the implied aesthetic of a beautiful jar filled with cute little trinkets. Your jars will likely look ugly and messy because you end up mixing a bunch of random, weird things, including liquids and solids, juices and herbs, all together. And that’s ok too.
How to Make a Spell Jar
Did you think I wouldn’t at least give you some pointers for making a spell jar?
Biggest thing to remember when it comes to a spell jar: RESEARCH ALL YOUR INGREDIENTS!
When you pick a jar, recycle what you have! That’s awesome and great for the environment. But clean it! Not just, cleanse it with smoke and what not. Wash that jar out with some good soap and water. That jar needs to be DRY AS THE DESERT before you put things into it. This will lessen the chance of molds growing and interfering with the other ingredients in the mundane way.
Verify what stones you are putting in, if using any. If you are making a jar with salt, be careful, as not every stone or crystal can be near salt. The same goes for any liquids used in the jar as well, such as lemon juice, vinegar, alcohols, water, etc. This is very important. You have to be very certain. If you can’t find any information, then don’t do it. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
Seriously.
Make your correspondences for yourself. You can look at list upon list upon TikTok upon every blog, upon every book. The best ingredients are the ones that mean something to you personally. For example, while rosemary can mean cleansing in general consensus, if you find rosemary to be more for prosperity, then use it for prosperity workings. By making the ingredients special to you, the spell is more likely to work better.
When you assemble the jar, there’s nothing special unless you want to do it in a special order. I always think of spell jars as similar to making potions from childhood; when you were a small child, mixing a bunch of grass and flowers and mud and sticks and hose water into a bucket or a flower pot or a bowl and playing at magic. And it felt like magic then! So if it feels like magic, then do it! Do what feels right and energetically in-tune with yourself, your spirit.
Spell Jars are easier than everyone talks about. Don’t be afraid. Just do your research, clean well, and have fun with it.
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