Tips to Discreetly Practice Magick, for a Secret Witch

Practicing witchcraft openly isn’t always practical. You might live with religious roommates, skeptical family members, or others who simply don’t understand the Craft. For those who feel the need to keep their magick low-key, this guide provides a variety of creative and effective ways to practice discreetly.

Whether you’re seeking a hidden altar setup, subtle magickal tools, or a digital grimoire solution, you’ll find tips here to keep your spiritual practice under wraps while still nurturing your intentions and beliefs.

Altars

An altar serves as a sacred focal point for your rituals and intentions, but it doesn’t need to scream “witch” to everyone who walks into the room. Here’s how to keep yours discreet yet functional:

1. Compact Storage: Store your ritual tools in a plain, nondescript box, like a shoebox or small chest. It can be easily hidden under your bed or tucked away in a closet, keeping prying eyes from your sacred tools.
2. Creative Visualization: If you don’t have space for a physical altar, why not create one in your imagination or on paper? Draw an altar in a sketchbook and decorate it with printed pictures from magazines or online sources. This visual representation can help channel your intentions without a literal setup.
3. Jar Candles: Glass jar candles offer a subtle way to weave magick into your space without drawing attention. They come in various scents and colors, and their unassuming appearance can make them seem like mere decorations. They also offer an added benefit: people will always know what to get you for the holidays!
4. Deity Altars: If you’d like to honor a deity but can’t have a prominent altar, place a jar candle next to a symbol or picture related to that deity. For instance, you could have a seashell and a rose-scented candle for Aphrodite or a candle with a crescent moon trinket for Artemis.
5. Portable Altars: Consider creating a small, portable altar that can be set up and taken down quickly. Use a jewelry box or cigar box to hold a miniature cloth, tiny candles, crystals, and a deity statue. When not in use, it can be stored in a drawer or on a shelf as an innocent-looking keepsake box.
6. Dual-Purpose Decor: Incorporate magickal elements into your room’s decor. A decorative bowl could serve as a cauldron, or a crystal ball could double as a paperweight. You can arrange plants, candles, and crystals in a way that looks aesthetically pleasing while still having spiritual significance.

Magick

Your daily routine can be a perfect opportunity to infuse your life with subtle yet effective magick. Try these strategies to keep the magic flowing throughout the day:

1. Color Magick: Align your intentions with the colors you wear and carry. If you’re aiming for success, wear a yellow scarf. For protection, wear a black jacket or carry a protective amulet in your bag. You can even apply color magic to your home decor by choosing curtains, bed linens, and cushions that match your current goals.
2. Enchanted Jewelry: Magickal jewelry can serve as talismans for your intentions. Infuse a bracelet with protective energy, enchant your favorite earrings for love, or bless your necklace with luck. Each piece becomes a personal amulet that channels the energy you seek.
3. Beauty Rituals: Your beauty routine is a prime opportunity to practice magick. Enchant your makeup, lotion, and hair products for specific intentions. Your face cleanser could double as a magical cleanser, removing negative energy, while lotion can become anointing oil to empower you with positive energy.
4. Sigils and Symbols: Create sigils representing your intentions and keep them in plain sight. Draw them on your belongings or incorporate them into art pieces. Their unassuming appearance allows you to keep magick visible without raising suspicion.
5. Magickal Music: Curate a playlist that aligns with your intentions. Music has a powerful effect on emotions and energy, so use it to elevate your spirit or calm your nerves. Your “playlist spell” can be a combination of songs that inspire you, motivate you, or provide a protective aura throughout your day.
6. Intent-Focused Cooking: If you have a love for cooking, add intent to your culinary creations. Stir clockwise for attraction or success, and counterclockwise to banish negativity. Herbs and spices each carry their own energies, so consider incorporating them into your recipes with specific purposes.

Crystals, Herbs, and Incense

Crystals, herbs, and incense are foundational in many witchcraft practices, but not all situations are conducive to using them openly. Here’s how to use them discreetly:

1. Mason Jars: Keep herbs in mason jars instead of plastic bags to avoid misconceptions or accusations. Glass jars also help preserve herbs better and add a rustic charm to your space.
2. Teas and Blends: Drinking tea can be an innocent way to integrate herbs into your practice. Find blends that align with your intentions, like chamomile for calmness or peppermint for focus. Experiment with mixing your own herbal blends for specific purposes, and don’t forget to keep those fancy tins—they can be reused for other purposes.
3. Gardening and House Plants: Nurturing herbs and plants in your living space can provide the magickal energy you’re seeking while maintaining a hobbyist image. Grow protective plants like basil or rosemary, or plant a patch of mint for prosperity.
4. Crystals and Gemstones: Collecting crystals and rocks is a common hobby, so adding them to your living space is a great way to practice crystal magick. Arrange your collection on a bookshelf or windowsill for a display that radiates positive energy.
5. Alternative Incense: If burning traditional incense isn’t feasible, consider using jar candles, wax melts, or essential oil diffusers. These alternatives can bring the same energy into your space without raising concerns.
6. Potpourri: Create your own potpourri blend with herbs, spices, and dried flowers for a fragrant and magickal addition to your home. It not only looks beautiful but also carries your intentions in every whiff.

Witchy Tools

Traditional witchy tools can sometimes be mistaken for something more suspicious. Here’s how to keep them secret and safe:

1. Pendulums: Make a pendulum using a ring on a string or an old necklace. The weight of the pendant will work like a regular pendulum, and no one will know its true purpose.
2. Alternative Tarot: If tarot cards would attract too much attention, playing cards can be a clever alternative. Add your own symbols or drawings to help with interpretations. Trading cards can also double as divination tools if their imagery resonates with you.
3. Everyday Objects as Tools: Repurpose everyday objects to act as ritual tools. A butter knife can become an athame, a chalice can be any drinking cup, and a decorative bowl can be used as a cauldron.
4. Divination Dice: A regular set of dice can be used for divination. Each number or combination of numbers can have a specific meaning or message that you decode through practice.

Grimoires and Witchy Books

Your witchy books are a treasure trove of knowledge, but they can also attract nosy glances. Here are some ways to keep your secrets secure:

1. Hidden Grimoires: Transform an old book into a grimoire by adding notes in the margins or writing over the existing print. You can also glue in your own pages or add sticky notes to personalize it. This way, your book blends in seamlessly with the rest of your library.
2. Digital Note-Taking: Note-taking apps like OneNote or Evernote allow you to organize your magickal notes digitally and privately. Alternatively, you can use a side blog on platforms like Tumblr to keep your notes and research in a secure, organized space.
3. Planners and Binders: A planner or binder is perfect for tracking moon cycles, sabbats, and important rituals. It also provides ample room to store magickal notes in inserts or custom pages. This can be a creative project, allowing you to decorate and personalize it to your heart’s content.
4. Secret Notebooks: Use a plain notebook to take witchy notes. If you’re concerned about snooping eyes, disguise it by using mundane stickers or doodles on the cover that will deter nosy people from snooping further.
5. Art Journals: If you’re artistically inclined, consider creating an art journal that combines your magical practice with creative expression. Your drawings and collages can include subtle sigils or symbols representing your intentions.

Being a witch in secret requires a mix of creativity and ingenuity. By cleverly disguising your tools and incorporating magick into everyday activities, you can maintain a strong spiritual practice while keeping your craft close. Whether you’re drawing a hidden altar in a sketchbook or enchanting your beauty routine, your unique approach will help you stay connected to your intentions and beliefs without sacrificing your privacy.