Spell Jars in Modern Witchcraft: How to Make Jar Spells with Intention
- Anya I
- Jul 18, 2025
- 13 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Spell jars are one of the most popular modern witchcraft tools for manifestation, protection, love, and spiritual intention. In this beginner guide to spell jars, you’ll learn exactly what spell jars are, how to make spell jars step-by-step, and how to use them safely in your daily practice.
Spell Jars in Modern Witchcraft: How to Make Jar Spells with Intention
Spell jars are one of the most accessible forms of modern witchcraft, blending intention, symbolism, and everyday materials into a simple yet powerful ritual practice. Whether you’re completely new to spellwork or exploring beginner witchcraft after time away, spell jars offer a grounded way to work with energy without needing elaborate tools or advanced experience. As a modern witch and spiritual practitioner, I’ve worked with spell jars for years as part of my daily ritual and seasonal practice.
At their core, spell jars help you clarify what you want, focus your energy, and anchor that intention into the physical world. They can be used for protection, love, abundance, healing, or any personal intention you’re working toward.
For modern witches, spell jars are a way to work with magic that feels intentional, accessible, and rooted in everyday life — bringing symbolism, intention, and ritual together into one focused practice
If you’re new to modern witchcraft, my Modern Witchcraft for Beginners Guide walks you through foundational practices like cleansing, grounding, and intention setting before working with spell jars. I teach modern witchcraft as a grounded spiritual practice rooted in intention, ritual, and everyday integration. My work blends traditional symbolism with accessible modern methods designed for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Table of Contents
What Are Spell Jars?
Spell jars (also called spell bottles or intention jars) are small ritual containers filled with symbolic ingredients like herbs, crystals, petitions, and oils that are used in modern witchcraft to focus intention and support manifestation, protection, and spiritual work. These mini vessels serve as a focus for your energy and desires, amplifying what you wish to manifest as you work with them. Seriously, think of them as the physical version of your prayers, wishes, or goals. You can fill them with herbs, crystals, candle wax, essential oils, and other favorite things—everything in your jar feels personal because it is personal.
Spell jars are commonly used in modern witchcraft as beginner-friendly tools for manifestation, protection, and intention setting because they combine symbolism and ritual into one accessible practice.
Why spell jars? Modern witches and spiritual folx love these jars because they’re basically portable, tangible bits of magick—a magickal reminder of your power, intentions, and your connection to Spirit.
Spell Jar Meaning
The spiritual meaning of spell jars is rooted in turning intention into physical form. By sealing symbolic ingredients inside a container, spell jars help anchor spiritual goals into everyday life, making manifestation and energy work more tangible and embodied.
The Deeper Purpose of Spell Jars in Modern Witchcraft Practice
Beyond technique, spell jars are tools for intentional living. They help modern witches stay connected to their goals, align daily actions with spiritual intention, and build consistent ritual practice rooted in awareness and presence.
Types of Spell Jars
Modern witches love spell jars because of how versatile they are. Here are a few classic kinds of jar spells, just to get your inspiration flowing: for example, love spells, protection spells, and abundance spells. These jar spells can be adapted into countless jar recipes depending on your intention, the ingredients you have on hand, and how you want to work with the energy.
Love Spell Jars (Spell Jar for Love & Attraction)
Looking to attract love or deepen a relationship? Love spell jars often include a dreamy blend of rose petals, lavender, cinnamon, and pink or red candle wax to invite love into your life and energetically remind you to keep your heart open.
Self Love Spell Jars (Self Worth & Confidence)
Ready to boost your self-worth and rediscover your radiance? Fill your jar with petals, moon-bathed rose quartz, and essential oils to support gentle healing and create a spell jar that reminds you how deeply worthy you are of love.
Protection Spell Jars (Spell Jar for Protection & Energy Clearing)
Need to keep negative energy on the other side of your front door? Protection spell jars often include black salt, smoky quartz, and strong dried herbs like rosemary or sage. Black salt is especially popular in protection jars because it is traditionally used to absorb unwanted energy and help seal protective intentions around your space.
Abundance Spell Jars (Money Spell Jar)
Calling in more money or good fortune? Also known as a money spell jar, this type of spell jar often includes basil, a bay leaf, and green candle wax. Write your intention, seal with wax, and let Spirit support the flow of abundance into your life.
Healing Spell Jars (Spell Jar for Healing Energy)
For moments when you need deep healing or emotional support, create a healing spell jar filled with chamomile, soothing lavender, amethyst, and comforting essential oils to promote calm, restoration, and energetic balance.
Other popular spell jar intentions you might explore include:
Manifestation spell jars for calling in new opportunities and aligned goals
Road opener spell jars when you feel stuck or ready for a fresh start
Cleansing spell jars for energetic resets and spiritual refreshment
Banishing spell jars to release unwanted patterns or heavy energy
Luck spell jars for everyday blessings and positive momentum
Confidence spell jars to strengthen self-trust and personal power
Communication spell jars for clearer expression and honest conversations
Fertility spell jars for creative growth, projects, or physical fertility
Calming or peace spell jars for emotional balance and nervous system support
All of these variations follow the same basic spell jar method, with ingredients and symbolism adjusted to match your intention and what Spirit is guiding you to work with.
How to Make a Spell Jar (Step-by-Step)
This step-by-step spell jar method is beginner-friendly and works for love spell jars, protection jars, manifestation jars, and money spell jars.
The entire process of creating a spell jar is guided by intention, symbolism, and presence. There is no need to rush or over complicate it. Below is a simple, beginner-friendly way to create a spell jar using intention and symbolic ingredients.
Step 1: Choose Your Intention
Decide clearly what the spell jar is supporting and why. Simplicity and clarity matter more than complexity.
Step 2: Select a Jar or Container
Any small jar or bottle will work. Clean it physically and energetically before beginning.
Step 3: Choose Your Ingredients
Select items that symbolically support your intention, such as herbs, crystals, oils, or written words.
Step 4: Assemble the Spell Jar
Add each ingredient slowly and mindfully, focusing on your intention as you go.
Step 5: Seal and Activate the Jar
You may seal it with wax, a lid, or intention alone. Activation can include breath, visualization, or candle magick. Some people choose to seal their spell jars with a small jar candle, allowing the wax to bless and protect the intention as it sets.
Use candles, herbs, and essential oils safely, and avoid ingredients that could irritate skin or trigger allergies. If lighting a candle on top of your spell jar, always exercise caution and never leave it unattended.
Personalizing Your Spell Jar
Making your own spell jar is wildly freeing—no rules, only intention and Spirit! Maybe you’ll add a favorite crystal or something quirky that reminds you of your past victories. When I made my first, I added a dried flower from a spontaneous trip that changed my life, suddenly the whole jar was about adventure, hope, and trust in the Universe. Over time, I’ve found that the jars that work best are the ones created slowly, with intention, rather than perfectly by the book.
Working with Moon Cycles to Enhance Your Spell Jars
Working with moon phases is optional, not required. Spell jars are guided first by intention, and lunar timing offers an extra layer of alignment. The moon’s phases hold powerful energy for setting intentions and crafting magick. Aligning your spell jars with its natural rhythm amplifies their energy, guiding you through cycles of growth, release, and renewal. Whether you’re creating a love spell jar, self-love jar, or protection magick, the moon adds intention and harmony to your rituals. The moon simply offers a rhythm to work with, whether you’re charging a spell jar, reworking a bottle spell, or setting intentions during a specific phase.
New Moon – Fresh Beginnings
The new moon is a time for setting intentions and starting anew. Use this phase to plant seeds of love, hope, or confidence and envision what you want to manifest.
Best spell jars for the New Moon:
Manifestation spell jars
New beginnings spell jars
Goal-setting or intention spell jars
Waxing Moon – Growth and Attraction
As the moon grows, focus on building momentum and attracting abundance. This is the time to nurture your goals and work towards your desires with intention and energy.
Best spell jars for the Waxing Moon:
Abundance spell jars (money spell jars)
Love spell jars
Confidence and self-worth spell jars
Full Moon – Manifestation and Celebration
The full moon is a powerful time for manifesting your goals and celebrating your progress. It’s also a great moment to clear negativity and recharge your energy.
Best spell jars for the Full Moon:
Charging existing spell jars
Healing spell jars
Empowerment or clarity spell jars
Waning Moon – Releasing and Protecting
The waning moon is about letting go of what no longer serves you. Focus on releasing negativity, creating boundaries, and protecting your energy as the moon fades.
Best spell jars for the Waning Moon:
Protection spell jars
Banishing or release spell jars
Cleansing spell jars
You can explore lunar timing more deeply in my Moon Magick Guide for full moon rituals, intention setting, and seasonal alignment.
Choosing Ingredients With Intention
Choosing spell jar ingredients is about symbolism, intuition, and energetic alignment rather than strict rules. Look for certain herbs, crystals, colors, or small tokens that remind you of your intention and feel aligned with the energy you’re working with. Feeling stuck on what to add to your jar? Pause and tap into your Spirit. Look for herbs, crystals, colors, or little tokens that remind you of your intention. For love, try rose, lavender, and a piece of jewelry with sweet memories. For good fortune, basil, cloves, and a shiny coin always feel lucky.
I’m a sucker for raiding my spice cabinet, plucking petals from fresh bouquets, or hunting down stones on my favorite hiking path. Trust what feels resonant.
If herbs call to you, my Green Witch Herbs Guide explores common herbs used in spell jars and spiritual practice, helping you choose plants with intention and energetic alignment.
Popular Spell Jar Recipes for Beginners
These spell jar recipes are examples, not rules, so feel to adapt or simplify them based on what you have and how you like to work with magic. I really encourage you to intuitively create your own jar spells that feel right for you, but here are some beginner-friendly jar spell recipes to get you started.
Love Spell Jar
This jar is crafted to attract love or enhance feelings of self-love. It promotes emotional connection, passion, and healing, making it perfect for strengthening relationships or boosting confidence and self-care. Best created on a Friday or during a waxing moon to align with energies of love and growth.
Ingredients:
Pink candle wax
Lavender and rose petals
Rose quartz
Cinnamon for passion
A strand of your hair
Written love petition
Follow the step-by-step process above, using the ingredients below to focus your intention on love, connection, or self-worth.
This recipe can also be adapted for by focusing your spell jar on personal well-being, confidence, and emotional healing.
Timing: Create on a Friday or during a waxing moon.
Protection Jar
Designed to shield against negativity, this jar creates a barrier of protection for your home or personal space. It serves as a powerful tool to ward off harmful energies and maintain a safe, secure environment. Place it near your entryway or keep it hidden in your home for ongoing protection.
Ingredients:
Black candle wax
Black tourmaline
Sage and rosemary
Salt
Iron nails
Red pepper flakes
Black Salt
Check out this post if you'd like to learn how to make black salt for protection.
Using the same spell jar method, these ingredients are chosen to support grounding, boundaries, and energetic protection.
Placement: Bury near your front door or hide in your home.
Prosperity Spell Jar (Money Spell Jar)
This money jar is intended to draw in wealth, abundance, and good fortune. It symbolizes financial growth and success, helping you focus on achieving your goals. Keep it near your workspace or wallet to amplify opportunities and invite prosperity into your life.
Ingredients:
Green candle wax (traditionally used to attract good fortune and luck)
Coins (symbols of prosperity and luck)
Mint and basil
Citrine crystal
Bay leaves
Written financial goals
This money jar uses the standard spell jar process, with ingredients aligned to abundance, growth, and opportunity.
Placement: Keep near your workspace or wallet to draw good fortune and luck.
If you’d like a deeper breakdown with step-by-step guidance, ingredient meanings, and intention-setting tips, check out my Prosperity Spell Jar Guide for a more detailed prosperity ritual.
Placement and Maintenance of Spell Jars
Where you place your jar matters:
On your altar: For regular interaction.
Hidden in your home: For discreet energy work.
Buried in the earth: For grounding and long-term manifestation.
Carried with you: For portable spells.
Recharge your jars monthly under the moon or sunlight. Shake them to reactivate their energy, and when they’ve served their purpose, dispose of them respectfully.
How to Use Spell Jars in Daily Practice
Learning how to use spell jars is about building a relationship with your intention over time. Once created, spell jars can be placed on your altar, carried with you, kept near your bed, or stored in a meaningful location that supports your goal.
Some witches choose to interact with their spell jars daily by holding them, repeating affirmations, or visualizing their intention. Others allow the jar to work quietly in the background. There is no single correct way to use spell jars. What matters most is consistency, awareness, and staying connected to the intention you set.
Spell jars can also be recharged during moon phases, seasonal transitions, or moments when your energy feels ready for renewal.
How Long Do Spell Jars Last?
Spell jars can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on intention and use. Many witches choose to refresh spell jars monthly or during full moons to maintain energetic alignment.
What If My Spell Jar Isn’t Working?
Sometimes a spell jar just feels… off. The energy may feel stagnant, heavy, or disconnected from the intention you originally set. This doesn’t mean the spell failed or that you did anything wrong. More often, it’s simply a sign that the jar needs attention, adjustment, or a gentle refresh.
Signs Your Spell Jar May Need a Refresh
You might notice it’s time to reconnect with your spell jar if:
It feels energetically dull, heavy, or stagnant when you hold it
The ingredients inside look faded, brittle, or lifeless
You no longer feel emotionally connected to the intention
The situation the jar was created for feels blocked or stalled
These are subtle cues from Spirit — invitations to check in, not start over.
Simple Ways to Refresh or Recharge a Spell Jar
If your spell jar feels out of sync, try one of these intuitive approaches:
Moonlight recharge: Place the jar under the light of the full moon to restore its energy
Smoke cleansing: Pass the jar through cleansing smoke while refocusing on your intention
Visualization: Hold the jar and imagine fresh, vibrant energy filling it
Adding fresh elements: If you feel called, open the jar and add a small amount of new herbs, crystals, or symbolic items
There’s no single “right” way to refresh a spell jar. Move slowly, trust your intuition, and let the process reconnect you to the intention you set in the first place.
Disposal of Spell Jars
When your spell jar’s energy is depleted, releasing it respectfully is essential. Begin by expressing gratitude for its purpose. For biodegradable contents like herbs or petitions, bury them to return their energy to the earth. Non-biodegradable items can be disassembled, cleansed, and recycled or reused. This process honors the jar’s purpose, completes the cycle, and makes space for new energy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Vague intentions: Be specific and realistic.
Skipping preparation: Always cleanse your space and clarify your goals.
Using random ingredients: Understand the purpose of each item.
Neglecting your jar: Check in regularly and recharge as needed.
Closing Thoughts
At their heart, spell jars are vessels of hope and reminders that intention, care, and consistency can shift both energy and perspective over time. Spell jars are so much more than bits in a bottle. They’re reminders of hope, power, and your unique connection to Spirit—holding the intentions, memories, and dreams only you can bring to life. Each one tells a chapter of your story, and the deeper you dive, the juicier the journey becomes.
I share tons of unique recipes, stories, and personalization rituals in Spell Jars 101: Weaving Magick into Your Intention—dropping on Amazon soon!
If you're ready to start crafting your own jar, trust yourself, fill it with love, and watch your world shift. Let these basic steps inspire your next creation, and don’t forget to check out my other blog posts for even more spell jar ideas, inspiration, and hacks.
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Spell Jars FAQ
What are spell jars used for?
Spell jars are used to support intentions such as manifestation, protection, love, healing, abundance, and spiritual focus. They work by combining symbolic ingredients with intention to anchor energy into physical form.
Do I need special herbs or crystals to make spell jars?
No. Spell jars do not require expensive tools or rare ingredients. Kitchen herbs, found objects, written intentions, and everyday items work beautifully. The most important element in spell jars is intention, not perfection.
Can beginners make spell jars safely?
Yes. Spell jars are one of the most beginner-friendly modern witchcraft practices. As long as you work with clear intention, basic grounding, and safe materials, beginners can create spell jars confidently and responsibly.
How long do spell jars last?
Spell jars can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on intention and use. Many practitioners choose to refresh or recharge spell jars during full moons, seasonal shifts, or when the energy feels complete.
Can I break open or remake a spell jar?
Yes. If a spell jar feels stagnant or no longer aligned with your intention, it is completely okay to open it and reset the energy. Many witches refresh spell jars by removing old ingredients, cleansing the jar, and rebuilding the intention with clarity.
How do I dispose of spell jars respectfully?
When a spell jar has completed its purpose, thank it for its work. Biodegradable ingredients such as herbs and petitions can be buried or returned to the earth. Non-biodegradable items like jars or crystals can be cleansed and reused for future spellwork.
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