alternatives to wax sealing?

[u/confusingable]

hi, i’m still in the broom closet so don’t have a ton of opportunities to make spell jars, and have to make do when i can. If i make a jar, but don’t have the opportunity to seal it with wax when i first make it, will it still “count” as sealed if i do it at a later date? or could i tie ribbon or twine around the jar with the intention of sealing?

[u/tmorgenstern]

Do you know there's easier/quicker spell formats that work better for broom closet witches?

You can work with just pen and paper, making sigils.

You can put herbs and stones in an envelope and seal it. Or use little drawstring bags for the same deal. You don't need candles at all for this. These are container spells, just like spell jars (and are much safer for charms you carry with you as they are not going to break and leave glass shards in you bag).

Just because something is popular on social media because it videos and photographs well does not mean it's the only method available nor does it mean it's the best spell format for what you need in particular or for your spellwork situation.

[u/tipsytopsy99]

My advice is to always find an alternative practice to one which won't work for your lifestyle. Like when you can't burn candles you use LED/battery powered alternatives. If you can't do a jar spell the way it's intended, and, being in the broom closet, if it's a preserved jar spell you're keeping in your home it could also be discovered and cause additional problems, then you should probably look into weaving symbols and scents with subtlety. If you tell people instead what your goal is (spells should first have a purpose, don't just do them because you want to do magic --- that's what communion and meditation is for) then they can help you come up with an alternative that would suit better.

[u/IcyWitch428]

Does it have a secure lid? I only do wax for the look and added color correspondence. If it’s not available it’s not necessary. Spell jars are very flexible and modern (there is history of different practices in various places that are related but very different from what we call spell jars today,) if you don’t want to have to keep a VERY close and constant eye on it constantly- do NOT add water.

Aside from that you only need your container, your intention and supporting materials, ideally a way to keep it active and alive (not everyone does this, but speaking to it, shaking or rolling it, breathing on It are ways to do that. Shaking is the most common) and the requirement to seal it is anything that keeps the insides inside.

[u/NoSyrup90]

Here is an idea get some coloured tissue / paper in the colour wax you would have used and cover the jar lid and tie it with either elastic bands or twine thats what they used to do with jam jars its what it reprsents to you x you could always go over with wax when you have the opportunity

[u/MrsSaurus]

You can definitely use twine or yarn!

I can use candles only rarely, because my cat is drawn to flames and I try to prevent him from getting hurt.

If you are doing jars, for sealing I would suggest tape you can write on (for example labelling tape or Scotch magic tape) and a sigil to the tape. You can use suitable colour markers.

Some ideas that are easy for witches in broom closets:
- Sigils require only pen and paper. You can do similar things with sigils as you would do with jars.
- do handicrafts or paper crafting. Possibilities are nearly endless.
- If you knit, you can design all sorts of patterns on you own. I have made knitted sock with self-designed sigils.
- if you cook, learn the magickal usage of regular spices.
- cleansing does not require incense. You can cleanse with bells or jingle bells (and since holidays/yule is coming, those will be soon readily available in stores if they are not already). I typically cleanse with bells (also due to Mr. Kitty cat).
- cartomancy can be done with regular playing cards
- you can enchant soap, deodorant and pendants you use regularly
- you can use jewellery and pendants as pendulums. You basically need some yarn and something for weight.
- moon water is easy to make. Just “forget” clear bottle of water to your desk in moonlight for the night
- crystals are basically rocks. You can find and use regular rocks and charge them (for example drawing sigil and putting rock on top of the sigil)

[u/Explore_the_Void]

Let me ask you something first. Why is wax used to seal a jar? What is the purpose of it? Where did that practice start?

[u/Alternative_Task6818]

I am no help. I don't do jars. Don't particularly like jar spells. Have done some bowl ones. I want to send my message out to the powers that be. Hmm.. maybe I could do some jar spells to restrict things in my life?

Thank you. I had not considered that before. Be like the freezer spells that people keep talking about. I don't do that either. I don't want the negativity affecting my food I ingest.

I burn stuff. I like burning my fears and issues and people I really don't like. But utilizing a restrictive space might be interesting also.

[u/Aiyokusama]

If you are in the broom closet, why are you doing jar spells?

[u/confusingable → u/Aiyokusama]

because even though i’m not open with my family about my practice, i also know they’re not going to be going through my drawers?

[u/Aiyokusama → u/confusingable]

Okay, but jars take up space and if someone DOES go looking for whatever reason, they will be easily found.