We all have at least some memory of what it was like to start off on our own in life. We had next to nothing, very little money (if any at all that wasn't already spoken for), and had barely a roof over our heads. Some of us got married. Some of us went to college. Some of us got married and went to college. Some of us just decided that it was no longer 'cool' to live under mom and dad's roof. Whatever the reason, and no matter the circumstances, we all have been there and done that. When you are living an alternative life style, however, this starting off on your own stuff can be a bit more daunting, especially if you had all the tools of the trade at the tip of your fingers - and now that you don't well, life just got a tad more challenging. Anyone who has read my blog will know full well that it is at about this point in my blog entries that I stop sugar coating the hell out of everything, and get down right brutally honest with folks. So, pull up a broom kids, it's time to take a ride. This particular blog is one that more experienced APs will fully grasp, while younger (or, newer) APs will think I'd just set my mind in the microwave again. As I mentioned in an earlier article, one of the biggest 'issues' that younger Pagans seem to think they have is that they 'don't have enough money for supplies'. The sad part is, this seems to be a universal sentiment, that's not just confined to a hand full of countries.
When you're starting out as a practitioner, and just learning to live an alternative life style (and this has absolutely NOTHING to do with age), it can be a rough ride. All anyone who is starting off has to do is ask an elder (respectfully) about the 'who-what-where-when-how' bit of learning to be an alternative practitioner. It's OK, we're used to this, and are normally prepared to answer almost any question you throw at us....so long as it isn't a question that any of us consider 'blatantly stupid'. Meaning, do not be a wise ass and ask us ridiculous questions. So, what would we consider to be a ridiculous question? An example of a ridiculous question is: "Why do you keep your herbs in mayonnaise jars? Why not just buy regular jars like everyone else does?" YES, I have been asked this question. One thing that elders understand, which many folks that are just starting out in the alternative life style do not understand is that recycling, re-using and re-purposing are at the very top of our list of things to do. At all times. If we can't re-cycle it, we re-purpose it. If we can't re-purpose it, we re-use it until the cows come home in a pick up truck. If we can't do either of those, we still try to find some way of putting it to some kind of use, even if it's just decorative. WHY? Because we've all been folks who were just starting off, and know all too well that no one is made of money, and we use what we have, instead of thinking we have to buy everything off of the store shelves, or off of the Internet.
We are more than willing to go driving around the town, looking for stuff people have thrown out to the curb (literally), or put into their trash bins. We have no qualms about shopping for almost everything we need at thrift stores, junk shops and yard sales. If we see something that can hold, organize, store or prop up anything, chances are, we'll buy it. As you get more into the practitioning part (or, Crafting) of the alternative life style, you will find that you will need more stuff, to hold all of your stuff. Then, you're faced with the dilemma of having to go out and get...more stuff, so that you can organize your stuff, and then have more space, for more stuff. It's a life long cycle that repeats itself at least twice a year. The first cycle is usually around the time when gardeners start freaking out just a bit in regard to how many seeds they have, and where on earth are they going to plant them all. The second cycle is around the time when gardeners start freaking out just a bit in regard to how many plants they now have, and where on earth are they going to store them all. So, as you see, it's a fairly clear cycle.
The point is, none of us have ever had enough money to purchase our supplies, and most of us still don't. We make do with what we have. Yes, I know we've all seen the lovely images on the Internet of these gorgeous altars, gardens, home apothecary storage areas and kitchens. Those are lovely, they really are. However, they're far and few between. Also, if we take a closer look at some of these images, we find something rather interesting. Recycling. That lovely white candle is being held by an old wine bottle. Those gorgeous cabinets that hold herbs, are really re purposed cabinets found at yard sales, in grandma's attic or the junk yard. Elders have learned how to use things like craft paint, hammer, nails and even a bit of nail polish here and there. The idea is to get that 'I don't have enough money' crap right into the trash as soon as you can mentally muster it.
Dont' have enough space for an herb garden? Use a window sill, a spot on the floor that gets sun light, or stick a small table in front of a sliding glass door and leave the drapes open to allow enough sun to shine in. Don't have enough jars to store herbs in? Start saving your jars. No supplies to make your wand with? Take a walk into the woods, the park or the local play-ground and pick up a stick (YES, they will do just fine). Not enough herb jars? Start saving those beer bottles and wine bottle corks (this, by the way, is my current project). No labels? Masking tape and a sharpie pen, or a child's magic marker. I've found that the biggest 'issue' among younger practitioners, or, ,those just starting out (and, for the record, when I say 'just starting out', I mean anyone that has not been practicing for at least 10 years) is that there is never enough of anything. Time, energy, money, supplies, containers, tools...the list is rather long, but you get the idea.
No candles? Start saving those crayon bits and some twine pieces. No 'cool, dark' location to store various herbs and spices? Brown paper sandwich bag in a drawer, closet or cabinet (use the marker to write the contents on the bag). No 'cauldron'? Thrift store stewing pot, sauce pan or crock pot. The point is, you need to make your list of what ever it is that you want for your practitioning, and then figure out what items may be used as alternatives, instead of newly purchased items. Then, figure out places where you may be able to get these items fairly cheap. Here's a hint - check your local dollar store, thrift store or just ask one of your family members, friends or neighbors if they just might have some of these items laying around in a junk closet or garage. Many people get themselves into the habit of saving things with the mental reasoning that 'someone might need it at some point, for some reason'. You also have to get into the habit of recycling as much of everything as you possibly can. This includes clothing, towels, sheets and other linens. Use your imagination. After all, it's your practitioning, why not personalize it with your own creative touch as much as you can?
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