October is the season of the witch.

It’s when the air turns crisp, the nights grow long, and the veil between worlds begins to thin. This is the perfect time to prepare for Samhain with cosy, crafty, and spiritual DIYs that honour the power of the season and awaken your inner witch.

From crafting for ritual, making spooky home decor, refreshing your altar, to simply making for the joy of it, these 20 ideas are rooted in autumn’s magick, mystery, and natural beauty.

We’ve sourced many of the materials you’ll need, and this article includes some affiliate links, meaning that when you make a purchase through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Pour a cup of cider, light a candle, and let the witchy crafting begin…

1. Samhain Spell Jar

A Samhain Spell Jar is a spell jar crafted during this season, to offer protection, and connection to your ancestors during the thinning of the veil. As the witch’s year ends in October, it’s the perfect time to reflect, seek guidance, and honour those who came before you. This jar is both symbolic and protective, making it an ideal item for your Samhain altar.

To make one, start by layering liminal herbs such as mugwort, rosemary, and lavender in a small jar. Add items that represent your ancestors (such as a very small photo, sigil, or written note). Drop in a black tourmaline or obsidian crystal for protection. Seal the jar with wax (preferably black or deep red), and tie black ribbon around the lid while setting your intention.

Supplies Needed:

• Small glass jars
• Dried lavender flowers:
• Organic dried rosemary
• Dried mugwort – source locally
• Black tourmaline chips or obsidian pieces
• A small piece of paper (for your intention)
• Sea salt, black salt or cascarilla (make your own)
• Black sealing wax (melt on a teaspoon and pour to seal)
• black ribbon – we LOVE this gorgeous black velvet ribbon!

2. Pumpkin Table Centrepiece

Is October even October without pumpkins?!

The humble pumpkin becomes a sacred object when transformed into a magickal table centrepiece. Perfect for the centre of your dining table or ritual space, it brings the energy of the harvest into your gatherings, whether it’s mealtimes or crafting circles, or a simple cup of tea with a friend.

Hollowing out a pumpkin and filling it with symbols of the season allows you to physically manifest your intentions and gratitude.

Choose a small to medium-sized pumpkin and carefully hollow it out. Inside, arrange seasonal elements such as dried flowers, sprigs of herbs, a large crystal point or two, and a few carefully positioned candles.

You could also add photos of loved ones or ancestors for that liminal connection to those beyond the veil. Surround the base with fallen leaves or pinecones for extra autumn flair.

Get supplies:

• A small pumpkin (or a group of small pumpkins or gourds will look amazing)
• Herbs and flowers (sage, marigold, cinnamon sticks)
• Crystal points (THIS citrine, this carnelian and this stunning dark red hematoid quartz are all gorgeous)
• Small candles or LED tealights
• Seasonal decor (leaves, pinecones, acorns)
• Coloured ribbon – I love this burnt orange velvet ribbon

3. Black Scrying Mirror 

A black scrying mirror is no witch’s ordinary tool – it’s a portal for spirit messages and deep inner vision. Used for centuries by witches and mystics, its dark, reflective surface invites wisdom from beyond the veil. Creating your own allows you to awaken a deeply personal tool of protection and prophecy.

Begin by removing and thoroughly cleaning the glass from an old frame, physically and energetically. Pass it through incense smoke or moon water.

Paint one side with several thin coats of black acrylic until it’s fully opaque. Once dry, return it to the frame with the painted side facing inward.

You can anoint the edges with oil, add protective sigils, and awaken it with candlelight and spoken intention. Wrap and store with care when not in use.

You will need:

• Picture frame with glass pane – find secondhand, or try this large ornate frame, or these 5 mini gold frames
• Soft cloth, plus incense or moon water for cleansing
• anointing oil, sigils, candle
• Black acrylic paint

4. Herbal Spell Sachets

Herbal sachets are small fabric pouches filled with magickal herbs, perfect for carrying in your purse, placing under your pillow, or storing in drawers.

In October, focus on herbs that encourage dreams, protection, and spirit connection. These little pillows of power can also be added to your altar or given as gifts.

To make them, simply put two small squares of fabric and sew or glue them together on three sides. Turn inside out, and fill with herbs such as mugwort (for dreams), rosemary (for protection), and cloves (for warmth and abundance). Stitch closed and optionally add a charm or sigil on the outside.

Spell Sachet Supplies:

• Fabric scraps

• Needle and thread or hot melt glue gun – this is one of the best

• Dried herbs (mugwort, rosemary, cloves)

• Small charms or sigils

5. Ancestor-Honouring Photo Frame 

Honouring your ancestors is a sacred part of Samhain. Personalise a vintage-style photo frame to feature on your altar or in your home. This can become a relly special, devotional focal point for remembrance and spiritual connection.

It’s also a comforting, creative way to reflect on your roots and loved ones who’ve passed.

Find a vintage or wooden frame and paint it in black, gold, or autumn tones. Embellish it with small dried flowers, patterns and ancestral symbols. Insert a photo of a loved one or an artistic representation of your lineage, and place it in your sacred space.

Supplies:

• Photo frame (like THIS wooden one, or THIS vintage-style one)

• Paints and brushes

• Dried flowers – try THIS set of black and white pressed flowers for crafting

• Glue, charms, and symbols

6. Samhain Ritual Oil Blend

Crafting ritual oils is a sensory-rich way to align with the season, and create a gorgeous, rich and generous gift for yourself or a good friend.

Homemade anointing oils are perfect for use on candles, tools, your altar, or the body, during Samhain rituals. 

Choose a carrier oil like jojoba or almond. Add a few drops of essential oils such as patchouli, orange, cinnamon, or myrrh. You can also drop in dried herbs or flower petals for added effect.

You can place them into roll-on bottles for personal use or amber glass dropper bottles for altar work. If you feel called, charge it under the October full moon.

Get supplies here:

• Cold-pressed jojoba oil
• Organic sweet almond oil
• Frankincense oil – this brand is my favourite
• Patchouli oil
• Sweet orange oil
• Pure vanilla essential oil – this is SO good to add sweetness to an autumn blend!
• Birch essential oil – unusual but gorgeous

7. Spirit Poppets

Poppets are handmade dolls used in spellwork. For Samhain, spirit poppets can be crafted in honour of your ancestors or to house protective energies. They’re symbolic, beautiful, and deeply personal.

Sew two pieces of fabric into a simple doll shape and stuff it with herbs like rosemary, lavender, and mugwort. You can also insert a small photo or written petition.

Decorate the outside with symbols or buttons, and keep it on your altar or in your sacred space.

Supplies:

• Fabric scraps

• Needle and thread or glue

• Herbs (lavender, rosemary, mugwort)

• Buttons, string, charms

• Paper and pen

9. Autumn Herbal Bundles

A timeless craft, herbal bundles carry the essence of the season and make powerful tools for smoke cleansing and ritual. Samhain is the perfect time to gather the very last of your drying herbs, and to tie into autumn bundles.

Choose herbs aligned with your purpose – rosemary for protection, slithers of cinnamon sticks for warmth, pine for grounding. Bundle them together, tying tightly with natural twine. Hang upside down in a dry place until fully dried, then burn carefully in ritual or to cleanse your home.

Supplies Needed:

• Fresh herbs (rosemary, sage, pine, cinnamon sticks)

• Natural twine or cotton cord – THIS 1mm twine is best

• Scissors

11. Pumpkin Spice Bath Soak

Indulge in a ritual bath infused with the very essence of autumn. A pumpkin spice soak warms the body, clears stagnant energy, and prepares you for divination or Samhain rituals.

In a mixing bowl, combine Epsom salt with ground cinnamon, cloves, dried orange peel, and a few drops of essential oils like vanilla or pumpkin spice blend. Store in a jar and sprinkle into a hot bath whenever you need a seasonal recharge.

Supplies Needed:

• Epsom salts

• Ground cinnamon & cloves

• Dried orange peel

• Pumpkin spice essential oil – try this amazing set of autumn oils by Folkulture 

• Mason jar for storage – we LOVE this for a statement piece!

12. Carved Candles 

Candles are a witch’s best friend, and October is the perfect time to carve intentions into black, orange, or white candles. Carving sigils and words of power into your candles infuses them with purpose before lighting.

Supplies Needed:

• Black pillar candles – these Danish cone pillars are stunning!

• Set of 3 orange pillar candles

• 20 simple white pillar candles

• Carving tool like an awl (this is a good one)

• Ritual oil (homemade or store-bought)

• Herbs for dressing (optional)

13. Bone-Look Clay Talismans

Tap into the ancestral and primal energies of Samhain by crafting faux-bone talismans. These eerie and curious little charms can be inscribed with runes, sigils, or protective marks.

To make, roll out air-dry clay and shape into small “bone-like” forms or pendants. Before the clay dries, carve your chosen symbols. Once hardened, paint with ivory and brown tones to give them an aged look.

String on lengths of twine to wear or hang on your altar.

Supplies Needed:

• Air-dry clay – we love this brand

• Carving tool like this awl (this is a good one)

• Acrylic paint (ivory, brown, black)

• Twine or cord

14. Pumpkin Spell Candles

Mini pumpkins can become magickal candles filled with seasonal herbs and intent. These little beauties look gorgeous on the altar and make for powerful spell tools.

Cut the top off a baby pumpkin and hollow it out. Melt soy or beeswax, stir in a sprinkle of herbs and/or essential oils, and pour into the pumpkin with a wick secured at the center.

Once cooled, you’ll have a pumpkin candle ready for Samhain magic.

Supplies Needed:

• Baby pumpkins

• White soy wax or yellow beeswax pellets – our favourite

• Candle wicks

• Herbs & essential oils

• Double boiler or heat-safe container

15. Ritual Offering Bowls

An offering bowl is a staple for any altar, especially during Samhain when food and gifts for the spirits of the dead are common. Decorating your own bowl personalises this sacred tool.

Start with a small clay, wooden, or ceramic bowl. Decorate with paint, use a wood-burning tool – like THIS pyrography tool – or use pressed herbs and flowers sealed with Mod Podge. Dedicate the bowl during ritual and use it for offerings of food, incense, or herbs.

Choose from these bowls:

• Set of 20 small unfinished wooden bowls (these are ideal for craft circles)

• 4 acacia bowls

• 6 terracotta bowls

16. Black Salt for Protection

Black salt is a staple for warding and protection, especially during the darkening days of autumn. Making your own ensures it carries your intent. Plus, it’s a quick and inexpensive.

In a mortar and pestle, grind sea salt with ashes, activated charcoal, and, if you like, a few choice protective herbs. Store in a small jar and sprinkle across thresholds, windowsills, or around candles in ritual.

Supplies Needed:

• Sea salt 

• Activated charcoal or wood ash

• Protective herbs (rosemary, cloves, sage)

• Mortar and pestle – we LOVE this gorgeous black set

• Small jar for storage

17. Herbal witch’s broom (besom) decor

Make a decorative besom (witch’s broom). These are great for energetically cleansing spaces and attracting good energy, especially during seasonal changes.

You can buy small pre-made brooms fairly easily, but it’s easy to make your own using a firm, straight branch and a selection of twigs, grasses and stems from fragrant herbs, all tied together with twine.

Embellish yours using dried herbs like rosemary for protection, lavender for peace, or mugwort for psychic insight. Adorn them with charms and small crystals, using a hot melt glue gun to secure.

Get supplies:

• Traditional besom – this one is ideal, or make your own.
• Pentacle charms for protection
• Sun and moon charms
• Leaf and feather charms
• Assorted crystal points
• Hot melt glue gun – this is one of the best

18. Witchy Decoupage Luminaries

Bring a soft, flickering glow to your home with witchy luminaries, aka jars decorated with spooky decoupage silhouettes that come to life when lit!

Simply re-purpose some clean glass jars and apply cut-outs of witchy decoupage paper, securing with Mod Podge.

Place a tealight or LED candle inside, and watch the shadows dance on your walls.

Choose from these spooky decoupage papers:

• Try THIS incredible Halloween William Morris decoupage paper
• Gorgeous, fun pumpkin & ghost decoupage paper
• Vintage Halloween decoupage paper sheets
• Amazing vintage witch decoupage paper (we LOVE this!)

19. Witchy Wall Hanging with Bones & Feathers

Samhain is a time to work with natural materials that honour life, death, and the cycle between. A wall hanging of bones, feathers, and natural charms makes a hauntingly beautiful altar decoration.

Collect small ethically sourced bones, feathers, and sticks. Tie them with twine or leather cord to a wooden branch, creating a mobile or wall hanging. Add charms, crystals, or bells, letting your intuition guide you and your creative flair lead.

20. Witchy Cloak Pin or Brooch

Every witch needs a protective adornment, especially as the colder months approach. Crafting your own brooch or cloak pin lets you wear your magick on your sleeve—literally.

Use resin to embed small sprigs and leaves of protective herbs, along with symbols and tiny crystals. Try adding gold flakes, or even a sprinkle of salt for extra potency.

Back your brooch with a clasp, or a cloak pin, depending on how you wish to wear yours.

Get your supplies here:

• Crystal Clear epoxy resin kit
• Resin moulds – try THIS circular set or THIS set of Moon and Star moulds
• Brooch pin backs, or
• Large safety pins