Making Herbal Sachets and Charm Bags

Introduction: Portable Magic in a Pouch

Herbal sachets and charm bags are small pouches filled with magical herbs, crystals, and other items to carry specific intentions. These portable spells can be tucked in pockets, purses, pillows, or placed around your home to continuously work their magic. Simple to make yet powerful in effect, sachets and charm bags are perfect for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

This comprehensive guide teaches you how to create effective herbal sachets and charm bags for any purpose. You'll learn the difference between sachets and mojo bags, how to choose and combine ingredients, sewing and no-sew methods, charging techniques, and complete recipes for common intentions. Whether you're making a sleep sachet for your pillow or a prosperity charm for your wallet, this tutorial provides everything you need.

Sachets vs. Charm Bags vs. Mojo Bags

Understanding the Differences

Sachets:

• Usually sewn fabric pouches
• Primarily filled with herbs and flowers
• Often used for scent and gentle magic
• Placed in drawers, under pillows, in cars
• Can be decorative
• European folk magic tradition

Charm Bags (Gris-Gris):

• Small pouches with mixed contents
• Herbs, crystals, symbols, personal items
• Carried for specific magical purpose
• More complex than sachets
• Often tied or sewn shut
• Various magical traditions

Mojo Bags (Mojo Hands):

• Hoodoo/rootwork tradition
• Specific ingredients in odd numbers
• Fed with oils or whiskey
• Very personal, not shared
• Carried on person
• Specific creation and care rituals

This guide covers sachets and general charm bags.

Essential Supplies

Fabric and Pouches

Fabric options:

• Cotton: Natural, breathable, easy to sew
• Muslin: Lightweight, inexpensive, traditional
• Silk: Luxurious, smooth, holds scent well
• Felt: No-sew friendly, comes in many colors
• Organza: Sheer, decorative, see-through
• Burlap: Rustic, natural, earthy magic

Pre-made pouches:

• Drawstring organza bags (craft stores)
• Muslin bags (tea bags work too)
• Velvet pouches (luxurious feel)
• Small cloth bags (dollar stores)

Color correspondences:

• White: purity, all-purpose
• Black: protection, banishing
• Red: love, passion, strength
• Pink: friendship, gentle love
• Green: money, prosperity, healing
• Blue: peace, healing, communication
• Purple: spirituality, psychic work
• Yellow: joy, clarity, communication
• Orange: success, creativity
• Brown: grounding, stability

Filling Ingredients

Dried herbs:

• Choose 3-7 herbs matching intention
• Crushed or whole
• Must be completely dry

Crystals:

• Small tumbled stones or chips
• 1-3 stones per bag
• Match crystal to intention

Other additions:

• Essential oils (few drops)
• Written petitions or sigils
• Small charms or symbols
• Personal items (hair, nail clippings)
• Coins (prosperity bags)
• Feathers, shells, or natural items

Tools

For sewing:

• Needle and thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine (optional)

For no-sew:

• Pre-made pouches
• Ribbon or string
• Fabric glue (optional)

For all methods:

• Measuring spoons
• Small bowl for mixing
• Funnel (helpful)
• Labels

Step-by-Step: Making a Basic Sachet

Method 1: Sewn Sachet

Steps:

1. Cut fabric - Two 4x4 inch squares (or desired size)
2. Place right sides together - Pattern/color facing inward
3. Sew three sides - Leave one side open, 1/4 inch seam
4. Turn right-side out - Push corners out neatly
5. Fill with herbs - Don't overstuff, leave room to close
6. Sew opening shut - Hand stitch or machine
7. Optional: Add ribbon - Tie decoratively

Method 2: No-Sew Fabric Square

Steps:

1. Cut fabric circle - 6-8 inches diameter
2. Place herbs in center - Leave 2 inches around edges
3. Gather edges up - Bring all sides to center
4. Tie with ribbon - Secure tightly
5. Trim excess if desired

Method 3: Pre-Made Pouch

Steps:

1. Select pouch - Choose appropriate color and size
2. Mix ingredients - Combine herbs and items in bowl
3. Fill pouch - Use funnel if needed
4. Close pouch - Pull drawstring or tie shut
5. Seal if desired - Tie knot, add wax seal, or sew shut

Choosing and Combining Ingredients

Herb Selection Guidelines

How many herbs:

• 3-7 herbs is ideal
• Odd numbers are traditional (3, 5, 7, 9)
• More isn't always better
• Each herb should have clear purpose

Combining herbs:

• Choose herbs with complementary properties
• Consider scent combinations
• Mix textures (flowers, leaves, seeds)
• Include at least one fragrant herb

Amounts:

• Total: 2-4 tablespoons for small sachet
• Equal parts of each herb, or
• More of primary herb, less of supporting herbs

Adding Crystals

Crystal selection:

• Choose 1-3 small stones
• Match crystal properties to intention
• Tumbled stones work best (no sharp edges)
• Crystal chips are perfect for sachets

Placement:

• Add to herb mixture, or
• Place in center of herbs, or
• Attach to outside of bag

Personal Items

For personal sachets:

• Strand of your hair
• Nail clippings
• Drop of blood (advanced, use caution)
• Signature or name written on paper
• Photo

Creates strong personal connection to sachet

Complete Sachet Recipes

Sleep and Dreams Sachet

Purpose: Peaceful sleep, pleasant dreams, prevent nightmares

Fabric: Blue or purple

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons dried lavender
• 1 tablespoon chamomile
• 1 tablespoon mugwort (for dreams)
• 1 teaspoon rose petals
• Small amethyst
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

1. Mix all herbs in bowl
2. Add essential oil and mix
3. Fill sachet
4. Add amethyst
5. Sew or tie shut
6. Place under pillow or in pillowcase

Protection Sachet

Purpose: Shield from negativity, psychic protection, ward off harm

Fabric: Black or white

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 bay leaves
• Small black tourmaline
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all herbs
2. Add salt and black pepper
3. Fill sachet
4. Add black tourmaline
5. Close securely
6. Carry in purse/pocket or place by front door

Money and Prosperity Sachet

Purpose: Attract abundance, financial success, opportunities

Fabric: Green or gold

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried mint
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon chips
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• Small citrine or pyrite
• Shiny penny or dime
• Bay leaf with money amount written on it

Instructions:

1. Mix herbs and spices
2. Write specific amount on bay leaf
3. Layer herbs, coin, crystal, and bay leaf in sachet
4. Close and tie with green ribbon
5. Keep in wallet, purse, or cash register

Love Attraction Sachet

Purpose: Attract romantic love, enhance self-love

Fabric: Pink or red

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons dried rose petals
• 1 tablespoon lavender
• 1 tablespoon jasmine flowers
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Small rose quartz
• 3 drops rose essential oil

Instructions:

1. Combine all herbs
2. Add rose oil
3. Fill sachet
4. Add rose quartz
5. Tie with pink ribbon
6. Carry with you or place under pillow

Healing Sachet

Purpose: Support physical, emotional, spiritual healing

Fabric: Blue or white

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried lavender
• 1 tablespoon chamomile
• 1 tablespoon rosemary
• 1 tablespoon eucalyptus
• Small clear quartz or amethyst
• Written healing intention

Instructions:

1. Mix all herbs
2. Write healing intention on small paper
3. Layer herbs, paper, and crystal
4. Close sachet
5. Keep near bed or carry during recovery

Study and Focus Sachet

Purpose: Mental clarity, concentration, memory

Fabric: Yellow or orange

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary (memory)
• 1 tablespoon peppermint (clarity)
• 1 tablespoon lemon balm (focus)
• 3 bay leaves (wisdom)
• Small clear quartz or fluorite

Instructions:

1. Combine herbs
2. Add crystal
3. Fill sachet
4. Keep on desk or in backpack

Travel Protection Sachet

Purpose: Safe travels, protection on journeys

Fabric: Blue or white

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon comfrey (safe travel)
• 1 tablespoon mugwort
• Small black tourmaline or hematite
• Small St. Christopher medal (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix herbs
2. Add protective items
3. Close sachet
4. Keep in car or carry when traveling

Charging and Activating Your Sachet

Charging Process

1. Cleanse first - Pass through smoke or sound
2. Hold in both hands - Connect with the sachet
3. State intention clearly - "This sachet brings me [purpose]"
4. Visualize - See sachet glowing with energy
5. Charge under moon or sun - Appropriate to purpose
6. Speak activation

Activation Incantation

"Herbs and stone within this bag,
Work your magic, never lag.
Bring to me [your intention],
For highest good, this spell is done.
Activated now, begin your task,
Grant me all for which I ask.
So mote it be."

Using and Caring for Sachets

Where to Place Sachets

Sleep sachets: Under pillow, in pillowcase, nightstand

Protection sachets: By front door, in car, carry in purse

Money sachets: Wallet, purse, cash register, workspace

Love sachets: Under mattress, in bedroom, carry with you

General sachets: Drawers, closets, car, office, anywhere relevant

Refreshing Sachets

When to refresh:

• Scent fades
• Feels energetically depleted
• Every 3-6 months
• After achieving goal

How to refresh:

• Add few drops essential oil
• Recharge under full moon
• Speak intention over it again
• Replace herbs if very old
• Add new crystal

When to Dispose

Dispose when:

• Goal is achieved
• Herbs are moldy or smell bad
• Bag breaks open
• Feels energetically dead
• You no longer need it

Disposal methods:

• Bury in earth with gratitude
• Burn (if safe and appropriate)
• Return herbs to nature
• Compost herbs, save crystals
• Thank sachet before disposing

Common Questions

Can I make sachets for other people?

Yes! Make with their permission and for their highest good. Include something personal from them if possible.

How long do sachets last?

3-6 months typically, longer if refreshed. Depends on herbs used and how often you recharge them.

Can I open a sachet once it's sealed?

Yes, but it breaks the spell. Only open if you're refreshing or disposing. Sewn sachets are meant to stay closed.

What if I don't have all the herbs?

Use what you have! 3 herbs work as well as 7. Intention matters more than perfect ingredients.

Can I wash sachets?

Not recommended - water damages herbs. If fabric gets dirty, make a new sachet with fresh ingredients.

Conclusion: Portable Magic

Herbal sachets and charm bags are simple, effective, and versatile magical tools that you can customize for any purpose. These portable spells work continuously, require minimal supplies, and can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. Whether you're making your first sleep sachet or creating a complex charm bag, the process of selecting, combining, and charging ingredients is a magical practice in itself.

Start with a simple recipe that matches your current needs, experiment with different herb combinations, and pay attention to what works for you. As you create more sachets, you'll develop an intuitive understanding of herbal magic and discover your own favorite recipes.

May your sachets be potent, your intentions clear, and your magic effective!

Ready to expand your herbal practice? Learn How to Dry Herbs and How to Make Magical Oils.