I don't know if this specific topic belongs in the misc forum but my apologies if it doesn't.
So I've been wanting to make a protection spell jar for my significant other for a while now. I've done research on what I should use that I have on hand. Most ingredients I see are not available to me. Since I am a "closeted witch" I didn't want to raise suspicion for any of the adults that still live in the household in buying herbs. I know the purchase would definitely raise some questions so I tried to outright avoid the interaction all together. The only herb that I have bought recently were clusters of sage. I'm asking for help on any ingredients that might be sitting in my pantry or discreet enough to go buy myself. Thank you for taking the time on reading.
What you have on hand already, the sage, preferably dried, can work in a spell jar for protection all on its own. Sage, a protective herb, does not necessarily need be burned for a smoke in order to use its protective qualities. So technically the jar and the sage is all you really need for this protection working. The spell itself does need your energy, which can be done relatively simply. Holding this jar and thinking of your loved one being loved and protected, can be effective.
Another pantry and household herb that has surprising protective properties is rosemary. Dried rosemary, like sage, in a jar that is energized can work.
These two herbs are protective, easily available at grocery stores, and are very much cooking related and therefore do not raise too much suspicion.
That said with your sage you need not have to purchase anything else unnecessarily.
Like mentioned on the previous comment sage and rosemary are great choices and something you can also do is instead of herbs that you may not have you can add esential oils enstead salt is also a great choice because it cleanses negative energy and cinnamon for protection and these are regulary used in the kitchen so it will not bring up suspicion
Blessed Be
Also, you can add anything in the jar that represents you and your significant other! Often many people add honey in jar spells to sweeten up the situation. You can also add sigils if you want, rosemary. Tumeric can be used for almost any spell, rose petals, literally anything that represents your relationship with your significant other. Hope that helps!
A really good resource I use for herbs is the Herbs A-Z articles under the Articles tab on this site. If there is something specific you have already that you want to know about (what it can be used for, what it symbolizes, etc.) you can look it up there because it is alphabetically sorted. Or you can use Ctrl + F while browsing and type in a keyword such as "protection" to find all the ones that have protective properties in magic.
Basil is a surprisingly good herb for prosperity. It brings luck and protection depending on the way you use it.
And as was stated before, you can add things to the jar that remind you of your significant other as well, They don't have to be just herbs either. If he wears a specific cologne a lot, you might add a drop of that so it smells like him. A really common one is a photo of him or you two together, maybe inside the jar or just taped to the outside. Maybe something he wrote or said to you once, you could write it down yourself and put it in the jar. Just anything that makes you think of him to help you visualize him clearly while casting.
Spells are mainly about visualization, and the intent and energy you send out into the world around you. So whatever you picture when you picture spell-casting will suffice.
