Sick of scrolling social media, watching doom-laden newsreels or binge-watching rubbish on TV? Me too. But it’s cold and dark and we just want some comfort and cosiness, right? What’s a witch to do?

Never fear, I’ve got you covered. Here are some cosy winter hobbies for witches that will keep you engaged and magical during the dark months.

1. Grimoire Journaling

Try putting down your phone and picking up your grimoire or magical journal. Creating a grimoire is one of the most traditional hobbies for witches, and it doesn’t have to be Instagram-perfect. It’s all about recording your magical journey in whatever way feels right to you. You might want to press flowers between the pages, sketch herbs, track the moon phases, or write down your understandings of deities or divination techniques, or write down your favourite spells.

You could also use different coloured inks for different types of categories, add washi tape or stickers for decoration, or include envelope pockets to hold special items like tarot cards or dried flowers. It’s wonderfully grounding, and there’s something special about creating a physical record of your practice that you can pass down through generations.

2. Candle Making and Candle Magic

Nothing beats the gentle flicker of a candle on a dark winter evening. If you love using candles in your practice, consider making, or dressing your own.

Start with basic candle making (it’s easier than you think!) and gradually incorporate magical herbs, oils and intentions into your creations. Begin with simple container candles using soy wax, which is easier to work with than beeswax for beginners. As you gain confidence, experiment with different waxes, colours and scents for specific magical purposes.

Even if you’re not ready to make your own, you can dress store-bought candles with oils and herbs – lavender for peace, rose for love, or pine for prosperity.

You might like to create a ritual around your candle magic – perhaps dedicating Sunday evenings to crafting or dressing candles for specific purposes. The soft light of a candle is so much gentler on your eyes than that doom-scroll glare, making this one of the most atmospheric hobbies for witches during winter months.

3. Tea Leaf Blending and Reading

Tempted to scroll social media with your morning cuppa? Why not trade endless social media scrolling for the ancient art of tasseomancy. Start with a simple loose-leaf tea (or blend your own with magical herbs), focus on your question, and let the leaves tell their story. Can’t tell what those leaves are saying yet? No worries – half the fun is letting your imagination flow. And at the very least you get a warming drink on a gloomy and cold winter day.

Begin by learning the basic symbols – mountains for obstacles, birds for messages, rings for cycles and changes and so on. Create a special tea-reading space with a comfortable chair, good lighting and your favourite divination cup. Keep a journal of your readings to track your progress and spot patterns. This gentle divination practice is one of the most rewarding hobbies for witches who want to develop their intuitive skills while staying cosy indoors.

4. Magical Study

Trade mindless scrolling for intentional learning. Pick a magical topic that’s always intrigued you – maybe you want to finally understand your birth chart, master the Tarot court cards, learn how to make herbal remedies or find out how crystals are formed. Buy a new notebook (any excuse for new stationary, right?) and create a dedicated reference for your subject, or simply add your new knowledge to your grimoire or magical journal.

Set up a special study nook with comfortable cushions, good lighting, and perhaps some crystals for focus and clarity. Brew a pot of mind-sharpening rosemary tea, light a blue candle for wisdom and dive deep into your chosen subject. Whether you’re mapping the planets or learning about mineral formations, you’re building real wisdom instead of absorbing endless news cycles.

5. Kitchen Witchery

Probably the cosiest of magical hobbies for witches, kitchen witchery is warming and rewarding. Transform your kitchen into a sacred space of intention while creating everything from protection cookies to prosperity hot chocolate. The simple act of stirring clockwise to bring good things in (or anticlockwise to banish negativity) turns everyday cooking into magic. Start with simple spice blends for different purposes – cinnamon for success, nutmeg for luck, or ginger for power. Create your own magical hot chocolate blend with dark chocolate (for mystery), chilli (for passion), and vanilla (for love). The scent of these magical spices will make your whole home feel like a sanctuary, and you’ll be improving your kitchen skills alongside your magical practice.

6. Magical Art Practice

One of the most meditative hobbies for witches is creating sacred art. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media, why not curl up in a cosy corner with your sketchbook and create something meaningful? Perhaps start with simple sigil making – transforming your magical intentions into powerful symbols. Then you might like to move on to drawing or painting deities, altar cards, or even illustrating your own set of oracle cards. You don’t need to be a professional artist; magical art is about intention rather than perfection.

Set up a dedicated art space with your favourite pens, pencils, or paints, perhaps with a protection sigil drawn on your drawing board and a creativity-boosting crystal nearby. Whether you’re designing elaborate sigils, sketching goddesses, or creating abstract representations of magical concepts, you’re engaging in a practice that combines creativity with craft. It’s a wonderfully absorbing way to spend dark winter evenings, and you’ll end up with unique pieces to enhance your magical practice.

7. Tarot Journaling

Instead of endlessly scrolling through bad news, pull a daily card and spend time really sitting with its message. Write about how it relates to your life, sketch the imagery that speaks to you, or create spreads for self-reflection. Develop a morning ritual around your daily draw – perhaps with a special cloth to lay your cards on, a candle to light, or a bell to ring before you begin. Keep track of which cards appear frequently and what messages they bring.

Create your own spreads based on the seasons or moon phases. It’s amazing how much wisdom you can find when you give yourself space to truly connect with the cards instead of just reaching for another quick social media hit. This contemplative practice has become one of the most popular hobbies for witches seeking deeper insight into themselves and their path.

Finding Magic in the Darker Months

These cosy hobbies for witches offer so much more than just a distraction from endless scrolling. Each practice helps ground us in the present moment, deepen our craft and create something meaningful. Whether you’re brewing magical tea blends, crafting candles, or diving deep into sacred study, you’re choosing to fill your free time with intention and magic rather than digital noise. Some of the most powerful magic happens in the quiet moments we create for ourselves.

So, if you need a little digital detox, put down that phone, pick up your grimoire, and let’s make this winter a season of genuine magical growth.

I’d love to hear about your magical hobbies. Let me know in the comments below

Blessed be

Eva X