Botanical Magic: Craft a Witch Bottle
Create your own witch bottle and explore a world of folk magic, aromatic botanicals and everyday ritual.
In this creative workshop at Chelsea Physic Garden, you’ll discover the curious history of witch bottles, made in pre-modern England by people who believed they offered protection against negative magic and malign influences.
Along the way, you’ll explore how these bottles were constructed, uncover some of their rather grim contents and learn how they have been reimagined in modern spirituality as objects of positive intention and magical inspiration.
You’ll then create your own witch bottle, drawing on botanical materials, symbolism and your own intentions to make something personal to take home.
What to Expect
Begin with an introduction to the history and folklore of witch bottles before getting hands-on with your own creation.
You’ll be guided through the materials, plants and resins that can be used, exploring their historical associations and astrological correspondences. There will be plenty of inspiration for shaping your bottle around an intention of your choosing, alongside suggestions for making further bottles at home.
What You’ll Learn
- The history of witch bottles and their use in protective folk magic
- How traditional bottles were constructed and what they contained
- How witch bottles are used in modern spirituality and everyday ritual
- The symbolism and correspondences associated with different plants, resins and materials
- How to create a witch bottle inspired by your own intentions
What’s Included
- Guidance throughout the activity
- An introduction to historical and contemporary witch bottles
- Your finished witch bottle to take home
- Ideas for creating further bottles at home
Who Is It For?
For anyone curious about folklore, botanical traditions and creative ritual.
Booking Information
- Tickets are £50 per person
About Chelsea Physic Garden
Established in 1673, Chelsea Physic Garden is London’s oldest botanic garden. For over 350 years, it has been a place for discovering the remarkable ways plants can be used for medicine, food and wellbeing. Today, the Garden brings people and plants together through horticulture, learning and creative experiences for all ages.
Date And Time
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 @ 08:30 PM