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Witches bags and pouches

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Witch’s pouches and bags have been a thing long before Halloween – they combine millennia-old craft traditions with the visual language of herbalists, wise women and nature magicians. Whether as a simple herb pouch that can be filled, a historically authenticated kidney pouch, or a richly studded Viking belt pouch: here you’ll find pieces made from genuine leather and natural fibres that not only complement the witch’s look but are also based on verifiable historical models.

What is a witch’s pouch – origin and meaning

Was ist ein Hexenbeutel – Herkunft und Bedeutung

The term ‘witch’s pouch’ appears in very different contexts: in European folk magic, in the Anglo-American Hoodoo tradition as a so-called ‘mojo bag’, and in modern Wicca as a protective pouch or herb pouch. Common to all variants is the basic principle: a small, usually closed pouch contains items of symbolic or healing significance – herbs, stones, amulets, runes.

Historically speaking, the belt pouch is simply the everyday object par excellence. In the Middle Ages, both women and men carried their personal belongings – coins, keys, herbs, knives – in small leather pouches on their belts. Herbalists and healers, who were recognised as wise women by the village community, often carried specially filled pouches containing medicinal plants and protective stones. The belt pouch was not a special magical artefact, but rather a natural tool of everyday life – its use as a ritual container arose quite naturally.

The difference between a decorative witch’s pouch for costume and LARP and a herb pouch used for rituals lies primarily in the contents and intended purpose – not in the form. A historically accurate leather pouch with a drawstring is both at once: an authentic medieval accessory and a functional container for herbs, stones or runes.

What goes into a witch’s pouch – herbs, stones and symbols

Was gehört in einen Hexenbeutel – Kräuter, Steine und Symbole

The contents of a witch’s pouch depend on tradition and purpose. In Central European folk magic and herbalism, the following plants are considered classic witch’s herbs:

  • Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) – regarded as a protective plant and travel herb, used for smudging and as a dream herb
  • Elder (Sambucus nigra) – in many cultures the tree of the wise woman; flowers and berries were used for medicinal purposes
  • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – a traditional wound herb and protective herb, named after the hero Achilles
  • Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) – bitter, cleansing, known since ancient times as a protective and purifying plant
  • Lavender (Lavandula) – for calm and protection, indispensable in many ritual sachets
  • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) – a symbol of courage and purity since the Middle Ages

In addition to herbs, depending on the tradition, other ingredients are included in the pouch: quartz or obsidian as stones, runes or small amulets, dried seeds, and salt as a purifying element. What is considered a ‘witch’s herb’ is not uniformly defined – Celtic, Germanic and Wiccan traditions differ in their selection and interpretation of the contents. The pouch is always the personal container for this practice.

Herbal witches – whether in historical re-enactments or in a modern Wiccan context – gather and dry herbs themselves, blend them into incense mixtures or tinctures, and fill hand-sewn pouches with them. Those looking for incense herbs and ready-made incense blends will also find these in the range.

Historical pouch shapes: From the Viking belt pouch to the kidney pouch

Early Middle Ages

6th–10th century

Simple leather pouches with strap fastenings, as well as Viking belt pouches based on grave finds from Birka (Sweden) and Ås – some richly decorated with stamped metal fittings. The Tarsoly pouch dates back to Hungarian horsemen, but is also attested in a Viking context. Main material: cowhide.

High Middle Ages

11th–13th century

The D-shaped belt pouch and the Runneburg type establish themselves as characteristic forms. Sturdy 3 mm cowhide leather, simple lines, worn on the belt – by men and women alike. Ideal for the witch LARP look, as it is timeless and functional.

Late Middle Ages

14th–15th century

The kidney bag with decorative fittings and lily motifs in brass- or bronze-coloured metal becomes a status symbol. Nubuck and suede, black dyeing as a fashion statement – authentically datable to 1400–1500. Perfect for authentic witch outfits with historical credibility.

All these bag styles were demonstrably worn by women – they are not a stopgap for the witch look, but historically legitimate originals. Main materials in the range: cowhide leather, nubuck leather and suede.

Materials at a glance: leather, cotton, hemp and suede

Material Suitability Use
Cowhide (2–3 mm) Historical Belt bags, Viking bags – robust, durable, developing a patina over time
Suede / Nubuck Historical Kid-skin bags, late medieval pieces – soft, rustic look
Cotton / Linen LARP Ehwaz fabric pouch – herbal scents diffuse through the fabric, ideal as a ritual pouch
Hemp LARP Hemp pouch Ehwaz – natural, breathable, for herbs and stones

Colours: Brown and black dominate the range and complement the typical witch’s look. Green emphasises the connection to nature and is particularly popular for herb pouches. Closures vary by model and include drawstrings, press studs or leather straps. The in-house brand Vehi Mercatus uses only natural fibres – cotton, linen, hemp – in its fabric pouches, with no synthetic components.

Witch bags and pouches by price range and intended use

Entry level · €10–18

Simple leather pouches with drawstrings and the Ehwaz fabric pouches in colours such as brown, black, green, blue, sand or hemp – a timeless pilgrim’s pouch style that is ideal as a herb pouch or ritual pouch. Lightweight, portable, versatile. Perfect for getting started with the witchcraft aesthetic.

Mid-range · €19–40

Cowhide leather belt pouches: the D-shaped belt pouch, the Runneburg-style pouch in High Medieval style made from 3 mm thick cowhide leather, and nubuck kidney pouches – for LARP, markets and events. Here, the witch’s look is given the necessary artisanal character.

Reenactment · from €40

Richly-embellished Viking belt pouches (Birka/Ås type), Tarsoly replicas based on Hungarian grave finds and the Rösta pouch based on a Scandinavian grave find – for collectors, re-enactors and anyone who wants historical accuracy. Top-of-the-range models up to approx. €100.

Making your own witch’s pouch – which pouch is suitable as a base

Ehwaz fabric pouches made from cotton or hemp (from approx. €13) are particularly suitable for self-filled herb pouches. They are easy to fill, the scent of the herbs diffuses through the fabric, and the practical drawstring keeps the contents secure. The various colour options – brown, black, green, sand, blue – allow you to choose one that suits your own practice or costume.

If you’re looking for a more durable ritual pouch, opt for a simple leather pouch with a drawstring – these are available from around €12 and are suitable for frequent use at markets and LARP events. The leather absorbs herbal scents over time and develops a characteristic patina.

If you want to carry larger quantities of herbs, several stones or a complete collection of travel tinctures, the historical cowhide leather belt pouches – such as the Runneburg type or the D-shaped belt pouch – offer the perfect solution. Both provide significantly more capacity than a simple pouch and can be easily attached to a belt.

The easiest way to make your own witch’s pouch: 1. Choose a pouch based on size and material. 2. Collect or buy herbs, dry them and roughly chop them. 3. Add stones and symbols (runes, amulets). 4. Optional: Add salt as a cleansing element. 5. Close the drawstring and wear the pouch on your belt, around your neck or in your pocket. There are no strict rules – the contents and composition are entirely up to you.

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Whether you’re looking for a simple herb pouch to fill, a historically accurate Viking belt pouch for your re-enactment outfit, or a matching accessory for a witch’s costume – browse through our range and find the pouch that suits your style and your plans.

Frequently asked questions

A witch’s pouch is a small, usually fastened pouch containing items of symbolic or healing significance – typically herbs, stones, amulets or runes. The term is found in European folk magic, in Anglo-American Hoodoo as a mojo bag, and in modern Wicca as a protection or ritual pouch. Historically, it is simply the medieval belt pouch – an everyday item that herbalists and healers filled with their medicinal plants and protective stones.

The contents depend on tradition and purpose. Classic witchcraft herbs from Central European folk magic include mugwort, yarrow, elderberry, wormwood, lavender and thyme. These are complemented by stones such as quartz or obsidian, runes, amulets and salt as a purifying element. There is no fixed system – Celtic, Germanic and Wiccan traditions differ in their choice and interpretation of the contents.

Herbal witches are involved in gathering, drying and processing medicinal plants and wild herbs. These are used to make teas, tinctures, incense blends, ointments and ritual pouches. In medieval society, these women – and men too – were important healers whose knowledge was passed down through the generations. In the modern context, herbal witches consciously draw on this traditional craft.

The herbs traditionally considered to be ‘witch’s herbs’ are primarily mugwort, yarrow, elderberry, lavender, wormwood and thyme. These plants were gathered by healers, dried and processed into teas, tinctures or protective pouches. There is no uniform definition of what constitutes a ‘witch’s herb’, and this varies depending on the region and tradition.

Ehwaz fabric pouches made of cotton or hemp (from approx. €13) are particularly well-suited as a base – they allow the scent of the herbs to diffuse through the fabric and have a practical drawstring. You collect the herbs, dry them and mix them according to your tradition. Stones, runes or amulets complement the mixture. Close the pouch with the drawstring and wear it on your belt, around your neck or in your pocket.

Discover related categories

Medieval pouches Medieval belt pouches Witch’s clothing Witch’s shoes Esoteric Rune stones with pouch Incense Carnival witch costume

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