The wicked witch's crystal ball is a powerful tool that she uses to gain insight into the future and spy on others. This enchanted object is said to possess magical abilities that go beyond mere fortune-telling. It is believed that the crystal ball has been infused with dark and mysterious energies, which enable the witch to peer into the depths of time and space. The crystal ball is typically made of a high-quality glass or crystal that has been carefully crafted and polished to create a clear, reflective surface. This pristine surface allows the witch to gaze into the ball and see visions of past, present, and future events. When the witch concentrates her energies and focuses her intent, the crystal ball becomes a portal to hidden knowledge and secret truths.
When the witch concentrates her energies and focuses her intent, the crystal ball becomes a portal to hidden knowledge and secret truths. Through the crystal ball, the witch can communicate with spirits, receive messages from other realms, and gain access to information that is beyond the grasp of mere mortals. This gives her a distinct advantage in her quest for power and control.
Crystal Balls and Witchcraft Oh My! ‘Wizard of Oz’ Item Showcased in Kroch Library
The most famous crystal ball in the history of film — the crystal ball from The Wizard of Oz — arrived at Cornell for exhibition from somewhere over the rainbow and can now be found in the Kroch Library rotunda from April 25 until June 25.
The crystal ball is showcased as part of “The World Bewitch’d: Visions of Witchcraft from the Cornell Collections,” a collection first started by the University’s co-founder and first president Andrew Dickson White that documents the spread of ideas on witchcraft across Europe, with a focus on the history of persecution of accused witches.
The Wicked Witch of the West used the crystal ball in the iconic film to track Dorothy and her friends’ whereabouts as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road, explained Lance Heidig, reference and instruction librarian for Olin and Uris libraries.
The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination, a private library in the home of founder and owner Jay Walker ’77, housed the crystal ball since it was re-discovered in a prop house after it was missing for many years.
Walker and Eileen Walker ’76 MBA ’78 together chose to loan the ball to the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collection, located in Olin Library. The ball’s appearance at Cornell marks the first time it has been displayed anywhere other than the Walker Library, according to the Cornell Chronicle.
The Wizard of Oz was “special and exciting” when it first came out in 1939, and many people of that generation “feel [it] is the best movie of all time,” Heidig said. In fact, prior to the advent of on-demand streaming services, the public waited for the annual broadcasting of the film, and given the anticipation to the event, it felt like “the longest day in the year,” Heidig said.
“You got one chance a year to see it because they broadcast it on television. You got this one only chance,” Heidig said.
Today, however, given the ease of access to streaming services, people can watch the film at any time, rendering the movie not “special any more,” Heidig said.
“I don’t think people get the magic of it. But my father saw it when it first came out in 1939 … It is the first time we saw a movie in color. So the exclusivity made it very special.” Heidig said.
When visitors to the collection first saw the crystal ball, they were thrilled to see “something from this important movie is here,” Heidig said. Many people “stay and watch large section of the movie” projected beside the crystal ball.
“It may be not as special for younger generations. … [But] there are people of my age and older, they have tears in their eyes. They are just moved,” Heidig said. “You see their eyes light up, you see their smiles.”
The crystal ball brings with it additional connections to the University: the actor who played the wizard in the movie, Frank Morgan ’1921, attended Cornell for one year in 1909, and Maud Gage Baum ’82, the wife of the author of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lyman Frank Baum, also attended Cornell in 1881-1882, before dropping out of Cornell to marry him.
“[The crystal ball] is a nice association with our witchcraft materials, and again it is associated with our history of our first President who is a book collector,” Heidig said. “We have the largest collection of witchcraft materials in North America [thanks to him].”
When “Hundreds of hundreds of people” attended Cornell Bring Your Child To Work Day on April 26 — the day after the crystal ball arrived — many made a visit to Kroch Library to see the crystal ball at Cornell.
“I don’t know who will enjoy it more, the young children or the adults, but everyone who saw the movie want to be able to stand there and tell people about this thing,” Heidig said. “Seeing their smiling and laughing and taking lots of pictures and taking lots of selfies, it was really fun. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The crystal ball brings with it additional connections to the University: the actor who played the wizard in the movie, Frank Morgan ’1921, attended Cornell for one year in 1909, and Maud Gage Baum ’82, the wife of the author of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lyman Frank Baum, also attended Cornell in 1881-1882, before dropping out of Cornell to marry him.
She can use the insights gained from the crystal ball to manipulate events in her favor, sow chaos and confusion, or punish those who dare to oppose her. The crystal ball is not just a tool for divination but also a symbol of the witch's supernatural abilities. It represents her connection to the unseen realms and her mastery of the arcane arts. Its presence is often accompanied by an air of mystery and foreboding, as it becomes a focal point for dark rituals and rituals of divination. Although the crystal ball holds an undeniable allure, it is not without its dangers. Just as the witch can use it to gain power, so too can it be used against her. Those who possess strong spiritual or psychic abilities may be able to challenge the witch's dominance and even shatter the crystal ball's hold over her. In folklore and popular culture, the image of the wicked witch gazing into her crystal ball has become iconic. It is a symbol of her malevolent intent and her relentless pursuit of power. Whether feared or admired, the crystal ball is an embodiment of the witch's uncanny ability to see beyond the surface and manipulate the threads of fate..
Reviews for "The Shamanic Powers of the Wicked Witch's Crystal Ball"
1. Samantha - 2 stars
The "Wicked Witch Crystal Ball" was a huge disappointment for me. The design and visual effects were underwhelming, and the crystal ball itself was far too small to make any impact. The audio quality was also poor, making it difficult to hear the witch's cackling and other spooky sounds. Overall, it lacked the immersive and captivating experience I was hoping for. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a truly memorable and thrilling Halloween decoration.
2. Matthew - 1 star
I was extremely dissatisfied with the "Wicked Witch Crystal Ball". The product arrived damaged and the witch's voice was barely audible. The lighting effects were lackluster and failed to create any sort of eerie atmosphere. The materials used felt cheap and flimsy, providing no value for the high price. It was a complete waste of money and I regret purchasing it. Save your money and look for a better quality alternative.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the "Wicked Witch Crystal Ball" but it fell short of my expectations. The crystal ball itself was poorly made, with noticeable cracks and imperfections. The projection quality was also disappointing, with blurry and pixelated images projected onto the wall. The motion sensor was unreliable and often failed to trigger the witch's voice and other effects. It was a letdown overall and I would not recommend it to others.
4. Mike - 2.5 stars
The "Wicked Witch Crystal Ball" was an okay Halloween decoration, but definitely not worth the price tag. The voice and sound effects were repetitive and quickly became annoying. Moreover, the crystal ball lacked brightness, making it difficult to see the projected images clearly. It had potential, but the execution was lacking. I would suggest exploring other options before settling for this one.