Witch bells are a popular DIY project among those interested in witchcraft and magical practices. These bells are believed to have protective properties and can be used to ward off negative energy or unwanted spirits. Making your own witch bells allows for personalization and intention-setting, making them even more powerful tools in your practice. To create your own witch bells, you will need a few key materials. Start with a plain, metal bell. You can find these at craft stores or online.
You can find these at craft stores or online. Look for bells that have a loop at the top for hanging purposes. Next, gather various additional items that resonate with you and your intentions.
Mooney's Theology Blog
Following the rules of logic is the key to making a good argument for any proposition. Logic is something of a science, which with practice, can be mastered. The following is meant to be an amusing demonstration of logic by using an example of bad logic from a scene in the classic British comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
You may watch the clip here and then see my analysis of the logical reasoning below:
An Inductive Argument:
At the beginning of the scene, the mob attempts to use inductive reasoning, which means they attempt to arrive at a conclusion ("She's a witch!") by way of empirical evidence. What evidence do they provide? A witch's nose, witch's clothing, a witch's hat, and a wart. The nose, clothing, and hat all fail to lead to the conclusion, because, as it turns out, they forced her to dress in such a way. Therefore, they are false premises (see the argument below). The wart alone, then, is insufficient to declare her a witch, because non-witches have warts. This is the problem with inductive arguments--they are not conclusively true with absolute certainty. Inductive arguments, at their best, can only suggest the truth of their conclusion with a high degree of probability. [1] Inductive arguments may be strong and cogent. If the given premises lead to the conclusion with a high degree of probability, it is strong. If the given premises are true and they lead to the conclusion, the argument is cogent. In this case, the argument is strong, but not cogent (because three of the premises are false).
- The woman has a witch's nose, (false premise)
- and [she is wearing] witch's clothing, (false premise)
- and [she is wearing] a witch's hat. (false premise)
- She has a wart. (insufficient for the conclusion)
- Only witches have witches' noses, clothing, hats, and warts.
- Therefore, she's a witch!
A Deductive Argument:
- If she weighs the same as a duck, she'll float. (false, confuses weight with density)
- she does weigh the same as a duck; (true in this case, if the scales are to be trusted)
- [conclusion #1] Therefore, she'll float. (valid but unsound)
- If she floats, she is made of wood. (false, many other things float)
- She does float; (false/based on conclusion #1)
- [conclusion #2] Therefore, she's made of wood. (valid but unsound)
- If she's made of wood, she's a witch. (assumed by all in the scene to be true)
- She is made of wood; (false/based on conclusion #2)
- [conclusion #3] Therefore, she's a witch! (valid but unsound)
Unfortunately for the young lady accused, this crowd of peasants and their dim-witted leader, Sir Bedevere, do not understand that arguments can be valid but still untrue.
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[1] Scientific data and evidence presented in court are empirical data meant to construct an inductive argument. Scientific theories and verdicts in court can't be proven 100%; however, they can be demonstrated to be true beyond a "reasonable doubt."
[2] A syllogism is merely a form of argument in which a conclusion is inferred from two or more premises.
[3] I attempted to compose the argument in the same order as the film, but I couldn't make sense of it. Reworking it in reverse made it work.
[4] Each of the three deductive arguments that make up the larger argument that she is a witch are valid forms. The logical form that they are follow is called modus ponens, which means that the second line affirms the antecedent of the first first line. An explanation of the four valid deductive forms is beyond the scope of this post.
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Transcript:
Mob: "We've found a witch. May we burn her?"
Sir Bedevere: "How do you know she is a witch?"
Mob: "She looks like one!"
Man: "She turned me into a newt (pause). I got better"
Mob: "Burn her anyway!"
Sir Bedevere: "Quiet, Quiet, there are ways of telling if she is a witch. Tell me, what do you do with witches?"
Mob: "Burn 'em"
Sir Bedevere: "And what do you burn apart from witches?"
Mob: "More witches . (silence and pondering) . wood."
Sir Bedevere: "So, why do witches burn?"
Mob: " (pondering) because they're made of wood?"
Sir Bedevere: "Good . So, how do we well whether she is made of wood?"
Mob: "Build a bridge out of her."
Sir Bedevere: "Ah, but can you not also make bridges out of stone?"
Mob: "Oh yeah. "
Sir Bedevere: "Does wood sink in water?"
Mob: "No, it floats. Throw her into the pond!"
Sir Bedevere: "What also floats in water?"
Mob: "apples. cider. cherries. nuts. churches. very small rocks. lead. "
King Arthur: "A duck!"
Sir Bedevere: "Exactly. So, logically .
Mob: "If she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood."
Sir Bedevere: "And, therefore . "
Mob: "A witch!"
This could include crystals, feathers, herbs, or symbols of protection. Begin by cleansing and charging your materials. You can do this by holding the items in your hands, visualizing white light surrounding them, and setting your intention for their use. This step helps to infuse the materials with your personal energy and desired purpose. Next, gather your bells and any additional items you have chosen to include. Use wire or string to attach these items to the loop at the top of the bell. As you do so, focus on the intention you have set and the purpose you wish the bell to serve. You may wish to recite a blessing or incantation while attaching the items. Once all your items are securely attached, take a moment to hold the bell in your hands and visualize it radiating with protective energy. Imagine it creating a barrier of light and sound that will ward off any negative energy or unwanted spirits. Finally, find a suitable place to hang your witch bell. This could be near an entryway, a window, or any location where you feel it will be most effective. You may also choose to hang multiple bells in different areas of your home or ritual space. Remember to periodically cleanse and recharge your witch bells to maintain their potency. You can do this by holding them in sunlight or moonlight, using smoke from cleansing herbs such as sage or palo santo, or simply by setting your intention for them to be cleared and renewed. Creating your own witch bells is a wonderful way to incorporate a meaningful and personalized tool into your magical practice. Whether you use them for protection, to enhance your rituals, or simply as a decorative item, these DIY witch bells can be a powerful addition to your witchcraft toolkit..
Reviews for "Repurposing Everyday Objects into Witch Bells: DIY Upcycling"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Witch bells diy. The instructions were unclear and the materials provided were of low quality. The end result was not at all what I was expecting. Additionally, the customer service was unresponsive when I reached out with questions. I would not recommend this product to others.
2. Jason - 1 star - I found the Witch bells diy to be a complete waste of money. The kit came with missing pieces and the ones that were included were flimsy and cheap. The instructions were difficult to follow, and I ended up with a final product that was nothing like the pictures. The worst part was trying to get a refund; the company was uncooperative and refused to take responsibility for their poor product. Avoid this at all costs.
3. Sarah - 1 star - The Witch bells diy was a complete disaster. The package arrived damaged, with some of the components broken. The instructions were poorly written and did not provide enough detail for someone new to crafting. Even after spending hours trying to salvage the project, the end result looked nothing like what was advertised. I felt like I wasted my time and money on this product and would not recommend it to anyone.