The witch hat carries significant spiritual symbolism in various cultures and historical contexts. While commonly associated with witches and the practice of witchcraft, its symbolism goes beyond its stereotypical depiction in modern media. The conical shape of the witch hat embodies a connection to the divine and the spiritual realm. In many cultures, such as the ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations, the cone was a symbol of power, wisdom, and the divine feminine. The hat's pointed tip extends upward, symbolizing the practitioner's ability to tap into higher realms of consciousness and connect with spiritual energies. Furthermore, the brim of the hat acts as a protective barrier, shielding the witch and amplifying their power.
Furthermore, the brim of the hat acts as a protective barrier, shielding the witch and amplifying their power. It serves as a boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds, allowing the wearer to navigate between these realms safely. This concept is seen in various spiritual traditions, where practitioners use specific tools or garments to create a sacred space and protect themselves from negative energies.
5 charts that hint at what’s in store for construction in 2023
The industry will continue to face labor shortages, high materials costs and other headwinds, but infrastructure will be a bright spot.
Published Dec. 6, 2022 Julie Strupp Editor2022 brought skyrocketing inflation and interest rates, but contractors remained optimistic. ilkercelik via Getty Images
2022 has been a mixed bag for the U.S. construction industry.
This past year brought skyrocketing inflation and interest rates, but contractors remained optimistic despite the rocky economic conditions.
Inflation was a major concern in 2022, climbing to a 40-year high in June. It was fueled by ongoing supply chain snarls brought on by pandemic stresses as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, prices jumped on key construction materials such as cement, diesel and asphalt. The industry also continued to struggle to attract enough workers in an overall tight labor market.
On a more positive note, backlog remained strong — although that metric went negative in October for the first time in more than a year.
As the new year approaches, the big question on construction leaders’ minds is what’s in store for 2023. Top construction economists say much like in 2022, signals are mixed.
Here is a look at five key indicators and what they suggest for contractors in the year ahead.
Architecture billings’ positive streak ends
When architects are busy, contractors likely are, too. The Architecture Billing Index from the American Institute of Architects is an indicator of future nonresidential construction spending nine to 12 months down the line. Numbers above 50 on the ABI indicate an increase in billings.
The ABI remained positive in 2022 until October , when it took a sharp downward turn. That could indicate that recession fears and inflation have finally started to manifest in the industry, and may translate to a drop in available construction work in the latter end of next year.
Nonetheless, Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu said the industry lag means construction will likely stay strong in the coming year regardless of economic conditions.
“For many contractors, 2023 does not stand to be the problematic year, it’s more likely to be in 2024 or 2025 if in fact the economy enters recession in 2023,” Basu said.
Construction backlog remains steady
ABC's member survey results measure the number of months of construction backlog.
New projects are a bellwether for contractor confidence. The industry’s backlog has remained positive over the past year but dipped in June and July and declined again in October from the previous month. It’s nonetheless 0.7 months higher than the year-ago period.
Backlog in the commercial and institutional category posted its largest monthly decline in October since July 2020, although infrastructure and heavy industrial projects still posted growth. The latter sectors are likely to remain bright spots in the coming years as federal funding is pumped into those sectors, according to Ken Simonson, chief economist at Associated General Contractors of America.
“I expect a big pickup in 2023 in infrastructure investment as money from the IIJA starts to be awarded and contractors get to work on those projects,” Simonson told Construction Dive. “Also continuing pickup in manufacturing construction, especially for semiconductor manufacturing plants; electric vehicle, battery, components, and battery charging manufacturing plants; and the beginning of alternative energy projects funded by tax credits and other incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act .”
Material prices remain volatile
| Material | Volatility | Price index YOY % change | Lead times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat glass | Low | 8.2% | Increased |
| Lumber and plywood | Low | -26.9% | Stabilizing |
| Aluminum mill shapes | Low | 20.3% | Increased |
| Insulation materials | Low | 16.0% | Increased |
| Plastic construction products | Moderate | 27.0% | Increased |
| Steel mill products | Moderate | 22.4% | Stabilizing |
| Concrete products | Moderate | 13.5% | Increased |
| Gypsum products | High | 18.9% | Increased |
| #2 diesel fuel | High | 111.1% | N/A |
| Copper and brass mill shapes | High | 0% | Increased |
Inflation has plagued the industry and COVID-19 has continued to impact supply chains, causing materials prices to swing wildly. While lumber and plywood prices were a huge concern at the beginning of the year, that has since eased and cement and diesel costs are now giving contractors grief. That volatility makes it difficult for contractors to plan projects, and it has not been uniform across construction materials.
Simonson expects price hikes and shortages to ease for some products, and to remain volatile for others.
“Cement and concrete products are likely to have continuing shortages as the nation has not added any cement production since 2009 while demand is growing, particularly from infrastructure projects,” Simonson said.
Labor shortages continue
Construction employment has continued to rise in the past year. Retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics.Construction has increasingly struggled to attract enough workers, and upcoming federal spending promises to only strengthen demand . The multiple-year-long federal investment may also help workers view construction as a stable long-term career prospect and encourage them to get into the industry, Basu said.
Labor has been an ongoing challenge in the past year, and while Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed more construction jobs were filled and fewer workers quit in October , the number of open jobs ticked back up in November .
As the overall jobs market shows signs of weakening, the industry may be able to benefit from more people seeking work. Still, upcoming federal spending promises to keep demand for construction workers high. Simonson expects labor availability to remain the top challenge for most contractors, with high job opening rates and rising wages continuing into the new year.
Construction input costs rise
Optional Caption Retrieved from JLL on December 06, 2022Inflation, high wages and other price increases have cut into contractors’ bottom lines in 2022. In the past year input costs — that is, the prices of materials, labor and other project expenses — have not kept up with final costs of a project, or the amount billed to the owner. However, both indicators are trending in a positive direction for contractors.
The coming year will probably bring selective reductions in materials costs and supply chain bottlenecks, Simonson said, but despite some easing for builders, he still expects that construction input costs are likely to continue rising more than overall consumer prices. Happily for contractors, as bid prices tick up, that indicates owners are willing to pay more.
Though contractors’ profits are squeezed, they should be able to make projects pencil out, according to JLL.
“Though the input-bid spread will eventually be covered, recessionary fears are likely to slow the rate at which costs are passed on,” according to JLL’s 2022 H2 Outlook report . “However, the long duration of many projects — especially larger infrastructure and similar funded by the IIJA — are likely to provide sufficient opportunities for the market to maintain heightened activity levels even with more narrow margins.
On a more positive note, backlog remained strong — although that metric went negative in October for the first time in more than a year.
Additionally, the color of the hat often holds symbolic meanings. Black, frequently associated with witchcraft, denotes mystery, protection, and the absorption of negative energies. Red, on the other hand, symbolizes passion, vitality, and the physical realm. White represents purity, spirituality, and connecting with higher consciousness. The witch hat's symbolism is not limited to a specific tradition or culture but is present in various spiritual practices worldwide. The hat's design and the meanings attached to it remain significant, even in modern witchcraft and pagan traditions, where practitioners continue to draw upon its unique spiritual symbolism. In conclusion, the witch hat carries spiritual symbolism that goes beyond its stereotypical portrayal. Its conical shape represents a connection to the divine and the ability to tap into higher realms of consciousness. The brim acts as a protective barrier, while the color holds symbolic meanings. Whether in ancient civilizations or modern practices, the witch hat remains a powerful symbol of spirituality and connection to the spiritual realm..
Reviews for "Unveiling the Spiritual Wisdom Embodied in Witch Hat Symbolism"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Witch Hat Spiritual Symbolism" to be quite disappointing. While the concept intrigued me, the execution fell short. The author failed to provide any substantial evidence or clear explanations for the supposed symbolism presented. The book seemed vague and more focused on abstract concepts rather than providing practical guidance or useful insights. Overall, I felt let down by this book and would not recommend it to anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of spiritual symbolism.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I have to say that "Witch Hat Spiritual Symbolism" was one of the most confusing and convoluted books I've read on this subject. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without any clear structure or coherence. It left me feeling lost and frustrated, unable to grasp the supposed symbolism and its significance. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it even harder to engage with the content. I regret my decision to purchase this book and would advise others to steer clear of it.
3. Robert - 2 stars
As someone who has an interest in spiritual symbolism, I was excited to delve into "Witch Hat Spiritual Symbolism." However, I was left disappointed by the lack of depth and substance in this book. The author touched on various symbols without truly exploring their meanings or providing examples of how they are applied in witchcraft practices. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly understand and appreciate the subject matter. I would recommend seeking other resources if you're looking for a comprehensive exploration of spiritual symbolism in witchcraft.
4. Emily - 3 stars
While "Witch Hat Spiritual Symbolism" offered some interesting insights, I found it to be overly complex and esoteric. The author delved into intricate symbolism and abstract concepts without providing practical applications for everyday practitioners. The book seemed more suitable for advanced scholars or those with a deep understanding of spiritual symbolism, leaving beginners like myself feeling overwhelmed and confused. I think the author could have done a better job of simplifying the content and making it accessible to a wider audience.