Witchcraft Table Cleanser Witchcraft is often associated with mysterious practices and rituals. There are various tools and substances used in witchcraft, and one such item is the table cleanser. A table cleanser is a tool used by witches to purify and cleanse their workspace or altar. It is believed to remove any negative or stagnant energies, creating a sacred and safe space for witchcraft practices. The ingredients used in a table cleanser can vary, depending on personal preference and the specific intention behind the cleansing. Some common ingredients include various herbs, essential oils, crystals, and purified water.

The Little Known Drag Origins of The Little Mermaid’s Ursula

Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney's live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

There are many reasons—beyond the lack of original IP—for a studio to reinvent a classic film: updating it to better reflect our diverse world, introducing it to a whole new audience, invoking the nostalgia of those who love the original. But such revisions, as seen in the current iteration of The Little Mermaid, also pose a challenge: The new mechanisms—look at those hyper-realistic CGI animals—run the risk of falling ironically flat when juxtaposed against the elegant creations of the original. And what to do with a character who is so fully formed in the original, there can seem little room for reinterpretation? Such a challenge is posed with The Little Mermaid’s Ursula—a character who not only occupies prime position as one of the most thrillingly evil Disney characters, but who brings with her a lesser known history directly related to the rich and colorful drag tradition.

According to animator Rob Minkoff, Ursula was originally described in the script as a Joan Collins–like figure, resulting in character designs that depicted a thin, bony woman with lionfish- or manta ray–inspired features. But Minkoff, who would later go on to co-direct The Lion King, drew a much more voluptuous take on the character based on the drag queen Divine, who dominated counterculture as a fixture of John Waters’s filmography.

“Pink Flamingos was on an endless loop at the Bijou [Theater] at CalArts when I was a student there,” Minkoff says of the classic John Waters film. “Divine seemed like such a great, larger than life character, and it just seemed like a funny and quirky idea to take [Ursula] and treat her more like a drag queen.”

That character sketch, which has also been described as a “Miami Beach Matron,” caught producer and lyricist Howard Ashman’s attention and took the character in a totally new direction. Like John Waters and Divine, Ashman was a gay man from Baltimore, and, as the writer of Little Shop of Horrors, shared a similar edgy sensibility. He came to Disney following that success in musical theater alongside his songwriting partner Alan Menken, where they helped resuscitate the studio’s ailing animation department. The success of The Little Mermaid ushered in a new wave of Disney animated musicals, including Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, which the pair also worked on until Ashman’s death in 1991.

In the documentary Treasures Untold: The Making of The Little Mermaid, Waters calls his unlikely role in inspiring a Disney character “the ultimate irony.” “I’m sure that if you went to the Disney executives before they made this movie and said we’re gonna have a very big character in the movie, and we’re gonna base it on Divine…on Dopey Lane that ain’t flying.” (Dopey Drive is situated within Walt Disney Studios.)

But before the character could make it onto acetate, Minkoff needed to find and shoot a live-action character reference for Ursula. He tapped his CalArts roommate Max Kirby from the acting program, who donned a muumuu to take on the role. “Because it was based on Divine, it made sense that it would be a man, not a woman,” Minkoff says. “There is footage that shows us behind the scenes with Howard Ashman, and directors John Musker and Ron Clements, setting up to do ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’”—a showpiece for Ursula in both the original and the remake.

Not only was Ursula played by a man in that early reference footage, but Ashman himself took on the role to perform a demo of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” at the request of Pat Carroll, who voices the character in the film. In Treasures Untold, she recounts how she asked Ashman to perform while waiting together for a music rehearsal: “Well he put on the cloak immediately, sang the song…he was brilliant. And I watched every move of his, I watched everything, I watched his face, I watched his hands, I ate him up!”

It was from that performance that some of Ursula’s most famous lines were born. “I stole ‘innit’ from Howard,” Carroll confesses, referring to Ursula’s iconic remark. And I said, Howard, is it alright if I steal those? He said, I was hoping you would.” The result is a brilliant performance from Carroll, informed by Ashman’s own take on the character.

Now, with Melissa McCarthy’s live-action take hitting screens, the lasting impact of Ursula’s drag origins are as clear as ever. Throughout the film’s promotion, McCarthy has touted her love of the artform as inspiration, telling Deadline that she wants to give Divine her due. In addition to being a devoted fan of drag, McCarthy herself has a past as a drag performer. In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, she spoke about performing comedy as the drag persona Miss Y in Hell’s Kitchen in the early ’90s.

“It was me there with my lovely gay guy friends and I was dressed like a big old drag queen. I went by Miss Y,” she said in the Rolling Stone interview, presumably a play on her nickname Missy. “I had a gold lamé swing coat on, a huge wig, big eyelashes. I talked about being incredibly wealthy and beautiful and living extravagantly.”

McCarthy cites the confidence that that outlandish performance gave her, so it’s no surprise that she would lean heavily into that passion for drag when it came time to create her Ursula. It was a task undertaken alongside Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood and Oscar-winning makeup designer Peter Swords King, who says that McCarthy insisted there was no such thing as “too much.”

Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney's live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo: courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

With a character as storied as Ursula, creating a new iteration was no easy feat. The team had to strike a balance between paying tribute to the original, while also creating something fresh, exciting, and distinct to McCarthy and her talents. The Ursula they decided on had a 1950s Peggy Lee vibe combined with an octopus-inspired fashion sense.

“I’ve never been to so many aquariums in my life,” Atwood says of studying the eight-tentacled creatures that inspired her design. “Instead of going with a smooth surface like the animated film did, I really wanted to have the dimension of the texture of a real octopus.” To achieve that, she used a sequin fabric base with a laser cut leather on top — and in another divergence from the animation, added a dramatic collar. The collar, illuminating Ursula’s face with angler-fish-esque lights, not only gave her a “showbiz vibe” but also helped separate her from the dark environment around her.

King had intended to have someone else execute his vision but ultimately he decided to handle McCarthy’s makeup himself, and the pair instantly bonded over their mutual love of drag. He insists that his initial ideas weren’t based on drag queens, instead saying that he simply set out to create an “outrageous” face without losing McCarthy under it.

But sure enough, when it came time to create the dramatic look, King “went straight online and watched drag artists get rid of their eyebrows. So thank you all drag queens out there, because it was down to you,” King says, referring to the drag technique of gluing down eyebrows to then draw on new, more dramatic ones. “We have a white version of the purple [glue] stick they use, and I used that on her.” He also went through two Pat McGrath palettes for her metallic green eyeshadow, countless press on nails, and a new set of false eyelashes everyday — all of which are now framed in King’s study. Wary of the makeup feeling too paint-by-numbers, King says they even dabbled with the idea of leaving the look deliberately imperfect. “We weren't too particular about being pristine, which I think is important because it makes it look like she could have done it herself.”

That concept, of Ursula putting on her own glamorous battle armor is one that Atwood echoes. “I like the idea that drag artists make their own costumes, so it’s really part of them. Ursula kind of created her own costumes,” Atwood says. “She’s a vulnerable character. She's shielding herself from the rejection that she’s suffered, and having that layer of artifice, as opposed to literal armor, is a metaphor for all that.”

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Ursula (Disney)

NOTE: This article is about the original Ursula from the 1989 movie. The 2023 remake version can be found here.

• Ursula
• Giant
• Vanessa

Full Name

Alias

Ursula the Sea Witch
The Sea Witch
The Sea Hag
The Sea Demon
Cecaelia
Vanessa (her human disguise)
The Maiden
Arsulu (her mermaid disguise)
Monster (by Ariel)

Origin

Occupation

Member of the Council of Disney Villains (Kingdom Hearts series)

Powers / Skills

Thalassokinesis
Her Necklace
Atmokinesis
Magic potions
Transfiguration
Superhuman strength
Manipulation
High intelligence
Gigantification
Shapeshifting
Ability to turn merfolk into condemned polyps
Ink

Hobby

Practicing witchcraft.
Making deals via contracts.
Manipulating merpeople.
Causing despair for others.

Goals

Take over Atlantica and rule the Seven Seas by overthrowing King Triton.
Use Ariel’s voice to hypnotize Eric into marrying her (as Vanessa).
Kill Ariel, Flounder, King Triton, Sebastian, Scuttle and Eric, so they will not interfere with her plans.
Ruin Eric and Ariel's happy ending.
Avenge her eels' death (all failed).

Crimes

Mass murder
Manslaughter
Malefic
High treason
Conspiracy
Usurpation
Embezzlement
Terrorism
Attempted global hegemony
Attempted regicide
Theft
Unlawful imprisonment
Sabotage
Brainwashing
Assault (implied)
Abuse of power
Kidnapping
Animal cruelty
Forced transmutations

Type of Villain

Ursula, also called The Sea Witch or Vanessa in her human form, is the main antagonist of Disney's The Little Mermaid franchise.

She is Ariel, Eric, and Triton's arch-nemesis and is loosely based on the sea witch in the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale of the same name. Her fervent confidence, flamboyance and theatrics have made her one of the most popular and iconic of all of the Disney villains and she quickly became one of the franchise's primary members following her debut.

In all of her appearances, she was voiced by the late Pat Carroll, who also voiced her sister Morgana in the sequel. In her human disguise of Vanessa, she was voiced by Jodi Benson in her first villainous Disney role, who also voiced Ariel in the same film. In the musical, she was portrayed by Sherie Rene Scott. In Descendants 2, she was voiced by Whoopi Goldberg, who also portrayed Shenzi in The Lion King, Stretch in Toy Story 3, Stormella in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie, Chesley Watkins in Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Janette Grayson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In ABC's The Little Mermaid: Live!, she was played by Queen Latifah. In the Hong Kong dub of the film, she was voiced by Maria Cordero.

Some common ingredients include various herbs, essential oils, crystals, and purified water. The herbs used in a table cleanser may have specific properties that align with the intention of the witch. For example, sage is often used for its purifying and protective qualities, while lavender is known for its calming and soothing aroma.

Contents

Essential oils are another common ingredient in a table cleanser. They not only add a pleasing scent but also have their own unique properties that contribute to the cleansing process. Some popular essential oils used in witchcraft include frankincense, rosemary, and cedarwood. Crystals can also be incorporated into a table cleanser, as they are believed to absorb and transmute negative energies. Clear quartz, amethyst, and black tourmaline are commonly used crystals for this purpose. To create a table cleanser, one can start by gathering the desired ingredients. A few drops of essential oils can be added to a spray bottle filled with purified water. A mixture of dried herbs can be placed in a cloth or sachet and used to sprinkle or rub on the table surface. Once the cleanser is prepared, the witch can begin the cleansing process. This involves physically cleaning the table or altar with the cleanser while focusing on the intention of purifying the space. It is common for witches to recite affirmations or prayers during this process to further enhance the cleansing. After the table has been cleansed, it is believed to be ready for witchcraft practices. The purified space is thought to facilitate clearer and more focused energy, allowing witches to connect with their craft more effectively. In conclusion, a table cleanser is an essential tool in witchcraft for purifying and cleansing the workspace or altar. By using various ingredients such as herbs, essential oils, and crystals, witches can create a sacred and energetically favorable environment for their practices..

Reviews for "Finding Balance and Harmony: Using Crystals in Witchcraft Table Cleansing"

1. Karen - 2/5 - I recently purchased the Witchcraft table cleanser in hopes of getting rid of some stubborn stains on my dining table. However, I was extremely disappointed with the results. Despite following the instructions carefully, the cleanser did not live up to its claims. The stains were still clearly visible, and I had to resort to using another product to get the table clean. I would not recommend this cleanser to anyone looking for effective stain removal.

2. John - 1/5 - This Witchcraft table cleanser is a complete waste of money. I bought it hoping it would remove some light scratches on my wooden table, but it did absolutely nothing. I followed the instructions properly, but the cleanser barely made any difference. It's nothing but a gimmick, and I regret purchasing it. I suggest looking for other alternatives if you're looking to restore or clean your table.

3. Sarah - 2/5 - I bought the Witchcraft table cleanser after reading some positive reviews, but unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype. I used it on my glass coffee table to remove some water stains, but it barely made a difference. The cleanser left streaks on the surface, making it look even worse. I had to spend extra time and effort to remove the streaks with a different cleaning product. Overall, I do not think this cleanser is worth the money, and I would not purchase it again.

4. David - 1/5 - The Witchcraft table cleanser is a total disappointment. I purchased it to clean my marble dining table, but it left behind a dull residue and did not effectively clean the surface. I even tried using more product and rubbing harder, but it made no difference. It's frustrating to spend money on a product that doesn't deliver on its claims. Save your money and find a different cleaner for your table surfaces.

Creating a Sacred Space: Witchcraft Table Cleansing Techniques