Wicca, also known as Pagan Witchcraft, is a modern religious movement that incorporates elements of witchcraft, nature worship, and paganism. It was developed in the mid-20th century and is now practiced by a diverse group of individuals around the world. Wicca has various doctrines and rites that are central to its belief system and rituals. One of the main doctrines in Wicca is the belief in a dual deity, often referred to as the God and the Goddess. These deities are seen as complementary forces that represent the masculine and feminine aspects of divinity and nature. Wiccans believe in the immanence of the divine, meaning that they see the gods and goddesses as present and active in the world.
…. to a mosaic Mediterranean glass bowl from the 1st or 2nd century BC, I loved it all.
I ve never been a fan of window coverings if there s a view to close out whether the lovely tree in the front garden or the panorama of the entire back garden from my kitchen window. That s what I was worried about a decade ago after impulsively purchasing a case lot of select witch balls from Iron Art in Ohio at the time, I was allowed to place their minimum wholesale order, but they ve since set up a retail site called Iron Elegance, and they also have a wide network of retailers.
Wiccans believe in the immanence of the divine, meaning that they see the gods and goddesses as present and active in the world. Wiccan rituals, also known as rites, are an important part of the religion. They are typically held during the phases of the moon and the changing of the seasons, which are considered sacred times in Wicca.
The Witch Balls & The Japanese Maple
It’s always the week that makes November worth celebrating. I’m referring to the spectacular display in my living room in the first ten days of November when my Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) transforms itself from a tracery of green to brilliant shades of apricot, coral, gold and scarlet.
I don’t have any curtains in the front room, just the maple outside, but the jewels in my window are the blown glass witch balls I hung there eight years ago. Not to ward off bad spirits or protect my house, as is the apparent historic use of witch balls – though that would certainly be a side-benefit. Rather it’s that eye-popping contrast of the fall colour pigments of the maple (anthocyanins and carotenes) with the refracting light from within the blown glass that makes the window seem more like a dynamic art installation than a potentially kitschy folkcraft display.
Kitsch. That’s what I was worried about a decade ago after impulsively purchasing a case lot of select witch balls from Iron Art in Ohio (at the time, I was allowed to place their minimum wholesale order, but they’ve since set up a retail site called Iron Elegance, and they also have a wide network of retailers). I’ve never been a fan of window coverings if there’s a view to close out – whether the lovely tree in the front garden or the panorama of the entire back garden from my kitchen window. Let the neighbours stare, I don’t care; nature is more important to me. But glass witch balls aren’t stained glass panels; as lovely as they might look, how would I hang them? I decided to go ahead and if I didn’t like the look, I could remove them. So I bought three wall-mounted metal cup racks featuring leaves and birds and a couple of small hooks for the larger middle window, then spray-painted them all dark-teal to go with the woodwork. I screwed them into my window frame, then, using fishing wire, I tied the balls at various levels in the upper part of the window. And as the sun shone through them that first November 2013, I was completely enchanted.
I have always loved the look of blown glass, but the first time I saw it used in a garden was in 2003 at my dear friend Virginia Weiler’s home in North Carolina, where the work of her friend John Nygren hung in her tree.
And during a 2008 garden writers’ tour of Portland, I was intrigued by Lucy Hardiman’s wonderful hanging glass display. I thought about how I might achieve something like this at home, but it seemed to me that the cold winters and winds in Toronto might be too severe for an outdoor display.
CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS
In September 2008 we visited the Corning Museum of Glass in upstate New York and my love affair with glass continued. (You can read my blog about the museum here.)
From Dale Chihuly’s ‘Fern Tower’ in the lobby…
…. to the 1905 Louis Comfort Tiffany window of hollyhocks, clematis and the Hudson River, all that survives from the 44-room Rochroane Castle, built for Natchez oil and cotton millionaire Melchior Stewart Belthoover in Irvington, New York…
… to the exquisite forest glass or ‘waldglas’ drinking glasses made in northern Europe from the middle ages to the 18 th century using tree and fern potash whose iron content lends the green hue…
… to the sleek, modern work of Italian and Finnish glass artists….
…. to a mosaic Mediterranean glass bowl from the 1st or 2nd century BC, I loved it all.
At the conclusion, I even had the opportunity to blow my own glass ball – with a little help from an expert.
MURANO
Two years after visiting the Corning Museum of Glass, we were in Venice and decided to tour the island of Murano with its famous glass blowing factories.
The tour was set up by our hotel with the pick-up and boat ride to the island courtesy of one of the glass furnace factories, so we were obliged to begin there. After a long, interesting tour of the firing floor, we visited all the display floors beginning with the most expensive sculptures and chandeliers at the top (nope!) and descending to the affordable cufflinks! But somehow we ended up ordering six of the most beautiful, gold-rimmed glasses you’ve ever seen, which were mailed to us weeks later. I also wrote a blog about this memorable day.
After the obligatory furnace tour ended, we walked around the small island, visiting the interesting glass museum and window shopping. I found a jewelry shop owned by a young woman busy making earrings and beautiful blown-glass bead necklaces.
One of those became my Christmas gift from Santa that year.
Walking on, we came upon this spectacular sculpture by Simone Cenedese called Comet Glass Star. Then we had one of our best meals on our entire Venetian vacation, at a little workman’s osteria on Murano.
The Magic of Light in my Window
Though ever more humble, I still find myself sitting in my living room on those days when the sun shines through the fall leaves of the maple….
…. and hits the splashes of colour in the witch balls.
I even made a video a few years back to try to explain it.
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Today there’s freezing rain outside and soon snow will be in the forecast in Toronto. On the snowy November day when I photographed the window, below, the leaves hadn’t even fallen yet.
And I recall vividly the winter wonderland look of the tree after our devastating ice storm of December 21, 2013.
Sometimes, when I have holiday lights on the maple’s branches, I stand in the front room looking out in the darkness. The witch balls even look festive at Christmas!
In late winter or early spring, I can often catch the resident cardinals in the maple tree.
At that time of year, when the tree hasn’t yet leafed out, I especially appreciate the detail and colours of the blown glass, whether blue…
… or a glass so clear you can see the tiny grains from the glass-making process.
And then, suddenly, it’s June and my “living” living room ‘curtain’ is back in place, its leaves energized by the power of the sun and the glass balls refracting all the light that’s left over.
After I gave the witch balls their every-three-years wash last week, I watched them turning for what seemed like hours. I’m sure there’s some Galilean law of reciprocal motion about what happens when you twist a sphere suspended by a wire, but it seemed even more magical, as if they were rotating in sympathy with the fluttering leaves on the maple. So I’m ending with this magical moment, which I’ve set to music by the very generous T.R.G. Banks.
… to the sleek, modern work of Italian and Finnish glass artists….
The rituals often involve the use of various tools and symbols, such as athames (ritual knives), chalices, wands, and cauldrons. These tools are used for symbolic and practical purposes during the rituals. One of the most well-known Wiccan rituals is called the "circle casting." This involves creating a sacred space by visualizing a circle of energy around the participants. The circle is seen as a protective barrier that separates the sacred space from the outside world. Once the circle is cast, the participants may perform spells, offer prayers, or engage in other forms of ritual work. Another important aspect of Wiccan rites is the practice of magic. Wicca views magic as a natural and neutral force that can be harnessed and directed for positive purposes. Wiccans may use spells, charms, and other techniques to manifest their desires, promote healing, or connect with the divine. However, Wicca emphasizes the ethical use of magic and encourages practitioners to consider the potential consequences of their actions. Overall, Wiccan doctrines and rites are centered around the belief in a dual deity and the practice of rituals and magic. These elements form the foundation of Wicca as a religious and spiritual path. Wiccans strive to live in harmony with nature, honor the divine in all its forms, and seek personal and spiritual growth through their practices..
Reviews for "Wiccan Ethics: The Principles that Govern Wiccan Practices"
1. John - 1 star - I found the Wiccan doctrines and rites to be utterly ridiculous. The whole idea of chanting and casting spells just seemed like a bunch of nonsense to me. I couldn't take any of it seriously. It felt more like a group of people playing make-believe than a legitimate spiritual practice. I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a real and meaningful path.
2. Mary - 2 stars - I gave Wiccan doctrines and rites a try, but it just wasn't for me. I found the whole experience to be quite confusing and lacking in substance. The rituals seemed repetitive and the beliefs were vague and difficult to grasp. Additionally, the emphasis on nature worship didn't resonate with me personally. It felt more like a trendy fad than a genuine spiritual journey. I respect those who find value in it, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
3. Tom - 1 star - I can't believe I wasted my time on the Wiccan doctrines and rites. It felt like a bunch of New Age mumbo jumbo mixed with elements of witchcraft. I had hoped for something deeper and more profound, but instead, it was just a lot of empty rituals and incantations. I struggled to see how it could bring any real meaning or change to my life. I regret exploring this path and would caution others against falling into the same trap.