Witch ball crafting is a traditional form of glassblowing that involves creating delicate and decorative orbs that are said to ward off evil spirits and protect the home. These beautiful glass balls are usually made by skilled artisans who have mastered the art of glassblowing. The history of witch ball crafting is shrouded in mystery and folklore. It is believed to have originated in 17th century England, where glassblowers would create these balls to hang in their windows. The idea was that the vibrant colors and intricate patterns would attract any negative energy or evil spirits, and trap them inside the ball. This would prevent them from entering the home and causing harm to the occupants.
Apparently, witches floated and hollow glass balls floated too. Does this mean the two were related? Maybe. I will say Sailors tended to be a pretty superstitious bunch at the time, probably because their livelihood and very lives depended on circumstances beyond their control. Those beautiful glass floats may have seemed like a way to counteract baneful witchcraft by matching like to like or fighting fire with fire. Wives of fishermen began hanging a float in the window of their home as a talisman to protect the fishermen while out at sea to ensure their safe return. It probably wasn’t long before the ball became a talisman considered to protect the home while the fishermen were away as well. Glass blowers saw a market so in addition to the fishing floats, they began making spherical bottles with corks that people could fill with holy water. There’s a fascinating article by Kathryn Kane on The Regency ReddingGoat blog that I’ll leave in a link at the bottom of this post.
In areas where witches or whatever title the village magic users were going by were maligned the witch balls were expected to protect against all magic. It was the first item created when a new glass shop was opened and was hung in the shop as protection from baneful spirits and to bring good luck and prosperity.
This would prevent them from entering the home and causing harm to the occupants. The process of making a witch ball involves heating up glass in a furnace until it becomes molten. The glassblower then takes a blowpipe and gathers the hot glass from the furnace.
Witch ball crafting
Witch balls have a pretty long and rich history. Originally assumed to be less-than-friendly, modern witches use witch balls as a form of decorative magic. That's right, witch balls are usually prominently displayed in the witch's home or garden to bring about whatever magic they infuse the ball with. This is generally protection magic, but witch balls can be used for any magic you want.
With Valentine's Day under our belts, I decided to honor myself as well and put together a witch ball for self-love. After celebrating everyone else we love in our lives, why not celebrate ourselves as well? This simple witch ball is designed to be a constant reminder that you are enough, even when you do feel like it.
Supplies: Clear, glass/plastic ornament Small chip of rose quartz Small pearl Dried rose petals Dried lavender Heart-shaped charm Twine Small piece of paper Marker/Pencil/Pen
Directions:
Begin by cleansing all the items and charging the crystals with your intent.
Next, gently place the rose petals and herbs into the witch ball. As you do, visualize your intent.
After adding the flowers, place your rose quartz and pearl into the witch ball. If you are using a glass ornament as I did, you may notice it is not a perfect opening, so test to make sure your crystals will fit prior to beginning. I brought the ball with me to the metaphysical store to ensure the rose quartz was small enough to fit through the opening. If you are using a plastic ball you may notice you can fit large sized items into it because it has some give to it. If you are able, place a heart charm inside the ball as well. I couldn't get my charm to fit, so I set it aside for another spell.
On the piece of paper, write an self-love affirmation. I went with " I am enough. I am loved. I am beautiful." These are things I struggle with daily, so I felt they were three of the best affirmations to include in my self-love witch ball.
Finally, seal the ball and wrap the top with twine. If you'd like, add a heart charm to the twine prior to wrapping. To secure the first end of the twine, slightly open the top of the witch ball and place a small bit inside. Secure the top and the twine should remain snug. When you are done wrapping the top, you can tie it off, tuck the twine, super glue it, or even seal it with wax. Finish it off with a piece of twine to hang it up or place it in a holder.
Place in an area where you will see it daily to remind yourself that you are enough.
While the magic seems rather simple, this is a very powerful tool, especially because you made the item and are displaying it as a constant reminder. Sometimes we cast a spell and forget about it because there is nothing left behind in the physical world to remind us of it. Not the case with the witch ball.
How do you show yourself some love?
Witch balls have a pretty long and rich history. Originally assumed to be less-than-friendly, modern witches use witch balls as a form of decorative magic. That's right, witch balls are usually prominently displayed in the witch's home or garden to bring about whatever magic they infuse the ball with. This is generally protection magic, but witch balls can be used for any magic you want.
They carefully shape and mold the glass into a spherical shape, using various tools and techniques to create patterns and designs. Once the ball has been formed, it is cooled down slowly to prevent it from cracking or breaking. Traditionally, witch balls were made using transparent glass and had a small opening at the top. This opening would allow the glassblower to trap a bubble of air inside the ball, which was believed to encapsulate the negative energy and prevent it from spreading. The ball would then be sealed shut, ensuring that the trapped energy would remain inside. In modern times, witch ball crafting has become a popular hobby and art form. Many people are drawn to the beauty and mystique of these glass orbs, and enjoy creating their own unique designs. Today, witch balls come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and patterns, allowing individuals to choose the perfect one for their home decor. Whether you believe in the supernatural powers of a witch ball or simply appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of these glass orbs, there is no denying the allure they hold. Witch ball crafting is a fascinating art form that continues to captivate people around the world..
Reviews for "Witch Balls as Ritual Objects: Creating Sacred Tools"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to try out witch ball crafting as I had heard so much about it. However, I was extremely disappointed with the results. The instructions were unclear and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, the materials provided in the kit were of poor quality, causing my witch balls to fall apart easily. Overall, I found the whole experience frustrating and not worth the time or money.
2. John - 1/5 stars - Witch ball crafting was a complete waste of my time. The concept sounded interesting, but the execution was terrible. The instructions were poorly written and lacked detail, making it nearly impossible to create anything remotely decent. The materials provided were flimsy and cheap-looking, and I ended up with a messy and ugly witch ball that I immediately threw away. Save your money and avoid this craft kit at all costs!
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I've tried my hand at various crafts, but witch ball crafting was a letdown. The kit claimed to be beginner-friendly, but the instructions were confusing and didn't provide enough guidance. I felt lost throughout the process, and my witch ball ended up looking nothing like the examples shown. The kit also didn't include enough materials to create multiple witch balls, which was disappointing. I wouldn't recommend this craft to anyone looking for a fun and relaxing project.
4. Mike - 1/5 stars - I was excited to try something different with witch ball crafting, but it turned out to be an absolute disaster. The materials provided were cheap and easily broke, making the whole process frustrating. The instructions were poorly written and lacked clear steps, leaving me confused and unsure of what to do next. The end result was a mess, far from the beautiful witch balls I had seen in pictures. I regret wasting my time and money on this craft.