A witch ball, also known as a fairy ball, spirit ball, or glass orb, is a decoration that originated in 17th century England. It is a hand-blown glass sphere that is often colorful and filled with strands of glass or other objects. Witch balls are traditionally hung in windows or gardens to ward off evil spirits and protect the home from negative energy. To make a witch ball, you will need a few supplies. First, you will need a glass sphere or orb. These can be found at craft stores or online.
As you might suspect, this is not a new practice; it’s an old form of folk medicine. For example, urine may have been used in the bottle if the victim was suffering from urinary ailments. A tooth may have been placed in the bottle if the person were afflicted with a toothache.
For example, in January 2020, a Civil War era bottle found on a highway median was thought to be a witch bottle and contractors demolishing the chimney of a former inn and pub in Watford, England in 2019 discovered a 19th-century vessel full of fish hooks, human teeth, shards of glass and an unidentified liquid believed to be a witch bottle. For example, did you know that, according to Appalachian witchlore, putting a broom on your front door protects your home from malevolent witches because they must count every bristle before entering.
These can be found at craft stores or online. Next, gather a variety of colorful glass strands or objects that you want to put inside the ball. These can be glass beads, strands of glass thread, or even small trinkets.
Witch Bottles & Witch Balls
Many of The House’s dear readers are witches themselves, so this topic is a little awkward to broach. But we do not shy away from difficult topics on the Bonheur Blog. However… before we dive in, The House recommends gaining a thorough understanding of white witchery, black witchery and witch doctoring.
The House enthusiastically recommends podcast Appalachian Witches & The Exploding Rose. Philippe from Our Numinous Nature recently interviewed folklorist Tyler Chadwell-English regarding all-things Appalachian witchlore, including the various sub-genres of witches: the water witch, shapeshifter, bloodstopper, and granny woman.
For example, did you know that, according to Appalachian witchlore, putting a broom on your front door protects your home from malevolent witches because they must count every bristle before entering?
This post covers three things you can do if you believe you have been bewitched:
- Make a Witch Bottle
- Protect your Home with a Witch Ball
- Get a Bottle Tree
The door of Phillippe’s cabin. Notice the witch broom and horseshoe above the door (prongs up).
Witch Bottles
Make a Witch Bottle
Witch bottles enable someone who has been bewitched to reverse the spell that has been cast upon them. The bottle is typically filled with:
- the victim’s personal effects (such as fingernail clippings, sometimes teeth);
- liquid (usually urine, wine or some combination thereof); and
- sharp objects (like nails, pins, fish hooks or thorns).
The bottle is then sealed up and placed in a chimney or near a hearth where it can attract the witch. The idea is that the witch is drawn to the personal effects of the afflicted and then captured and held in the bottle by the sharp objects, which are often bent in some fashion.
Sometimes, that’s all that was done. But as Ralph Merrifield explains in a Folklore article (right), sometimes the bottle was then heated in a fire until it exploded, thus killing the witch and relieving the victim. If the cork merely pops off the bottle, the witch will escape and the afflicted continues to suffer.
As you might suspect, this is not a new practice; it’s an old form of folk medicine. For example, urine may have been used in the bottle if the victim was suffering from urinary ailments. A tooth may have been placed in the bottle if the person were afflicted with a toothache.
“Merrifield, Ralph. “Witch Bottles and Magical Jugs.” Folklore, vol. 66, no. 1, 1955, pp. 195–207. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1257932. Accessed 19 Oct. 2020.
The practice of bottling sharp objects and bodily fluids to relieve a variety of physical maladies is thought to have started in East Anglia. The University of Hertfordshire is currently conducting a three-year study to “recalibrate understandings of the phenomenon of mid-late 17th century ‘witch bottles’.”
The discovery of intact witch bottles is more common than you might expect. For example, in January 2020, a Civil War era bottle found on a highway median was thought to be a witch bottle and contractors demolishing the chimney of a former inn and pub in Watford, England in 2019 discovered a 19th-century vessel full of fish hooks, human teeth, shards of glass and an unidentified liquid believed to be a witch bottle.
X-rays showing contents of witch bottle
Here is a later example of a witch bottle from the collection of the Horniman Museum and Gardens. While the bottle was originally used for cod liver oil, it now contains urine. (Presumably, they tested it??) The bottle is tightly corked with pins stuck in it. It was found in the back kitchen chimney of a house and shop in Padstow, Cornwall, tenanted by Mr. Biddick, in 1934. The notes explain that, once the urine is in the bottle, the witch is unable to pass water, and eventually dies. The victim then recovers.
Witch Balls
Protect Your Home with a Witch Ball
A witch ball is a hollow sphere of coloured glass traditionally used as a fishing float. Floating glass buoys became connected with witches during the witch hunts in England. In the late 17th century, suspected witches were tried by being tied up and thrown into water. If the water rejected them from a second baptism and they floated, then the suspects were confirmed as witches, under the rule of trial by water, and they were then hanged by the neck until dead. In a like manner these heavy glass fishing floats, all tied up in a net, could not be made to sink. The water rejected them and they bobbed merrily upon its surface. Historically, witch balls were hung in cottage windows in 17th and 18th century England to ward off evil spirits, witches, evil spells, ill fortune and bad spirits. Just as hanging a witch was believed to remove evil influences from a village, hanging a tried and tested witch ball that had been floating in water, around a home, was believed to protect the home from similar ills.
An online merchant by the name of Bon Juju Witch Balls has done a nice job explaining the folklore of the Witch Ball:
“For well over three centuries hollow glass spheres have been hung in windows to ward off witch's spells, evil spirits and ill fortune. Hanging these decorative glass balls in the window or on the porch is thought to tantalize mischievous spirits which may be threatening a home's tranquility. The wayward spirit is mesmerized by the ball's reflective beauty. When the spirit touches the sphere it is absorbed and trapped in the web-like strands of the glass inside the ball.”
Bon Juju offers an alternative origin for the witch ball: “Witch Balls were originally glass balls used to protect various pieces of glass as they shipped around the world. A glass ball was blown and used as a means to protect the edges of a vase of cup as it was transported. Along the way, collectors began using these leftover pieces of glass as art and the history of the Witch Ball was developed.”
“Merrifield, Ralph. “Witch Bottles and Magical Jugs.” Folklore, vol. 66, no. 1, 1955, pp. 195–207. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1257932. Accessed 19 Oct. 2020.
Finally, you will need a clear adhesive or glue to secure the top of the glass sphere. To begin making a witch ball, carefully open the glass sphere by removing the top. Be cautious and gentle to avoid any breakage. Once the top is off, start filling the sphere with your chosen glass strands or objects. You can arrange them in a pattern or randomly, depending on your preference. After you have filled the ball, carefully place the top back on, ensuring that it is secure. If the top does not fit back on snugly, you can use a clear adhesive or glue to keep it in place. Be sure to follow the instructions on the adhesive or glue for best results. Once the top is secure, your witch ball is ready to be hung. Choose an ideal location such as a window or garden, where the ball will catch the light and add a decorative touch to the space. As the light passes through the glass sphere, it creates a beautiful display of colors and patterns. Witch balls are not only aesthetically pleasing but also believed to have protective properties. The concept behind them is that they capture and trap negative energy or evil spirits, preventing them from entering the home. In this way, witch balls are seen as a form of spiritual protection. In conclusion, making a witch ball is a creative and fun project. It allows you to express your individual style while also adding a touch of mystique and protection to your home or garden. So, gather your supplies and start crafting your own witch ball today!.
Reviews for "Witch Balls and the Winter Solstice: Celebrating Yule with Tradition"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Making witch balls" as I am a huge fan of paranormal and supernatural stories. However, I was severely disappointed with this book. The plot was weak and predictable, the characters were shallow, and the writing style felt amateurish. I found myself skipping entire chapters just to get to the end. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging paranormal read.
2. John - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Making witch balls" because it was so poorly written. The dialogue was clunky and unnatural, the pacing was off, and there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book. The author seemed to rely heavily on clichés and tropes, which made the story unoriginal and uninteresting. I wouldn't waste my time or money on this book.
3. Emma - 2 stars - "Making witch balls" had a promising premise, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The protagonist was unlikeable and made frustrating decisions throughout the book. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. The author also introduced too many subplots and side characters, which made the story confusing and hard to follow. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell flat in execution.