Witch Balls

[Mairwen]

Wiccan Protection Ball


Witch balls have been around for centuries, but is is nearly impossible (and very costly) to buy one. These silvery balls were once common fixtures in windows, particularly in England, where they were said to repel evil thoughts and curses. Most Pagans don't feel they can spend several hundred dollars to purchase such a ball, even if they could find one, but there is no reason you can't make one.

You will need a clear glass ball or Yule ornament with an opening in one end. If the glass ball has some kind of design, choose one you like or one you can change with further decoration. You will also need a bottle of silver paint found in hobby stores, a few drops of frankincense or patchouli oil, a spool of red thread, and a pair of scissors.

Cover you working space with newspaper to protect against spills. Take the metal cap off the ornament. Carefully pour a little of the silver paint inside the ball and swish it around until the inside is completely covered with the silver. Set it aside to dry.

When the paint is totally dry, cut the red thread into three inch-lengths. Carefully poke this thread into the open end of the ball. Continue cutting and putting the thread into the ball untill the ball is nearly full. Put in a few drops of oil. Then put the end back on the ornament. If it has no end, seal it with candle wax. When you hang the protection ball, chant:

Symbol of the Moon, symbol of the Lady divine,
Reject all negativity, defend this home (car), me and mine.

This protection ball can be hung in the window of your home or in your car. Any negative thoughts or ill-wishes directed against you are reflected back to the sender. You can also decorate the outside with appropriate designs. You can put them onto wreaths or make them part of a dried flower arrangement. Programmed for protection, these little Witch balls do a very good job.

[Hestia]

Thanks for the idea Mairwen. I forgot all about those. I'm having problems with a really nasty neighbor who wants us to cut down our plum tree because the roots are growing into their yard. Never mind that they've had this problem for the past 10 years and never decided to care of it until we bought this house 8 months ago!:mad:

[Mairwen]

BAH! People get on my nerves. Make them really happy ~ tie windchimes into the branches of the trees. Yeah, that's it! LOL! :D


When I make witchballs, I go to the local pottery store in July or August (they put their Christmas stock out out on the 3rd Sunday in July; Halloween stock goes out on the 1st Sunday ~ heh), and buy a box of the medium-sized, clear balls. And leave them clear. I don't paint mine. Why? I likes 'em that way! :D

[Jazzy Cat]

Hi

A few centuries ago witches used to employ the glass fishermens floats you see in antique shops now. I use them for protection and for scrying, they work really well, in fact Witches in the U.K used to use them for scrying instead of crystal or anything else to save being found out and punished. The modern translation of the witchball is in the silver balls used as Christmas Tree decorations. I have used them from time to time. The good thing is, they are fairly inexpensive too and great for seeing into at Yuletide.

Your neighbour sounds a real pest. Perhaps tie a few silver balls to your tree and when the wind is quiet put a candle on an upward pointing branch where it splits into two, the candle goes in the centre. In the U.k and Germany that was used to repel negativity of people, spirit and weather. Red thread is used to decorate it. I hope your neighbour sees sense soon. It would be a shame to turn him into a toad! The ribbiting gets on your nerves!

See ya

Jazzy Cat

[Hestia]

Originally posted by Jazzy Cat
Hi


Your neighbour sounds a real pest. Perhaps tie a few silver balls to your tree and when the wind is quiet put a candle on an upward pointing branch where it splits into two, the candle goes in the centre. In the U.k and Germany that was used to repel negativity of people, spirit and weather. Red thread is used to decorate it. I hope your neighbour sees sense soon. It would be a shame to turn him into a toad! The ribbiting gets on your nerves!



MM Jazzy Cat :)
I already dug out a few of my silver holiday balls and plan to hang them on the tree. Yes, the neighbor is a real pest:mad: . We just recieved a letter from her attorney 'advising' us to take the tree down or they will sue for damages to their lawn. The thing is, we live in area surrounded by lots of beautiful big trees. This is one of the reasons we moved here and everyone has a neighbor's tree going into their yard. Of course I move next door to the one (actually 2) women who don't seem to appreciate this,lol!8O 8O 8O

[Aislin Amaris]

MM Jazzy Cat :)
I already dug out a few of my silver holiday balls and plan to hang them on the tree. Yes, the neighbor is a real pest:mad: . We just recieved a letter from her attorney 'advising' us to take the tree down or they will sue for damages to their lawn. The thing is, we live in area surrounded by lots of beautiful big trees. This is one of the reasons we moved here and everyone has a neighbor's tree going into their yard. Of course I move next door to the one (actually 2) women who don't seem to appreciate this,lol!8O 8O 8O
I actually happened upon this thread by accident... but I wanted to let everyone know witchballs (handblown glass ones) are made at Pairpoint Glass. I work there blowing glass (or learning how to anyway) and one of the first things an apprentice learns is how to make a witchball. They range in price from 25$ for a 4 inch to 45$ for an 8 inch. They are beautiful and come in a rainbow of solid as well as mixed colors. Not trying to plug anything, just offering another option that's not rare or expensive. " Most Pagans don't feel they can spend several hundred dollars to purchase such a ball, even if they could find one..." you can find them at www.pairpoint.com

[djmixon]

Regarding the neighbor. . .how about making some plum preserves, or plum butter and offering it to them? Do you think that might help? Sometimes the best defense is killing the offensive with kindness. . .

BB
Donna

[Raven Reed]

They're gorgeous. I want one in every color. :lol:

[Phaedra B]

I actually happened upon this thread by accident... but I wanted to let everyone know witchballs (handblown glass ones) are made at Pairpoint Glass. I work there blowing glass (or learning how to anyway) and one of the first things an apprentice learns is how to make a witchball. They range in price from 25$ for a 4 inch to 45$ for an 8 inch. They are beautiful and come in a rainbow of solid as well as mixed colors. Not trying to plug anything, just offering another option that's not rare or expensive. " Most Pagans don't feel they can spend several hundred dollars to purchase such a ball, even if they could find one..." you can find them at www.pairpoint.com (http://www.pairpoint.com)
The balls are lovely indeed. However, Spousal Unit and I have encountered similar ones in our wanderings, and they always have had closed stems. A witch ball (as we make it) needs to have stuff inside it. Can you insert anything in the stems of your glass balls?

[BrigidMoon]

Anyone have a picture of one?

[Aislin Amaris]

I have some pics of my witchball collection. Some are hanging from the beams in my diningroom (sorry they arent clearer- the ceiling is 20 feet high!) and some are hanging in my front window.
I have 8 witchballs, 2 teardrops, 1 aromatherapy ball, and 4 friendship balls (like a witchball but with nothing inside). I put in one picture of a witchball being made (from work).

[~*Ginger*~]

Aren't they beautiful!!

[Aislin Amaris]

Aren't they beautiful!!
Thank you... I am so proud of where I work and what I am learning to do. <shameless blush>

[BrigidMoon]

I have some pics of my witchball collection. Some are hanging from the beams in my diningroom (sorry they arent clearer- the ceiling is 20 feet high!) and some are hanging in my front window.
I have 8 witchballs, 2 teardrops, 1 aromatherapy ball, and 4 friendship balls (like a witchball but with nothing inside). I put in one picture of a witchball being made (from work).
Wow those are spectacular! Can you buy them???

:)

[Lady V's Nature]

:boquet: I went into the site of www.pairpoint.com... even tho I put paint into my Witch Balls the beauty of urs have given me a new idea or two. Thanks!!

[Jenne]

Those are oh so lovely!

[The Gnarled Branch]

Thanks for the idea Mairwen. I forgot all about those. I'm having problems with a really nasty neighbor who wants us to cut down our plum tree because the roots are growing into their yard. Never mind that they've had this problem for the past 10 years and never decided to care of it until we bought this house 8 months ago!:mad:


I have the clone neighbour here...
in fact I came home one time to discover he had cut down a tree
on my property while I was away...

never stood foot on my property -just reached over the fence, on his ladder and took the small tree down bit by bit,,

To make a long story short I planted some very invasive
perennials near the border and the roots run under the fence--
since he's so anal about having golf green grass that looks so sterile and is chockful of every chemical known to man...he now has to hand -pull my friends at least once a week from late May to October...

People like him drive me around the bend...
:sick:

[lilyavalon]

I actually happened upon this thread by accident... but I wanted to let everyone know witchballs (handblown glass ones) are made at Pairpoint Glass. I work there blowing glass (or learning how to anyway) and one of the first things an apprentice learns is how to make a witchball. They range in price from 25$ for a 4 inch to 45$ for an 8 inch. They are beautiful and come in a rainbow of solid as well as mixed colors. Not trying to plug anything, just offering another option that's not rare or expensive. " Most Pagans don't feel they can spend several hundred dollars to purchase such a ball, even if they could find one..." you can find them at www.pairpoint.com


AWWWWWW I LOVE THIS PLACE!! I visit it on my way home from visiting my Gram who lives on the cape. I have a witch ball (it hands in the utility room, the main entrance to our house) and a 'friendship' ball and it hangs above the front door of our house. Thank you for the web addy!!

There is a company in my end of town, it shows kids how to blow glass, in our childrens musem. Im getting the girls of my coven witches balls.

I have a large glass ball from pairpoint that has a extra drop inside that is used for oil. The sun heats the oil in the ball. Its REALLY neat!

[dragonprincess]

I am so grateful that I have nice or absent neighbors. I have trees all over my yard.
i love the witchball ideas, i have a nice purple glass one my MIL gave to me, and it has glas threads spun into it, very handy.
And as for the nieghbor, i agree with chimes. Lots of them, and get a small, yapping dog, that never shuts up.

[Morr]

Those are very cool!

[PoisonIvy]

Wow those are spectacular! Can you buy them???

:)


You can buy them at Ren Festivals and they have them all over ebay. :shhhh:

My wonderful neighbor gave me one this summer. It's huge!

[Sowelu]

:wave: