A witch's ball, also known as a fairy ball or gazing ball, is a decorative glass sphere that is traditionally hung in windows or gardens. These beautiful and mystical objects have a rich history and are believed to possess protective and magical properties. The origins of witch's balls can be traced back to the 18th century in Europe, where they were often hung in windows to ward off evil spirits, witches, and ill fortune. The glass sphere was believed to trap and captivate these negative entities, preventing them from entering the home or causing harm to the occupants. The belief in the power of witch's balls was especially prevalent in areas where witchcraft and superstition were highly feared. In addition to their protective qualities, witch's balls are also known for their aesthetic appeal.
In addition to their protective qualities, witch's balls are also known for their aesthetic appeal. The glass spheres are typically hand-blown and adorned with intricate patterns, colors, or reflective surfaces. When hung in a window or garden, they catch the light and create a mesmerizing display of colors and patterns.
Witch Ball Folklore
Witch Balls have been very popular since the 18th century. First in England, then in New England, but their actual origin is considered to be much older. For well over 3 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 tranquillity. 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.
A witch ball or speculum was a device used for scrying or divining things. Sometimes the speculum was a magic mirror, a polished stone, or a crystal ball. Some witches fashioned specula from black bowls filled with water. By gazing into the reflective depths, a witch could find answers to urgent questions, predict future events, or see faraway places. In maritime villages, witches sent out the glass globes fishermen use to hold their nets afloat. The globes were usually made of dark blue or green glass and appeared quite innocuous. Biddy Early, a well-known Irish witch, had a favorite blue glass bottle with which she used to view the future.
Witch Balls measure up to 10 inches in diameter, and are occasionally decorated in enamelled stripes and swirls or varying colors. Some are mirrored for use as convex mirrors. Crystal gazers sometimes claimed they used balls in which the spirits of dead souls had been banished. Therefore, the seer was thought to be dealing with spirits. Hollow glass balls have been suspended in the windows of homes for centuries to ward off evil spirits. Legends say that evil spirits are attracted to the beauty of the ball, and upon touching its surface they are pulled inside and become forever trapped within the glittering web, thus protecting the home from any harm.
Now commonly known as "Witch Balls", these colorful glass balls originated in England during the 18th century, as people hung them in their windows to ward off demons and their evil spells. 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.
Over time the philosophy of what a Witch Ball is and should be has changed and number artists over the years have altered the Witch Ball to include vibrant colors, strands inside, twisting patterns and shape.
We here at Iron Art Glass Designs have been creating Witch Balls for the past 15 years originally starting off by producing designs in six inch diameter and eventually producing our current selection of various shapes and sizes. We currently offer almost a half dozen different Witch Ball shapes and sizes and over 150 different color combinations. We currently offer the largest selection of Witch Balls and colored glass balls anywhere.
Our selection of Witch Balls currently include almost 100 different designs of six inch Witch Balls in various color combinations. We have also expanded our selection of four inch Witch Balls to include almost 50 different color designs. Please browse our inventory often because we are always adding new designs. Our latest Medusa Spirit Balls use a solid color from the bottom that is pulled up to the top to create a mesmerizing sensation that protects your home like ancient times.
Our Witch Balls are blown spherically round and include numerous colors. All of our Witch Balls include blown glass strands that protrude through the bottom of the ball and meet near the top. The majority of our Witch Balls are approximately colored 66% of the glass and include at least three strands. Some designs may vary. All of our Witch Balls are hand blown from recycled glass one at a time. We use a special glass produced only in Germany that provides for vibrant colors that can not be replicated anyone where else.
We offer a 100% buy back guarantee* on all of our Witch Balls. We offer the best selection, price and service when it comes to Witch Balls and we promise you won't be disappointed.
Let the magic of our Witch Balls protect your home.
This enchanting visual effect is said to invite benevolent spirits and fairies into the home, bringing good luck, joy, and positive energy. Furthermore, witch's balls are believed to have the power of divination. When used for scrying, which is a form of fortune-telling or clairvoyance, the gazer gazes into the reflective surface of the ball to see visions or receive messages from the spirit world. This practice has been carried out by witches and mystics throughout history and is still embraced by some modern practitioners of the occult. Today, witch's balls continue to be cherished as both decorative and spiritual objects. They are often hung near windows, from trees, or in gardens to add a touch of magic and protection to the surroundings. Whether one believes in their supernatural powers or simply admires their beauty, witch's balls remain an enduring symbol of folklore, mysticism, and enchantment..
Reviews for "Witch's Balls: Unlocking the Secrets of Sacred Geometry"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was very disappointed with "What is a witch's ball used for". The book did not provide any clear explanations or detailed information about the topic. It felt more like a compilation of random ideas and stories loosely related to witches' balls. The lack of structure and coherence made it difficult for me to follow along and understand the main purpose of these objects. Overall, I found this book to be confusing and uninformative.
2. John - 1/5 - I found "What is a witch's ball used for" to be a complete waste of time. The author's writing style was incredibly convoluted and pretentious, making it almost impossible to grasp the intended meaning behind the topic. Instead of providing straightforward answers, the book was filled with unnecessary descriptions and personal anecdotes that added no value to the reader's understanding. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for clear and concise information about witch's balls.
3. Emily - 2/5 - As someone who was genuinely interested in learning about the purpose of witch's balls, I was left feeling disappointed after reading this book. The author seemed to spend more time discussing unrelated topics and historical accounts rather than providing a comprehensive overview of the subject at hand. The lack of organization and structure made it difficult for me to follow along and fully grasp the intended message. I was hoping for a more informative and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
4. Michael - 1/5 - "What is a witch's ball used for" was an incredibly confusing and disorganized book. The author went off on numerous tangents and failed to provide clear explanations or definitions of the topic. It felt like a jumbled mess of information with no clear direction. I found myself constantly questioning the relevance of certain sections and struggling to make sense of the overall message. This book was a frustrating and unsatisfying read, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a coherent exploration of witch's balls.
5. Lisa - 2/5 - I was hoping to find a comprehensive guide on the subject of witch's balls, but "What is a witch's ball used for" did not deliver. The information presented was scattered and lacked the depth I was looking for. It felt like the author was more focused on personal anecdotes rather than providing a concise understanding of witch's balls. Overall, I found this book to be disappointing and not worth the investment of time and money.