Witch Balls: Holders of intention

Briefs and Brooms usually focuses on justice, and often that means looking at the ugliness that shows us there is a need for justice. It is easy for me to forget that magik can be . . . magical!

Witch balls allow focusing energy and intention. The round globe is continuous and a perfect container for long-term vision. Hanging in a window, the ball shows off beautiful selections of herbs or other materials and emits beautiful scents as the sun's warmth come through . . . a reminder of intentions set yesterday or months ago!

My first three witch balls were made on a whim. I had three globes from a chandelier. A little research refreshed my memory on the use of witch balls. One ended up packed down with herbs for protection, one with general prosperity herbs, and one with fun reminders of a friend who moved away (herbs associated with her ancestral path). They hang in my window today, and are a focal point--spurring discussion about my craft.

Later, I made a witch ball as part of a course. This ball incorporated a piece of money (prosperity), a charm, a written intention, and herbs. The ball was smaller and more portable, of the "Christmas" variety. Today, its lavender scent encourages me as I write and plan.

This weekend, I introduced witch balls to a new crowd--planning to take this modality on the road to a party, I realized it would be attended by children. I packed down a supply of beads, sparkles, and fun supplies for kids. The results were amazing as the kids dug in, eager to exhibit their creativity. I told them to pack the balls with things that made them feel happy--and they did!

One packed her ball to the brim--it was so heavy, I had to design a reinforced holder rather than relying on string:

Larger charms that didn't fit inside the balls were tied to the outside!

True to my heart, several chose purples for their balls--here, two bffs made nearly-matching balls:

Stickers can further embellish the exterior of the balls!

The flurry of hands as the kids worked was amazing; they thought of new ideas and reached for new colors and shapes more quickly than I could replenish supplies!:

Beads, glitter (the big kind, so the parents wouldn't kill me), ribbon, stickers . . . .

Making a witch ball is easy and can be fun and profound. 

On my own, I begin with gathering some of my favorite materials and setting an intention. I then add materials charged with my intention and, if possible, associated with the qualities I seek. Some of my favorite herbs are listed here.

Fun add-ins include essential oils like bergamot for attraction or lavender for cooling out. These can add to the scent and intention of the herbs. Written intentions (in corresponding colored ink or on corresponding papers) can add to focus. I even have one ball that includes a folded piece of money--for prosperity! 

Although making the ball can be meaningful when done alone, it is fun is groups (as the above pictures prove). If you would like to "Witch and Wine"--making witch balls or other crafty tools in a group, contact me via personal message.

For those who are more solitary, here's a partial list of supplies to get you started (wine not included!):

Balls or shapes (try fun shapes or designs!):

Don't forget fun fillers and add-ins!:





Nice scents enhance the balls (be sure to leave the top unsealed or otherwise provide ventilation):
Don't forget pretty ribbon or string to hang the ball!:

Shut Up and Scratch

When shutting up is not enough . . . some people need a little of that good ole itching and burning sensation.

I did the attached spell to keep an opponent in a litigation situation off my friend. I wanted to bind her mouth, and in fact bound her entire head (ears, eyes, nose, mouth) for a nothing in/nothing out effect. My friend, who asked me do do the spell, wanted itching and burning--specifically, big post-shaving blisters.

Today, the woman was silenced in court. Not only did she not speak, no one was receptive or interested in her point of view. No one seemed to want to explain matters to her or provide her with advice; even her own lawyer seemed appropriately repulsed by her sad-sack client She presented like a zombie (reminding me of a certain mother-in-law who mastered the zombie effect without any majickal assistance).

Ingredients:

One corn cob (I broke off a stubby piece that bore a resemblance to the party; for fun, you could decorate it with words representing your intention, the name of the person, or even carve a face or other features--doing this spell, I was not in a whimsical frame of mind and worked in broad, angry strokes)

One long piece of mother-in-law's tongue a/k/a snake plant, viper's bowstring, Sansevieria trifasciata (I was lucky enough to find a "rubbery" piece that was easy to work with)

One witch's ball a/k/a sweetgum ball, Liquidambar styracifua

Hot pepper (powder and whole)

Red raffia

Cheese plate or bell jar

As always, my ingredients lists are not designed to spur a shopping spree. You should substitute freely, setting your intentions.

I gathered my ingredients and first wrapped the mother-in-law's tongue around the top (head) of the cob. I focused my intent on shutting on messages to help with the litigation to and from the object out. She was to be silenced and to experience disorientation and inability to get information. I secured the piece of mother-in-law's tongue with raffia, repeating the intention and further intending the spell hold until this matter is resolved--and that the object never contact my friend again--ever, for anything, unless she is welcomed.

I dipped the bottom of the cob into a stew that (by luck) I had going. The stew was full of garlic and peppers. Of course, I would have simply used a ground power or infusion absent this happy coincidence. The intention was itching, physical discomfort.

I then placed the pepper on the bottom and bound with raffia. I envisioned stinging pain, nettles, needing to leave the litigation area to tend to the discomfort.

After this, I placed the witch's ball over the doll. I felt a sense of fun poking it into the cob (creating the "itching" in my mind), but usually would more gently rest it just to keep this person/spirit off me/my people.

Bitchy, bitchy what you say; itchy, itchy come court day.

I placed the cob under a glass (cheese plate) as is my custom. She will stay there until the crucial stage that is now happening is over. After that, I will offer to put her out to biodegrade or give her to my friend to freeze, deface, or whatever she feels meets her needs.

My cheese plate was dusty from a recent upheaval; I decided I liked the look!

The majick never ends--I did a little more work during the proceedings. I was not the responsible attorney and was just sitting in an anteroom where negotiations prior to court were taking place. I took a packet of pepper from my purse (where I always keep pepper and salt for quick spells), quickly set an intention for it to act as hotfoot powder, and discreetly sprinkled it in the direction where the opponent would walk upon exit. After that, the parties emerged very quickly with word things were in my friend's favor. The bad person continued her zombie-like expression. She left very quickly as soon as the proceedings were over. I think she had an itch to scratch!