Witch ball

What it is

A witch ball is a hollow glass sphere used as an apotropaic charm to protect homes from malevolent forces. Originating in England, these objects were suspended in windows to deter witches, evil spirits, and ill fortune. The practice spread to British colonies and remains visible in coastal regions today. Variations exist across different cultures, including spheres made from hair and wax used in curses within North American folklore.

Where it comes from

The tradition emerged in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century England, particularly in Sussex counties. The name may derive from 'watch ball,' reflecting its role as a guardian. European sailors valued them for protecting homes while at sea. By the nineteenth century, the practice reached America, where larger opaque versions evolved into garden gazing balls used for scrying and divination.

How it is done

Spheres are typically hung by string attached to a peg in chimneys, mantelpieces, or rafters. Some are placed on sticks in windows or atop vases. In historical English practice, balls containing salt were hung in chimneys to keep the contents dry. Modern variations include hanging them on Christmas trees or placing them in gardens as decorative mirrors.

Tools and materials

Traditional witch balls are made of green or blue glass, though wood, grass, and twigs appear in some variants. They often feature swirls or bright stripes. Historical examples sometimes contained holy water or salt. Ozark and Appalachian curse balls are constructed from rolled black hair mixed with beeswax, forming hard pellets about the size of a marble.

What it is for

Beliefs vary regarding how the object functions. One theory suggests bright colours entice spirits, which are then trapped by internal strands. Another holds that spherical mirrors prevent witches from entering because they lack reflections or cannot bear seeing their own. A third variation claims the ball attracts the gaze of the evil eye, diverting harm away from inhabitants.

Who does it

Ordinary households in England and colonial America created and maintained these charms. Superstitious sailors also relied on them for protection. In Ozark and Appalachian traditions, witches craft hair-based balls to inflict harm on specific victims, indicating a dual use of similar forms for both protection and cursing.

Peoples and places

The custom is rooted in English folk culture, specifically Sussex. It extended to New England and other coastal areas in the United States. Distinct regional practices exist in the Ozark Mountains and Appalachian Kentucky, where hair-wax spheres serve as instruments of curse work rather than protective amulets.

What people believe

Folklore posits that evil spirits can be lured by visual stimuli and captured. Witches are thought to be unable to enter spaces where their reflection is visible. The evil eye is believed to be distracted by the sphere's allure. Salt and holy water add sanctity and preservation to the charm, with breaking the vessel considered bad luck.

When it is done

No specific festivals are tied to the creation or use of witch balls. They are kept permanently in windows or chimneys. The practice appears linked to general household maintenance and seasonal decorations, such as hanging them on Christmas trees in Germany, suggesting a connection to modern baubles.

Questions people ask about Witch ball

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Witch ball on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data