Witch Balls

The term 'scrying' comes from the English word descry which means to make out 

dimly or to reveal. A typical scryer was a wise woman, gifted with second sight, and 

often referred to as a witch. This ability is not limited to using crystal balls, any

 reflective surface will do. The favoured speculum is the magic mirror, preferably 

one with a concave side painted black.

Few witches throughout the ages would have used crystal balls for scrying, being too

 heavy and expensive, instead the more easily available glass fishing floats 

were commonly used, especially in England. 

Perhaps this is why sailors have such a 

strong belief in the power of witches, believing them to have power over men’s 

fate out at sea, referring to them specifically as sea witches. These sea witches were 

believed to haunt the coast lines around the country, cursing the sailors and willing 

the ships to wreck upon the rocks. Some believe that these particular creatures are 

the ghosts of dead witches and it was one of these ghostly sea witches that was, 

according to legend, sent by the Devil to assist Sir Francis Drake in his battle 

against the Spanish Armada This phantom  helped him raise a storm at sea and 

defeat the fleet. In return for this it was said that Drake bartered his soul

 to Old Nick.

Coloured glass balls often referred to as Witch Balls had another use, they were 

hung in windows of dwellings and intended to keep out witches and the evil eye.

These ,made from the 17th century onwards, would hopefully deflect curses 

and ill wishing. The bright colours of the glass was supposed to entice the evil 

spirits into the ball and then trap it forever in the salt or Holy water that had 

been placed inside. And by keeping one of these balls in your home it would 

prevent a witch from entering as traditionally witches supposedly do not have a 

reflection or can not bear to see their own reflection.

This tradition  travelled across the pond to America in the 19th century.

Although in other parts of America especially the Ozarks a witch ball had 

another form and use. It would be made from black hair rolled in beeswax to form a hard 

marble shaped lump. This is not for protection this would be used by somebody, 

presumably a witch ,to harm or curse a victim. It is said in this area that  

one of these witch balls would always be found near the body of somebody

 killed by  this curse.

The hanging of the protective witch balls in our homes continues today, the glass baubles on the Christmas tree originate from this practice. The use of these are supposed to deflect any envious thoughts when seeing the huge stacks of pressies under the tree!