Wiccan Protection Ball
By Harley

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.



Goblins, Ghost & Witches
Or How About the REAL Halloween?
By Lady Arrianon

It’s here again...Halloween! The kids are bugging parents for all the latest costumes. You dread the candy rush they are going to go through. But what about the holiday itself? It has become so commercialized, like every other holiday. And then there are all the misconceptions.

I am a Witch. I have been for over 30 years. I would like to let you know that Halloween is actually a very sacred day for us. It is the time when the veil between the worlds is the thinnest, and you can contact loved ones who have gone on.

What do Witches do on Halloween? First I can tell you that REAL Witches DO NOT do sacrifices of any animals or people. We don’t worship Satan. We don’t even believe in him. That is a Christian concept.

Although the actual celebration or ritual may vary from group to group, generally the day is a celebration of the harvest of the fruits and grains that are a gift from the Goddess...Mother Earth if you will. It is also a time for memorial services, and a time for "closure". People who have loved ones who have died have a chance to honor them and to invite them to come spend time with them. Halloween is one of the eight Sabbats and is called Samhain...it is pronounced Sow-in, Sow-ain, or Sow-een, depending on your tradition.

One of the things we do is to include an empty place setting at the dinner table in honor of those who have passed on. They are still members of our family. We also have what is called a "circle". This is the ritual. Our group hosts open circles for the Sabbats. Open meaning that anyone is welcome to attend, regardless of his or her religion. The only request is that they come in perfect love and perfect trust. No hecklers allowed. You should be as respectful as if you were attending any other religious service,wedding, baptism or funeral.

What to expect: we have everyone who wants to participate, stand in a circle. There is an altar in the center, along with a small fire pit and a large antique cauldron. The High Priestess walks the circle and "casts the circle". The area is consecrated and the elements of Earth, Air Fire and Water are welcomed in, along with the Goddess and God. We have a part called "Cakes and Wine" we always have two chalices, one with wine and one with juice for those who prefer not to have wine. The cakes and wine are offered as a sign of thanks to the Goddess and God for the bounty that they have given us.

We also have a part in the ceremony where each person may, if they choose, symbolically approach the veil and speak to their departed loved ones. It is very emotional, and there are very few that leave that have not been touched by the love and beauty of the ritual.

After the ceremony we generally have people who come to us and tell us how the ceremony helped them. Our lives used to be filled with rites of passage, and as we have become more and more hurried with our everyday lives, these have fallen to the wayside. Samhain always reminds me just how much people need it.

Now, a word to the wise concerning the dreaded DABBLERS...people, if you don’t know what you are doing, for heck sake DO NOT call up spirits, play the Quija etc. etc. and if you call something up...and it freaks you out...well have the balls to send it back!



Drink From The Cup Of The Goddess
Chalice image (C)ROBINWOOD

Return to AngelWicca Return to Sarah's Archangels