Gazing Globes and Witch Balls

Source:Wikipedia

As a child I remember often seeing gazing balls on lawns as we took family drives in our grey Studebaker Commander Sedan.  I never understood gazing balls or pink flamingoes for that matter.

Source:Wikipedia

Breda Cloister Netherlands

As I aged I have learned to appreciate both of those lawn objects. The globes are glass and the pink flamingoes, plastic. I gravitate to the glass.

Source:Wikipedia

Source:Wikipedia

When I did some research on gazing globes I found there were other globes that are called witch balls. Witch globes are a bit different than the gazing globes. Witch balls were used to ward off evil spirits and spells.  Witch balls contain fibers that trap an evil spirit within once attracted to the colorful ball.

It is also said that modern Christmas balls originated from the witch balls. Hung on the holiday tree they would ward off the evil spells of jealousy and desire for the gifts that lay beneath them.

ATG offers several witch balls and gazing globes.