Magical Mondays: Sweetgum Balls
Monday August 25, 2008
Magical Mondays: Sweetgum ball!
© Getty Images
If you're new to Magical Mondays, here's how it works. Each Monday I'll post a photo of an item -- and the catch is, that it's *not* going to be a traditional magical object. No crystals, herbs, or other things typically associated with spellwork or magic. The idea is to see how many magical uses we can come up with for the item. No right answers, no wrong answers, just sharing ideas. Post your suggestions in the Comments section, and see what other readers have to say as well!
To see previous editions of Magical Mondays, you can read responses (and still contribute) here:
This week's item was one I found in my yard when I was tromping around barefoot -- and it definitely got my attention! I've got a ton of these things, too: sweetgum balls! Use one, or use a bunch -- what are you going to do with yours?
Comments
I’ve stepped on these before too, and Patti’s not kidding.
I’de use them in protecetion spells that are designed to keep unwanted people away, or in Witch Bottles because of their spines.
or use one to top off a phallic wand.
Ryan
That’s a phallic wand with all kinds of frightening symbolism — love the idea!
patti
It reminds me of the sometimes harsh exterior I can have, if I am not careful. So placing one with my seasonal decorations, I would use it to remind me to ease off, to reflect before taking actions that could affect others negatively.
Seein as how sweetgum balls are the containers of seeds of the sweetgum tree and the spines are to protect the seeds from being eaten,one could use a sweetgum ball as an amulet for protection, fertility, and propsperity.
To be honest, I’d rather chop the tree down and be rid of it. They do hurt and they seem to multiply faster on the ground then they do on the tree. OUCH! But the ideas here give me a reason to work with them, then against them.
SweetGum Balls have a magick all of their own and dont need enchanting.They in themselves are a gift from The Great Mother,sure they look somewhat horrid but they remind me that even tho life is sometimes hard and ugly and prickly,underneath all of that are seeds of life that are sweet.To me that is the most magickal!
Blessings!!
These are everywhere here in southeast Tennessee. As a child, we collected them, sprayed them with gold and silver paint, and made Yule (for us at the time, Chirstmas) ornaments out of them. They’re really pretty, dirt cheap, and a fun thing to do with the kids. That has its own kind of magic, don’t you think?
Protection would be the first thing, also drastic life changes or maybe in a ritual to deflate someones ego or something like that.
I’ve used them as a focus in nature healing work and communicating with the nature Deva
the spiky multiple seeded circular form of the sweet gum ball lends itself to be a gateway to journeying and to becoming aware of reality streams as a model of the multidimensional universe or more simply as a meditation or spell focus when making choices
The Plant Deva of sweet Gum balls are very lighthearted heart healing as well as protective they have an uplifting optimistic message which helps us make our way through difficult situations they can represent the growth and positive possibilities which are born out of difficulty as represented by their spiky outer shell
they are a great egsample of the fact that all things you want in life you have to work for. there a good thing to meditate on that the great seed that is the reward must be worked for. and also that things are not always as they seem somethings that may seem harsh are truly life giving!
I always find these on road trips, so I pick them up and put them in the doors of my car. Just as some added protection on the road!
Oh, and these are sold in Chicago at a place called Llama Temple, the come with an instruction sheet and are called “Witches Burr”, but why spend $5-$8 for one when finding them yourself is usually more enlightening?
“Witch Burr’s” are everywhere, here in Boise! The ideas presented here are so coooool - - I am going to go to the park and look for some - - I will bring a few home (with their permission, of course!) and use them on my alter. I’m grateful for the “curiousities” that our Great Mother provides for us!
BB!
Kat
Here is Oklahoma there is a store that sells them too as “Witch Balls” for protection. But again why pay when you can just pick them up for free. I would use them for protection and Return Home spells.
moonspinner
Actually these Witch’s Burrs ARE a traditional American Hoodoo magical item. They are considered a powerful protection amulet. We ourselves sell and use them for protection on altars, in witch bottles and in Mojo or spirit bags.
By the way Lama Temple in Chicago closed about a year ago. I have not heard of them reopening. There is a Lama Temple in Detroit, also known as Discount Candle Co. These people are former owners of the Lama Temple in Chicago.
I have one of those tied to my broom to represent the element of Earth.
(and a feather for air, a seashell for water, and a lightbulb for fire, but I digress)
I like the idea of using them for protection spells.
I like them to keep around in various places I see often to remind my self not to judge from the out side, just because something looks bad and is prickly like many of us they may only hurt others to protect a sensitive interior that needs nurturing in order to grow and become strong.
I make banishing Witch burrs with wax and appropriate herbs. The amulets can be burned or buried. Those who have used them report good results. From a gardening standpoint, a mulch of sweetgum balls around your favorite plants will keep the snails away. I’ve also seen them used to construct wreaths, globes and (one of the most creative uses) pieced together somehow to make a lovely bell!
I have seen these before but I don’t know if their are available in my area and I’d much rather gather. anyone?
My childhood home has a tree that drops these by the bucketfuls! We used to call them “sticker bombs” and the neighborhood kids would have sticker bomb fights all day long sometimes…running around, chasing each other, and laughing..lots and lots of laughter! I would use these in a ritual to remember my inner child, to encourage imagination, and to remember the fun times that can be had by just looking at the world thru the eyes of a child. Of course I would never encourage anyone to have a sticker bomb fight. Those little suckers can hurt and they can get tangled up in long hair!
A couple of years ago I hot glued a bunch of these together to make an autumn wreath for our front door. Not only does it welcome the season, but it also serves to keep out the unwanted and protect the inside.
I think that the Sweetgum Ball is a fruit and could symbolise fertility. The Sweetgum tree is a wonderful tree with STAR shaped leaves. It was once used for soap and medicines. The most beautiful Yule tree that I ever put together was of brass stars, brass cones with dried flowers and weeds, and sweetgum balls and oak leaves painted gold and tied with red string. Makes me want to gather and decorate early.
Tie a different colored thread to each spine or tie the single color that you want to invoke to the stem. If there is no stem tie it around it. Then use it in place of a Peace Lemon!