Halloween may be over, but witchcraft is forever at rOOTS KC
Witch Ball Workshop // Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt
Between the 17th and 18th centuries in England, especially along the coast, bright, hand-blown glass orbs began appearing in windows. These “witch balls” served as decorative charms, reflecting a belief in their power to protect. The intricate threads inside symbolized nets that captured malicious intent, while their reflective surfaces were said to confound or trap evil spirits. As time went on, their magic softened into art, turning into both lovely house décor and protective talismans, confirming that magic and daily life were never far apart.
Herbs // Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt
That same balance of beauty and energy continues today in the hands of Willa, rOOTS KC’s resident plant witch, who led a Witch Ball Workshop at the shop’s River Market location on Friday, Nov. 7. Her interpretation of the custom seamlessly blends modern manifestations and ancient traditions.
“They’re traditionally hung in windows to ward off negative energy or bad spirits,” she explains. “It’s rooted in folklore and protection, but it’s also a type of art. I love that people can make something beautiful that also holds personal meaning.”
During the workshop, tables were lined with jars, herbs, crystals, candles, and florals, providing participants with tangible tools to turn their intentions into reality.
Modern witchcraft, as Willa describes it, takes the ancient idea of reflection and turns it inward. Instead of warding off outside negativity, today’s witch balls and spell jars focus on manifesting what we want to welcome into our lives: love, clarity, peace, or protection.
As the saying goes, energy goes where attention flows.
My Witch Ball // Photo by: Rowan Bickelhaupt
The evening began with each participant writing an intention on a bay leaf, an herb known for its association with wish fulfillment and psychic shielding. Then came feathers to move energy and help intentions take flight to the spiritual realm, cinnamon sticks for warmth and speed of the spell, and a combination of clear quartz and amethyst to purify and balance the energy.
Rose quartz added heart-centered love, cloves locked in each intention, and preserved moss grounded the spell to the earth.
Following the essentials, Willa handed each individual a list of more than sixty herbs and sixteen florals, each with its symbolic value, so that each person could customize their creation. Some jars included rosemary, sage, and basil for cleansing and protection, while others glistened with rose petals and lavender for love and serenity.
Mine included jasmine, lemongrass, lotus seeds, vervain, and more. Before sealing their witch balls, participants took a quiet moment to visualize their manifestations one last time, imbuing their vessels with focus and care.
“When people come into rOOTS, it’s all about growth, not just the plants, but the people too,” Willa says. “I like to give everyone a chance to connect and create something that helps them grow as a person.” The workshop felt just like that, part history lesson, part art project, part meditation.
By the end of the night, everyone left with a sparkling orb of color and energy, carrying a bit of themselves inside it. “I want people to leave knowing they have the power to set their own intentions,” Willa says. “It’s about bringing that good energy into your space and just feeling a little bit lighter after you leave.”
At rOOTs, that blend of nature, creativity, and connection transforms a centuries-old charm into something living again—a modern vessel for magic and manifestation.
