Glass bottles began circulating through Africa, Egypt, and Mesopotamia in 1600 BC. The belief that spirits could live in these bottles quickly followed. The hope was that by hanging the bottles in a tree, evil spirits would find their way into the wine bottles and become stuck.
Why do they put glass bottles in trees?
Glass bottles began circulating through Africa, Egypt, and Mesopotamia in 1600 BC. The belief that spirits could live in these bottles quickly followed. The hope was that by hanging the bottles in a tree, evil spirits would find their way into the wine bottles and become stuck.
Why are there so many bottles hanging upside down in trees?
Has the neighborhood seen a sudden upsurge of bottles dangling upside down in the trees? Glass ‘bottle trees’ originated in ninth century Kongo during a period when superstitious Central African people believed that a genii or imp could be captured in a bottle.
What is the spiritual meaning of hanging bottles over trees?
In more recent decades this practice has spread throughout the country and has become largely decorative. However, less than a century ago, the act of placing bottles over tree branches or tying them to limbs was a spiritual act rooted in voodoo and witchcraft.
Where do they hang bottles in trees?
While Europeans adapted the bottle tree idea into hollow glass spheres known as “ witch balls ,” the practice of hanging bottles in trees became widespread in the plantation regions of Southern states and from there migrated north and inland into Appalachia. Traditionally the bottles are placed on the branches of a crepe myrtle tree.
How to hang a bottle on a tree?
To hang the bottles on your tree, simple place them on the ends of the branches. In many regions, it doesn’t appear to matter what kind of tree you use, although legend has it that crepe myrtle is preferred.
What is the bottle tree connected to?
A number of scholars believe that the bottle tree is connected to the evolution of the witch bottle as protective magic.
What color bottles are used to make a bottle tree?
Use blue or other colored bottles to create your own bottle tree. Barry Winiker / Getty Images
Why do bottle trees make a sound?
Certain types of trees are associated with bottle tree magic because of their spiritual significance. Some say that when the wind blows, causing a sound to emit from the bottles, it is actually the death moans of evil beings. In some areas, the bottles are hung from the tree with twine, but in most places, they are actually stuck right on ...
What tree is associated with bottle tree magic?
Pagan blogger Springwolf says that certain species of trees, in particular the crepe (or crape) myrtle, are associated with bottle tree magic, because of their spiritual significance.
What does the wind blowing from the bottle mean?
Graham goes on to say that when the wind blows, causing a sound to emit from the bottles, it is actually the death moans of evil beings. Lowery is a folk magic practitioner who lives in western Kentucky. He says,
Where did bottle trees originate?
Felder Rushing, author of Bottle Trees and Other Whimsical Glass Art for the the Garden, says, “For years I subscribed to the common thread of lore that dates the origin of bottle trees to the Congo area of Africa in the 9th Century A.D.
Where did the glass bottle tree originate?
Glass ‘bottle trees’ originated in ninth century Kongo during a period when superstitious Central African people believed that a genii or imp could be captured in a bottle. Legend had it that empty glass bottles placed outside, but near, the home could capture roving (usually evil) spirits at night, and the spirit would be destroyed the next day in the sunshine. One could then cork the bottles and throw them into the river to wash away the evil spirits.
What color is a bottle tree?
Bottle tree colors can range from blue, to clear, to brown, but cobalt blue are always preferred: in the Hoodoo folk-magic tradition, the elemental blues of water and sky place the bottle tree at a crossroads between heaven and earth, and therefore between the living and the dead.
What is the Kongo tree altar?
Furthermore, the Kongo tree altar is a tradition of honoring deceased relatives with graveside memorials. The family will surround the grave with plates attached to sticks or trees:
Do trees need to be populated with bottles?
Trees need not be thickly populated with bottles. Malevolent spirits, on the prowl during the night, enter the bottles where they become trapped by an ‘encircling charm.’. It is said that when the wind blows past the tree, you can hear the moans of the ensnared spirits whistling on the breeze.
Where did the glass bottle tree originate?
Glass “bottle trees” originated in ninth century Kongo during a period when superstitious Central African people believed that a genii or imp could be captured in a bottle. Legend had it that empty glass bottles placed outside, but near, the home could capture roving (usually evil) spirits at night, and the spirit would be destroyed the next day in the sunshine. One could then cork the bottles and throw them into the river to wash away the evil spirits.
Where are the bottles in the tree?
The bottles are placed upside down with the neck facing the trunk. Trees need not be thickly populated with bottles. Malevolent spirits, on the prowl during the night, enter the bottles where they become trapped by an “encircling charm”. It is said that when the wind blows past the tree, you can hear the moans of the ensnared spirits whistling on the breeze. Come morning they are burnt up by the rising sun.
What color is a bottle tree?
Bottle tree colors can range from blue, to clear, to brown, but cobalt blue are always preferred: in the Hoodoo folk-magic tradition, the elemental blues of water and sky place the bottle tree at a crossroads between heaven and earth, and therefore between the living and the dead. The bottle tree interacts with the unknown powers of both creative and destructive spirits.
What is a Kongo tree altar?
Furthermore, the Kongo tree altar is a tradition of honoring deceased relatives with graveside memorials. The family will surround the grave with plates attached to sticks or trees. The plates are thought to resemble mushrooms, calling on a Kongo pun: matondo/tondo [the Kongo word for mushroom is similar to their word to love].
Why do people put bottles on trees?
Back in the early days, the bottles would often be tied to trees near a crossroad or even at a prominent public location in order to capture any spirits which may be traveling.
Why do bottles have to be tied to trees?
In early days, bottles would be tied to trees near a prominent public location in order to capture any spirits which may be traveling. Photo courtesy Pag Asa.
What is the bottle tree?
Lowcountry Life: The legend of the bottle tree. One of the many traditions steeped in local Lowcountry history is the bottle tree. Over the centuries, the Gullah culture of our sea islands has lent many legends and superstitions to the rest of the Lowcountry and beyond, and the belief in spirits is one of them.
Why do Africans use blue bottles?
The use of blue bottles is to attract the spirits and once they’re in the bottle, they can’t get out.
Where did bottle trees originate?
There is some controversy surrounding the true origin of the bottle tree, Some historians believe that the practice originated the Congo area of Africa sometime in the 9th century, and others follow it back as far as 1600 B.C. to the ancient Egyptians.
Do garden decorations look pretty?
But not here in the Lowcountry. Yes, they do look pretty in the garden.
Why do people hang plastic bags?
The water-filled bags typically are used with the hope they will effectively deter flies from entering the structure or otherwise hovering around the area.
Why are water bags hung?
Clear, water-filled, sandwich- or gallon-sized bags are hung, especially where food is frequently present, in an attempt to deter flies and other insects without using pesticides.
How effective is a water bag?
The bag likely is most effective if it is filled about 2/3 full and moves slightly in a breeze. Some people may place a few pennies in the water bag in an attempt to further enhance the effect.
Why do people use witch bottles?
In early times, the bottle was designed as a way to protect oneself from malicious witchcraft and sorcery. In particular, around the time of Samhain, homeowners might create a witch bottle to keep evil spirits from entering the home on Hallow's Eve.
What kind of container do you use for a bottle spell?
What sort of container you use in a jar spell or bottle spell will partially depend on the intent of your working. For instance, if you’re hoping to do magic to facilitate healing and wellness, consider putting your spell ingredients into a medicine bottle, pill container, or apothecary style jar.
What is the purpose of a sealed spell?
In many traditions of folk magic, particularly in North America, a spell is sealed inside a jar, bottle or another container. This serves a number of purposes - the first being that it keeps the magic concentrated, and prevents it from escaping before the spell has been completed.
What is a money jar spell?
A money jar spell can be done to bring wealth your way —in some traditions, nine pennies are used, in others, it may be various other coins, and placed in a jar or bottle. In some cases, the jar may be painted green or gold, and then put someplace where it can be seen each day.
What is a witch bottle made of?
The witch bottle was usually made of pottery or glass , and included sharp objects such as pins and bent nails. It typically contained urine as well, belonging to the homeowner, as a magical link to the property and family within.
What is vinegar used for?
In some forms of folk magic, vinegar in a jar or bottle is used to make things go bad. A well-known hex involves placing numerous magical links to the person you want to curse into a jar, filling it with vinegar, and then performing a variety of other actions on the jar, from shaking it to smashing it, depending on the spell in use.
Can you decorate a spell jar?
Eventually, according to tradition, money will start coming towards you. Keep in mind that spell jars can be plain and simple, or you can decorate them to look pretty. The nice thing about a decorative, attractive jar is that you can leave them anywhere you like, and no one will even realize that magic is afoot.
How to make Ostereierbaum ornaments?
For those who are interested in making an Ostereierbaum, it’s not difficult to get started. You collect the branch and begin painting eggs. For those who want to stick to the tradition as closely as possible, the ornaments are painted wooden eggs. Once the eggs are ready, attach ribbon to them and insert a needle in the bottom hole of the blown-out egg. You can then attach it to the tree.
What do people in Germany do for Christmas?
People in Germany decorate live trees or bushes with colored eggs tied with ribbon. You don’t need to worry about stands or lights as you do with a traditional Christmas tree, just tie some eggs and start celebrating. Nobody is really sure how the tradition got its start. There are some rumors but none of them are verified. What is known is that families in Germany have been doing this for centuries.