The wicked witch of the west is a character commonly associated with the fictional world of Oz. In the original book by L. Frank Baum, as well as in subsequent adaptations, the wicked witch is depicted as a powerful and malevolent force. One of the iconic things associated with the wicked witch of the west is her crystal ball. This mystical object serves as a tool for the witch to scry and gain insight into the world around her. The crystal ball is often portrayed as a symbol of her supernatural abilities and her connection to the realms of magic.

Wicked Witch’s iconic gazing ball visits Cornell Library

The crystal ball from the movie “The Wizard of Oz” – one of Hollywood’s most iconic objects – is coming to Cornell University Library this spring.

On view alongside an exhibition of Cornell’s witchcraft collection, the famous film prop has been equipped with technology to recreate the movie’s effect of conjuring images on within its surface.

The crystal ball has been loaned to the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections by Jay Walker ’77, chairman of Walker Digital and founder of Priceline.com and Eileen Walker ’76, MBA ’78.

“We are honored to host this spectacular artifact, and grateful to Jay Walker for making this loan possible. This is the first time the crystal ball has been displayed outside of the Walker Library of the History of the Human Imagination and we hope students and the community at large will enjoy it,” said Katherine Reagan, Cornell’s curator of rare books and manuscripts.

The crystal ball will be on view in the Kroch Library rotunda, Level 2B, from April 30 until June 25. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday May 5, the exhibit is free and open to the public.

When “The Wizard of Oz” was made in 1939, artists painstakingly hand-painted every frame of film to depict what the Wicked Witch of the West saw in the crystal ball – one of film’s earliest special effects.

The crystal ball was innovative not only as a special effect, but as a concept, Walker said.

“Most people think of crystal balls as seeing the future, but the Wicked Witch used the crystal ball for seeing the present. She used it as a remote viewing device to see what she needed to see. It was a bit like her Twitter feed,” he said. “Before the age of television, they imagined remote viewing in real time, with sound, color, the whole thing. So it’s a wonderful example of science fiction reading reality, as it often does.”

Around 25 inches in diameter and made of hand-blown glass, the crystal ball was believed lost until it was discovered in a prop house maintained by the creator of the crystal ball, Kenneth Strickfaden. A theater prop company constructed a replica of its missing wooden base, embellished with images of flying monkeys.

Technicians also outfitted the ball to display scenes from the movie, using a thin, inflatable screen melded to the ball’s shape by an air pump, as well as a light projection system.

The crystal ball is being shown in association with “The World Bewitch’d: Visions of Witchcraft from the Cornell Collections,” which documents the spread of the belief in witchcraft across Europe, including the long history of persecution of accused witches. “The World Bewitch’d” was curated by University Librarian Emerita Anne R. Kenney and Kornelia Tancheva, university librarian at the University of Pittsburgh.

Melanie Lefkowitz is staff writer, editor and social media coordinator for Cornell University Library.

Wicked witch of the west crystal ball

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The crystal ball is often portrayed as a symbol of her supernatural abilities and her connection to the realms of magic. The crystal ball itself is typically depicted as clear or transparent, allowing the witch to see images and visions within it. By gazing into the crystal ball, the wicked witch of the west is able to glimpse events occurring elsewhere and gain knowledge that she can use to further her dark agenda.

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The crystal ball serves not only as a means of divination but also as a source of power for the witch. In some adaptations, the ball is said to contain a piece of the witch's own essence or soul, allowing her to tap into its power and extend her reach beyond her physical form. The wicked witch of the west's crystal ball is often depicted as an object of fear or fascination. Its presence in a scene is often accompanied by an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, underscoring the witch's dark nature and her malevolent intentions. Overall, the wicked witch of the west's crystal ball is a potent symbol of her supernatural abilities and her connection to the realms of magic. It serves as a tool for divination and a source of power, and its presence within the story adds an element of mystique and intrigue to the character of the wicked witch..

Reviews for "The Wicked Witch's Crystal Ball: A Pathway to the Supernatural"

1. Bob - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wicked Witch of the West Crystal Ball". The crystal ball itself looked cheap and plastic, with no authentic or magical feel to it. The images it displayed were blurry and unclear, making it almost impossible to see what was happening. Overall, it was a complete waste of money and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality magic prop.

2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - While the concept of the "Wicked Witch of the West Crystal Ball" seemed intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. The crystal ball was much smaller than I anticipated, making it difficult to see the images or details clearly. The sound effects were also quite underwhelming and didn't enhance the experience as I had hoped. For the price, I expected a more impressive and captivating display.

3. James - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for the "Wicked Witch of the West Crystal Ball", but unfortunately, it didn't meet them. The images were pixelated and the colors seemed washed out. The ball also had a strange glare, making it difficult to focus on the projections. It felt more like a novelty item than a serious magic prop. Overall, I was left disappointed and would not recommend it to serious magic enthusiasts.

4. Emily - 1/5 stars - I purchased the "Wicked Witch of the West Crystal Ball" for a themed party, but it ended up being a major letdown. The images displayed were extremely unclear and the ball itself felt flimsy and poorly made. The battery life was also disappointingly short, requiring frequent replacements. It was a total waste of money and I wish I had invested in a better quality prop instead. Do not recommend!

The Veiled Future: Discovering the Truth Behind the Wicked Witch's Crystal Ball