Ursula The Witch & The Stick Man: A Tale Of Magic And Inspiration
- Daisa Morgan
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
Have you ever met someone so fascinating that they leave an imprint on your imagination? Someone who carries a certain mystique, a presence that lingers long after they’ve walked away?
That’s how Ursula the Witch was born, not from mere fantasy, but from real people, places, and an unexpected journey to find the perfect witch’s staff.
The Women Who Inspired Ursula
Ursula is a character filled with wisdom, mystery, and quiet power, but she didn’t simply appear from nowhere. She is a blend of two remarkable women I had the privilege of knowing, each bringing a different kind of magic into my life.
One of Ursula’s greatest influences was a holistic therapist named Annie, who introduced me to the work of Edgar Cayce, the famous Christian mystic who championed natural healing methods like castor oil packs and herbal remedies. Cayce believed in the power of the Earth to heal, a philosophy that deeply resonated with Ursula’s character.
The second inspiration was a woman of substance, someone I admired greatly, Mo. She lived in a tiny cottage in the eco-community where I once lived. Her purple garments, love for nature, and self-sufficient lifestyle made a lasting impression on me. She grew her own fruit and vegetables, relied on herbs and tinctures instead of modern medicine, and yes… she had a cauldron!
With these two extraordinary women shaping Ursula’s essence, all she needed was the perfect magical staff to complete her look.
The Quest for the Perfect Stick
A witch’s staff isn’t just a prop, it’s a channel of power, an extension of magic. But where could I find the perfect one for Ursula? Then, a memory surfaced. Helmsley, a beautiful village in Yorkshire, home to a man who had been crafting walking sticks for over 25 years.
His name? Keith Pickering. But Keith isn’t just any stick maker. He is The Stick Man, a master craftsman whose work is known far and wide. His most famous creation? The enchanted walking stick used by Emma Thompson in the films Nanny McPhee and Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.
The first three versions of the stick were rejected before he perfected it, using a beech tree branch he had spotted two years prior—'just in case’.
I knew instantly, I needed to visit The Stick Man.
The Magical Moment
When I arrived at Keith’s workshop, I explained my quest. I told him about Fingley World, and Ursula, her story, and why she needed a staff that felt alive with magic. Keith listened, nodded, and then without a word, disappeared into the back of his workshop. Moments later, he returned holding a beautifully aged stick, its shape gnarled yet elegant, its energy almost humming in my hands.
"Will this do?" he asked, tilting his head thoughtfully. "I’m not sure where it came from… I don’t even remember seeing it before. Would you like any adjustments?"
I held the stick, feeling its weight, its perfect natural balance. "Nothing needs to be changed," I said. "It’s already perfect."
When I returned home, I adorned the staff with crystals, each carefully chosen to enhance Ursula’s ability to summon cosmic aid, a crucial element in her story The Doomed Time. Now, Ursula’s staff rests beside the Fingley World chair, but that’s a story for another blog post.
The Hidden Magic in a Name
Before I go, here’s something that feels almost like fate itself, did you know the name Ursula means ‘female bear’? A subtle nod to Dodl Bear, perhaps? Maybe Ursula’s magic runs deeper than even I first imagined…
The Magic of Everyday Encounters
This journey to find Ursula’s staff reminded me of something important:
Magic isn’t always found in fantasy. Sometimes, it’s right in front of us, in the people we meet, the stories they share, and the objects that seem to find us when we need them most.
Next time you stumble across something unexpected, pause for a moment. You never know, it might just be the missing piece of your own story.
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