Orb of Thesulah
Encyclopedia
In both Buffy and Angel
series, the Orb of Thesulah is used in a Gypsy ritual by the Kalderash
clan to restore a vampire's soul, most notably Angel.
purchases one from a magic shop in an effort to harness Angels's soul after it is lost when he experiences a moment of pure happiness. In this episode it is stated by the magic shop owner that the orb is useless without a translation of the Ritual of Restoration
, as this is the only spell that it can be used with. Jenny finally uses a computer programme to translate the ritual but she is found out by Drusilla and the orb is destroyed.
Following this Willow Rosenberg sources another orb and completes the ritual in the season 2 finale, Becoming. The ritual is successful and Angel's soul is restored just in time for him to be run through by Buffy
and sucked into a vortex leading to a hell dimension.
An orb also appeared in the episode "Orpheus
" from Angel's own spinoff series, as Angel's soul had again been displaced, this time on purpose. This time it doesn't go as well, as outside forces conspire to disrupt the ritual.
The orb appears in such novels as City of Angel.
Recently the Orb of Thesulah has been referenced in Supernatural, a show on the CW network. In season 7 episode 7 entitled 'The Mentalists', this orb is believed to be contained inside a necklace that is being passed around to psychics before their deaths, but is likely fake as it has "Made in Taiwan" engraved on the back.
uses the orb as a paperweight, "it seems strange he wouldn't have offered it earlier for a restoration spell, or why Jenny
doesn't see it in his office."
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
series, the Orb of Thesulah is used in a Gypsy ritual by the Kalderash
Kalderash
The Kalderash are a subgroup of the Romani people, from the Roma meta-group. They were traditionally smiths and metal workers and speak a number of Romani dialects grouped together under the term Kalderash Romani, a sub-group of Vlax Romani.-Etymology:The name Kalderash The Kalderash (also spelled...
clan to restore a vampire's soul, most notably Angel.
Appearances and description
In the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, the orbs are used to bring a soul from the nether realms and contain it until it can be put back into its original body. They first appear in episode 7 of season 2 of the show, called Passion when Jenny CalendarJenny Calendar
Jenny Calendar is a fictional character in the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Played by Robia LaMorte, Jenny is the computer teacher at Sunnydale High School...
purchases one from a magic shop in an effort to harness Angels's soul after it is lost when he experiences a moment of pure happiness. In this episode it is stated by the magic shop owner that the orb is useless without a translation of the Ritual of Restoration
Ritual of Restoration
The Ritual of Restoration is a fictional curse from the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. It has been performed three times on screen.-Purpose:...
, as this is the only spell that it can be used with. Jenny finally uses a computer programme to translate the ritual but she is found out by Drusilla and the orb is destroyed.
Following this Willow Rosenberg sources another orb and completes the ritual in the season 2 finale, Becoming. The ritual is successful and Angel's soul is restored just in time for him to be run through by Buffy
Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
and sucked into a vortex leading to a hell dimension.
An orb also appeared in the episode "Orpheus
Orpheus (Angel episode)
"Orpheus" is episode 15 of season 4 in the television show Angel. Written by Mere Smith and directed by Terrence O'Hara, it was originally broadcast on March 19, 2003 on the WB network...
" from Angel's own spinoff series, as Angel's soul had again been displaced, this time on purpose. This time it doesn't go as well, as outside forces conspire to disrupt the ritual.
The orb appears in such novels as City of Angel.
Recently the Orb of Thesulah has been referenced in Supernatural, a show on the CW network. In season 7 episode 7 entitled 'The Mentalists', this orb is believed to be contained inside a necklace that is being passed around to psychics before their deaths, but is likely fake as it has "Made in Taiwan" engraved on the back.
Reception
Nikki Stafford writes that although it is comical that Rupert GilesRupert Giles
Rupert Giles is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is portrayed by Anthony Stewart Head. He serves as Buffy Summers' mentor and surrogate father figure...
uses the orb as a paperweight, "it seems strange he wouldn't have offered it earlier for a restoration spell, or why Jenny
Jenny Calendar
Jenny Calendar is a fictional character in the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Played by Robia LaMorte, Jenny is the computer teacher at Sunnydale High School...
doesn't see it in his office."