#rainys spells

By Rainy-Day-Witchcraft

    In the lore and history of weather witchery, it was common of weather witches to create and sell knotted rope charms to sailors, as it was believed these charms would help enchant the wind in the ship’s favor. These charms were made by venturing to a high-windswept place, and tying certain sailers knots into rope to capture the wind while imbuing them with magick ~ sometimes multiple knots were tied, meant to contain winds of different strengths.

   While reading about these wind charms, I was inspired to write a more modern project tutorial on how to make such a charm, though mine will be a touch more decorated! These wind charms can be hung above a porch or in a window to encourage a wind to blow away storm clouds, to represent wind or air in a spell or ritual, to summon a wind (similar to wind whistling), and for any other wind-related uses you might find you need witchcraft-wise. 

⌲ Materials:

• Thick twine or medium rope of your choice
• Dried lemongrass or anise
• A branch or piece of alder, oak, or scotch broom
• Beads, bells, small bottles, and decorative elements

⌲ Capturing Wind

   The first step, of course, is to capture the wind using knot magick ~ The knotted rope will serve as the base of the wind charm. You can begin with a plain rope, or make it thicker or more decorative by braiding or macrame-ing multiple smaller ropes together beforehand. This first step is the longest in the tutorial, as it will take some time to find the right conditions. Traditionally, three single knots are made in a rope ~ But for this tutorial, we are going to be knotting the rope three times, each consisting of more smaller knots, to capture and represent different buildups of wind energy - If you wish, you can replace the knots with different sailors knots, if you know how to do so. Here’s how to do this:

• Near the top of the rope (leaving a section of 5-7 inches for hanging, depending on the length you make it), you will knot it 3 times in the same place during a day or in a place where the wind is gentle, like a breeze. As you do this, recite:
  

Tied of three, knots capture this breeze

Contained by my hand and quelled upon these skies

The gentle air I seize - For my swift magickal disposition

• A few inches below the previous knot, near the middle, you will be knotting it 5 times in the same place during a day or in a place where the wind is stronger; not a breeze, yet not a strong wind ~ somewhere in the middle. As you do this, recite:
  

Tied of five, knots gained of brisk wind

Direct and ardent as I exert its’ energy

With my intent and by my will - Magickally intertwined

• Near the end of the rope, leaving a few inches hanging off the end, knot the last one 7 times at the same point during a day or in a place where the wind is strong and powerful, such as during a storm or on a high ground frequented by strong winds. As you do this, recite:
  

Tied of seven, knotted storms of the heavens

Vigorous and powerful,

Energy of formidable wind - Seals my magick of air

(Feel free to replace my chants with your own)

⌲ Decorating and Imbuing 

Step 1. ⌇ Between the first and second knots, and between the second and third knots, we’ll be adding herbs associated specifically with wind magick to keep your charm charged and functional. 

In the first empty length of rope, tie a bundle of dried lemongrass or dried anise - both strongly tied to the element of air. Or instead (how I made mine), get a small-ish corked bottle, and add the herbs to the bottle in smaller pieces ~ Attach the bottle into the charm - which I especially enjoy the look of! 

In the second empty length of rope below the second knot and above the third, tie in a branch or chunk of alder wood, oak wood, or a bundle of scotch broom. Again, you can break the ingredient(s) into smaller pieces and instead put them into a bottle to attach to the charm if you wish. Both alder and oak were traditionally used in making flutes, whistles, and ‘bullroarers’ for whistling up winds, and scotch broom is used in weather brooms, spells, and charms to call up winds. (Tip: scotch broom is the most connected to weather witchery out of the three, so I suggest finding a place to buy or collect some specially for this charm)

Step 2. ⌇ Now that the magickal materials are on the charm, you can decorate it however you like ~ For mine, I attached colorful glass beads and tiny bells; Other items to use connected to wind and the air element include feathers, ribbons, the colors yellow and white, and bits of shining metal or glass, etc. If you worship a deity tied to the weather, skies, or winds, a figure or symbol of them may be added.

Step 3. ⌇ Once your charm is to your liking, hang it up on a porch or in a window or doorway. On days when you don’t wish to call or whistle the wind to you, remove the charm ~ You can hang it on a wall for decoration when not in use, or just put it in a bag or box until you need it again. 

Personal note: The day I finished making mine and went to hang it in the window, I looked out my bedroom window to see a small ‘tornado’ of dust (we get them commonly in the dry seasons out here) quickly form and dispel in the backyard area nearest me!

If you have any questions or comments, you’re welcome to message me. Thank you ♡