Quirky Witchblr

Hi, everyone! Yes, this is another 'reblog if...' but this one comes with a twist. Whilst my own dashboard is definitely dry lately, it's also becoming increasingly obvious that the witchblr community in general is beginning to become less active. There are lots of reasons, of course, but rather than focus on the issue, I want to focus on a solution.

If you are an active witch blog, divination blog, religious blog, or anything in between that finds themselves here on witchblr, I have two things I want you to do!

1. Reblog This Post

Reblog this post and maybe say a little about yourself and your blog. But, also tag/mention blogs that you think are really wonderful and active! Again, I want this to branch out to many different kinds of bloggers. New witches, seasoned witches, brujas, european witches, root workers, hoodoo practitioners, you name it. This community is about diversity and personal pathways. It's time to big each other up.

My humble recommendations are: @thepastelpriestess @powerpriestess @shadow-of-wings @will-o-the-witch @nightshadeandroses @witches-ofcolor @ener-chi @luna-di-fuoco @mercury-minded @urbanspellcraft @upthewitchypunx @hermeticimp @divineclecticism @themagickcat @themanicnami @underworldpriestess @ancestralmedicinemagic @she-who-treads-on-water @shintowitchling and probably even more amazing practitioners I have forgotten. Each of these people are so knowledgeable and kind, and often give to our little online community here. I love reading/seeing their content and I know you will too.

2. Write About Your Craft

Not just this month, every month, but I do want to maybe try to encourage February to be a really good month for sharing and creation. It doesn't have to be a long post, it doesn't even have to have a theme. Just share. Tell people what you've been up to, or explain a personal revelation you've had. Ask for tips on a spell you're working on. One thing we've lost on witchblr is a sense of personal identities, probably after months of silly discourse making people shy away. But here's the thing... Witchcraft is personal.

If anyone more media savvy has any great ideas for this, please add on. All I can think is to share, and maybe ask some interesting questions to blogs you admire! I don't mean the usual stuff, but maybe ask 'What is something you always put into your spells?' or 'What's your personal take on how magic works?' - something which is interesting and allows us all to find our places again.

I am really interested in seeing what we all end up making or writing, so if you want to share some personal ideas, or find others wanting to create a more active witchblr again, we can use the tag #WakingWitchblr. Talk about your blog on it, write 'reblog if' posts to find likewise people, ask an interesting questions. Let's just... Be again, people!

Lovely forest stroll including some lovely deadly forest life

Northern wolfsbane Aconitum lycoctonum

Leopard slug Limax maximus

European toad Bufo bufo

Speckled wood Pararge aegeria

Deadly nightshade Atropa belladonna

The Ritual of Meeting the Fates

Unlike Venus, the Fates do not bestow beauty. Unlike Apollo, they do not gift victory. Unlike Pluto and Mars, they do not promise potency.

The Fates are the authors of destiny. Clotho, who spins the thread of life... Lachesis, who decides its length... Atropos, who one day cuts it.

As their devotee, not only are you granted glimpses of what has been, what is, and what will be, but the ability to change what they have written already.

That is why their patronage does not come cheaply. Worshipping them is not for everybody.

1) Approach at the time of your birth.

You may perform this ritual on any day, for the Fates can hear you at any time.

But it must be on the same hour as when you were born, to symbolize your desire to be reborn as their seer.

Once you begin, there can be no breaks in between.

2) Have an elder cut your hair.

With a knife that has been in your family for at least three generations, have your blood mother, grandmother or another elder cut three inches of your hair.

Tie your locks with a ribbon you owned as child. Bury it in the earth of your childhood home, where you have memories, sad and glad.

This is you burying your innocence. As a servant of the Fates, you will see things no "child" can.

3) Find a mirror as tall as you.

Place it in a locked room free of noise and sunlight. Stand in front of the mirror in darkness, with only a white candle in hand for light.

In your own language, tell Clotho the birth name of the one you most love... tell Lachesis the name of the one you most envy... and Atropos, the name of the one you most despise. This is you revealing to them who you are deep inside.

Look into the mirror. Stare until your face warps into that of an old woman. That is the Fates accepting you into their service.

The ritual is done.

Build them an altar. Give them books. Mortals' tales to entertain the authors of life. Give them food. To nourish them when they visit you on earth.

Invoke them for divination and vengeance. Count on their revelation and guidance.

But if your face did not warp into an old woman's... your plea has been rejected.

After many requests, I’ve made a rebloggable version of my ‘Weather Magic’ page. Here you will find heaps of resources to help you with weather/storm craft. If you’ve read some of my previous posts about weather magic you will notice some similarities - that is because this is a collection of every weather witching post that I’ve ever posted compiled into handy resources post.

Weather Magic

The term “weather magic” or “weather witching” has been used to mean anything from divination and forecasting of weather to actual control and manipulation of the weather itself. From calling up treacherous storms to destroy another’s crops or providing fair winds for those at sea, witches (and even those who do not consider themselves to be such) have always been involved with weather magic. When you consider that most forms of magic are based around an agricultural past, the ability to affect and predict the weather was considered an invaluable skill. After all, if your family’s livelihood depended on the success of your crops (or the ability to find water as it did in my family’s case), weather magic would be an extremely handy thing to know.

Why the url Storm Born Witch?

I am quite fortunate, as the gift for weather related magic comes easily to my family. For generations, the men in my family have been dowsers or water diviners. However, it wasn’t until after I displayed an aptitude to weather related magic that I was told about my family’s history with it. My grandfather was the last water diviner in the family and he died when I was very young so I was never taught how to divine for water. My grandmother was the one to teach me what little she knew about weather magic - the rest either occurred naturally or I picked up along the way.

Calling Up A Wind - Whistling Up A Wind

This is the most common form of weather magic and has been practiced for hundreds of years. Depending on the pitch and tone of the whistle a witch can create a gentle breeze or a sharp gust of wind. Traditionally, if the skill of whistling up a wind does not come naturally to you the option of making a ‘wind whistle’ out of willow or alder wood is available.

Here in Australia, whistling up a wind is probably the most common form of magic I do. I honestly do not go a day without whistling up a cool breeze. It’s bloody hot here and sometimes a cool breeze is just what you need.

Resources for Calling Winds:

How to Whistle Up a Wind by stormbornwitch​

Other Methods of Calling Up a Wind by stormbornwitch​

Traditional Sailor’s Wind Knots (Untie the Wind) by ioqayin​

Storm Casting

Storm casting is the art of creating storms. There are many different methods to creating storms and bringing rain. The method used by my family is to fill a jug with water and while sitting outside (or facing a window) pour the water into a basin or bowl. Dip the tip of your pointer finger into the water and slowly make five clockwise circles in the water (if you have a pendant necklace this can be used instead - just above the water in the bowl). As you are making the circles call the wind to bring in a storm by blowing (or whistling a continuous low note - the sound of wind over the mouth of a glass bottle) over the water in the basin.

Resources for Storm Casting

My Method of Calling Storms by stormbornwitch​

Traditional Methods of Calling Storms by stormbornwitch​

Ways to Stop a Storm (Dispersing, Binding & Preventing)

There are multiple ways to stop a storm. The most common are dispersing or binding storms. However there are also ways to prevent storms from coming by directing them away from where you are. This is great if you’re holding an event outside and you need good weather.

Dispersing

This method involves spreading the storm out over a large area thereby minimising its effects. You can disperse a storm by calling winds to blow it away (or in a certain direction) or if you favour using weather maps you can draw the low pressure system moving away and gradually dissipating.

Binding (Storm Catching)

This method is also called ‘storm catching’ and involves catching a storm and binding it within an object (usually a bottle or knots) so it can be released gradually at a later date by pulling out the cork or undoing the braid/knots.

Resources for Binding Storms

How to bind a storm in your hair by stormbornwitch​

How to bind the wind in rope by ioqayin​

Storm catching or “reeling in a storm” is even more difficult than storm casting so it’s always wise to think before you cast. Too much energy put into a storm and it will go on for weeks (and cause some flooding - basement incident) or it will be extremely violent and knock down power lines and tree branches. Too little energy and all you will get is a 5 minute shower of rain.

Other ways to stop a storm (Cutting a Storm) by witchuptheroad​

Preventing a Storm (Weather Maps)

However, if you wish to prevent a storm from forming, you’re going to have to pull out the weather maps. To make a weather map all you need to do is to print out a map of your local area or the area you’re trying to keep a storm away from.

Just use google maps and don’t make the area too big or you might seriously strain yourself magically. Then laminate the map - now you have your own ‘whiteboard’ to draw weather symbols on to generate certain types of localised weather.

To practice this kind of magic you really do need to know how weather systems work and how they’re likely to move; knowing a little bit about meteorology goes a long way.

Once you’re ready, find out what the weather is predicted to be and draw it on your map. Now draw the high/low pressure systems moving so that the area you’re trying to protect doesn’t get rain. This method can also be used to bring rain to a certain area.

List of Resources for Storm/Weather Witches

What is a Storm/Weather Witch by rainy-day-witchcraft – This post details what it means to be a witch that uses weather magic / storm craft in their practice; a good definition.

Tips for Starting Storm Craft by stormsorceress – This post gives some really great tips for those interested in starting storm craft; a really good beginner post.

The trouble with weather magic by skychild1989 – This post outlines some of the things you should think about before performing weather magic (i.e. think about the possible consequences of your actions and evaluate you capabilities before messing with things you don’t know that much about). This is a really good reminder.

The Difference between Storm Water and Rain Water by stormbornwitch – This post highlights the symbolic differences between storm water and rain water and also discusses the properties the water can take on when it is collected at certain times of the year (i.e. particular lunar phases/holidays/sabbats/esbats/solstices etc).

Storm Water by stormsorceress – This post is great and outlines the associations and uses of storm water in witchcraft.

Rain Water by stormsorceress – This post outlines the different types of rain water, their associations and uses in witchcraft.

Storm Water by fumbletongue – This post highlights and gives ideas for the many uses storm water can have in one’s craft; from protection to cursing.

Combining Knot Craft & Storm Craft by stormsorceress – This post gives some really great ideas for combining storm craft with knot craft.

How to Draw Energy from Storms by stormbornwitch – This post outlines how to draw energy from storms and how to direct it.

Storm Witch’s Power Bath by brynja-storm – This post gives the ingredients of a power bath which is designed to give you the energy of a storm; great for when you’re in need of a recharge or before you perform a big spell.

The Storm Witch’s Hurricane Curse by brynja-storm – This curse traps its target in an eternal storm with all the gale force winds, rain, lightning and debris associated with a hurricane.

The Tools of a Storm/Weather Witch by stormsorceress – This post outlines the tools of storm/weather witches in different regions (i.e. near the ocean, in a desert, forest, mountain ect).

Tips for Refining Weather Manipulation by stormbornwitch – This post gives some tips for witches who want to get better at weather magic and manipulating the weather.

A Light in the Storm by stormsorceress – This spell is meant to be used to aid in the healing of seasonal depression. Other uses of this spell include aiding in the healing of sadness, grief, and anxiety as well as providing a ‘guiding light’ to people you wish to protect while travelling.

And as always my ‘weather witching’ tag will have links to every single post that I’ve posted which has anything to do with weather magic.