#cloud magic

a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of liquid droplets, ice crystals, or other particles, suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space such as the earth.

my personal associations and correspondences for clouds include: all types of weather phenomena (storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), celestial bodies such as nebulae, uranus (ruler of the sky), the air element, destruction, shielding, illusion, distortion, peace, comfort, dreams, sleep, warding nightmares, and divination.

how to use clouds in magic

craft spell jars based on intent; add puffs of cotton to represent clouds

craft a cloud in a jar/bottle

craft a cloud shaped dream pillow

cloud watching as meditation

use cloud movement for weather prediction [to time spells]

use cloud shapes for divination [nephelomancy]

cluster crystals together in various shapes or patterns depending on the type of cloud you want to work with

pair with the suit of swords in tarot cards

listen to music produced with wind instruments

use marshmallows or whipped cream to represent clouds in desserts

use as a source of energy to charge items or spells [storm clouds would be good for this]

cloud manipulation [energy work]

cloud illusions [sun dogs, halos, and pillars]

nephelomany / cloud scrying

nephelomany, also known as cloud scrying, can be performed by interpreting cloud shapes and surrounding colors. the most common clouds to scry with are cumulus or stratocumulus clouds due to their well-formed shape and defined boundaries.

types of clouds by altitude ✧

prefix definitions cirro - curl, tendril alto - mid strato - layer, sheet nimbo - rain bearing cloud cumulo - heap

high level clouds - composed of ice crystals; above 20k ft

☁️ cirrus

appearance: white, narrow, wispy, fibrous, silky filaments

about: fastest moving type of cloud; occurs during fair conditions but may signal an approaching change in weather (warm front that can cause storms)

keywords: swiftness, wit, change, transformation, transitions, freedom

☁️ cirrocumulus

appearance: small puffs of white clouds arranged in patchy sheets or ripples

about: short lived; usually seen with fair but cold weather; signals approaching rainstorm or potentially hurricane

keywords: focus, momentum, energy, anxiety, preparation, safety

☁️ cirrostratus

appearance: widespread, veil-like; fibrous; smooth

about: looks similar to a thin stratus but is distinguished by the solar or lunar halo that shines through it; commonly forms optical illusions such as sun dogs, haloes, and sun pillars; signals approaching rain or snowstorm (within 12-24 hours)

keywords: distortion, illusion, glamours, beauty

mid level clouds - composed of water droplets or ice at low temperatures; between 6,500 and 20k ft

☁️ altocumulus

appearance: white or grey poofs in rows composed of scales or rolls

about: usually forms in groups; when they pass in front of the sun or moon, it can create a corona; often found between warm and cool fronts in a depression; signifies thunderstorm or cold front

keywords: comfort, peace, warmth, serenity

species of altocumulus clouds altocumulus lenticularis - lens shaped, resembles a UFO altocumulus castellanus - rising towers, turrets altocumulus floccus - puffy, ragged tufts altocumulus stratiformis - horizontal layers altocumulus volutus - tube shaped roll chaotic altocumulus - poorly defined, multiple species or forms of these types of clouds

☁️ altostratus

appearance: grey or bluish sheet-like layers in parallel bands; sometimes thin enough to see the sun as if you were looking at it through a foggy lens or ground glass

about: streaks of rain can be seen hanging from these clouds and may produce light precipitation; occurs before heavy rain or a warm front

keywords: invisibility, shielding, distortion, illusion, delusion

☁️ nimbostratus

appearance: multi-level dark grey, diffused by precipitation; thick enough to blot out the sun

about: cloud base lowers as precipitation continues; spreads vertically into high and low levels; occurs along warm fronts and produces steady, moderate to heavy rainfall; preceded by cirrostratus and altostratus

keywords: cleansing, renewal, consecration

low level clouds - composed of water droplets; below 6,500 ft

☁️ cumulus

appearance: white, detached, dense, well-defined; resembles mounds, domes, towers; your typical cloud-shaped cloud

about: develops on days of clear to fair skies; has the potential to become a thunderstorm

keywords: duality, balance, joy, dreams, psychic abilities, divination

☁️ cumulonimbus

appearance: thick, heavy, dense; often resembles an anvil, tower, or mountain; upper portion can be smooth, fibrous, or striated

about: storm cloud; produce larger droplets and more intense downpours than a nimbostratus cloud; can produce heavy rain, hail, and tornadoes; occurs with cold fronts; preceded by cirrocumulus and altocumulus clouds

keywords: destruction, manifestation, power, energy, catalyst

☁️ stratocumulus

appearance: white/grey rounded clumps or patches that form in groups

about: may or may not merge with other clouds; do not typically produce precipitation, but may indicate incoming weather changes (windstorms, thunderstorms); can turn into nimbostratus clouds

keywords: potential, humility, togetherness, companionship

☁️ stratus

appearance: low, grey cloud with a uniform base that blankets the sky; flat, hazy

about: turns to fog when it hits the ground; may produce drizzle, ice, or snow; typically do not produce a solar or lunar halo except, on occasion, at very low temperatures; reveals blue sky once dissipated

keywords: optimism, hope, wisdom, knowledge

other

☁️ fractus

appearance: small, ragged cloud fragments broken off from bigger clouds; jagged, shredded, cotton candy-esque

about: constantly changing; forms and dissipates rapidly

keywords: fleeting, temporary, metamorphosis, transformation, baneful magic

weather correspondences uranian weather magic

keywords in this post are based on my own associations and research - do not redistribute and please source back to me if you reference my content.

+ “I stood outside for 15 minutes just staring at the sky.”

+ rushing to get the jars out every time it rains

+ knowing just a little too much about clouds

+ taking the deepest inhale of the air before a storm and getting The Stare™ from everyone else

+ “dancing in the rain is not socially acceptable?”

+ yelling at the sky

+ "weather forecast says it’s going to rain though” “not if I can help it”

+ weather forecasts are both your best friend and your worst enemy

+ accidentally flooding half the country

+ staying in and lying down and staring out the window at the rain

+ “good weather huh?” “yeah thanks”

Electricity is in the air 🌤🌊

clouds of 9 hear my cry

blot out the sun and fill the sky

gather and storm make it gray

As an amateur witch I like to draw inspiration from my surroundings for my craft, and since I’m an amateur cloud watcher too I decided to put the two together! Unfortunately there’s not a lot of info on cloud magic so I thought I’d have a go at creating a guide for myself and anyone looking for ways to integrate clouds into their craft.

In general clouds can represent: fertility, blessings, foresight, imagination, dreams, fun, happiness, knowledge, heralds, messages, innocence, movement, communication, adaptability etc, and of course they are related to the air element, and water. Using nonspecific cloud magic can be enough, but if you want to call upon the magic of a particular cloud, here are some more precise meanings.

(each cloud also has an international cloud symbol which can be used for sigils etc!)

(Ci) Cirrus 🐴 AKA: “Mare’s tails” Science: A high cirriform cloud made of ice. These are pushed by jet streams and are the fastest moving clouds. may signal worse weather to come, likely a warm front in 12-24 hours or if small and patchy, good weather. Associations: Speed, accuracy and goal setting (due to arrow shape), certainty, confidence, ambition, whimsy, beauty.

(Cc) Cirrocumulus 🐟 AKA: “Mackerel clouds” Science: High cumuliform ice clouds. Famous for heralding the approach of rain via the saying “Mackerel sky, rain near by”. Signifies an approaching front. Associations: Anticipation, anxiety, excitement, active energy, focusing and attention.

(Cs) Cirrostratus Science: High layer ice cloud. the sun can often be seen through this cloud and may produce halos and other optical phenomena. Usually signifies a coming warm front. Associations: beauty, glamour, illusion, trickery, prophecy, vision, creativity, clarity.

(As) Altostratus Science: Mid level stratiform cloud. You might be able to see the sun through this cloud, but indistinctly. Usually appears ahead of heavy rain/a warm front. Associations: altruism, knowledge, experience, practice, reason, expertise, understanding, judgement.

(Ac) Altocumulus Science: Mid level cumuliform clouds. Beautiful but can signal an approaching thunderstorm/cold front. Associations: A look don’t touch energy like a brightly coloured poisonous animal. Very good for warding and other defensive spells.

(Cu) Cumulous🌤 AKA: “Fair weather cloud” Science: A low Cumuiliform cloud, this is the Archetypal cloud shape. Is commonly associated with good weather and tends to come in groups but these clouds also have the potential to become thunderstorms. Associations: Due to active extroverted nature and potential for good and bad, this is the most “firey” cloud. Happiness, friendship, adventure, extroversion, strong positive energy, instability and activity, and duality (marks either the best or worst weather)

(St) Stratus 🌫 Science: Low stratiform cloud that may blanket the whole sky. Often found near coasts or mountains. this cloud becomes fog when it touches the ground. The sun can be seen clearly through this cloud, provided there are no clouds above it. It can also produce light drizzle. Associations: Nebulous, mystery, hiding, protection, calm, stability, light blessings, illusion, kindness, gentleness, grounding.

(Sc) Stratocumulus Science: A low cumuluiform cloud that appears quite flat . A very common cloud which is often found over open ocean and often in large groups. Can occur during any weather but usually indicates a coming weather change. Associations: Community, family, relationships, teamwork, unity, adaptability, preparation, strength in numbers. Duality and harmony due to its stratus/cumulus nature. A good general use/substitution cloud.

(Cn) Cumulonimbus⛈ AKA: Thundercloud Science: The tallest cloud often producing thunderstorms, lighting hail, heavy rain, and even tornados. These are found at cold fronts and are usually preceded by cirrocumulus and altocumulus. Associations: Power, fear, danger, achievement, speed, ambition, strength, banishment, cleansing.

(Ns) Nimbostratus🌧 Science: Usually found at warm fronts and produces very heavy and persistent rain. Often preceded by cirrostratus and altostratus. Associations: Fertility, endurance, persistance, blessings, strength, danger (flooding), generosity, cleansing.