WIND MAGICK



	Air Magic from the book Earth Power
	by Cunningham.

	without air our planet would be a lifeless globe. No life as we know it
	would exist without the combination of gasses with which our planet is
	fortunately supplied.
	Though air is invisible it is an essential part of life. It is not only
	necessary for life to continue, it also affects our lives in often dramatic
	ways. Since it is invisible and yet so powerful it has been used in spells
	and magic for eons, and it also has found its waythrough the winds into
	the folk-lore and mythology of peoples around the world.
	The spells and techniques offered here utilize the power of elemental Air,
	best visualized as a gushing torrent of wind. Many of the spells themselves
	require a wind or at least a breeze, and spells for wind control are also
	included.
	One point of caution: air magic is as unpredictable as the winds
	themselves.
	The winds
	For centuries peoples have thought of the wind as being of four basic types,
	corresponding to the four directions or quarters of the Earth. These area
	the North, east, south and west winds. Each is possessed of its own magical
	virtues, and certain spells are best cast during certain winds.
	This may seem to be rather unnecessarily complicated but it needn't be.
	Looking to the winds when performing magic is no more difficult than
	checking the phase of the moon, although the phase of the wind doesn't
	last as long.
	At best, if you can rig up a weathervane or windsock to determine the
	winds, you can adjust your magical workings slightly by waiting for the
	right wind.
	Naturally, if the wind has been blowing steadily from the North all
	morning, it wont do to wait for a westerly one. The system is here to guide
	and aid, not to control our actions. Check the winds or not as you wish.
	In looking over the following discussions of each of the winds, bear in
	mind that this is not an absolute system; different parts of the world have
	different attributes to the winds. These are those in favor in north America
	and Europe. Changes may be necessary for you own area, due to climate,
	location, and weather patterns.
	The four winds are at least superficially related to the elements, and this
	can be kept in mind, but each has its own powers peculiar to the winds
	themselves.
	One important point. In speaking of, say, the North wind, it is the wind
	which blows from that direction rather than to the direction that is in
	question.
	North wind

	The North wind is the wind of deathbut not necessarily that of physical
	death. This is the realm of the one eternal universal lawchange. death
	here refers to the elimination of negativity.
	The North wind is cold (magically speaking), blowing in as it does from the
	direction of winter and of snows lying deep across the lands. It is dry,
	or barren, thus paving the way for spells of destruction.
	How to use it? If you are depressed, anxious, envious, jealous, angry, and
	the wind is blowing from the North, face full into it and it will free you
	of these things.
	If you wish to break a bad habit, perform any spell of this nature while
	the North wind is blowing for added power.
	The North wind, while chilly with night and death and deep snow, is also
	the wind of the element earth, and thus shares in fertility and prosperity
	magic, although that involving healing can be greatly aided by the North
	wind.
	Its color is the black of midnight.
	East wind
	The wind blowing from the East is that of freshness, renewed life,
strength, power, and intellect. It is a warm, bracing wind that blows from
the point at which the sun, moon and stars make their shining appearances.
Thusly it is the wind involved with beginnings, the new phenomena that
rises from the work of the North wind. The heat is that of the sun, and the
spark of creation.
Spells best utilized when the wind is sweeping from the East are those
concerning dramatic improvements, changes for the better, especially in
behavior. Also east wind spells are those involving the mind and all spells
involving the element of air, to which it is magically related. \ love
spells are best not performed with an easterly wind, unless you want a very
intellectual love. But perhaps there's nothing wrong with that!
Since the East is the direction of sunrise and light, the color is white.




South wind
The further south you travel the hotter it getson this side of the
equator, at least. For this reason the southern wind is a hot, fiery one.
Symbolically it rules noon, when the sun (or moon) is highest in the sky,
the time of the greatest light and heat. Because the South wind is related
to the element of fire, its magic covers the same ground. The South wind,
however, can be used for any type of magic when its blowing. Its a good
time to cast spells.
Since this wind is strong and hot, spells performed with it are assured an
extra jolt of power. It is always exciting and interesting working with the
South wind!
Be warned, however, that fireeven diluted fire of the southern windcan be
dangerous. As we know, fire can burn.
The color of the South wind? Yellowthe yellow of the sun at noon.
West wind
The West wind is that which blows cool and moist; it may carry a hint of
rain or mist as it washes over the land. It is a fertile, loving force
which is gentle and persuasive.
It symbolically rules twilight, when all is at a standstill; day and night
merge into a magical landscape of muted colors and cook breezes. Sunset,
like sunrise, is an excellent time to perform magicmore so if the correct
wind is blowing.
Water magiclove, healing, fertility and so onis excellent for the West
wind, as it adds its own forces and energies from that quarter. Especially
excellent for spells involving cleansing or purely religious rituals, the
West wind is welcome relief after the dry, hot breeze from the South.
The West wind is the blue of the sky just before all light fades from the
sky.
Charting the winds
As mentioned previously, the best way to determine the winds is by a
weather vane or windsock. The latter can be made cheaply in seconds and is
as accurate as anything.
Take a strip of heavy but flexible cloth at least one-and-a-half feet in
length (or, if you prefer, a long, clean sock) and find a good place on
your property to hang it up. It should be free of surrounding buildings or
trees which could block the winds. Preferably, it will be on your property
and will be visible from the house.
If you lack such as pot, a rooftop antenna will do. Tie the cloth securely
to the antenna (or pole high enough to catch the wind) and insure that the
wind wont blow it free or slide it down along the pole.
Now determine the directions and wait for the wind. When it blows, the
cloth will stream in the opposite direction. Thus, when the cloth is
streaming south, the North wind is at work.
If the windsock is visible from within your house, it will simply be a
matter of looking at it, determining the wind from its condition, and
proceeding from there.
Invoking the four winds
Many spells and rituals can be prefaced with an invocation to the winds.
This is particularly true if you are often working with the winds.
The idea of invoking or calling the winds is an ancient one, dating back to
at least classical Greece and certainly earlier. It is not only a summons
of their power (all four winds to help your spell) but is also a general
announcement to them of your intentions. This is made, in effect, to the
entire world.
Summoning the powers of the winds and asking for their help is a great way
to begin any spell. The technique?
Once you have assembled everything you need for the spell in the place you
are performing it (preferably outside), turn t the North and say something
like the following:
Winds of the North! Rushing and mighty!
Aid me in my magical work!
Turn to the East and say:
Winds of the East! Dazzling and bright!
Aid me in my magical work!
Face south, and say:
Winds of the South! Fiery and radiant!
Aid me in my magical work!
Then move to the West and say:
Winds of the West! Gentle and buoyant!
Aid me in my magical work!
Now proceed with the spell, secure that the ancient powers of the four
winds are aiding your magic.

Working with one wind
If you are performing a spell suited to one wind, just before you begin
turn to the appropriate direction and say the words associated with it
above. Stand for a moment. Feel the wind (if only in your imagination)
blowing from that direction, roused by your magical call, gathering in speed
as it rushes toward you with awesome force. (this is also a good thing to do
while invoking all four winds).
Then perform the spell.






Air spells
These are some of the workings associated with the element of air. For your
convenience, I have listed the appropriate wind related to in each, although
it is never necessary to wait until the wind is actually blowing to perform
these spells.

Tie up your troubles (north wind)
On a sturdy, preferably dead, bush or shrub still planted in the ground, in
a place where the winds blow clear and free, tie or push onto the tip of a
branch or twig one leaf for every one of the ills that is bothering you. If
you tie the leaf, do so loosely and use a natural fiber cord.
This is all you have to do, for the North wind will rise and, perhaps
slowly, untie and free the leaves, thereby releasing energy and going to
work to alleviate the ills besetting you.
This spell works over a period of days or even weeks, not minutes, so leave
the shrub after performing the spell. If you wait and watch, the wind might
never rise. (of course, it gives you a head start to perform this work
during a stiff north breeze)!

A loving bell (west wind)
Hang up a bell with a pleasant ring in a window which remains open for a
good part of each day, and through which the wind blows (preferably the West
wind).
As you do so speak these words:
Little bell of love, I hang you to whisper my need for love on the breezes
and winds.
Little bell of love, speak of my need for love to your brothers and sisters.
Little bell of love, I ask you to speak softly and draw to me someone who
listens.
Every time the bell rings, it is whispering Of your need for love. (the
brothers and sisters are other bells who will add their own power to the
spell).

To vanquish fear (south wind)
Light a yellow candle indoors and sit in quiet contemplation for a second.
See the candles flames drawing in you fear and anxieties; see it and the
candle becoming infused with them.
Take the candle outside and let the wind quench its flame. It is done
(check to make sure there is a breeze or wind outside before trying this
one).

To communicate with an absent friend (east wind)
in the open air face the direction where the person is present. If this is
unknown, repeat the below to each direction, starting in the North.
Extend your arms and hands and, in a clear but soft voice, call the
persons name.
Visualize his or her features. Call the name again, with more force, and
then a third time, quite loudly.
Next state your message as if speaking to them in person. Keep this
short and precise. When you have finished, listen for a reply.
This one works best with practice, or with friends with whom you are
intimately close.

To make a decision (east wind)
If you are faced with many choices, write each down on small slips of
paper. Fold each twice and place them on a table which is standing free
(i.e., it is not pushed up against a wall), in a place where a gentle wind
is blowing.
The wind should make the papers move around on the table top, and them fall
to the ground. The last paper remaining on the table (or the last to fall
if you don't catch it soon enough) is your choice, should you decide to
follow it.

Determining a wind
as you have seen, air magic can be done one of two ways: actually using the
element of air through one of the above spells, invoking the correct wind or
not, or by simply invoking the powers of all of the winds or one in
particular and performing another type of spell.
For spells in which you wish to invoke a wind but aren'tt sure which is
appropriate, the following spell can be used.
In a fireproof utensil or area, build a small fire of any type of wood. Or
use some charcoal and light it.
Next, when the fire is blazing brightly or the coals are glowing, throw
green branches of trees and shrubs on the fire or coals to create smoke. The
smoke should rise steadily from the fire. The fire isn'tt important now;
only the smoke is.
Watch to see the direction the smoke travels in.
It may immediately move toward a direction, or rise straight up. If the
latter occurs keep watching and it should turn. The direction in which the
smoke travels is the appropriate wind for the spell you are considering.
Granted, this is a bit of trouble, but it works.
Be sure that the fire is safely extinguished, with sand or water, before
leaving the area.

To Raise the winds
The weather strip
Used to raise winds, at sea (to fill the sails) or on land.
In an old rawhide thong of about an arms length, tie a knot three inches
from the end, a second knot six inches from the first, and a third nine
inches from the second knot.
To activate the spell, untie the knots:
For a gentle breeze, untie the first knot, concentrating on waves or leaves
or grass blowing.
For a stronger wind, untie the second knot, concentrating on a steady wind
filing a ships sails.
For a gale (careful)! Untie the last knot, thinking of a heavy gale and
lots of wind action.
It is done.
To raise the wind
First, look to the direction suitable to the time of year.
In the winter, try the North wind.
In the spring, try the East Wind.
In the summer, Try the South wind.
In the autumn, try the West Wind.
Turn to the appropriate direction and give a long, piercing whistle with
the pitch dropping off at the end. Do this thrice.
The best time to call the wind is at sunrise.

To raise winds
Take several handfuls of sand and throw them up into the air. By the third
or fourth handful the wind should have picked up and blown the sand from
your hand. Use fine, clean sand for this spell.

To stop the wind
Gather four feathers, preferably one each of these colors:
White, blue, yellow and black, to represent the four winds. Take these four
feathers and tie them together tightly with a thick cord. Place the feathers
in the bottom of a bowl and cover them over completely with salt so that
they aren't visible.
This will bind and earth the winds and they should soon abate.

To stop a cyclone
Run into a field and stick a knife into the ground, with the sharp edge of
the blade facing the coming storm. The knife is said to split the wind, so
that your area will be spared.

To raise the wind on a seashore
Take a long piece of seaweed, whirl it over your head in a circle, and
whistle.