Wind Spells

As we step into the month of October, drawing nearer to the eve of All Hallows, I thought it might be interesting to delve into ancient folklore from various cultures that share a deep connection with the sea. With autumn ushering in brisk winds, my curiosity led me to explore the age-old practice of wind spells. Wind spells were often conducted by benevolent, and sometimes not-so-benevolent, wise women, commonly known as witches. Their purpose was twofold: to aid seafarers in their maritime journeys and, of course, to garner some much-needed resources.

The belief in witches and the art of witchcraft can be traced back to ancient civilizations, including the Sumerians, Egyptians, and Greeks. Witches were often regarded as individuals possessing a unique bond with the spiritual realm. Spells were their means to harness this supernatural connection and manifest their intentions. These intentions could encompass healing, protection, malevolence, or vengeance, depending on the perceived motivations of the witch.

Sailors of bygone eras were an exceedingly superstitious group. The sea, an expansive and capricious domain, subjected seafarers to numerous perils, from treacherous storms and shipwrecks to encounters with hostile vessels and fearsome creatures. Superstitions emerged as a means to fathom these perils and endeavor to control or appease the enigmatic forces at play. Many maritime superstitions were handed down through generations, ingraining themselves deeply into maritime life. Sailors upheld these customs out of both reverence for their forebears and the belief that flouting these traditions could invite ill fortune. Among these beliefs was the conviction that a wind spell could conjure the wind on a voyage when it was in short supply.

A wind spell comprised a length of rope, cord, or even hair, carefully knotted three times to ensnare the essence of the wind within those loops. A sailor would procure this enchanted rope for his voyage, subsequently untying the knots when he sought to summon the wind. Various cultures attached distinct meanings to these knots. For instance, the wind spells crafted by the Manx weather witches on the Isle of Man would yield a South-Westerly wind when one knot was released, a robust North wind with two knots, and a tempest when all three knots were undone. In regions like Scandinavia and the Scottish Isles, the knotting was less precise: a single knot might beckon a gentle breeze, two knots promised favorable winds, yet three knots would herald a fierce gale.

Why not create your own wind spell, inspired by the wisdom of the land-dwelling women.  Here is one to give you some ideas, remember intention is key:

Find a length of rope or cord and recite the following incantation while tying three knots: “I humbly beseech the blessing of Aeolus, the Sovereign of the Winds, to infuse this cord with the might of the storm: In the first knot, a breeze shall take form; In the second knot, fair winds to conform; In the third knot, a tempest, the sea to transform.”

Lovesail.com is an online dating and social networking site for adventurous sailors.  Find your sailing soulmate or sailing friends from all around the world for holidays and trips.