Star Made Witch: Witches And The Power Of Storms

Storms are an integral natural force of the autumn season. Traditionally witches are intimate with the wild natural forces of the weather. While most folks are starting to retreat inside to the safety of home, perhaps witches are in the domain of the outdoors–their hair dripping wet with wild dark eyes–directing the wind and rain.

In history, legends and folktales, witches are known for being in control of or even at one with storms. The Irish sorceress goddesses the Morrigan summon storms on the battlefield. Invading Romans were repelled by Druids and black clad women summoning storms on the Isle of Mona. Queen Bheura and her nine storm hags ride goats to fly about the skies. Even Queen Elizabeth I was said to call upon the powers of witches and her infamous sorcerer Dr. Dee to call storms upon invaders. And the confessed Scottish witch Isobel Gowdie and her coven mates called up the wind banging a stick against a wet rag on a rock. These are just a few examples of sorcerers calling up storms, there are many more. Weather controlling is emblematic of witchcraft world round.

As I sit to write this the rain beckons me out to be drenched in its power. I have a relationship–all of us do, with rain. It is vital to our existence. When it rains too much it can be a downer, it can flood, it can damage our homes and the land we rely on. When it doesn’t rain enough, well many of us are worrying about drought, wildfire, and dust storms. I am blessed to be rained upon.

When animism is the logic behind a witchcraft path, these things are possible. However, in a world where society at large often consider themselves as man versus nature we separate ourselves considering nature. It becomes to be nearly alien, without any sentience and chaotic so that relationships of give and take with natural forces seems like a fantasy. The refuge of much of new age thought is in the mind. It benefits people psychologically to identify with natural forces as archetypes. But I argue that it benefits us further to identify with them as personages. So that we can develop healthy relationships around us with the weather personages.

Chinese Wu danced inside a ring of fire until the sweat poured off of them for the rain spirits to get it to rain during times of drought. The Zuni of the American SW also danced for rain and wind wearing turquoise for attracting water and feathers for attracting the wind. In late October the Lovdu of South Africa bring gifts to their Rain Queen and she makes the rain with her inherited powers. ¹

fall colored leaves — Photo courtesy of Greenwoman Studios.

As animists, traditional witches might be found in these dry times calling to the rain–even pleading with the storms and wind to do what is needed to help the animals, trees and us humans. But this approach is uncommon. In a time when you can find millions of money spells online, anyone will talk with you about drawing good luck, or praying for their team to win it is rare to find one who believes they can call the rain. New age people are very concerned that they do not know enough to risk pulling the rain from somewhere else it might be needed. But I say now, in a time when we have access to weather pattern predictions for all over the planet, who better are we than to call the rain to drought dry and burn black towns and wildernesses? We need to temper our self-doubt and act with wisdom and restraint. Call to the wind and the rain and ask it for help and offer to the storms a dedication to clean water, to clean air, make another change in your life to benefit the land and give back to those weathers who bless us.

1. It is important to note that as I mentioned in my first article, witch is in many ways a dangerous slur. In fact in some parts of the world people are still imprisoned, tortured and murdered for the accusation. Likewise, animism has been used in the past as a way of describing cultures as primitive or undeveloped and the term is under reconsideration as equal in value to other worldviews. Under the postmodern meaning of the terms it may not be appropriate to refer to these ceremonies as witchcraft and the customs as animist. However due to their similarity, but with respect for their differences I include them here because I credit them with great worth. (back)