Blessings of the wind

The wind which blows in from the west is the one which brings water.

Do you ever stand outside and pay attention to the wind? Do you notice which direction it is blowing from and what it brings? In the British Isles there are traditional associations relating to the winds and the direction they come from.

Generally speaking, the wind which blows in from the west is the one which brings water. It is associated with the festival of Lugnasad and the harvest. It is the place of wisdom and otherworld knowledge.

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The wind from the north brings a blast of cold, polar air. It is associated with Samhain and the challenges and gifts of winter. The wind from the east also brings in the cold air - very cold in winter, but a welcome coolness in summer.

It is linked to Imbolc and the new beginnings of dawn and spring. Think of it as blowing the cobwebs away. Lastly, the wind from the south brings us the warm air. It is linked to Beltaine and the energy of blossoming, summer and community.

The wind is also linked to our breath - it is the movement of air over our vocal cords which powers our words and songs. When we breathe in and out we are participating in a sacred flow of energy. When we speak or sing, we help to give expression to the spirit which moves through us and the waiting world hears what is reflected back to it. When we speak or sing to the elements of nature, there is an expectant listening. Often when we pause our words or song briefly, we hear a reply - the rustling of leaves, a bird bursting into song, the call of a fox. We are in conversation. How might our communication change if we are aware that something is always listening?

Spending a few moments in the morning, noticing where the wind is coming from and listening to what it carries to you is a grounding activity. It helps to centre you in the current time and place - what is coming now, what is present now. What is speaking to you at this very moment? The present is our place of power. Stand outside and listen to the whispers on the wind, the songs the birds are singing and make note of the silent pauses where you are invited to speak.

Allow words to flow - it can be a simple ‘hello blackbird’ or ‘you look lovely today, apple tree’ or it might be a spontaneous prayer or tune to hum. Becoming engaged in communication with the earth and its inhabitants on a regular basis helps us to feel that sense of kinship and ‘home’. We live in a whispering world.

I’ll end this month with a blessing for you all. It is my own creation but based on common traditional patterns:

May the east wind blow new growth to you,

May the south wind blow warm friendship to you,

May the west wind blow knowledge and wisdom to you,

May the north wind blow resilience to you,

May you know peace in the centre.

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