Elemental Magic: Air Spells and Rituals

As the end of the year approaches and the days continue to shorten, this is the perfect time for Air spells. I know that Air is often associated with the Spring months and Earth with Winter, but Air helps us find our truth, seek out the wisdom we need to be our best selves, and communicate that self with the rest of the world. We've spent the entire year up until this point healing past wounds, grounding our souls, and burning away what no longer serves us. Now it is time to seek our future path so we can continue our growth.

Like all the elements, Air can be used for cleansing. In fact, Air is one of the most commonly used elements to cleanse, usually in the form of smoke. This particular ritual is designed to help you remove any residual energies that no longer serve you so you can move on to bigger and better things.

What You'll Need

• Dried juniper or rosemary
• Math/Lighter
• Charcoal disc
• Heat safe dish

What to Do

Begin by lighting the charcoal in the heat-safe dish. While the charcoal heats, close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose for 3 seconds, and breathe out through your mouth. As you breathe in, imagine you are breathing in a new life and starting fresh. As you breathe out, feel all your tensions, worries, aches, and past leave your body. Let go of everything you can. Visualize your doubt, mistakes, bad habits, and regrets and breathe them out. Continue to do this until you reach a light trance state and feel completely relaxed.

Add the dried juniper or rosemary to the charcoal. Juniper and rosemary are both powerful cleansing herbs, so either one will work during this ritual although you can substitute another cleansing herb if you don't have juniper or rosemary. Sit the heat-safe dish on the floor in front of you and pass your entire body through the smoke 10 times. Ten is associated with ending cycles and reaching wholeness, which is the purpose of this cleansing. Each time you cross through say "Smoke and ash I release the past" and state when you are getting rid of. It's okay if you repeat items, especially if they are difficult habits to break...like biting your nails. *cough cough* If you cannot physically pass through the smoke, waft it toward you ten times. You can also use juniper or rosemary incense, essential oils in a diffuser, or a scented candle if you are sensitive to smoke. If smoke and flame are not an option, you can try the next spell instead, or do both for more potent work.

Finish the ritual by taking a shower to completely wash away your past and allow your future to rise.

The wind is able to blow away most anything in its path, especially if the winds are strong enough. There is absolutely no reason you can't use the wind to blow away your past self, allowing you to reach your true potential. This spell can be used instead of the previous cleansing spell, or in conjunction with it. This particular spell is not a cleansing spell, but it can remove that which no longer serves you.

What You'll Need

• Biodegradable paper
• Pen

What to Do

On a windy day, travel to a high location such as a hilltop or rooftop. Write what you wish to leave behind and have blown away, never to return. Stand tall and allow the wind to blow through you. When you are ready, release the paper into the wind. As you do say, "Winds of change, take my past with thee. I thank you for the lessons that you have taught me." Spend some time meditating, if you can, on what your future holds.

Clarity and wisdom often go hand-in-hand. This spell jar is designed to clear your mind, help you focus, and enhance your ability to communicate. This is especially useful to create prior to a presentation or even when you are attacked by someone who is threatened by your new self. Make sure to carry it with you to communicate effectively.

What You'll Need

• Ground allspice
• Whole cloves
• Flax seeds
• Small piece of paper
• Yellow wax
• Small jar with a cork
• Pen

What to Do

Cleanse the small jar using your favorite cleansing method. Your breath is particularly potent here because this spell is all about communication and communication often encompasses the breath. Layer your herbs in the jar while saying, "Allspice, cloves, and flax, bring me my voice of wisdom. Strengthen my resolve, clear my mind, and give me the words I need to speak my truth." Allspice is associated with wisdom and compassion, thus allowing you to speak in a manner that is respectful yet clear. Cloves improve mental clarity while flax strengthens the mind (all that omega-3, yo!). On the piece of paper draw the Ansuz rune. Ansuz is the rune of wisdom, communication, and knowledge. It opens your mind to accept new truths while allowing you to freely speak yours. Roll the paper up tightly and place it in the spell bottle. Seal the bottle and cover the lid or cork with yellow wax, which will help increase your ability to communicate. White or black wax are also acceptable here. As you seal the jar say, "With this spell sealed in wax, allow me to communicate effectively to the max." Carry this spell jar on you when you need extra help communicating or just clearing your mind.

After we have shed all we can, sometimes we need a little boost in our creativity. While creativity is often associated with Fire, it also has a deep connection with Air, as Air is of the mind, where creativity often springs from. If you are feeling stuck, and aren't sure what to do next, try this simple spell to give you some direction. 

What You'll Need

• Dried rosemary
• Dried basil
• Ground cinnamon
• Small dish/bowl

What to Do

Cleanse your bowl using your favorite cleansing method. Next, add your herbs one at a time while saying, "Rosemary to clear my mind. Basil to bring creativity. Cinnamon to bring me the strength I need to complete my creative endeavors. And so it is." Inhale the heady aroma to spark your creativity. And that's it! Give it a sniff whenever you need to feel inspired!

No matter how hard we try, sometimes people just aren't willing to see things our way or how their actions are affecting us. I find this especially true when the person is stuck in the past or has tied up their ego into something outside of them, such as their diet, exercise routine, or political affiliate. Use this spell to help someone see things from your perspective so the conversation can remain open.

What You'll Need

• Piece of paper
• Pen
• A personal item of the person you are working this spell on
• Dried mint
• Blue candle
• Match/lighter

What to Do

Begin by writing a letter to the person giving you trouble. Air out all your feelings, concerns, and frustrations so they know how you truly feel about the situation. Place mint and the personal item inside the letter. The personal item can be hair, nail clippings, a picture, or a piece of their clothing, just make sure it is flammable and can be easily rolled up into the letter. Roll the letter up and light the candle. Hold the letter to the flame and allow it to burn while saying, "Letter turn to smoke and carry my message, so that [insert person's name] may understand my feelings. Open their mind to the truth of it and gain clarity to stop this rift." Allow the letter and candle to burn out completely. A word of caution, this is a spell best performed outside on a windy day, just be sure to keep the flames protected.

You can't have a list of Air spells without a dandelion wish spell! Duh! This spell is probably the simplest on the list, but it's effective! I find folk spells are often overlooked for their simplicity, but it is this simplicity that they are some of the most powerful spells to perform.

What You'll Need

• Dandelion see head

What to Do

Whisper your wish into the dandelion seed head and then blow the seeds away, to carry your wish with the wind.

Air is the element of truth, so what better way to get someone to tell the truth than to use Air, in this case in the form of smoke. This particular spell is based on a hoodoo spell that uses Command and Compel Oil, so if that is more up your ally, use it to anoint your candle and skip the copal.

What You'll Need

• Piece of paper
• Pen
• Copal resin
• Charcoal disc
• Yellow or white candle

What to Do

Light the charcoal disc and when hot, place the copal resin on it. Write the name of the person you are trying to get to tell you the truth nine times, the number of honesty. Cross over their name with your name. Roll the paper up and pass through the smoke of copal, which is said to force liars to speak. Then light the paper on fire in the candle and as it burns say, "I command thee to speak the truth unto me." Snuff out the candle. Repeat this spell, using the same candle, over the course of seven days. Any leftover wax should be disposed of away from the home.

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These spells are just some of the many uses of Air, some of which you can find elsewhere on my blog. Again, I tried to include several spells to help us navigate the current social and political climate, but there are several spells that can be used whenever you need them. How do you use Air in your practice? Share your spells and ideas in the comments below!

Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series

Introduction to the Elements
Water
Water Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Water Ritual
Tools of Water
Water Spells and Rituals
Earth
Earth Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Earth Ritual
Tools of Earth
Earth Spells and Rituals
Fire
Fire Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Fire Ritual
Tools of Fire
Fire Spells and Rituals
Air
Air Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Air Ritual
Tools of Air
Air Spells and Rituals
Spirit
Spirit Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting with Spirit Ritual
Tools of Spirit

Putting It All Together

Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:

Representing the Elements with Crystals
Infograph: Water
Infograph: Earth
Infograph: Fire
Infograph: Air

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