Wind Spirits

Winds of Spirit by Renee Baribeau

Judging from the faces appearing in the clouds as torrential rains approached us earlier tonight, I’d say we’re being visited by some distinctly opinionated wind spirits.

I can’t, and am not going to, venture to guess what messages these wind beings may be bringing us, but I do think it would be wise to heed them if we can. It’s possible they’re bringing each of us our own distinct message.

A Storm “Blowing” In – Photo: L. Weikel

For instance, you may look at the photos accompanying this post and think, “Of course I recognize the West Wind swooping down to clear away my fearful thoughts.” Meanwhile your neighbor may look at that very same photo and sense, “I need to have faith. I see and know that benevolence is looking down on me. I may be buffeted now, but this will pass.”

And then there’s the odd rectangular clouds that also preceded the wild and woolly torrential rains that hit us about ten minutes after I took these photos.

I have a couple of gut-level senses of what that cloud formation might be saying. But I’ll leave you each to your own interpretations.

Photo: L. Weikel

Working With the Winds

I think I can safely say that I am a middle-of-the-road person when it comes to oracles and interpreting signs and omens. What I mean by that is that I don’t make it a habit to rely solely on other people to interpret the messages that cross my path or come directly to me. But neither do I eschew the guidance or wisdom tools available to us that are designed to help us interpret our encounters with the numinous.

That’s one of the reasons I like to quote the books provided by authors of certain oracles or tarot decks. Some interpretations feel especially ‘tuned in’ to either the cards themselves – or – perhaps it’s just that they have similar sensibilities as I and so tune into the messages and articulate them in ways that feel natural to me.

Whatever it is, I like to approach discernment of messages in a balanced manner. I trust both my own intuition as well as the interpretations of others, provided they resonate with both my head and my heart.

Winds of Spirit

One unique and distinctive aid to helping us interpret the messages of the Winds in particular is a book written by a very dear friend of mine, Renee Baribeau. Her book is Winds of Spirit, Ancient Wisdom Tools for Navigating Relationships, Health, and the Divining*. This book is a valuable and unique addition to the field of augury and interpretation, and provides a wonderful compendium of Wind Beings that have been known to cultures across the world for eons.

I make no secret of my approach to the world, which is that there is sentience in everything. The Winds of the world have waited a long time for people to wake up to the fact that they are capable of being in relationship with us. This book provides us with ideas on how to enter into conversations with the Winds. Those chit chats could change your life.