Season 2, Episode 2: Sigils
Welcome back to the Wind Moon Magick Podcast! I’ve just come in from a morning in the garden, sweaty, dirty. And full of thoughts I want to share with you today about the garden, the birds I observed on my morning walk, sigil making, and of course a ritual for you to try out.
Each episode, released on the full moon, is a guide to what to look out for this month - from the sky above to the land below as well as deep within ourselves. I’m your host Wind Moon, and here is everything making me feel magical this month.
As frost-kissed landscapes endure the last vestiges of winter's chill, the garden becomes a hallowed ground for silent spells and whispered invocations. Nature, though seemingly dormant, stirs beneath the surface, a promise of the impending rebirth that lingers in the cold air. The changing seasons paint a delicate dance between frost and thaw, inviting us to harness the liminal energy between dormancy and emergence.
In February's muted hues and the quiet resilience of snowdrops pushing through the frost, we find a reflection of our own inner workings, as the month's general mood invites introspection and preparation for the transformative energies soon to stir with the approach of spring.
The Moon
The full moon of February is referred to as the "Snow Moon," encapsulating the serene beauty of winter's icy grasp. Also sometimes refered to as the Hunger Moon. Food would be growing scarce here at the end of winter for traditional societies. I feel like we are poised just on the edge, on the cusp of spring with this moon. Waiting, watching. The Snow Moon is a period of stillness, purification, and the transformative power of the cold. In some places, the landscape is still blanketed in frost and snow, and this moon signifies a time of quiet reflection and introspection, akin to hibernation - neither awake nor asleep. The Snow Moon is associated with the element of Water, invoking energies of emotional depth and purification. It is a favorable time for rituals related to cleansing, healing, and releasing stagnant energies. Draw upon the crystalline purity of the snow to enhance spells aimed at personal renewal and emotional balance.
This Month’s Bird
Crows are highly intelligent and social birds known for their distinctive black plumage and raucous cawing calls. And they are found almost everywhere. There are various species, including the American Crow and the Carrion Crow, among others.
I see them out every morning on my walk, perched in the bare branches, hopping along the streets - a constant presence in my neighborhood. They particularity love trash day, even though all the bins are closed up tight. They watch me as I walk, hopping out of my way, or following me branch to branch as I make my way through the neighborhood. They seem unbothered by the dog, sometimes waiting until the last minute to move aside and give us the sidewalk. I’ve tried making friends with the crows, leaving them treats in the garden. No luck, although the scrub jays have come in their stead and grown quite friendly with me.
But what I think makes crows really special is their intelligence. They’re among the most intelligent of birds and are known for their problem-solving abilities, tool use, and complex communication.
They are social and often form tight family groups. You can watch them engage in cooperative behaviors, such as mobbing predators or working together to find food.
A couple times I’ve had the privilege, although it usually means I also have to close up all the windows to drown out their cries, of seeing them mob an owl or raccoon who didn’t make it home before dawn. The crows will swoop and call and harass for hours, taking shifts, and circling about the area, calling for others. The poor owl or raccoon will hunker low and usually seem to sleep, although how they can with that racket is beyond me. It’s quite a sight. If you ever see and hear a swarm of crows circling a tree, it’s worth a look up to see who they have cornered.
Crows communicate through a variety of vocalizations, including the iconic cawing calls. They also use body language and gestures to convey information to other members of their group. This makes them fascinating to observe, although it should be noted that they don’t care for direct observation. Learn to watch from the edges of your vision. And as tempting as it may be, resist picking up fallen feathers where they can see you. If you read books about crows and ravens, that’s called out as a big no-no.
But I did it. Once.
I took a feather while they watched me from above. In its place I left an old key I no longer needed on my key ring. I had to work with what I had. The feather was a lovely, large tail feather, I couldn’t resist. I said thank you aloud, and walked away without looking back. I hope they accepted my gift in the spirit with which I offered it and don’t hold the feather against me.
The symbolic associations of crows with transformation, death, and the unknown align with the exploration of deeper spiritual realms and the cycles of life. Crows are guides and guardians, offering insights into the unseen and carrying messages from the spirit world. The clever and adaptive nature of crows mirrors the resourcefulness desired in magical practitioners.
We may see in the crow a kindred spirit.
Crow symbolism can be a powerful and versatile tool in the practices of witches. Here are three specific examples of how we might incorporate crow symbolism into our magical workings:
INTUITION - Use crow feathers, bones, or images in divination rituals, such as scrying or tarot readings, to enhance your ability to receive messages from the spirit world. The crow's association with mysticism and its role as a messenger can be invoked to facilitate clearer intuition when working with the unseen realms.
PROTECTION - The crow's reputation as a protective and vigilant creature, can be harnessed in protection spells and warding rituals. Create talismans or charms adorned with crow feathers or imagery to ward off negative energies or unwanted influences. The crow's watchful and intelligent nature adds an extra layer of protection to the spell.
COMMUNICATION - Finally, incorporate crow symbolism into spellwork aimed at enhancing communication, whether it be with spirits, deities, or other practitioners. Create a spell bag or charm with crow feathers and symbolic items related to your communication intentions. Use this charm during rituals or meditation to open channels for clear and effective communication.
Sigils
Sigils are symbols with magical significance, and have been a prominent tool in various traditions for centuries. In modern magic, sigils have evolved into a versatile and accessible means of focusing intention and manifesting desires. The creation of sigils is rooted in the principle of condensing a specific intent into a symbolic form, allowing us to connect with our subconscious and the energies of the universe.
The origins of sigils trace back to ancient traditions, including medieval grimoires. In these traditions, symbols were often used to invoke or communicate with spiritual entities. Over time, the concept of sigils evolved, and modern practitioners have adapted and integrated them into eclectic and contemporary magical practices. Chaos magicians, in particular, have embraced and popularized the concept of sigil magic, emphasizing its simplicity and effectiveness.
Creating a sigil is a personal and creative process. One common method involves writing out a specific desire or intention and then condensing the letters into a unique, abstract design, often by overlaying letters and combining lines.
Another technique involves removing vowels and repeating consonants to create a simple, stylized symbol. The idea is to distill the essence of the intention into a visual representation that resonates with you. I find the process of sigil creation, fun, relaxing, focusing, and quite meditative.
Placing sigils on everyday objects, such as jewelry, clothing, or even our phone wallpapers, provides a discreet and constant reminder of the desired outcome. Some even incorporate sigils into tattoos as a means of carrying their intentions with them. I’m not willing to commit to a tattoo myself, but I have been known to draw signals on my body with marker. I particularly like to place them on my wrists at the pulse point. This allows me to see them as I move throughout my day.
Or use a bit of needlecraft and sew a sigil onto your clothing. I haven’t tried this myself, but I love the idea of stitching a small sigil in the same color as the fabric. Needlecraft can carry such potent magic - but that is a topic for another day!
Most often I find myself incorporating sigils into my artwork and journals. Sometimes I leave them visible, but most often, I cover them with other layers of medium. Hidden, but still potent. A bit of spellwork woven into the finished piece.
I’ve shared a couple Instagram Reels this month showing the different methods I use for creating sigils. You can find those on the ‘gram @wind_moon_magick - that’s magic with a k and underscores between each word.
The use of sigils aligns with the principle that the mind can influence reality. By focusing on a sigil representing a specific desire, we aim to bypass the conscious mind and tap into the subconscious, which is more receptive to influence through symbols.
Try it, and let me know what you think of the results within your practice.
Witchy Garden
Here in Southern California, February marks the beginning of spring preparations for the garden. No hate please - I can’t help it that I live where I live. I’m aware for many of you it still feels like the depths of winter, or in the Southern Hemisphere the high heat of summer. But here, it’s lovely. Still cool. Some rain, but mostly sunny and gorgeous as it is most of the year.
My curbstrip of native wildflowers is already coming in lush and full! No flowers yet, but this may be the best year yet. I’ve simply allowed the flowers to go to seed each year since the initial planting, before cutting them back. We live on a corner lot, and have a long strip along the road, now almost completely filled in with wildflowers each spring and into the early summer. The bees go nuts as do the butterflies. All for the cost of three small seed packets and a bit of patience. This is the third year.
In my main garden, behind the fence and only for me, the big task of the moment is cutting back all the things I let go to seed to feed the birds and squirrels over the winter months. I have a jungle of primrose that the birds have picked clean. So now it’s time for me to move through the garden, tidying it up in preparation for planting and fresh spring growth. As I work, I make a special effort to thank every plant, to touch them with love, and to ask them what they need in the coming months to thrive. This forms the basis of my garden planning for the months ahead as I think about companion plants, support structures, extra mulch, and shade cloth for our scorching summer months.
When I remove annuals from the garden, I try to always leave the roots intact. I cut them back at the soil. This gives the garden a bit of an untidy appearance, but the soil has remained undisturbed and the breakdown of the plant’s roots will help nurture whatever follows in its place. Those decaying roots also help hold moisture in the soil.
I’ve been accused of witchcraft by the neighbors when it comes to my garden. We have very tight water restrictions, yet my garden is lush and thriving, My water bill low. I simply smile and assure them that it’s all in the soil management. No grass here. Leave the soil undisturbed. And apply mulch twice as deep as you are initially inclined to. I say nothing regarding the witchcraft. Just smile politely.
I also trim back dormant perennials and ornamental grasses, remove dead or diseased branches from shrubs and trees, and plant a fresh round of cool-season vegetables in February.
I’m direct sewing spinach, carrots, and broccoli. Before adding the compost, I soak and crumble up a bag of alfalfa pellets. This adds tons of nutrients and improves water retention in our arid climate. So if you want to build healthy soil in your garden, consider these steps.
Cut back dead annuals, leaving roots in the soil.
Add a layer of alfalfa pellets, soaked and crumbled.
Add a layer of finished compost. This is the layer I sew my seeds into.
Once any seeds have sprouted, carefully top it all with a thick layer of mulch. I use wood chips when I can and straw when I run out of wood chips.
Generally after February we can expect little to no rain until late autumn.
Last year I planted several fruit trees like peaches, plums, mulberry, fig, and almonds. I find it easier to manage my harvests if I keep my fruit trees well pruned back. Their growth small and compacct. Their first year, I cut each tree down to just below knee height. It was drastic and scary, but they put forth some beautiful growth - so I’m going to trust the process and cut them back again before they bud. Ultimately the goal is to shape a tree of about my height with all the fruit easily accessible.
Monthly ritual
Renewal magic, deeply intertwined with the cycles of nature, invites us to harness the transformative energy inherent in the natural world. Working with tree allies has become a profound aspect of my magical journey. Trees, with their enduring roots and ever-reaching branches, symbolize strength, resilience, and the cycles of growth and rebirth. Last month I talked about the powerful oak tree. But I will be working with my beloved Ginko tree, still bare of leaves.
Choose any tree that lights up your soul when you are near it.
Before you begin this month’s ritual, dress warmly, and plan to bring a small bag filled with dried herbs - such as lavender, sage, and rosemary, a candle, a small mirror, a small offering to leave in nature, and a journal or notebook. You’re going to be heading outside to a spot near a tree. You may also need a small hand trowel or serving spoon do dig a shallow hole in the earth.
But before going out, take a moment, sit comfortably and gaze into the small mirror.
Reflect on your journey since the beginning of the year, acknowledging both challenges and triumphs.
Affirm your beauty, strength, and resilience, knowing that you are a reflection of the divine.
Open your journal and write down any thoughts, emotions, or patterns you wish to release.
Take your journal pages, candle, offering, trowel, and herbs outside with you.
Stand before your chosen tree, placing your hands upon its bark. Feel the cool air around you, the texture and life beneath your hand.
Close your eyes and take deep breaths, inhaling the crisp February air.
When you are ready, pour your herbs out into your palm, and infuse them with your intentions.
Walk in a circle, crushing the herbs and slowly allowing them to fall to the ground in a circle around you and the tree.
What herbs you choose matters not, use what you have, you could even use dried leaves. They are simply a means of creating a physical circle, which will help you in manifesting a magical circle. A container for your psychic energy as you complete the ritual. They also symbolize the unity between you and your tree as you are enclosed within the boundary of your circle. I like to use pungent herbs that release their scent when crushed, drawing all my senses into the present moment. The feel of the herbs in my hand, the sound of them being crushed, the sharp, pleasant scents they release.
Light your candle and kneel before the tree, within your ring of herbs.
Tear out the journal page and, with gratitude, bury it in the cold earth, symbolizing the transformation of these energies.
Don’t like the idea of ripping out a page from your journal? No, me either. Realize however that this is a symbolic act. A sacrifice, a shedding of the old. Simply using a piece of paper will not carry the same weight as tearing out a page from a beloved journal. Make the sacrifice with a glad heart.
Repeat a simple incantation, such as: "By fire and earth, by mirror's gaze, I embrace renewal in these February days."
Thank the tree for aiding you. Leave your offering at its base.
Then collect a small token, like a fallen leaf or twig, as a reminder of your connection with the seasonal cycles. Place this on your alter.
Consider working with the same tree throughout the year, building a bond between the two of you. By connecting with tree energies, we tap into the wisdom held within the silent whispers of leaves and the steady pulse of sap beneath the bark. These allies become conduits for renewal, facilitating a deep communion with the Earth's rhythms. Whether through rituals like this one or other practices, the synergy between renewal magic and tree allies offers a grounding force, allowing us to release what no longer serves and embrace the blossoming potential of self-renewal and growth.
What’s happening in the Inner Circle
Inner Circle members, I want to thank you for coming into a new calendar year with me. This month is the second year anniversary of the website and membership program. None of which could have existed without your support. What started as just a course on witchy herbalism has grown and grown beyond my wildest imaginings. You bring so much joy and sense of community into my life each day! Look for an extra special BONUS this month in thanks and love for your continued support.
Closing
Thank you for joining me today.
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That’s it for today’s episode. See you next month.
