One of the biggest parts of my Pagan practice is connecting with storms, wherever and whenever they are. But not everything has to be this big and complicated ritual; so, here are some ideas for little things you can do in your practice to connect with storms.
1. Wind meditation. Go outside and feel the wind. Let it pass over you and through you, taking away your worries, until it’s almost as if your entire body is made of wind. Feel yourself floating and flying with the air currents up in the sky, and feel the freedom that that gives as they twist and turn and just fly.
2. Storms make for great liminal spaces. Walk around a forest or park (if it’s safe from lightning!) and follow the paths that you’re drawn towards (perhaps where the wind is coming from, or where the wind is pushing you towards). In my experience, the same places during a storm gain a liminal and otherworldly quality, as if you’re between worlds or even stepping into the otherworld. I used to do this a lot when I lived next to a park.
3. Just open the window and let the storm in. I usually say a phrase similar to “Storm Goddess, I invite you in my home.” and take the air in.
4. Sing or play a wind instrument together with the storm. Since air is breath and air is a big element of the storm, there’s a feeling of oneness and connection you can achieve that way, focusing your breath and your music to be part of the bigger storm around you.
5. Let the storm take your worries away. When I’m feeling stressed or anxious, I like to step outside in the storm and let the wind and rain wash my troubles away. Sometimes I ask the Storm Goddess for help and protection. But even from a sensory perspective, you can focus on the sounds and the touch and the movement of the storm to ground you and bring you into the present. Sometimes all it takes is to step out for a bit and feel the wind on my skin to connect.
6. Collect storm water. Get a few jars out and collect some storm water; you can use it later for offerings or spellwork. Just remember that if you drink it, make sure you boil and purify it adequately first to get rid of both bacteria and possible heavy metals/other impurities. Having storm water also helps you connect with storm energy when a storm isn’t around!
7. Less of a little thing, but do a storm ritual. I’ve described one here.
8. Connect with the Storm Goddess. People have asked me how to connect with her before, so here’s a small way to do so. Go out and feel the wind (and the rain, and the thunder…). Expand your awareness to the movements of the wind high up in the atmosphere and all around you. Sense the energy and life force of the storm. The storm is alive, and as you open up your consciousness to the movements of the storm, feel the energy within and beyond the storm. There you will feel the energy of the Storm Goddess. Say hi to her.
I wrote a similar list years ago as a Reddit comment on a now-deleted post. As I go through my practice, I’m reminded of the little things I do in between the big workings, so I wanted to revive this as a post. Things have grown in my practice since then, but the little things still bring me joy.