Spring in north Alabama might be one of those times when it rains ever single day. This rain, paired with the usually warm temperatures (average temperature during April is between 68 - 75 F, with high humidity) produces a lot of mist and fog, especially in the early morning hours. The fog typically isn’t seen as evil. It’s just another one of those things that happens. It just kind of “there”, I guess. Some might gather the condensation left behind and use it as a sort of protection by applying it to the door frames of their house, but this practice is very rare and dying out.
For the Old Ways, rain is a good thing.
If you want to cleanse something, place it out where it can get rained on. Bring it in and dry it off and it should be good to go. Of course, this works best with ceramics, rust treated metals, and glass. Things made of paper, wood, crystal, or fabrics are generally placed in the sun for a few hours and brought back inside. It is generally believed that crystals don’t like the rain, so don’t leave them out in a thunderstorm unless you’re planning to give one back to a god or goddess.
Erditse and Ambisargus, both gods of storms and the sky, will likely take better to the offering of a crystal than the others will. For them, an offering of a sprig of rosemary or blue forget-me-nots is more appropriate. As always, please ask before you wish to give them anything. They will guide you to what they prefer. These two gods bring rain if they are pleased with the people, yet they can also bring long periods of drought if they aren’t. It also should be noted that, traditionally, they don’t want offerings of milk or buttermilk. If you must give them a drink, beer or whiskey is preferred. As with before, let them tell you where their trees are and pour the drink at the base. The two gods are often thought of as brothers.
Arnemetia, the one who dwells in the sacred grove, may bring you rain, but she is more of a protector than a rain bringer. She often prefers small coin burials or fragrant flowers, but always ask what she wants. She might want something different from you.
Brixta, a goddess of the waters, might use her magic to bring waters from the ground. This is the goddess the water witches ask to help them and, as I don’t know that much about their practices, I’m going to leave it at that. It is best to approach Brixta if you are a practicing water witch and to leave her alone if you do not. She doesn’t like outsiders.
Coventia is a goddess of springs and wells. She is also one the water witches ask for help and generally more accepting of them than others. One might find her near a spring or around an old, abandoned well. If she approaches you and you are not a water witch, treat her with respect. She is a very old and powerful goddess, one who can dry up your lands with a single look.
