Releasing Things with the Help of Birds - A Spell
This spell is designed to allow the caster to release feelings of grief, fear, sadness, grudges, etc. It involves the use of folded paper birds or drawings of birds on leaves to act as means of releasing your emotions. This can be substituted with other similar symbolism as desired.
What you'll need:
Leaves
Pen or non toxic marker
A spot where birds frequent
A thin twig (I would try to find one from a tree or plant with particularly cleansing properties, such as witchhazel or a woody stem of lavender, if available)
Natural twine or string*
Something for the birds (local-bird birdseed, things for nest building**, new birdbath water, hummimgbird feeder, etc)
This spell would be best cast on a windy day right before or on the new moon
*don't use thread or any other strong, thin fiber, as it can get caught on birds and hurt them if not removed. I have some short wool pieces that haven't been spun that I am going to use as a means of securing the leaf to the twig. Another option is to use grass or long plant pieces)
**check out this link for the right and wrong things to use for this
On the leaves, draw a bird. Inside or beside the bird, write down what you're releasing. This may be a feeling, person, emotion, etc. Use as many leaves as you need to.
State your intention in doing this spell while holding the leaf. What do you hope to achieve by releasing these things? Meditate on the idea of your burden being taken up by a friendly bird and dispersed into the sky, neutralized by the powerful winds around you.
Bind your leaves to the twig with your string.
Ask the birds of your area to take this burden by using this chant or by a phrase of your choosing:
By wing and claw and polished beak,
I call to friends both strong and meek;
Take up this twig and with it rise
From my soul, into the skies.
Place the twig near your offering (out in the open) and turn away. Spend a moment visualizing whatever you're releasing staying within the leaf. Do not look back after this. Leave the area and continue on with your day. If the twig is moved by a bird or by the wind, your releasing spell will be completed.
If you come across it again, leave it be and do not pick it up. Let the wind and nature erode your burden.