The Weather Tether (rope) was sold to sailers and fishermen by wise folk or wayside witches for centuries throughout Britain to ensure the winds were in their favor upon the wild seas. These were often a three-knotted rope, cord, or rag which when untied would give a favorable wind to their sails.
One story tells of a wise woman selling the winds to a fisherman instructed that the first knot was called ‘Come gently’ (Thig gu fòill), and when he loosened it, as he left the shore, a gentle breeze sprang up. The second knot was called ‘Come better’ (Teann na’ s fhèarr), and on its being untied the breeze came stiffer. As he neared the harbour, he out of curiosity loosened the last knot, the name of which was ‘Hardship’ (Cruaidh-chàs). A wind came “to blow the hillocks out of their places” (séideadh nan cnoc), and sent the thatch of the houses into the furrows of the plow-land, and the boatman was drowned. In Harris, they say the boat was drawn up on land and secured before the last knot was untied.
As displayed in the 16th-century illustrations from the Olaus Magnus (second picture), you see a male sorcerer tying three knots into the rope of the ship to ensure favorable winds.
However, the weather Tetter can be used for all weathers per se, one can simply hold each untired knot to the sun, wind, snow, etc, and tie within it the virtues of weather which you shall store for another time when the time it is needed. For example, if one wishes for warm weather the practitioner would tie loosely in the cord a knot and hold the loop up to the sun with the rays of light shining through and fastened tightly with great benediction.
The Weather Tether is made from 100% natural highland grey wool and a clay disc, displaying the symbolism of the four winds.
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