#I needed the power and wisdom of the dragon to weather a lot of storms.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Happy Year of the Snake!

[globofhoney]

I believe that each Dragonborn has their dress code to represent themselves, modded or not.

Mine is White 80% , silver 15%, Blue 5%

A snow elf mage who has a very VERY hard time accepting a single flaw about herself. Getting shit from the Dominion quite a lot since she is not an Altmer, both mentality and appearance.

The arrogant mage were made, not born into.

she left Summerset to find her own path.

With a facade of happy and articulated chatter, behind the mask is a cold and bitter person who is not afraid to lashes out at those she deemed nuisance.

Gifted and ambitious in the study of arcane, she mastered all school of magic and enchanting by the age of 85, and arrived in Skyrim by accident at the age of 91 years old.

And that is when she discovered that she is gifted for more than just magic. The Dragon god of time has chosen her of all people to be his champion.

All this time, the ambitious and domineering nature of hers has roots from a hidden draconic soul all along. Finally she finds a thing that she likes, a unique power...one that also requires cultivation and mastery over time. But there's no need to rush, patience and mindfulness is also hey key to success. It is alright, she can wait and learn along the way, after all, there is plenty of time as a long living race such as hers.

Many bandits cannot see beyond the veil of peaceful and noble looking of frail and weak woman, therefore, their punishment is justified trying to rob her.

Dragon aspect: White and shining in color.

Dialogue:

- Idle

"the lack of progression serves no purposes..."

- Get hit (90% - 60% HP)

"Well met"

"How rude!"

- Get hit (HP below 50%)

"My patience wears thin with you..."

"You got some nerve laying your hands on me..."

- When it's raining

"A perfect weather for good shock spells, shall we hunt for storm Atronach?"

- When it's snowing

"How lovely, these dancing little snowflakes..."

- When the weather is nice

"Hmm~ such a nice weather for reading"

//when someone offers her Lusty Argonian maid//

"I...have to refuse. I could use another book for entertainment, something more refined. But still, I thank you for your kind offer"

(Translate: "thank you for trying to help me find a book to read, but I don't need this shit" )

- When it is sunny

"It is almost time for an afternoon tea"

Color represents

White: In some people, white color may represent angles and goodness, but in this case, I chose the colour theme for my LDB as white because of her perfectionist concepts, clean, rigid, empty, and bland. Like an Order untainted by chaos.

But, the grand clarity and purity in the color of white represent her arcane aspects. Her mind is ready, and her heart is resolute and cleared, just like a diamond, brilliant and unyielding.

Elegant when unprovoked, but also barely approachable (don't mind the courier part, that guy approaches everyone) not many people have a heart to directly ask her for help, even though she would do it for free to kill her boredom.

Silver: The color of nobility, illumination and enlightenment. But also...insincerity, deceiving, immoral, and enigmatic nature.

Aside from glittering gold and jewels, the person who has deep insecurities about not being enough, and being a target for making a fool of. She prefers to let her brilliant light shine to hide the flawed inside.

Like a swan that tries to hide a black feather..or even pluck them all out without fearing pain or grave consequences it may bring to itself.

But what does the great father of dragons see of the Eminence, chased after by his champion?

Blue: while the color blue can represent tranquility, honesty, trustworthy, wisdom, and reliability. It can also represent yearning, sadness, passiveness, aloof, and predictable nature.

A simpleton, a No one who once never has a role in anything big, got what she wanted in the end and yet it never made her whole as much as she thinks it will be. Instead, it created a big gap between her and the people around which... didn't actually help much.

The question in her heart remains unanswered. What does she really want?

"A mighty Dov that has scales shine in all platinum lays atop its mountain of hoards and ponder, is it not enough? Or is this never the right answer to begin with"

So...what is the dress code and color theme of your LDB????

[broomsick]

Devotional jewelry, using (chunks of) mine as examples!

Even though nobody asked i’m still providing woohoo

Yes, it sometimes gets difficult to keep contact with our spirituality, but there a loads of cool ways to practice devotion daily and in a casual, easy manner. One of my favorites is devotional jewelry, which also alleviates my wallet greatly but we’re not talking about that right now.

What I like to do when buying a spiritual piece of jewelry is to immediately assign it to one of the deities I worship. That way, whenever I need a boost of confidence or if I require help from a specific God, I’ll wear the piece from the very beginning of the day.

A few examples (bc I have more but these are the ones I wear most):

Thórr’s hammer Mjöllnir, which I wear almost daily to invoke His favor and protection. It’s a symbol of strength and thus gives me a lot of confidence. I purify it by placing dripping storm water over it or by placing it on my windowsill during storms whenever I can.

A sword to represent our Lord of war Týr. This pendant initially represented Excalibur, but there were norse runes on it so it immediately caught my eye. Also, I’m sure Týr would appreciate any good weapon no matter its origin lol. I wear this when I need His guidance and wisdom, namely when I need to make sacrifices or important decisions.

A lapis lazuli pendant for Frigg, since the crystal represents mysticism, psychic power and enlightenment. I have worn it when I needed help working a spell, and since it’s very balanced, I did use it as a pendulum multiple times.

Vegvísir, a spiritual compass which I obviously associated with Óðinn. It symbolises finding one’s way when lost in harsh weather, so I do wear it in hopes that it’ll help bring me back when I’ve strayed from my path. More on Vegvísir in this post. 

A snake ring for Loke, which I wear on my ring finger to represent faithfulness so that I can commit myself to Him as often as possible. It represents the trickster’s cunning and deceit, as well as His outstanding ability to get Himself out of every possible bind. 

My rune ring!!! It’s my newest and I love it so much, and I couldn’t possibly try to link it to a specific deity. For now, it simply symbolises the Æsir and the Vanir. Maybe some day I’ll feel its connection to a certain God and at that point it’ll become this God’s devotional ring!

A dragon ring because duh, dragon?? I associate it with Fáfnir, even though he isn’t part of the pantheon. I just love Sigurd so much and by extension, Fáfnir too. Despite not being spiritual per say, the ring does give me a lot of confidence bc I’ve pretty much always been fond of dragons (who isn’t?). I usually pair it with the Ægishjálmur, the source of Fáfnir’s invicibility, which I draw on the inside of my wrist for protection.

I wear this last ring for Skaði to boost my confidence and strength, and I wear it on my thumb to increase willpower and self-reliance. I purify it by dripping snow water on it or leaving it on a windowsill during a snowstorm or while it snows. 

Cool fun fact: I’m proud to say a few of these were actually made by a local, actual blacksmith who’s obsessed with larping and makes gorgeous pieces ^^

CAREFUL THOUGH, always be very vigilant with these sorts of jewels so that that they don’t rust! Depending on their material, they can be a lot more fragile than we think! Therefore, always check the jewel’s compatibility with water if you intend on purifying it with water drops, that way you’ll be sure not to damage the metal! Purifying them through incense smoke, by leaving them to sit on a windowsill under the moonlight/sunlight and by dangling them over a candle’s flame (for a few seconds!) are surefire ways to purify devotional jewelry.

I also think it’s important that I tell you guys: wearing various jewelry for various deities at the same time is NOT disrespectful in any way. You could wear all of your jewelry at once and it wouldn’t make a difference! The core of polytheism is to show faith and respect ALL of one’s deities, wether it be simultaneously or individually! 

If any of you have questions, please feel free to drop them in my ask box or add them in reblogs.

Hail the Æsir, hail the Vanir!

[grailfinders]

Fate and Phantasms #36: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Today on Fate and Phantasms, we’re building one of the most prolific classical composers (and more importantly the really cool mask he comes with) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! This is our last bard for a while, I swear. The masterful maestro has been translated into a master of sonic damage, and as a lore bard he’s just as skilled outside of combat as well.

As always, a spreadsheet for this build can be found here, or you can read the level-by-level breakdown under the cut!

Background and Race

As with the other bards we’ve build recently, Amadeus is a Guild Artisan, giving him proficiency in Insight and Persuasion. He’s a Human as well, but as a child prodigy he’s closer to a Variant Human, giving him +1 in Charisma and Intelligence, and proficiency in Performance. Mozart’s golden ear gives him a variant of the Observant feat, adding 1 to his Intelligence, giving a +5 bonus to your passive Perception and Investigation scores, and instead of lip reading you can recreate musical pieces from memory.

Stats

Amadeus isn’t the easiest person to get along with, but he does have a force of personality, giving him high Charisma. His Wisdom is next, he’s great at noticing details-about music, at least. Next is Intelligence; he first composed at age 5, that’s pretty smart. After that is Dexterity- he can play as well as he composes. Penultimate is Constitution: he died young and either from disease or poison, neither of which speak well for his heartiness. It’s too painful to dump that though, so instead we’re dumping Strength: once again, we don’t need it, and he definitely isn’t that strong anyway.

Class Levels

1. Mozart’s magic comes from music, so once again this is a 100% bard build. At first level, you can cast Spells using charisma as your ability and use Bardic Inspiration to help others with skill checks, saving throws, and attacks. You start with a number of d6 equal to your charisma modifier that come back on long rests, but you’ll get more and better dice later. 

You start off with proficiencies in three skills of your choice, here they’re History and Arcana for more sources to draw music from and Perception to round out the observant skillset we’re making. 

At first level, bards get two cantrips and four level one spells. For cantrips, grab Dancing Lights for a light show and Thunderclap for some noise. For spells, grab Thunderwave and Dissonant Whispers for sound-based attacks, Unearthly Chorus for some free drinks. Failing that, you can also use a spell from Acquisitions Incorporated called Distort Value, which doubles or halves the apparent value of a 1′ cube sized object for 8 hours, either for half priced drinks or more booze money. Anyone examining the object can figure out you’re conning them with an Investigation check against your spell save. Casting this at a higher level increases the maximum size of the object by 1 foot on each side for each level above 1st.

2. At second level, you become a Jack of All Trades, adding half of your proficiency bonus to any checks that don’t already use it. You also learn a Song of Rest, adding 1d6 to any healing your party does during short rests. 

You also learn Charm Person, because the best parties tend to have bouncers, but that’s no reason you shouldn’t get in.

3. At third level you officially become a lore bard, and gain three more proficiencies of your choice. Grab Investigation to finish up your observational skills and Nature and Religion for more varied sources of inspiration for your songs. You also gain Cutting Words, letting you spend inspiration to subtract from an enemy’s attack, check, or damage rolls. As a final treat, you get Expertise in two skills, doubling your proficiency bonus for both. For this, pick Insight and Perception.

For your spell, you’ve learned how to create destructive interference with your songs, creating areas of Silence. Thunder spells can be pretty indiscriminate, so if there’s something you don’t want to smash in a fight, this spell might be useful.

4. At fourth level, you get your first ASI, which we’re using to become an Elemental Adept, specializing in Thunder damage. Now your spells ignore thunder resistance, and any ones rolled for thunder damage count as twos. Thunder is a pretty solid element already, and if you ever run into one of the two creatures that are immune to thunder damage, it’s possible your DM just doesn’t like you.

Also, you get Mage Hand for when you get tired of conducting and Shatter for when you want to go from piano to fortississimo. (That means soft to very very loud.)

5. Your Inspiration dice become d8s, and you become a Font of Inspiration. Now you regain inspiration dice on short rests.

You also learn how to Bestow Curses, dumping any mildly inconvenient effect you want on someone for as long as you can maintain concentration or a minute, whichever ends first.

6. At sixth level, your music becomes loud enough it might drown out other creatures attempts to charm the party; it becomes a Countercharm, if you will. You also learn Additional Magical Secrets, which is a bit oddly named since you haven’t learned any regular magical secrets yet. Regardless, they’re two spells from any spell list, and they count as bard spells for you.

For your regular spell this level, grab Daylight for dramatic lighting. For your secrets, grab Thunderstep for quick escapes and Counterspell to prevent others from doing the same.

7. Seventh level bards get fourth level spells, and you get Charm Monster, because who doesn’t love being pals with a dragon?

8. Use this level’s ASI to boost your Charisma for more inspiration and stronger spells. You also learn Hallucinatory Terrain to make your pastoral symphony a bit more literal.

9. Your Song of Rest is enhanced to a d8, and you would learn a 5th level spell here, but none of them are inspiring, so instead you learn Enhance Ability to make your songs bring out the best in others.

10. At your halfway point, your Inspiration jumps to d10s, you get another round of Expertise(boosting Investigation and Performance), and another round of Magical Secrets. This time we’re taking your Symphony for Winds literally and running with it, grabbing Control Winds and Maelstrom for some changes in weather.

11. At eleventh level, you get your first 6th level spell, Otto’s Irresistible Dance.

12. With your next ASI, you’ve maxed out your Charisma, if you were using the standard array.

13. Your Song of Rest becomes a d10, and you’ve learned a chord that can solidify the air around enemies, creating a Forcecage.

14. Your last lore feature, Peerless Skill, lets you inspire yourself on ability checks. We’re also continuing our storm theme a little bit in your next bout of Magical Secrets, picking up the spell Whirlwind. The other spell you’re grabbing is Divine Word, which can deafen, blind, stun, or even kill creatures outright if their HP is low enough. It also forces any celestial, elemental, fey, or fiend back to their own plane. Extraplanar beings tend to be a bit of a buzzkill.

15. Your Inspiration maxes out at a d12, and you learn Power Word Stun for more be-healthy-or-get-statused effects.

16. Your next ASI is going towards your Dexterity, because you don’t need to worry about your health if you just don’t get hit.

17. Your Song of Rest is also a d12 at this level, and you learn a ninth level spell! Psychic Scream is the closest thing we have to a sound-based spell at this level, so lets go with that.

18. Your final round of Magical Secrets nets you a Destructive Wave, which the developers were even so kind as to let you flavor it with holy power, and Storm of Vengeance, a destructive spell that slowly builds upon itself, gaining new effects each round. The symphony of dnd spells.

19. Your final ASI is again going towards Dexterity for slightly more longevity.

20. Your capstone level grants you Superior Inspiration, giving you one use of bardic inspiration when you start initiative without one.

Pros: Thunder is a pretty solid damage type to specialize in, with very few enemies having meaningful defenses against it. Also, because you’re a lore bard, you have a lot of utility outside of combat thanks to all your proficiencies, especially when it comes to talking your way out of situations.

Cons: You’re going to need to be good at talking your way out of problems when one of your spells inevitably blows up the building you’re fighting in. Thunder spells are explicitly loud and destructive, so you won’t do well if stealth is a priority. Also, you really need to keep an eye on your hp, because you do not have a lot to spare.

Up next: the master of all three metas

[iasfuturekings]

Clans of Hoshido: Yamato (大和)

While the Dusk Dragon ventured west, the Dawn Dragon Dion sought adventure in the east lands, but not for the sake of creating a home of his own, but only to attain knowledge and lend the people his wisdom wherever he could. With hands that could topple mountains and a sword that called forth the heaven’s blessings, Dion proved instrumental ending reigns of many clans and the emergence of new ones. Many a lord wished to keep him in their service, but the Dawn Dragon was as elusive as the wind and left whenever he felt he was no longer needed. There were rumors he found a lover in the sea and followed them there, but despite efforts to find him and his family, his former masters were met with the fiercest storms and seas and could never catch him.

Centuries passed, and the once glittering jewel of the sea Dion lived in was in steep decilne, inviting invasion from the greedy clans from the east who came in search of those who were born of the fabled strategist. The last princess of the island kingdom fled the island with the sword of her ancestors and washed ashore to the territory of a lesser clan who had no part to play in the current power struggle. The lord of the small clan rescued and cared for her, not minding the value of her sword and seeing her for the kind heart she was. Her presence brought good fortune on the lord’s land and people, and eventually the two were wed and gave birth to a son, Nobuyuki Yamato.

Fueled by envy of the Yamatos’ sudden prosperity and rumors of their lady’s connection to the long lost Dawn Dragon, many a clan came to claim her and her son for their own. However, Nobuyuki struck them down with his mother’s sword and upon awareness of the disarray the east lands has been placed in over the other clans’ petty struggle for power, the young lord set out to defeat each lord and make them swear loyalty to him. His spirit and strength won the devotion of many clans, some through defeat, through fear, through love, and in time Nobuyuki unified the whole east lands under one star that would be called Hoshido, while he seated himself on a newly built throne and declared himself lord of all that the light touched.

The Yamato continue to function as the center seat in the Council of Five and are still considered the ruling family of Hoshido on the account that they are the only people who the blade of Raijinto answers to. Their influence in the direction of the country greatly varies through history, but whether their kings and queens were the strongest, they were always considered the wisest of all men and women.

Notable Members

Dion (Haruto) - The first son of Valla to venture from his homeland, the progenitor of the Yamato Clan’s line

Chouko Yamato (Mingzhu) - The last princess of Notre Sagesse

Noriyoshi Yamato - Former Lord of Yamato, Chouko’s husband

Nobuyuki Yamato - Third son of Chouko, the first king of Hoshido

Terutane Yamato - Former King of Hoshido

Sumeragi Yamato - Former King of Hoshido succeeding King Terutane

Ryoma Yamato - First son of Sumeragi and Ikona, the crown prince now king of Hoshido

Hinoka Yamato - First daughter of Sumeragi, General in the Sky Knight Corps

Takumi Yamato - Third son of Sumeragi

Sakura Yamato - Second daughter of Sumeragi

Anri Yamato - Second son of Sumeragi

Notes

As someone who cares a lot about naming, I sorta got tired and ran OCs names from a FFXIV Au Ra name generator

Compared to clans such as Inazuma and Amachis who have been around since forever, the Yamatos are relatively the newer of the noble clans (they’re still old but they’ve only been a thing since the founding of the Hoshido as one nation)

The influence of the Yamatos really depends on who was ruler at the time. Sometimes they left things to the rest of their nobles to deal with their own thing, while some rulers ruled with a heavy fist

Their domain, plentiful with good farmland and weather, is the center of culture

Scholars and Artisans flock to the capital to become apprentices or even secure a government position by scoring extremely well on the notoriously hard Civil Service Exam

To be employed in the Yamato domain is a great honor and carries a great many benefits (land and ability to participate in many traditional things)

Compared to the lavishness of the Chiuras, the Yamatos revel in the beauty of simplicity and more abstract principles

Something that a lot of people feel about the Yamatos are their really good intuition

It’s not explained much what this means other than maybe members of the Yamato Clan are excellent judges of character or just really smart

Many who have encountered anyone from the royal clan get the sensation that they are being seen through and it’s really unnerving

Although they are constrained strongly by tradition, the Yamato are also known to be eccentric on some level

Perhaps it’s a reflection of Dion, who’s often seen as a little nuts and a good strategist because he sees things that other people don’t (there’s that intuition again)

[tipsycad147]

20 Fascinating Sea & Air Creatures To Focus Your Magic

SL Bear

I had so much fun writing about animals in magic in part one of the animal magic series but there were so many animals I wasn’t able to cover the first time around. I’m going to try to get to everyone’s favourites in the next two parts, and a few intriguing creatures that we may not think about as magical. Animals can lend such a wide variety of energies to a witch’s work that it’s worth it to delve into more of their associations. I hope you enjoy learning about these animals as much as I did!

Water Bound 1. Shark

With its jet-black eyes, ghostly movements, and uncontrollable power, the shark is an animal that strikes fear in the hearts of many. Sharks stay in perpetual motion to keep oxygen flowing into their gills and are great animals to channel when you feel stagnant and need to get out of a rut (or revive lost motivation). Sharks also have exceptional senses of smell and go after their kills with tenacity. The term “shark” is applied to those in business who are shrewd and obscenely rich, so this animal is a great inspiration to any witches looking to advance their businesses or careers. Invoke the shark by keeping an (ethically sourced!) shark tooth in a mojo bag or wear as a piece of jewellery around your neck. Also a wonderful protection totem.

2. Swan

Swans are associated with the Valkyries, or Swan Maidens, and transformation. The story of the Ugly Duckling plays on this transformative angle as well. In fact, swans feature prominently in fairy tales, often as devices of mystery, secrets, the night and the moon — typically in the form of maidens turned into swans to hide their true identity. You should use swans in your magic when you need to keep something hidden. Place an image of a swan on your altar when you’re trying to keep secrets or veil something from prying eyes. Pair the swan image with the moon or water for extra protection and to amp up your intuition.

3. Otter

An animal built for play. The otter embodies both earth and water energies and a joyful nature. They relax. They hold on to each other while they sleep, floating in the water, and symbolise support and friendship. Pair seashells with an image of an otter before a family outing to ensure a good time for everyone. Light a green or blue candle and invoke the spirit of the otter whenever you’re getting too serious!

4. Crocodile & Alligator

These animals can symbolise patience and stealth, and embody many of the dragon’s characteristics, but what I find most impressive about this reptile is their ability to survive. Crocodiles actually roamed the earth with the dinosaurs! They are also quite long-lived, and so I recommend using this animal in spells for health and longevity. In the south, alligator feet are sold to gamblers for luck, so drawing this animal somewhere on your person before buying lottery tickets may be just the edge you need.  

5. Frog

Like the swan and the butterfly, the frog is a transformative animal. It changes dramatically from a polliwog to a frog and can live on land and in the water. Frogs were the second plague in Exodus and are seen in a bad light by some. However, in other cultures, the frog is seen as a good omen because he comes out when there is a lot of rain — a symbol of life. I suggest two ways to call on the frog symbol. First, if you’re a weather witch and would like help summoning rain, draw a frog symbol in a patch of dry earth and sprinkle this area with blessed water. Second, if you’d like to curse someone with an abundance of something unpleasant, draw a frog somewhere on your target’s taglock.

6. Fish

Fish have evolved to live in the deepest, darkest corners of the earth — places humans can’t go — and therefore they represent mysteries and deep understanding of the self. They are also one of the more colourful and brightly patterned animals and so are associated with artists, creativity, and enlightenment. Incorporate the fish symbol in sigils (as this shape is quite easy to draw) and focus the sigil on self-discovery. Some truths are hard to take, which makes the fish an especially good symbol for this type of magic. They remind you to learn, but not to dwell, and always keep moving forward.  

7. Crab

Protection, stubbornness and emotion. In the zodiac, the crab is the symbol of Cancer and the moon. One of the most important things I have learned in life is how to set boundaries and the crab is an amazing animal to invoke if you wish to protect yourself in this way. Light a white or black candle, include a water element, and use a piece of real crab claw or a just simple drawing of one to represent yourself. Light the candle and reflect on simple and more complicated boundaries you’d like others to respect. Carry the image of the crab with you to remind you to be firm about how you expect others to treat you. Use the crab to get in touch with your emotions, in control of them, and responsible for them at all times.  

8. Dolphin

Because this animal looks like it’s smiling, it is seen as a joyful, playful animal. However, dolphins are renowned by scientists for their intelligence — rivalling even our own. They use echolocation to find their way through water and have highly evolved communication skills. Some believe dolphins even have extra senses as they can perform extraordinary feats of athleticism, show high empathy, are extremely curious, and possess the ability to connect with other animals in unusual — even baffling — ways. They are a symbol of communication and cooperation, so I suggest using dolphins in your magic when you’re having difficulty saying something or letting someone know how you feel.

9. Turtle

Tortoises and turtles carry a lot of weight — literally and symbolically. In Hinduism, the turtle carries the weight of the universe on his four legs (which represent the four cardinal directions and elements). Because turtles live for a long time, they are natural symbols of longevity, health and of course, wisdom. Illustrated in fables like the Tortoise and the Hare, the turtle is also a symbol of perseverance and taking things at your own pace. After all, it’s not about how fast you get there but that you get there in the end. At home in water and on land, you can use the turtle symbol with both these elements. You can wear the turtle symbol as jewellery or draw it on your altar or somewhere in your workspace to remind you to keep at your goals and to be unconcerned with rising to anyone standard’s but your own.    

10. Orca

The blackfish, or wolf of the sea, is a respected predator, but is also known for its deep familial bonds, intelligence, and prowess — the human being’s ocean counterpart. Orcas travel great distances each day and are a symbol for travellers. Perhaps more than anything, the orca is known for their devotion to their families, often becoming despondent after losing a mother or calf. Call on the spirit of the blackfish when you need inner strength, especially when dealing with family conflict. Before travelling to see family, draw a symbol of an orca in chalk on your dashboard to ensure safe travel.

Made Of Air11. Crane

This elegant bird is a prominent symbol in Asian cultures for good fortune, long life and a strong marriage. Cranes also represent serene calm — retaining your dignity during chaos and storms. The iconic origami crane is a symbol for happiness and learning how to craft one to add to your altar will bring joy and good luck. You can also invoke the crane before a wedding to bring good fortune and wishes for a stable, happy life together.

12. Dove

Peace. Strangely, these birds produce “milk” for their offspring and because of their pure white feathers and nurturing nature, doves are a symbol of motherhood, sharing links to the Virgin Mary and Ishtar. Doves are symbols of communication, appearing in the bible with an olive branch to alert Noah to the presence of land. They can be trained to carry messages back and forth between parties, like pigeons, but even before that were seen as messengers from the gods. Any mothers facing problems with their children can call on the dove for assistance by lighting a white candle and placing a white feather before it while asking for help.    

13. Eagle

Courage and communication with the divine. Known as the “king of birds”, the eagle has excellent eyesight and flies much higher than other birds, it sees all and knows all. This also gives it a link to the sun, as it is often appears to fly straight into it! The eagle is a symbol of power, and its feathers are treasured among the Plains tribes who use them to make magnificent headdresses. However, those who don’t have a right to own one of these creatures feathers will face heavy fines if caught with one. Use the eagle symbol in magic to communicate with spirits and your chosen patrons. Draw an eagle before yellow and golden candles to receive messages about which direction to take during confusing times.  

14. Hummingbird

This jewel-bright bird can live in the desert, jungle, or mountains and survives on nectar and small insects. Its adaptability and flight maneuverability have made it a symbol of mystical connection — the hummingbird can move in all directions, even beyond the veil to converse with spirits. The hummingbird is a master at conserving energy, slowing down its heartbeat to a near standstill at night only to revive in the morning light and begin its endless mission for food all over again each day. You can use hummingbirds in your magic to bring things into perfect focus. Throughout the day, we waste time on so many useless or petty things, but the hummingbird does not! Keep a hummingbird figurine on your desk or wear a piece of hummingbird jewellery to stay clear on your goals and stop wasting time on things that simply don’t matter.

15. Magpie

A delightfully fun trickster bird. The magpie collects shiny objects and can imitate human voices and other sounds with eerie perfection. Because of its thievery and imitation skills, the magpie is often seen in a negative light, but I happen to disagree with this assessment. I see this bird as resourceful and a wonderful totem to those who like to think outside the box and play the game by their own rules. It’s not an easy path, though, and invoking the spirit of the tricky magpie may be just the thing to evade those who seek to impede your individual journey. Remember to pay homage to the magpie when you ask for his help by placing mirrors and other shiny things on your altar as thanks!

16. Rooster

Each morning on the farm, the rooster heralds the sunrise. He is alert, ready, and brave. Universally, the rooster is a symbol of sexuality and the sun, though to some he is vain, prideful, and flamboyant — “cocky” if you will. This is a bird to call on when you need confidence before a big event in your personal life or at work. Be sure to include a fire element, either stones or candles, face east, and perform any rituals involving the rooster as the sun rises.  

17. Sparrow

This unassuming brown bird is so common she often goes unnoticed but the sparrow represents perhaps the most important part of many of our lives: Family and home. We often take for granted the simple things in life, things that were they to go, we’d miss more than anything else. Paint or frame a small image of the sparrow in the kitchen or living room to remind you to appreciate the things in your life that are most important: Your loved ones, your safety, and your home.

18. Wren

This clever little bird is a surprising symbol of royalty and shares the title “king of the birds” with the eagle. It is a symbol of magic and intelligence, and despite its small stature, is considered quite powerful. The wren can be used to amplify spells, especially those concerning wisdom and truth. Carrying an image of this bird will also give you an edge in games of chance and any competition where you may be an underdog.  

19. Peacock

The peacock is a showstopper with a big reveal. The eyes in the peacock’s tail feathers lead some to believe that the peacock is a symbol for visionaries and was the protector of royalty. In Hinduism, the peacock is associated with Lakshmi, a goddess of good luck. I suggest using peacock feathers in your magic for any new projects that require creativity and your psychic gifts. This beautiful bird’s gifts will facilitate art projects, writing, and anything involving design.

20. Vulture

For some the vulture is a symbol of oncoming death, which is understandable because vultures are scavenger birds and follow death around to survive. However, in Egypt they were revered for keeping the city clean. The vulture is the perfect bird to help with cleansing. Keep an image of this bird on your altar to peck away any invading negative energy or channel its spirit while doing personal cleansing to clear away any residual bad vibes.

https://thetravelingwitch.com/blog/20-fascinating-sea-air-creatures-to-focus-your-magic