Wind chimes are a symbol of magic, often used to ward off evil spirits. The earliest wind chimes from ancient Rome had bells attached to them to create the sound, and in Eastern societies bells were also used, hung in corners of the house to guard against evil. However, in Asia, wind chimes are believed to be good luck and they are used in feng shui with the belief that they maximise the flow of chi. Nowadays they are made of glass, bamboo, shells, stone, wood, metal tubes, or porcelain, and there is a new trend of using recycled utensils or even cookie cutters!

In Eastern Europe, wind chimes are used as indicators of when spirits are around. That is why many of us have wind chimes in the house: when they inexplicably move with no draught or window open, we know there are “guests” around.

Create your own wind chime made of items that are important to you. If you are a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces), you could make it from shells, or if you have a number of crystals around, you could use them too. It can be quite basic in design. Use a round piece of metal, wood, plastic, or even strong cupboard; it should look like a large ring, as you are going to tie the items to it. You can use ribbon, string, or twine to attach your items to the ring. Cut some different lengths of ribbon, but also some the same length so that the items can touch each other when the wind blows. Then hang the chimes in your house or garden.

If you would like the elementals to feel welcome in your house, say these words as you put your wind chime up:

Tinkling sounds,

Items of my heart.

Blessed elementals,

Merry meet and merry part.

Enter free in my witch’s den.

And then depart freely again