No need to cross your fingers and hope for good weather. According to the Romanies, you can make the sun shine whenever you want it to. 
Here's how:
You could say:
Fair weather I ask you to shine,
On this special day of mine,
I've chased the clouds away,
So the sun will shine all day.
Your special day will be filled with sunshine.
You will need:
Need a snow day?
All you need for this spell is one black candle.
Directions:
Light the candle the night before the day you want the snowday.
Then recite the following incantation three times:
Goddess Hecate,
I call upon thee,
make tomorrow a snowday,
so mote it be.
NOTE: This spell is best used to catch up on work, or something important, and not to laze around or it will either not work, or backfire. Use a new candle every time.
Source: Magic Spells
Weather spells are an ambiguous topic. It is extremely personal magic. My desire for a beautiful sunny day may correspond to your need for rain. Will our spells cancel each other's out? Does the most powerful magician win?
Despite these inherent difficulties, Weather Spells are among the most ancient magical genres. The most successful weather spells are cast by a community in response to a consensus regarding a weather emergency, typically either too much or too little rain. It was believed that one could summon or banish storms by invoking ancient spirits. In essence the storms and winds are spirits.
This belief remains personified in the orisha Oya, who embodies the hurricanes that travel from West Africa to the Caribbean annually. Vestiges of these beliefs linger in the tradition of naming hurricanes, by naming the spirit, a measure of control is maintained.
Magical and spiritual aspects of weather have always been controversial:
Anyone who has listened to a weather forecast will know that modern science seems no more accurate than the techniques of our forebears, especially if you require something a bit more local than the regional forecast.
The saying, "Red sky at night, shepherd's delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning," is self-explanatory. But there are many other traditions of weather prediction of which these are just a few. A Cock crowing at bedtime forecasts rain, while one crowing during the rain predicts good weather. A Robin sitting in a hedge means it will soon rain. Seaweed hung outside the door will be limp when the weather is to be cold and wet, but if it curls up the weather will be dry.
To whistle at sea would be to summon up the wind, and in my family we were never allowed to whistle in the morning as this would bring rain that day. Another I can vouch for personally: whenever a person's nose becomes cold then rain will follow within the hour. Cold feet (when sensibly wrapped) advise of a cold night, whereas unusually hot feet predict a warmer day.
If it rains on St Swithin's day (July 15) the weather will be wet for 40 days and nights. A mild January will precede poor spring weather, whereas a cool July brings a hot August. Cats and children become more boisterous than usual before strong winds, and when a cat sleeps with her face under her forepaws then the temperature is sure to drop.
If you would prefer to influence the weather rather than simply predicting it, see these spells on Weather Magic.
Source: The Real Witches' Year
Today (Jan 25) is St. Paul's day, a festival of the Roman and English churches in commoration of St. Paul. This day is thought to be prophetic as to the weather of the year:
Other omens and folklore for St Paul's day include the following:
On a more positive note:
Found in: Encyclopedia of superstitions, folklore, and the occult
Called Feriae Sementivae, this one or two day Roman festival was moveable, but generally began between January 24 and January 26. Sacred to Tellus, and Ceres, this festival was for the protection of seeds, either those sown the previous fall, or those to be sown in the spring. During Sementivae plowing oxen were decorated with garlands, and puppets or masks were hung from tree branches.
This is an excellent time to begin to think about planting a "Witch's Garden" and to do spellwork involving seeds. Spiritually and metaphysically, this is an optimum time to sow the internal seeds of what we hope to bring forth as the year unfolds.
The most basic fertility spell of all may not seem magical to our jaded eyes: grow plants from seed. What might be considered a child's kindergarten project can actually be an act of power, fraught with mystery and magic.
Looking to create a spell or plant a magickal garden? Maybe you just need a good substitute for an ingredient called for in a spell, or want to do some fine tuning. Here's a listing of plants, herbs, and spices for magickal intentions:
Signs of Speedy Marriage and Good Success Attending it by Sundry Signs: 
For a woman to have the first and last letters of her christian name the same with the man's surname, that makes love to her, denotes a great union and a generous love.
For a man to have the first and last letters of his christian name the same with the woman's surname, denotes the same.
To think of a party on a sudden waking, without any meditation, on a Friday morning, that before had a place in the affection of the man or woman, is a demonstration of love or extraordinary friendship.
If a ring accidentally falls off a man's finger, that is under no obligation of marriage, and runs directly to the feet of a maid or widow, it denotes not only that he is in love with the party, but that a sudden marriage will ensue.
The singing of a robin-red-breast at your window, in the time of courtship, on a Wednesday, is a sign of marriage and happiness to ensue, with much content .
Found in:
Encyclopaedia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World
Here we have a variety of old old spells for St Agnes night which is pretty much dedicated to finding a husband.
On Saint Agnes' night, 21st January, take a row of pins and pull out every one, one after another, saying a Pater Noster, sticking a pin in your sleeve, and you will dream of him or her you will marry. Knit tne left garter about the right-legg'd stocking (let the other garter and stocking alone), and as you rehearse these following verses, at every comma knit a knot:
It is the Eve of St Agnes. There are many traditions associated with both this night and tomorrow night, all intended to bring dreams of the future husband. Here are some of them.
But the most often repeated one is that of making a Dumb Cake. Here are the instructions:
Three, five or seven maidens should gather together on St Agnes Eve and make a cake from flour, salt, eggs and water. While they are mixing and baking the cake all the girls should stand on something different and which they have never stood on before. Each girl should take a hand in adding each of the ingredients and each girl should turn the cake once. When the cake is baked they should eat it all between them. Then, walking backwards, they should all retire to bed where they will dream of their future husbands. The whole process from start to finish should take place in complete silence and should be completed just before midnight.
It is interesting that all these methods include the elements of silence, walking backward, and retiring to bed at midnight.
Source: The Real Witches' Year
Native American wisdom marries every full moon in a month with a specific feature in Nature. These moon associations will vary depending upon the tribe we are honoring. This month, January is deemed the Wolf Moon or Cold Moon by various tribes indigenous to the Great Lakes region of North America.
It’s been a tough month for some of us. I thought it fitting to toss out some symbolic observations about the January Wolf Moon with a goal to offer inspiration to folks facing some challenges right now.
Lunar Symbolism:
Before blasting off into Wolf Moon symbolism, let’s take a look at lunar implications. Subtle, cunning and soft in silky shadows, the moons meanings can be slippery. But, to those who grasp moon symbolism, great insights follow. Typically feminine in archetypal understanding, the moon carries themes of cycles and fertility.
Moreover, the moon conveys a kind of creativity that is born from veiled magic. Consider the moon’s growth cycles (waxing, full, waning, new). These phases are wrought from the moon’s movement. And, the manifestation of her development is made known to us through light and shadow.
What’s the symbolic lesson here? Progress is sometimes subtle. Manifestations of evolution often occur behind the scenes, in shadow – before we “see the light” or the end-product of our vision.
When contemplating this month’s full moon and its partnership with the Wolf, we must not cram our intellect into the void. Rather, the Wolf Moon asks us to use intuitive instinct in soft ways.
The gifts of this full moon come to our senses like steam rising over sacred waters marbled with frosty stillness.
Wolf Symbolism and Wolf Moon Solutions:
Strategic, resourceful and incredibly communicative, the Wolf is a noble mentor for humankind. Wolves have specific protocol and rank within their packs. This observation is a cue to look to community for creative solutions during this full moon. Communicate with those in your pack to help you with your challenges. But don’t break taboo. If you follow specific traditions in social communication, hold to them. In fact, use this full moon to honor traditions of your heritage. Take time to honor your elders too. Tribal rituals should be heeded this time of year.
Wolves are vastly expressive. Sure, their vocalizations (baling, howling and barking) are legendary, but Wolves also have an complex system of body language and even eye contact to convey intent and current state of being. Discipline in the pack is rarely corporeal. Rather, behavior is admonished or reinforced by intricate expressions. One look from the Alpha can convey as much power as a physical blow.
There’s big medicine in this. Use this full moon to get in touch with your own modes of expression. Explore your own eye contact and body language. Examine yourself in the mirror (yes, I’m serious) as you’re talking on the phone. View yourself objectively. What are your expressions conveying? How can you modify or enhance your body language to portray more authority or power? Or, perhaps more softness and sensuality is needed. Too often we are unconscious about our eye and body movements in the scheme of social interaction. This is a great time to ponder these nuances of communication.
Wolves are also phenomenally resourceful. In fact, their resourcefulness is partly why this moon carries the Wolf moniker. January is a brutal month in the northern regions. The frigidity of winter crunches life to a stand-still in the wild. To be sure, it’s a time of “sink or swim” to all wildlife exposed to the elements this time of year.
Wolves, however, often thrive during this lean month. They are designed to handle the brutality of cold quite well. Furthermore, as Wolves are inclined to pick off weaker animals, January offers up a host of feasting options. Perhaps we can use the resourcefulness of the Wolf to reconsider our options in life. Maybe what seems bleak or lame in our life is actually an invitation for opportunity. Food for thought.
I hope these symbolic ideas about the cold Wolf Moon inspire you to take advantage of January’s lunar fullness. Take a pause on the evening of this month’s full moon to contemplate your own inner wisdom too. I bet your findings will be illuminating.
Source: Symbolic Meanings
Image: Snake and Snake
This ritual derives from petitions to the orisha Babalu-Aye, believed to bring good luck.
As part of the launch of my new book, The Witch's Shield: Protection Magick and Psychic Self-Defense
Sometimes the word "witch" scares people off. I can understand that. I thought it was silly at first. When my first teacher, a good family friend, revealed she was a witch, I didn’t understand. But I soon found out the spiritual traditions of witchcraft stretch across the globe and throughout time. Witches were the priestesses and priests of the ancient world. They kept the mysteries of magick and psychic ability. A witch is someone who does magick, not only for her- or himself, but for the good of the community. Sometimes the first step in helping our communities, in helping the world, is helping ourselves by finding health, balance, and clarity. Only then can be devote energy to help others.
So, with that in mind, the wisdom of the witch broadens for us. We might not all identify spiritually as witches, but these techniques of psychic protection and magick are universal, and can apply to anyone as long as the person is open to magick, change, and personal responsibility. You will find similar wisdom in the traditions of shamanism, energy healers, ceremonial magicians, and other New Age seekers.
Here are seven psychic protection techniques from which anyone can benefit:
1. Smudging – Smudging refers to passing yourself or an object through sacred smoke as a means of purification. When burned, certain herbs release a high vibrational energy that is used to purify unwanted, harmful forces – what most people call negative energy. Herbs like sage, cedar, sweet grass, pine, and lavender can be burned, as well as incenses such as frankincense, myrrh, and copal. Simply wave the smoking substance around you and make sure you pass through the smoke. Don’t do too much. It’s an energetic process, not a physical one, so you don’t have to feel like you are asphyxiating.
2. Sea Salt Bath – Similar to smudging, taking a sea salt bath can cleanse the physical body as well as the energy. Put two tablespoons of sea salt or kosher salt in your bath water and soak. Imagine all the stress and harmful energy you have accumulated or taken on from others flowing into the water. Sit in the bathtub as its drains and imagine it flowing down the drain, neutralized by the salt and water. I have a friend who puts a spray bottle of sea salt and water and gives herself a little spritz and sponge bath. The salt neutralizes any harmful energies, and then she just wipes it off. It's a great way to clear yourself if you're on the run and a bath is too time consuming.
3. Amulet – Symbols and charms have long been lauded for their protective powers. In almost every culture, there is a tradition of wearing or carrying a particular amulet, often blessed by a priest/tess, to confer the powers of divine protection upon the wearer. Take a symbol you find sacred and divine. Find it in a jewelry or pendant form. If you cannot, try drawing the symbol on a piece of paper or wood, and carrying it with you. If you are Christian, use a cross. If you are Wiccan, use a pentacle. Hindu, try the Ohm symbol. There are a variety of symbols, from the Star of David to the Hammer of Thor. Find the one that speaks protection to you. Smudge the amulet and hold it in both hands. Think about protection and infuse your thoughts into the amulet, activating its power to protect in the name of your divinities. Carry the charm with you to receive its protection.
4. Protection Stone – Like a symbolic amulet, you can carry a stone known for its protective and grounding qualities with you. Most dark colored stones have magical associations with protection. Some of my favorite choices are hematite, smoky quartz, onyx, obsidian, jet, and aragonite. Other stores that are protective include red jasper, amber, citrine, and clear quartz. Like an amulet, cleanse your stone and infuse your intention into it.
5. Meditation – Meditation is one of the greatest keys to psychic defense. Regular meditation practice leaves you clear, centered, and in a mental place where you can respond to potential threats, rather than unconsciously react to them. It doesn’t matter the style or tradition of meditation. Regular practice is the key. You will not get the long term psychic protection benefits of meditation by doing it only once every few weeks. It must be like exercise, done regularly. I suggest at least three times a week. If you can do it daily, so much the better.
6. Healthy Emotional Boundaries – Emotional boundaries are not the most esoteric form of psychic defense, but one that quite a few people leave out. Sometimes psychic defense - particularly from people who are harmful to us, intentionally or unintentionally - is the ability to say “no” and stick to it. If someone asks you to do something or go somewhere, and you only say yes because you are afraid of being “mean” or “letting them down” but you know its not a good situation for you, you must learn to say no. As an adult, only you define what is acceptable and unacceptable in your life. Draw those boundary lines and stick to them.
7. Living Your True Will – The best form of psychic self-defense is to live out your true will. What is your divine purpose? Find it! Then actually live it. If you are doing what you are meant to be doing, the universe will support you and very little anyone else does or says will be able to stop you. You true will, or what some call your magical will, is not your destiny. It doesn’t happen regardless. This your partnership with the divine. You must choose to fulfill it. But once you choose to be a full, conscious partner with the divine, you will have a divine protection that will help you in all of life’s difficult areas.
For more information and an expanded view on these techniques, and a whole philosophy on psychic protection, look to my full length work, The Witch's Shield: Protection Magick and Psychic Self-Defense
Author: Christopher Penczak
In Belgium, the Monday after Epiphany is called "lost Monday" and is a day of universal idleness. Hence probably has arisen the custom, not confined, however, to Belgian workmen alone, of idling every Monday or as they call it "making blue Monday."
Plough-Monday is the first Monday after Twelfth Day (6th of January). It is so called because, the Christmas holidays being over, the men return to their plough or daily work. It was customary on this day for farm laborers to draw a plough—called "white" on account of the mummers being dressed in white, gaudily trimmed with flowers and ribbons—through the parish, soliciting "plough-money," which would be spent in a frolic. The queen of the feast was called Bessy. The plough was also called "fond" or "fool," because the procession is fond or foolish, not serious nor of a business character.
Found in: Encyclopaedia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World
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