The Storm-Witches of Kastelholm
Åland folklore tells of storm-witches who possessed the secret art of 'tying the wind' into knots of rope. These women could sell sailors a favorable breeze or calm at sea by selling them a knotted rope: untying one knot released a light wind, untying two filled the sails, but untying all three would awaken a devastating tempest. The practice is associated with the maritime culture of Kastelholm Castle, the 14th-century fortress at the heart of the main island. Even today, some islanders refuse to throw rope knots into the sea without cutting them first, for fear of stirring what should sleep.