Types of Waters for Magical Uses---Part 5---- Sacred Well or Spring Waters~~~

SACRED SPRINGS AND WELLS

Considered to be very holy in the minds of the faithful are sacred springs and wells, these locations usually have legends (with the more recent versions) crediting healing or conversion of belief.

With more recent wells and springs such as Fatima and Lourdes there are documentations of such healing, although the Catholic Church does not considered these locations (which includes the River Jordan and the Sea of Galilee) as Holy Water, it is thought by the faithful to be of holy action, all based upon faith.

Much of that concept can also be credited to when we consecrate oils, incense and waters to the Devine Presence (aka God, Holy Mother, or what Deity one believes in).

It comes down to the power of the mind---as well as what natural energies are also imbued into these waters.

Let us first examine the concept of wells---many people believe in wells, even simple wishing wells, or the Fountains of Trevi where it is believed that by throwing a coin over one’s right shoulder into the fountain one will find true love, which is one of the basis for wishing wells.

But it is also believed that when Jesus talked to the Woman at the Well and explained to her about the “living Water” he was metaphorically referring to having the spirit being refreshed within the soul like drinking fresh cool water.  In the bible there is much reference to the sacredness of water and the use of water for a form of baptism is even older than the biblical references.

Because of that concept, wells and springs of sacred importance have a holy and purifying importance.

Legends of healing and visions have grown surrounding these locations, but it is the spiritual intent and consecration by the individual along with the natural energies, that gives these waters such potency.

Listed here are some of the Sacred Wells---this is by no means a complete list, and if you live in the United States all but one or two may not be easy to get to by simply driving your car.

The best known well is Chalice Well in Britain and it is the most loved holy wells in Britain. Many legends are attributed to its chalybeate waters, which flow ceaselessly at a steady rate and temperature that never varies. Not least among these is that they represent the blood of Christ miraculously springing forth from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea buried or washed the cup used at the Last Supper. For others the waters are acknowledged as the essence of life, the gift from Mother Earth to sustain its living forms and so a continuous spring like Chalice Well is a direct expression of an unbounded life force.

There are many others in Great Britain such as:

St Dominic's Holy Well

Church of St Morwenna and St John the Baptist, Morwenstow

St Brigid's Well

Each has its own healing and miracolus legend and I would advise you to research in your own individual country or location area’s of sacred or holy wells or springs.

There are in the Christian world and belief 3 major springs of healing significance each has been accompanied by a vision of the Virgin Mary, so sacred are these waters that the power of each for blessing, healing, restoration of faith, protection is hard to deny.

I have availed myself a small bottle from each of these springs and have used them in major crisis’ and they seemed to have given a measure of calm and clear thought in dealing with problems to a successful conclusion.

They are: 

Fatima, Portugal-- The Castilian Spring

Between mid-May and October of 1917, three Portuguese children experienced the vision of a saintly presence. It is believed by many Catholics around the world that the visitor was Mary, mother of Jesus, whom many Catholics refer to as the Blessed Mother. During her time with the children, Jacinta, Lucia and Francisco, the Blessed Mother reportedly revealed several warnings and predictions that included the rise of Soviet communism and the Second World War. All of this occurred within this tiny community.

The revelations given the children also were reportedly accompanied by instructions for others. Among these instructions was one for a local bishop who was told to dig in a very specific place close to where the Blessed Mother had spoken to the children, now called the Cove of Peace. Upon digging at the spot, the bishop in question discovered a water source. The water that emanated out from the source was subsequently accredited with miraculous powers and the well is still being used.

The most commonly cited power the water is believed to possess is a miraculous ability to help the sick. In this sense, it is given to those suffering from disease or other painful conditions that hurt their quality of life. The water also could be used for other forms of devotion, such as blessing a space or home or in daily prayers. It could also be employed to warn off dangers by applying it to the skin of a loved one. In the end, there are no formal limitations for the uses of the water as long as the use is not irreverent or insincere.  This water is considered non-liturgical holy water.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico

The site of the Fifth Apparition of Our Lady near Teotihuacan. This is where Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego’s uncle and told him that he would be healed of his illness. A well was dug where she pointed and water was found and a church was built around this spring that contains the healing well and one can obtain some spring water. This is considered non-liturgical holy water.

Lourdes, France

Each year, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, in search of a cure for what ails them. Lourdes is well known for its spring water, which is said to heal the sick.

The story of Lourdes holy water dates back to the mid-1850s when 14-year-old Bernadette Soubiroux claims to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary eighteen times. Eventually a church was constructed at the site. Since then, people have claimed to be miraculously healed by the spring waters—apparent cures not proven scientifically but no less convincing to believers. Lourdes water is water which flows from a spring in the Grotto of Massabielle in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France. The location of the spring was described to Bernadette Soubirous by an apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes on 25 February 1858. Since that time many thousands of pilgrims to Lourdes have followed the instruction of Our Lady of Lourdes to "drink at the spring and bathe in it". Lourdes water is considered non-liturgical holy water.

Golden, Colorado

One spring was uncovered by seemingly miraculous means by a 20^th Century American Saint, Mother Cabrini.

In 1902 Mother Cabrini came to Golden, Colorado to start a school.  When she arrived, she found there were many orphans because of mining accidents.  She wanted to start a summer camp for the orphans and purchased some land for that purpose.  A few years after purchasing the land, when Mother Cabrini came back to Golden for a visit, one of the nuns told her that the land had no water and it took half a day to bring water from Denver to Golden.  Much like the biblical Moses in the desert,  Mother Cabrini responded by tapping a rock with her cane and said, "If you move this rock and begin to dig, you will find water."  The spring that was found as a result of Mother Cabrini's intercession, is still in existence today.

As to any mystical powers it is based upon faith and consecration.

Serra Springs (California) at University High School (Los Angeles, California)

Serra Springs is California Historical Landmark #522It is located on the campus of University High School in Los Angeles, California, USA. The springs, called Kuruvungna by the native Gabrieleno Tongva people, were used as a source of natural fresh water by the Tongva people since at least the 5th century BC and continue to produce 22,000-25,000 gallons of water a day. The springs are also sometimes referred to as the Gabrieleno Tongva Springs, the Tongva Holy Springs, and the Sacred Springs. The springs are found at two separate locations on the high school campus. The larger is now closed off from the rest of the campus and is under the care of the Gabrielino/Tongva Springs Foundation. The other spring is located on the northeastern edge of the so-called Girls' Field. A third spring was located farther north, near Texas Avenue, but it ceased to flow during the 1940s when a local water company began drawing from the aquifer.

   These springs are considered sacred and holy to the Gabrieleno Tongva native americans  and a foundation was established to preserve the springs, currently annual festivities to make people aware of native American cultures are held at these naturally bubbling aquifers

Waconda Spring

  I’m including this spring to show the illogical destruction by man and as a warning to those who would destroy waters that are considered sacred and healing.

Waconda Spring, or Great Spirit Spring, was a natural artesian spring located in Mitchell County, near the towns of Glen Elder and Cawker City in the U.S. state of Kansas. It was a sacred site for Native American tribes of the Great Plains and, for a time, became the site of a health spa for American settlers. With the completion of the Glen Elder Dam in 1968, the mineral spring disappeared beneath the waters of Waconda Reservoir. 

Natural Waters that come from the ground are in danger with the use of Fracking to obtain Oil, oil cannot be drunk by Human’s or Animals, but Water is far more precious to life, and yet it is being destroyed by humankind’s greed. One of the last James Bond movies showed how one man was trying to control a nation throw withholding water.

In time Water will be more precious than Gold.  It gives all living things including the earth, life.

When you do rituals or spell work with water any kind of water remember how precious it is.

So what is the specialized use of either well or spring water.

If you obtain waters from a sacred well or spring, you must consider the purpose of those waters to be for healing, Blessing and protection.   Going by the legend surrounding each location will give you an idea of that particular water’s purpose and you should put it to that particular practice.

But if you obtain water from a natural spring that does not have a sacred purpose around it, it is an excellent water that can be charged with magic depending upon your individual purpose.

Spring water can be put out to capture the Full Moon rays of each moon, and you can do Lunar magic with it.

Spring water can be infused with various herbs and oils and made into magical potions for different purposes, a bowl of spring water poured into a black bowl is excellent for scrying.

I have seen at flower shows if there is a large waterfall or fountain element, people will throw coins in a make a wish, the money is then collected for a designated charity which is a healing element.  So man-made wishing wells for benefit purposes can be made for charity provided that the water is moving, there for considered “alive” or a “living water”.

In your own home or place of meditation, by using bottled spring water in one of those tiny meditative fountains with specialized quartz rocks for healing can set up a healing and relaxing condition especially for stress. 

Water is life.  How you use it is by your own intent.

On my next post I will talk about Made Waters aka Charged Waters and what is the difference between Holy Water and holy water.

Blessings Ms. Q

Types of Water for Magickal Uses----Blood Moon Water ---Waters Part 4~~~

Dear Ms. Q,

On the whole aspect of the Blood Moon cycle and what does it mean I would have to address in a whole separate post, different from my current series on Sacred Waters.

But collecting water during a Blood Moon, in this case I'm referring to the Lunar Eclipse not the Month of October---this is something that is a bit rare, because a Blood Moon occurs during a Full or nearly Full Moon, in essence you are collecting Full Moon Water, but because it has been collected during an eclipse makes it very unusual and very special.

Part of it is determined by what water was used to collect this Moon's rays.

And also if your part of the world was affected by seeing the full eclipse.

If it was raining during the time of the Blood Moon, then that rain water would be completely attached to that lunar event.

If you used Lake, River (this would include, stream and creek water), Ocean,  or water from a sacred well or sacred spring, that psychic event plus the energies of the particular waters alter the cosmic makeup of the water.

With Lake Water, you'd be calling ancestors or spirits but with "pay-back" intent; River would be for the blessing or consecration of powerful energies to your ritual  tools, but possibly for a negative intent as well;  Ocean would mean for exorcism of a tremendous villainy or energy; from a sacred well such as Chalice Well would mean the remembrance of those lost to violent death; from a sacred Spring such as Fatima, Lourdes or Guadalupe would mean blessing during Woman's mysteries.

But if you used water from a regular spring, such as bottled spring water, that would be the same as if you collected any rain water that happened during that event.  That water could be consecrated or dedicated to what ever difficult situation to work with.  In some cases as a substitute for Blood or dark workings.

That is something that one needs to think very carefully about, as long as the water is not activated you can make a careful decision, maybe not even use the whole amount but only a small amount, much like a "Blood Bank"  keeping the bulk of it in reserve for a different type of working, perhaps healing instead.

There are going to be 3 more blood moon's, the next one to be seen in the US will be on October 8, 2014, and it will fall during the time the moon will be Full as well and also in the Month and Moon that is traditionally called the Blood Moon Month. 

This one that is coming will be particularly powerful in many ways, the energies to be determined only by meditation and one's personal intent.  

To know the exact day and time for this event check with either Google, Bing or what ever search engine you are using.   Not all countries will see the Blood Moon eclipse, in some it will only be partial, but since it will be a Full Moon it would be wise to collect the rays of the Moon at that time using Bottled Spring Water, again after you've collected the rays  filter the water for particles, because by using bottled Spring Water this would be good to put into a potion.

The next two blood moon's will occur in April and September of 2015, again check your search engine for exact dates and times and if you will see a full or partial eclipse.

When I start working on the meaning and workings of the Moon cycle I will be sure to talk about Blood Moons, Blue Moon's and Black Moon's.  But that will be for future.

Blessings Ms. Q

Types of Waters for Margickal Uses---Part 3---River and Lake and Ocean Waters~~~~

Dear Ms. Q,

In this section I will deal with River,  Lake and Ocean or Sea Waters~~~

Many Rivers around the world have a sacred connection, the Nile to Ancient Egyptians, The Jordan River to Christians, the Ganges to Hindu's,  as a matter of fact I have here a brief list of some of the better known rivers.

Aciravati,  Bhagirathi River, Brahmaputra River, Ganges River to Hindus,  Gowda Saraswat Brahmin, Indus River, Jordan River to Christians, Kaveri,  Manas River, Sarasvati River,  Triveni Sangam,  Turag River, Yamuna,  San Juan River and Little Colorado to the Navajo

Now in each area locally among the native people will know of other sacred rivers.  So what is important about River Water. 

First it is a moving body of water, a living water, it runs over the land and therefore either purifies it or fertilizes it such as the Nile, to Christians especially to be baptized in the waters of the River Jordan is to be cleansed of sins and to start life anew. 

The Ganges also holds that belief among the people of India.  As well as other places who have that same belief.

Because River water is moving it is considered highly energized, activating healthy negative ions, which many people who live near a moving river find refreshing to breathe, feel themselves energized.

River water is good for washing away negativity that may have been collected by just going out and dealing with people in general.

My Granny would mix Holy water from the church with River Water and put it in her Holy Water founts next to the inside of her Front Door as well as her back door. 

River Water is also used to make Peace Water or the 5 or 7 Holy Waters, which is a combination of different waters.   In some spell work River Water is used to banish negativity

One of Granny's Ladies in her group was a Mrs. Washington, she lived in Louisiana and learned a lot of what some people would call Hoodoo from a number of the practioners who lived around, some she traveled to, to learn things from and some she discovered were just down right frauds, but those that she learned from was, as we would say now a days, "The Real Deal".

She was very big on collecting River Water on St. John's Day in June (June 24th) she'd  collect river water and put it into a glass bottle, and bring it home,   June 24 is the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

She told me that  ST. JOHN'S WATER is a wonderful extra protection for a person and their home.

She said it was a tradition, especially in (but not restricted to) the New Orleans area, to collect St. John's Water every year on St. John's Day. This water is protective; it wards off evil and keeps the one who collects and keeps it,  secure and safe from harm.

You take a clean  dark colored glass bottle with a lid, this is one of those times when a metal lid or cap its fine. Be sure to wash it first as you would with any of the bottles you'd use to hold your collected waters, and then let it dry so that the washing water will not "contaminate" the river water you collect.
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Carrying your bottle, go to a river in your area.  Rivers are the right body of water to use.  We are, dealing with St. John the Baptist, who baptized in the Jordan River.

You have to  recite prayers, first saying a prayer of contrition asking to be forgiven for your sins,  then say the traditional Lord's Prayer for the blessings for the year to come. 

Then ask St. John the Baptist for his help and blessings, he who was so intimately aware of the spiritual power of rivers.  Then fill your bottle, cap it, and take it home with you.

Set this bottle on it's side by the hinge side of your front door, so that it is a bit hidden from those who come to your door.  Make sure that the neck of the bottle is facing the door.  Keep the bottle in this position throughout the year.

If anyone comes to your door who you do not wish to deal with, anyone who may make life difficult for you  - or even if you are just worried that they may come to trouble you - simply roll that bottle with your foot. 

 Roll it back and forth on the floor, as you concentrate on exactly what you want especially what you want to say to the person to get them to leave. Then when they leave and you close the door roll the bottle right back into it's original position, where it will continue to guard and defend your home for the remainder of the year. 

Remember  when requesting the aid of any saint, including  St. John the Baptist be sure to thank him  for his assistance.

Just remember to renew this bottle of River Water every year on St. John's Day.


Lake Waters

Fresh water from a  lake is a collection of sustained energy. It provides a reservoir of creative energy. Think of it this way, these bodies of water provide life sustaining liquid to the animals that drink from it and the animals that live in it. This establishes the energy of Creation within its cells so to speak.  It is considered Living Water but water that awaits to be activated, the energy is far more quiet as oppose to River Water.

In many cases, it maybe used to call upon the Ancestors, especially if the Lake has a reputation of being a habitat of Ancestor spirits.

Collecting the waters from a Lake should be done only during the Full Moon never during the Dark Moon especially if you are dealing with spirits, because you may not know what spirit you will unleash.

This is a partial list and some of the legends surrounding some Lakes: 

Lake Bosumtwi,  The Ashanti consider Bosumtwi a sacred lake. According to traditional belief, the souls of the dead come here to bid farewell to the god Twi. Because of this, it is considered permissible to fish in the lake only from wooden planks.

Chagan Lake (China), Chicabal Lake, Crater Lake (Oregon USA), Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee is considered important  among Christians because many of Jesus’s miracles took place along the shores of the Sea, Ganga Chhu, Ganga Talao, Gosaikunda,  Grand Lake (Colorado) Grand Lake was named Spirit Lake by the Ute Tribe because they believed the lake's cold waters to be the dwelling place of departed souls.

Kaali crater,  Lac Ste. Anne (Alberta, Canada, Lake Saint Anne)  Lac Ste. Anne was first called Wakamne, or God's Lake by the Nakota Sioux, and Manitou Sakhahigan (Lake of the Spirit) by the Cree first nations before the arrival of the settlers.

The legend goes that the Indians hunted buffalo and fished in the lake called Manitou Sakhahigan. The legend told of a large monster that lived in the lake, and as it moved it would create dangerous and unpredictable currents, which could easily capsize a canoe. Very few people saw the monster but when the Hudson's Bay Company came they renamed the lake Devil's Lake, possibly in reference to the reported lake monster.

Elders of Alexis Reserve remember their grandparents telling of how as children they would go out on the lake and peer down through the then clear water to the lake bottom in search of the monster. They would hope and fear that they might actually see its legendary form.

"Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage is a site of national historic significance because as early as 1889, Aboriginal people, including Cree, Dene, Blackfoot and Métis, have been coming to Lac Ste. Anne to celebrate the Feast of Saint Anne. Saint Anne embodies, for many Aboriginal peoples, the traditional importance of the grandmother figure. For the Aboriginal people of Western and Northwestern Canada, the pilgrimage site is an important place of social, cultural and spiritual rejuvenation, which are important aspects of the traditional summer gathering."

Lake Guatavita, Lake Iguaque, Lake Nemi,  Lake Ronkonkoma (lake)  and the legend of the Lady of the Lake  I offer this to you to show how legend can form around Sacred lakes.

Supposedly a Native American woman committed suicide by drowning herself in the lake during the colonial era.  Variations of the legend indicate that her tribe was assaulted by European settlers, one among them being her lover. Betrayed, she drowned herself in grief.   Since then its said at least once a year she will claim a man to be her lover. But her claiming of men is out of love and need, for she does not understand that she is also condemning these individuals to death. Her loneliness overwhelms her and she reaches out to these men in desperation. Some men, likely in the mood to cause a stir, claim that when they swim beyond the boundaries of the designated swim area (marked typically by buoyed rope), they feel "cold fingers" touch and try to grasp at their ankles.[citation needed]

Rumored to have no bottom, Lake Ronkonkoma has deep depressions that seem to go on forever. Myths continue to persist of the "bottomless lake". Such rumors include the presence of a "whirlpool" in the dead center of the lake that drags people down into the bottomless hole where they drown and are never seen again. Similarly, it is said that the deepest depression forms an underground tunnel that empties out into Long Island Sound, and through this tunnel myriad creatures from the sea pour in. A popular rumor among wildly imaginative kids is that the depressions are gateways to Hell.

Lake Waiau, Lhamo La-tso, Lake Manassarovar, Nydam Mose, Sacred Cenote , Lake Sonfon, Taos Pueblo,   Yamdrok Lake (Tibet) --- Like mountains, lakes are considered sacred by Tibetan people, the principle being that they are the dwelling places of protective deities and therefore invested with special spiritual powers.

 And last but not least, Zuni Salt Lake.

Ocean or Sea Water

If you're lucky enough to live near the Ocean the energy from it is good for almost all magical workings with some exceptions , especially if rain fall does not come at a time when you need it.

But there are some limitations, primarily Sea water is best for exorcism and expelling evil spirits from a person, home, or piece of land  especially if it is collected at high noon.— “nothing evil ever came from the sea”.

In certain rituals  Sea water is not offered to the dead,  nor is it used for any Full moon collected rain water nor used in ancestral rites. Because Salt protects from and exorcises spirits,  so for banishing's or exorcisms, to cleans something of negativity it is excellent.  

Sea water is never used to bless land nor a woman who wants to conceive, as the focus of Sea or Ocean water is to rid evil, if there is land or a location that is negative then use the Ocean water for banishing, and once the area is cleared of negativity follow it with Rain Water for fertility.

Never harvest or collect Ocean or Sea water during the Dark Moon, collecting Ocean Water during the New Moon (when the barest sliver of moon is showing) is fine.

Sea or Ocean waters are used during spells or rituals when working with deities who are associated with the Ocean or spell work that would involve the Sea.

In my next post I will deal with Spring and Well Water, followed by Holy and Consecrated Waters and then Made Waters.

Blessings Ms. Q

 

A warning to those who read my Blog~~~

To All~~~

A few days ago my blog was hacked and a false posting was put in about weight loss.

It was not me and to those who may have read it I apologize. 

It has since been deleted and I am going to see about making some changes.

Those of you who know my writings---beware of such post that seem out of character for me.

I thank you.

Blessings

In regard to ritual Oils and their formula's~a short editorial~~~

Dear Ms. Q,

I can understand your desire for me to list all the ritual oils that is used in spell work and rituals and their formula's  but if I were to do that it would boggle the mind and possibly put a strain on my bandwidth.

The oldest oil formula that is known and easy to find is in the Bible, old Testament, in which God tells the priesthood, how to build and consecrate the Ark of the Covenant.   Some of the herbs that are mentioned,  current perfumers or makers of oils are not sure of, because of what the early writers would refer to as one herb may mean an entirely different herb.

But I have smelled an approximation of it and it is an aroma that is profoundly mind lifting.  And yet the apothecary who made it was still not sure that it was correct.

There are others that are listed in ancient texts from ancient Egypt, Sumer, and Babylon and I have heard of them, but I have never made them.  Again because of confusion as to the herbs mentioned, that in modern day we are not sure of.

Zora Neal Houston in her Book "Mules and Men" mention several types of oils, and her work I would trust but not Slatter's materials.

Anna Riva (pen name) printed a book that listed over 550 oils, and what their uses are, but not how to make them.  The booklets of Anna Riva are still in print today and are good basic materials.

The people that I knew in Granny's Group, would make their own oils using the herbs they grew in their garden and their knowledge of what those herbs could influence.  Most of the time they used pure olive oil as a base oil, sometimes they would get Almond oil from a druggist and use that as a base oil, and they would put the washed and dried herbs into a clean bottle and pour the oil over the herbs and then have the mixture sit all day in the sun, sometimes for as much as a week.  Shaking the mixture in the bottle from time to time during the day.

Then when they felt it was right would pour some of that mixture through a cheese cloth filter, into glass measuring cup and from that into a much smaller bottle.  They would keep the original bottle mixture in a dark cabinet, until it was used up, then all the herbs would be buried in the yard and start the process all over again.

Of late I've heard that there is nearly 2,000 ritual oil combinations, depending upon strength, availability of herbs, and intent of use.

Those formula's that I will post here especially in connection to a ritual,  are the one's I am most familiar with and have worked with.

Some of the other basic things such as "Made Waters" I will post those formula's as I know them to be.

In time you will build up your own book of recipes on these things.

Blessings Ms. Q

Types of Waters for Magickal Uses---Part 2---Rain Water~~~

Dear Ms. Q,

This post is about Rain Water and the types of Rain water that abounds, since this is a very long post, I would advise that you print it out and add it to your book of magickal workings.  That way you can refer to it without having to go on line.

Water, Any kind of water has a certain mystical attraction to us, it not only covers 70% of the Earth's surface, but over 90 percent of our bodies is composed of water; we are born from the waters that contain us within our mother’s womb, it’s no joke when an expecting woman cries out “My Water broke!!”  It is a sign that a new life is coming.

Water defines, creates, destroys in its own way, it gives life and in its most destructive mode, floods, tsunamis, boiling hot and even two inches of bath water, it can take away life.

The human body can go 7 days to almost a month without food, but it can only last 3 days without water, many elderly people and even healthy athletes, find themselves being rushed to the hospital because they are de-hydrated, because without water we die.

Water is more precious that oil or gold, because we need it to survive.

Water is a magical thing, it is a combination of two very flammable gases. It's somehow a liquid at room temperature and hard as stone when frozen. In all three states, it's colorless, but when sunlight shines through it, it refracts a brilliant, multi-colored rainbow that can be seen for miles.  It is the only element that shows the levels of energy in our universe.

There are three states that water can be found in, solid, liquid and gas, can be seen as symbols of the three Realms of Land, Sea and Sky for water is found flowing from all three of these areas, no other element can do that.  It is the most magical and mystical of all the elements.

And no matter what your belief system is water is important to ritual, you’ll find that baptism, holy water, and other ritual uses of water are a central component of religions and spiritual beliefs.  Even the simple ritual of a cup of tea can bring a moment of calm, meditation and grounding.

It is the great purifier. We wash away our sins, we cleanse our wounds, and our tears bring release.   It is the Great Beginning for one finds in various legends and in the Bible the importance of water, how it was the first element.

The Hopi creation myth starts, "In the beginning, the earth was nothing but water," and in the Bible's book of Genesis, you' will read that "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters."

It is interesting to discover how central a role water plays in belief systems throughout the world, and yet we make it an object of personal taste, in the latest styles or flavors of bottled water.

 Many Native American belief systems see the sun as the immediate creator. However, they also believe that there is a greater power beyond the sun, a power "so big that it cannot be named."  Science has noted especially one William E. Marks said that….  “Our sun is basically a collection of energy waves, energy waves that have their source from the cosmic waters that created and permeate our universe. In fact, recent science tells us that a star like our sun cannot form or survive without water. Without water, our sun would overheat and expand into its basic elements."

Cosmic Waters….that is a bit mind boggling that beyond the clouds beyond our atmosphere there is Cosmic Waters.

Which is why in ritual and spell work water is a very important component.

Over the years, through experimentation done by my Grandmother, her Mother, her Mother before her, and also with the ladies of my Granny’s group as well as myself, I’ve discovered what waters work in what capacity and it’s interesting to see these same discoveries reflected in other area’s on the internet.

But with my continuing series of posts on Water I hope to be able to collect it all for you in one location instead of it being scattered.

So let us start with  the most obvious and most variable types of water, for this post

 Which is Rain Water----

Rain water is drawn from moisture in the ground, the oceans, the poles and through a remarkable process is elevated into the heavens until the cloud formations become so heavy with moisture that it begins to fall back to earth and the seas.  

But on the way down it collects energy and it is that energy that we are seeking in this mutable of elements.

As I said there are basic headings on the types of waters but with each type of water there are sub-categories, and in each category there is specific uses and rituals.

And Rain has the most.

Each type of Rain storm gathers together various fragments of energy that create the flow and function of the Rain water. And will impact the type of energy infused into the water.

Let us start with the most basic:

 Seasonal Rain Fall or Rain Fall of the Seasons

 

SEASONAL RAINS

Rains that happen on the Day and Night of the Equinox’s or the Solstices are especially powerful, it adds extra power to spell and ritual work, depending upon the type of work one is doing but if it happens to be the first rain just after the equinox or solstice it is just as good for spell work, because it is the closest to it.

Springtime

 Rain water collected in spring should be stored in a light green bottle. It’s energy  can be used for empowering new ventures. Such as a new relationship, new business ventures, a new job and so on. 

But rain water collected on the Spring Equinox or from the first rain after the Spring Equinox is good for empowering spells for relationships, business as well, in some cases it can help relationships.

Summertime

 Rain water collected in the summer should be stored in a sky blue bottle. It can be used to encourage growth, be it personal growth, spiritual growth or growth of a venture or relationship. It can also be used for rituals that are designed to overcome bad habits.

Rain collected on Mid-summer’s eve and Day is especially mystical, if one does a spell using this water to bless a Holy hole a rock with a natural see through hole one then can see the fairy folk, but to do this with care as they do not like to be spied upon.  With spells for romance or to bring a new love to you a dab of this water on your petition paper is good.

Also if you know it’s going to rain just in general during this time put any indoor plants outside to enjoy and absorb the rain, including any herbs you are growing indoors.

Fall time

Rain water collected during the fall equinox or the first rain after the fall equinox should be stored in an orange or other fall colored glass bottle. This should be used for giving thanks and showing gratitude for the abundance you have received during the year. 

Other rains collected during this time depending upon new or full moon are good for blessings of thanks

Wintertime

 Rain water collected during the winter solstice or the first rain after should be stored in a silver or iridescent glass bottle. Iridescent bottles can be any color but will sparkle with a rainbow of color when moved in the light. The best color of these bottles to store your winter Rain water is, gold, silver or blue.

Winter rain can be used for blessings a person, relationship, family or object. It can also be used for blessing an event such as a wedding, birth, business venture and so on.  For to be able to survive the hardship of winter so should one be able to survive the hardship of life.

 

MOON PHASE RAINS

One of the hardest types of rains to collect is during the time of the Full or New Moon, sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t want to cooperate.   Rain collected at those times of the Month is very powerful.

Dark Moon

Rain collected during the phase of the Dark Moon is good for banishings or to bring about difficulties to those who have troubled you.

New Moon

Some people have a hard time what is a dark moon and a new moon, for me a new moon is right when the barest sliver of the edge of the moon is showing, the dark moon is complete absence of moonlight

Rain collected at the New Moon is good for workings in which something needs to be brought in, or the starting of new projects.

Waxing Moon---

Sometimes we are not lucky to get rain during the exact moon phase, but either waxing or waning the rains collected that time is good as well, Waxing is to bring in good things, blessings, the start of a project, a new beginning.

 

Full Moon

To collect Rain during the Full Moon is sacred waters to honor the Goddess.  A small shot glass of this water (properly filtered) can be added to one’s cleansing bath, or for blessing during a full moon ritual

Now some people will collect every rain water possible during a full moon but label it according to the season of the moon such as Wolf Moon,  Snow Moon to reflect the energy of that moon and month according to that time period of that quarterly season.

In other cases to collect rain water during the full moon but label it according the Solar Astrological sign we are in such as Aries, Libra, Scorpio, this is to work with the energy that is reflected in that sign.

Now that you have your Full Moon Water you can use it to clean  alter spaces and other things in your home by putting the water in your cleaning products. You can use 1 ounce (equal to 1 small shot glass or just a few drops). Its used to clean, bless and purify your alter supplies and items that sit on your alter.

Using herbs you can sprinkle the water on just about anything that you would like to be cleared of negativity. Often before a ritual you will see someone doing just this. Walking around the circle and sprinkling the ground with water. The Full Moon Water can also be used for divination, child blessings, pet blessings, and even a few drops in your bath water before an important event or ritual. I have also seen a few drops mixed with wine or mead in ritual. There are hundreds of uses for the Full Moon Water

Waning Moon-

Rain waters collected during this time is good for getting rid of things, banishings, purging of negativity.

Moon water has many purposes and uses.  It can be used like blessing oil. It can be used to enhance your spells and rituals; it can be added to your bath for relaxation, for clarity, to promote love or prepare for lunar rituals, to anoint money to increase wealth, and to anoint yourself to increase psychic awareness, among many other purposes or water your plants with it. It’s only water. It is largely dependent on your intent and often what zodiac sign the moon is in.

Water that is not rain water but bottled water from a natural filtration system can be made into Moon water to make tea with.   I will cover that in another post.

 The next set of Rain Waters deal with the Elements

ELEMENTAL RAINS

 Lightening Storm or Lightening Snow

I have always felt for the most powerful of waters the water collected during a lightning storm has the greatest energy. This is especially true for Lightening Snow storms, primarily because they are so rare. I never knew of Lightening Snow Stores but one of my Granny’s ladies lived back east and when she saw it for the first time, throwing on her coat and rain boots, she ran out with a huge bowl and collected it.

 

 

Her husband had to drag her indoors so she left her bowl out there to be filled to overflowing with this specially charged type of water

 With the water collected from a Snow lighting storm its best to store it in a white glass bottle, or a clear bottle covered with either white paper or the whitest cloth to be found.

With a powerful lighting storm one can store it in a black bottle or a dark brown bottle covered with black paper.

These types of waters can be used to empower any spell or prayer. Use it in a bath to re-energize your being, or to aid in a ritual for clearing and cleansing yourself, an area or any object.

The most powerful that I have ever collected was lighting storm on Samhain, you can imagine what uses one could do with that.

 

 Wind, Tornado, Hurricane Storm

 Water collected during a wind storm, especially a Tornado or Hurricane Storm, should be stored in a blue glass bottle. It can be used to empower spells for moving things forward. Such as letting go of the past and moving forward in your life.  Use it for getting out of a rut or changing a pattern you don’t like.  Or for helping a project move forward and get beyond any current blocks.

However if you are in the path of the Hurricane or Tornado, look for safe shelter. 

Rain & Sun Storm

 Rain collected when the sun is shining is a very rare thing, but it does happen.  I’ve had it happen on occasion during unexpected Summer storms with nary a cloud in the sky.

This water  can be used to balance energies when you’re feeling weighed down, or flighty and scattered in your thoughts. It should be stored in a dark green glass bottle.

 Rainbow Water---Aurora

This is very unusual, and it has only happened to me just once, it was one of those Summer storms where the Sun is shining which I thought was wonderful but just as I put my bowl out and collected a cup of water I saw that there was also a rainbow that lasted throughout the entire summer shower.

I used a few drops of this water to bless a baby, and she grew up to be a very artistically talented person; that was over 30 years ago, I decided to call this type of rain water Aurora water.

Hail Storm

I have mixed feelings on how to collect this type of water.  Some people say that Rain collected from a hail storm is the only time a metal bowl should be used, preferably an iron bowl should be used and the water should not stay in the bowl for longer than 3 to 6 hours.

 

But I have collected Hail in a glass bowl and other times in a white ceramic bowl and have not had problems, but that is because where I live when there’s hail it is the size of peas.  

Now unless the hail comes down the size of golf balls---THEN I’d recommend the Iron bowl, but usually most people don’t have that, but a clean cast iron skillet or Dutch oven works just as well.  I have one that has a crack in it that is no longer useful for cooking I cleaned it thoroughly and loaned it to a friend of mine who was going back east and while visiting friends there came down a hail storm, she put out the loaned pot because the hail stones were Huge.    She let the hail melt a bit at a time in the pot and poured it into dark brown clean beer bottles, and brought this bottled hail water home.

She has used it and I have too. 

Allow any hail collected to melt before storing. It should be stored in a black or very dark brown bottle. It can be used for dispelling psychic attacks or negative energies that have been sent to you from another. It is also the best form of rain to use for 'black' magik rituals designed to destroy your enemies or negative forces that stand in your way.

And if you have ever been hit by hail you know why it’s good for that.

 

Now the next part is collecting rain water from living things such as flowers and trees

The easiest waters to collect from a flower is collecting it from roses---

Now why roses---because roses are sacred to the female energy or as some people would say to the Goddess, if you are of Catholic beliefs or are a “Christian (catholic) Witch” you know that the Rose is sacred to Holy Mother Mary, because the rock rose is a 5 petaled flower, representing the 4 elements and spirit or will.  The Scent of Rose Water is also her sacred scent. 

Also Roses hold up well being shaken to release the rain water collected among its flowers and leaves.

Rain water collected from roses can be collected directly into a bowl. Simply shake the water from the roses over the vessel of your choosing for collection.

So now what does the energy of each type of rose impart to the water.

RAIN WATER COLLECTED FROM ROSES

Black Roses

 While black roses aren’t truly black, remember that the intent is what generates energy. Hybrid roses that marketed as “black” carry with them the intent of being a live black variation of the rose.

Look for roses to plant in your garden that are of very dark hue or use the word black in its description

Rain water from black roses should be stored in a black or very dark red bottle. It can be used for  warding off negative energies, overcoming hatred,  depression and miserly. If used in a ritual for undoing, you can create energies to reverse these emotions.

 

Pink Roses

Rain water from pink roses should be stored in a dark pink bottle. It can be used for matters of protection and compassion.

 Purple Roses

Rain water from purple roses should be stored in a dark purple bottle. It can be used for matters of divination. Such as working to identify your psychic ability, developing your talent and learning the wisdom of divination.

You might even like to sprinkle a little on your table used for divination to enhance your connection to the tool being used and the topic or client you’re performing the reading for.

Red Roses

Rain water from red roses should be stored in a red bottle. It can be used for matters of love and commitment.

 White Roses

Rain water from white roses should be stored in a white bottle. It can be used for protection and any general spiritual matter. Such as communicating with spirit, working on raising energies for meditation or bringing a greater sense of Divinity into your being.

 Yellow Roses

 Rain water from yellow roses should be stored in a yellow bottle. It can be used for bringing success to any kind of venture. Such as a court case, a new business plan, looking for a job and so on.

Multi-colored Roses

 Rain water from multi-colored roses take on the properties of both colors. For instance, a white rose with dark red trim, would infuse both the essence of communication from spirit with the love and commitment.  Those with the combination of red or white with orange for success, look at the color listings on my pages links and you will see what color combinations that can be developed for these types of waters.

Dew, Rain or Snow from Trees

Rain collected from a tree is similar to collecting from a rose. Depending on the energy of the tree, will depend on what the rain is used for in rituals.  In general, a bottle in any variation of green can be used

for storing Rain water from trees. But you can also use a color that distinguishes the tree itself, such as a white bottle for birch trees, or greenish-blue for a Blue Spruce and so on.

If you do not want to go that far in collecting bottles you can tie a ribbon to the neck of the bottle, but the easiest is to simply label your bottle.

Ash Trees

 The Ash represents balance, spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The ash is a strong wood, and even its most slender limbs are hard to break. As such it also represents strength, endurance and getting back on your feet.

Birch Trees

The birch tree is a totem tree of Celtic shamans. It is seen as the “World Tree,” the axis upon which the universe spins upon. Rain water collected from a Birch tree can be used for fertility, inception, conception, cleansing, purification, birth and rebirth.

Elder Trees

The Elder tree represents death and regeneration, the Mother phase of the Goddess and wisdom. Rain water from an Elder tree can be used for transformation, change, communication with spirits. It also represents Gods rebirth and can be used for regeneration or starting over.

Holly Trees

Holly trees represent the physical world, authority, courage, soldiers/warriors, male sexuality and energy. Rain water from Holly Trees can be used to improve physical energy, provide support for taking on tasks as a leader or in positions of authority.

 Oak Trees

The oak tree is seen as the “door” between the light and dark halves of the year. It is the door of protection between the physical and spiritual worlds, as well as, between home and the outside world. A view that is still practiced today. Rain water from Oak trees can be used for protection, setting shields around yourself, home or a circle for spiritual work.

This short list gives you an idea, there are many more which I will list on a separate post about the uses of trees in magic. 

So if you know what type of tree you are near that is covered with rain or snow, gather its waters and put it into a green bottle until you’ve had a chance to see what its magical properties are.

 RAIN WATER FROM THE GROUND

The next part is about collecting Rain Water from the ground, now the reason for this is sometimes because of work or other events that keep you indoors you may not have a chance to go out and collect

water from a bountiful rain fall.  Or there is a type of rain water that you seek for a special use.  In that case you are looking at collecting rain water from the ground.

Rain water collected from the ground can also provide varying forms of energy. Strong rain storms that generate a flow of water down a driveway, road, or yard will pick up additional energy from that area. For instance water from a flow of rain through a yard will pick up energy from the grass and soil as well.

But you are cautioned to remember that whatever was on the ground will also be in the water you collect. This is the one time that I strongly suggest filtering your collection before you store it. And because this is from unusual circumstances you can use a plastic bottle or small jug.

Concrete Driveways

 Rain water collected from a concrete driveway should be stored in a sand colored bottle or crock. It can be used to bind things together. Such as binding yourself to a job. Or binding a family together.

Asphalt Roads or Parking Lots

 Rain water collected from asphalt should be stored in a gray bottle. It can be used to remove negative energies. Or sending negative energies back from where they came. Remember there will be motor oil in these areas DO NOT DRINK!

Dirt Roads

 Rain water from a dirt road should be stored in a brown bottle and can be used to promote a sense of “getting back to nature”. It can be used to promote travel and to create energy for a safe trip.

When I see rain water from a dirt road I’m reminded of that song “Take Me Home, Country Roads, Where I Belong….” 

 Grass Lawns/Fields

 Rain water collected from a grassy area should be stored in a green bottle and can be used to promote physical healing of the body.

 Dew, Rain or Snow From the Beach

Rain water falling at the beach has always had a sense of purity to it. It can often feel refreshing, cleansing and re-energizing. There’s nothing like a lightning storm at the beach. And all this promotes an additional element of energy in the rain. . Whither it's collected directly from the sky, a flow  of rain water from the sand, or directly from the edge of the surf.

Collecting it from a hotel or motel balcony or patio won’t do. You’ll need to be at the beach itself.

Now I know why would I want to collect rain water that is falling at a beach?  There is plenty of Ocean water---that is true but the combination of energies of the two types of water is very heady and it can vary depending on where you are in the world. It can be used to for clearing, cleansing and re-energizing your overall physical, emotional and spiritual being. It promotes a sense of serenity and relaxation.

And if you have the extra kick of a lighting storm it can be very powerful in dealing with the sea Goddesses.   Another thing to take into consideration is the mood of the Ocean when it is raining, is it violent, re-energizing, invigorating, moody this also needs to be taken into consideration when collecting this rain water, meditate, reach out and feel the mood, and add that to the label on the bottle

The Rain water should be stored in a sea colored bottle

Dew, Rain or Snow from A Building or Object

 Collecting Rain water from a building can be tricky. Try looking for a place where the building has a seam of some kind. It’s usually one of the easiest places where you can get a bottle or collector that will allow rain to pour directly into your container. Buildings also have edges or rough profiles where snow can stick to the building.

It’s hard to place a container next to the building and collect the Rain water. Because of this, you can use a tool to collect rain. Try using a funnel to place against the building and funnel the flow into your bottle. Finding a place that ‘drips’ is also good. But try not to take drippings from a roof you don’t want to fall and hurt yourself. The best and safest way to collect snow from a building is to brush it off a window ledge.

Or during a rain storm if you have a chance, see what would be the best way to collect the water, sometimes one gets lucky and a nice puddle forms on the ground that the building is built upon, so water can be collected from that.

 Professional Buildings

 Rain water collected from a business building should be stored in a bottle that matches the color of the building. It can be used to empower a ritual or spell designed to match the purpose of the business. For instance, collecting rain from your bank can be used to promote financial abundance. From a court house, it can be used to promote success in a legal matter. From a hospital to promote healing

I know of one practioner who collected rain water from the Coroner’s office (this was done at night), she used it for some negative magic, but I warned her that she could have a back lash, she did but was prepared for it. And she managed to collect rain water from a Police Station, she sat outside and told anyone who asked she was waiting for someone to pick her up, she had a small plastic bowl which she manage to collect 4 ounces of water.

Monuments

 Rain water collected from a monument, such as a historical site; should be stored in a copper colored  bottle. Copper green can also be used, this is that natural color copper turns to when it ages. It can be used for rituals of remembrance.

Gravestones

 

Rain water collected from a gravestone or mausoleum, should be stored in a black glass bottle. Most people think of this as a negative collection; but a gravestone is erected to remember a loved one. So this Rain water can be used to ease a loss, to put things to rest, to bury a long held emotional hurt or to bury feelings that one desires to let go.

House

 Rain water collected from a home should be stored in a blue bottle. It can be used to create a sense of security, safety and harmony. If you’re hoping to buy a new home, and have an opportunity to collect Rain water from that home, it can be used to promote a connection to the space and set an energy of possession over the property. An “it’s my new home” type of connection to promote the purchase of the home. Of course you’ll want to get permission from the current resident.  Or you can go to a building development where they are building new homes and collect the ground rain water from that area, if this is where you want to live.

 FINAL NOTE ON RAIN WATER----First this is by no means a definitive list, I’m sure you think of other types of rain water or where to be collected from.

Now if you’ve noticed I’ve included snow in some cases as a substitute for rain, this is because in many areas it gets so cold it doesn’t rain it snows---so snow should be equated as rain water as well, with the exception of Hail, that type of water has an entirely different energy.

And no matter what, do not drink this water, it is not for any brew or potion to be drunk, and no matter what all rain water should be filtered as a precaution.

Now there are other types of waters which I also call “Made Waters” and I will include that in my list of waters.

In my next few posts  I will talk about "Collected Waters" which are River Water, Lake Water, Ocean water,  Spring water, as well as  "Made Waters", and how to create "Moon Water" when there are no rains for that phase of the Moon and I will finish with what you can do with these waters depending upon your magickal intent.

Blessings Ms. Q