Water triggers magic in many different ways. From ancient legends and folklore to modern pop culture, water has always been associated with the mystical and the supernatural. It is often seen as a conduit for accessing and harnessing magical powers. One of the most prevalent beliefs regarding water and magic is its ability to enhance psychic abilities. Many cultures believe that gazing into water can reveal hidden knowledge, such as glimpses into the future or the ability to communicate with spirits. The reflective nature of water is thought to amplify one's intuition and open up channels of spiritual insight.
Now the sun has descended into the realm of the underworld, the forces of the underworld were in the ascendency. The lord of the underworld, unfettered from the control of the sun, now walked the earth and with him travelled all those other creatures from the abode of the dead. Ghosts, fairies and a host of other non-descript creatures went with him. The Lord of the Dead in Celtic mythology can be identified as Donn.
The Mound of the Hostages is 4,500 to 5000 years old, suggesting that Samhain was celebrated long before the first Celts arrived in Ireland about 2,500 years ago. Set the intention of cleansing, purifying, or letting go of the negative things in your life, and move through the ceremony or ritual with that intention in mind.
The reflective nature of water is thought to amplify one's intuition and open up channels of spiritual insight. In addition to its association with psychic abilities, water is also believed to possess its own magical properties. The belief in the healing power of water is widespread, with many people seeking solace in its calming and purifying effects.
Samhain/Halloween Rituals for Honoring the Dead
I've been a practicing witch for a good portion of my life, but throughout the years, I haven't always been great about celebrating every single Sabbat (pagan holiday). Halloween, however, has been the one exception. It's called Samhain (pronounced sow-en or sow-een) in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, which is what my spiritual practice is based around, and it's one of the holiest days of the year. Samhain actually marks the Celtic New Year, the final harvest before Earth truly descents into winter, darkness, and death. At this closing, ancient Celts (and modern Pagans) believe the boundaries between the living world and spirit realm are thinnest and our ancestors may walk among us or communicate with us more easily than any other time of year.
The tradition of dressing up and wearing costumes comes from pagan practices of dressing as animals or ancestors to communicate with them and invoke their wisdom during this sacred time. Mexicans paint skulls on their faces to honor and invoke their dead loved ones during Dia de los Muertes. Christians honor their saints and celebrate All Saints Day.
The greatest loss I've experienced in my lifetime was my Nana, my paternal grandmother, when I was eleven. She lived with us and was essentially my mother as my own was not very present in my life. She was a devout Catholic and while I never really connected with Christianity for a multitude of reasons (even though we went to church regularly in my youth), something permanently severed for me after her death. I couldn't force myself to believe in a God who would take such a devout woman from us, a woman who was practically the center of my world. It just didn't make sense to me. It was around this time I began to explore other spiritual paths and I found one that centered on nature, that revered women, and that honored the loved ones who had passed on - without requiring belief of a higher power. That's an oversimplification of what paganism is, but it's what initially drew me to it.
My Samhain altar.Anyway, ever since I can remember, I've honored my Nana in some way on Halloween/Samhain, talking to her, updating her on my life, thanking her for the time we had together. Over the years, I have added other loved ones who have passed on into my rituals, visiting their graves when weather permits and talking to them too. If you'd like to incorporate honoring the dead into your life, here are a few suggestions:
- Create an ancestor altar in your home with photos and keepsakes
- Add photos and keepsakes of your ancestors and deceased loved ones to your "main" altar
- Do a ritual at their grave (see mine below)
- Can't get to their grave? Light a candle or incense for them at home and meditate, picturing them in your mind and catch them up on your life, ask for their guidance
Our ancestor altar at our wedding.
What follows is the ritual I created in 2007 and have followed ever since. I tend to work with Greek and Celtic gods and goddesses as a way of directing and envisioning a particular energy or emotion, but please feel free to adapt this to your own spiritual practices, whether you're pagan or not, and whether you're doing this graveside or not. I do not believe anyone needs to define themself as a part of a larger religious group to be spiritual, nor do I believe any ritual needs to be followed to a T or done in a specific way. Honoring your dead is very personal and you should do what feels comfortable and right for you.
Samhain Graveside Ritual
Supplies Needed:
- bowl or shaker of salt
- incense
- black or blue candle
- blessed water (could be blessed by the full moon or infused with the powers of herbs or crystals or holy water)
- pentacle
The Ritual:
1. Stand in front of the grave and center yourself with three deep breaths. Then say:
Hecate, Goddess of Night, Magic, Mother of the Dead, hear my plea ~
Pass on my message of love
To those you have taken from me.
Let the elements dance around
The body of [loved one's name] buried in this ground.
2. Sprinkle salt around the grave, saying:
Earth ~
For the ground in which [name] rests,
That once ran beneath [his/her/their] feet,
I beseech thee ~
3. Light your incense and walk with it around the grave, saying:
Air ~
For the time we spent breathing in the same,
And the wisdom [name] passed on to me,
I beseech thee ~
4. Light your candle and walk with it around the grave, saying:
Fire ~
For the passion and love that burned within [name]'s heart,
And for the warmth they brought into my life that I will never forget,
I beseech thee ~
5. Sprinkle water around the grave, saying:
Water ~
For the many tears I have shed,
Each a memory I'll never forget,
I beseech thee ~
6. Now is a good time to share remembrances, thanks, things you wish you had said, and catch your loved one up on your life. It's okay to cry!
7. Once you're ready to say goodbye again, hold your pentacle to the sky or put it on the grave and say:
Spirit ~
Take my words with thee,
With Hecate's torches, let [name] see
All that [she/he/they] meant to me.
Let [him/her/them], for this night, roam free
Let them commune with me
Until the Witching Hour is known,
Then let [name] return to [his/her their] earthly home.
So mote it be!
Lead photo credit: Caroline Attwood via Unsplash
So there are lots of ways these festivals and their rituals overlap. That’s probably due to them all being celebrated near the end of the year, close to each other. Looking through all of this stuff you can really start to get a sense of the connections between Day of the Dead, Halloween/Samhain, The Winter Solstice/Yule, and the end of the year celebrations we all generally take part in.
From ancient rituals of bathing in sacred springs to modern-day spa treatments, water is seen as a source of rejuvenation and renewal. Water is also closely tied to the element of emotion. Just as water can be calm and peaceful, it can also be powerful and destructive. In many magical traditions, water is seen as a representation of the unconscious mind and the realm of emotions. It is believed that by working with water, one can tap into the depths of their emotions and harness their power for magical purposes. Furthermore, water is often a key component in various magical practices, such as spellcasting and divination. Whether it is using water to scry for answers or incorporating water into potions and rituals, it is believed that water has the ability to amplify and magnify the intentions and energies that are infused into it. The act of working with water can bring about transformation and manifestation, making it a potent tool for practitioners of magic. In conclusion, water is a powerful element that triggers magic in various ways. It enhances psychic abilities, possesses its own mystical properties, represents the realm of emotions, and serves as a key component in many magical practices. Whether it is used for healing, divination, or spellcasting, water is a source of ancient wisdom and power that continues to captivate the human imagination..
Reviews for "The Power of Water Spells: Manifesting Your Desires Through Liquid Magic"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Water triggers magic". The concept had so much potential, but the execution was lacking. The world-building felt weak and underdeveloped, and the characters were one-dimensional. The plot was also predictable and cliché. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - I had high hopes for "Water triggers magic", but it fell short for me. While the magical elements were interesting, the pacing was slow and it took a while for the story to hook me. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and unnecessary. I found myself losing interest at times and struggling to finish the book. Although it had some redeeming qualities, I wouldn't consider it a standout in the fantasy genre.
3. Emma - 2.5 stars - "Water triggers magic" didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was average, and I felt disconnected from the characters. The world-building lacked depth and left many unanswered questions. The plot felt scattered and lacked a cohesive flow. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left something to be desired. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.