Christan Witch

Historically the festival was celebrated throughout Ireland, Scotland (where it’s called Samhuinn or Oidhche Samhuinn), and the Isle of Man (Sauin). The people of Brittany, Wales, and Cornwall acknowledged a very similar festival called Kalan Goañv (in Brittany), Calan Gaeaf (in Wales), and Kalan Gwav (in Cornwall).

Samhain’s earliest known mention is found in ancient Irish literature from the 9th century. The tale Tochmarc Emire (the Wooing of Emer) describes the festival as being 'the first of the four seasonal festivals of the year' and as a time of communal gatherings, feasts, and remembrance. This would have been the time of year when the preparations for the long stretch of winter were wrapping up. In these times, the lives of the people in these areas changed from season to season. The harvests that came throughout the year would now provide the sustenance needed to survive the dark days of winter, during which there would be little-to-no hunting and gathering.

Though today Samhain is most popularly celebrated on a fixed date (the 31st of October into the 01st of November in the northern hemisphere, and the 30th of April into the 01st of May in the southern hemisphere), this would not have been the case for the progenitors of this holiday. The festival would have fallen on (or very near) the midway point between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice. It also lasted for more than the one or two days over which it is commonly celebrated now. In most references found, Samhain was observed for a period of at least three days to even a month. Some reconstructionist practitioners and native Irish and Scottish folk practitioners therefore observe Samhain over a longer period, and some have noted that they mark Samhain from the New Moon before the 31st of October to the New Moon after.

SAMHAIN CUSTOMS & TRADITIONS:

Samhain is, hands down, the most widely celebrated of the Gaelic festivals today. It was the ancient New Year for the Gaelic people, the ending of one year and the coming of the next. This is how Samhain came to be known in modern times as the Witches’ New Year, as many modern practitioners of witchcraft all around the world make it a point to observe Samhain.

However, the Samhain that many people acknowledge today is more rooted in the Christianization of the tradition, which birthed the holiday of All Saints’ Day/All Souls’ Day, and not in the ancient Gaelic pagan festival. This has certainly birthed more than a bit of confusion and misinformation about Samhain, its history and origins, and its traditions.

So, how can Samhain be observed today in a way that takes roots in historical Gaelic practices?

Bonfires

Bonfires were lit for many ancient festivals. The fire has significance and power, the power to cleanse away any ill-fortune, to banish evil, and to protect the land and its people from malicious forces.

It’s believed that the central Samhain bonfire in Ireland was, historically, on the Hill of Tlachtga near the town of Athboy in County Meath, which is known as the Hill of Ward. Smaller towns and villages would have a central bonfire, from which the fire would be taken by torch to every house in the area, and that house’s fire would be lit with the sacred, protective fire from the ritual bonfire.

Many people still light bonfires (or light a smaller campfire or fireplace) as a way of marking Samhain.

Spirits & Ancestors

Samhain occurs during a liminal time of year, when ‘the veil’ between our world and the Otherworld, the spirit realms, is believed to be thinner than usual. This means that this is a time when it is easier for the dead and other spirits to come forth and communicate, and for spirits, including the Aos sí or sìth, to travel among us. This is a time when those who aren’t practiced in spirit work and those who don’t have the ability of second sight will be more likely to see, speak to, and interact with these forces than they otherwise would.

For this reason, Samhain is a time when one’s ancestors are honored. Many make offerings to the dead, nowadays commonly in the form of flowers, food, and alcohol. It’s also an ideal time for ancestral work. If you’ve wanted to bring ancestral work into your practice but not known exactly when to start or how to do so, Samhain is a great time for exploring that because it will be easier to make contact with those ancestors you seek and to reach out and form the bonds needed to carry on with ancestral work. (Check out my piece on ‘Ancestral Work for Beginners’ for more information.)

Dumb Suppers

Dumb Suppers are a more modern tradition associated with Samhain, but one which comes from the belief that Samhain is a time during which communications with spirits is more accessible. A Dumb Supper in this context (not to be confused with the traditional divination rite by the same name, which you can find more information about in this piece — the Dumb Supper Divination Rite) is a silent feast for the dead, in which you prepare a meal (if reaching out to particular ancestors, you prepare a meal with some of their favorite foods or traditional foods from their time and culture) and you leave an empty seat open with a place set for whatever spirit(s) you’re trying to honor or whoever else may take a fancy to drop in for a bite.

Traditionally, a door or window (or all the doors and windows) are left unlocked so the spirit can enter easily. I know some practitioners who leave their doors and windows unlocked all night. More power to ‘em, but not in my neck of the woods. Practice with caution, friends.

As the Dumb Supper is a silent feast, no one speaks. The silence serves as a gesture of respect and to signify the sanctity of the event. It’s also believed that silence makes it more inviting for the spirits to come forth and makes them feel like it will be easier for them to be noticed and heard.

In some traditions, a plate is prepared for the spirits and is left out after the supper for the whole night, either just outside of the house or on the table. No one living is allowed to eat of this food, as it’s believed by many that if one does eat that which is designated for the dead that they’ll be denied any food or even food offerings from descendants in their afterlife.

(For more information on hosting a Dumb Supper as a means of communicating with spirits or honoring ancestors, check out Dining with the Dead: the Dumb Supper.)

Feasts

As with the other major festivals of Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Imbolc, Samhain included a feast. This feast, however, was a bit riskier than those enjoyed on the other holidays because while there was joy in celebrating this communal gathering and the year that has passed and the new year to come, there was also fear of what winter would bring. No one had any way of knowing how difficult the coming season would be, so it was a risk to hold a feast when the food used could have instead been added to the supplies for winter.

Feasts, though, were a fixture of Samhain festivities and still are to this day. Many practitioners now host them on a smaller scale, celebrating with a dinner amongst friends and family instead of a grand affair involving their entire neighborhood or town. That being said, there are still areas that host communal Samhain gatherings and dinners.

Mumming & Guising

Here lie the origins of Halloween trick-or-treating, dressing up in costume, and making jack-o’-lanterns.

Guising was the act of putting on a disguise or costume, which was intended to conceal one’s identity and protect them from the sìth but also to protect them from any repercussions that may come as a result of their Samhain pranks, thievery, and trickery, which was a very popular pastime amongst the youth, much like the modern Halloween acts of pranks or 'Halloween tricks' that are still popular today (i.e. spooky pranks, scaring people in good fun, egging or toilet papering houses, etc.).

Mumming is the custom of merrily parading in guise and visiting the houses of one’s neighbors, where one would recite whatever chant or prologue was related to the holiday in their customs (much like how children say ‘trick or treat’ at every door on Halloween). Food or drinks were offered to the parade of mummers.

The origins of mumming are believed to be found in the Roman festivals for Saturnalia, during which masked parades were organized as part of the revelry, as far back as 400 b.c. Traditionally throughout Ireland and Scotland, Samhain guisers would have been dressed as spirits or as figures in nature, such as trees, animals, and plants.

Jack-o’-lanterns come from the tradition of guising as well. Those who would go guising would prepare a lamp made from a hollowed-out turnip with a hole in the front, in which a lit candle or burning coal was placed to provide light in the dark night.

Divination

Divinatory practices and divination games are also associated with Samhain. The Samhain bonfires were often featured in the divination rituals and games — some games involved running around the fire and singing and cheering, others involved throwing nuts into the flames and reading their behavior.

Preparing Soddag Valloo (‘dumb cake’) is a traditional method of Samhain divination originating on the Isle of Man. There were a few other cake-related and food-related methods of divination throughout Ireland, Scotland, and England as well, which you can find, along with other Samhain divination customs, in – ‘Traditional Samhain Divination Customs’.

Alcohol

Heavy drinking wasn’t uncommon at Samhain gatherings. Traditionally, ale was served. In many modern practices, that’s still the case. Some practitioners have taken to using apple-based liquors in keeping with the seasonal abundance of apples. In the southern US, bourbon, whiskey, and rum are popular fixtures.

It’s a common practice to present alcoholic drinks as an offering to the dead, but it was also a traditional offering to local spirits and síth when bargaining during Samhain for safety through the winter.

CELEBRATING SAMHAIN TODAY:

There are many ways one can observe Samhain today. As I’ve gone over in this piece, many of the traditions of the ancient Samhain festival have given life to practices associated with this time of year, modern Samhain practices, and Halloween.

Maybe you’d like to forego the modern Halloween and pay the ancient festival of Samhain some love, but you’re not sure where to start. If that’s the case, start with whatever you can easily incorporate into your observance.

If you live in an area where you can have a bonfire or light your fireplace, that’s a great tradition to keep. Having fire alone enables you to invoke protection, to take part in select divination practices, and to perform some ancestral or spirit work, as many practitioners of that craft use fire in their work.

Hosting a feast, holiday dinner, family meal, or dumb supper is an easy and familiar way to bring Samhain into your life.

Some people host Samhain costume parties, complete with divination games and bonfires.

Paying respects to your ancestors and speaking to them, reaching out to them, is another way to observe Samhain, and it can be done as simply or as elaborately as you like — from a simple ‘hey, how are you? Here’s a bouquet of flowers. Know that you’re remembered’ to a dumb supper, or maybe a séance. Whatever way you feel comfortable reaching out, that’s the best place to start.

In whichever way you chose to mark Samhain, it’s important that we don’t forget where the festival and its traditions originate, and that we treat the customs and those who keep these traditions living with respect. We shouldn’t erase the roots of the holiday. Quite the opposite, we should honor those who brought this festival into the world. They may not be biological ancestors to all observers of Samhain, but they are in essence spiritual ancestors, and they should be honored and acknowledged for the traditions they’ve bequeathed the world.

Happy holidays.

SOURCES & FURTHER READING:

'Carmina Gadelica, Vol. II' - Carmichael, Alexander

'Celtic Folklore: Welsh and Manx' - Rhys, John

‘Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore’ – Monaghan, Patricia

'the Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion' - Frazer, James George; Sir

Jones' Celtic Encyclopedia: Samhain

'Myth, Legend, and Romance: An Encyclopaedia of Irish Folk Tradition' - Ó hÓgáin, Dáithí; Prof.

Mumming - Encyclopedia.com

 ‘Old Scottish Customs: Local and General’ – Guthrie, E.J.

Sweep the Haints Away

This is a practice that seems to have spread through the Southern Appalachian states (particularly Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and parts of Georgia) from their mountain regions.

It’s believed that you can take your broom, open the doors to the house, and sweep the haints — a southern term for ghosts that comes from Gullah Geechee people [3] — out of the home, along with sweeping away ill health, bad fortune, and money problems.

This is to be done in the days before Halloween and never on Halloween, for doing so on Halloween is believed to sweep out all the good health and good fortune along with the bad.

It's also taught that you can distract haints from causing mischief or harm in your home is you leave a newspaper out for them to read. Some recommend taping newspaper pages up on your door or wall on Halloween, while others say that leaving a newspaper open on the porch or stoop is enough to distract the haints from entering the home.

Jack-o’-Lanterns

Jack-o’-lanterns have a role like that of gargoyles on cathedrals, believed to scare away malevolent or evil spirits that might otherwise decide to come for a visit. Some beliefs see the jack-o’-lantern as offering lights to guide the wandering spirits along on Halloween night.

The practice of carving jack-o’-lanterns was brought stateside by Cornish, Welsh, Irish, and Scottish [4] immigrants , though turnips (and sometimes beets) were used instead of pumpkins before the practice came our way. The turnip versions of a jack-o'-lantern were called tumshies and tumshie lanterns in Scotland. Pumpkins were the American spin and have become, arguably, some of the most iconic and recognizable Halloween-related imagery in the world.

The Widdereshins Walk

Some believe that the key to protecting the home from evil spirits is to walk around the home — some say backwards, some say counterclockwise, and some say both backwards and counterclockwise — before sunset on Halloween. This is said to ward away evil from that night on until Halloween comes again.

The name widdershins walk comes from the German term 'widdershins,' meaning to move in a counter-clockwise direction or to move in the opposite direction of usual. Widdershins is from the Middle Low German weddersinnes, which means "against the way" [5].

Halloween Divination in Southern Appalachia:

Divining with Three Bowls

This is a custom very likely stems from a three-bowl Scottish divining custom, which you'll find more about below.

What to do:

-Take three bowls and fill one with water, one with watered-down whiskey or wine, and one with vinegar.

-The player of this ‘divination game’ enters the room with their eyes closed or blindfolded and are guided to the bowls.

-They dip their finger into one of the bowls, and whichever bowl they choose foretells their fate.

Choosing the bowl of water means that one will lead a peaceful life without upheaval or strife.

Choosing the bowl of watered-down whiskey or wine means that one is to come into money or know monetary abundance, that one is to travel, and that one will have a grand life.

Choosing the bowl of vinegar denotes that one will be poor.

Now, what the bowls are filled with varies from one region to the next, but where I’m from (and per my grandmother's stories), it's most common to use water, watered-down wine or whiskey, and vinegar. In some areas, just wine is used in the second bowl, and milk or dishwater is used instead of vinegar.

This custom seems to hail from a Scottish folk practice of divining what one’s future spouse will be like. In this version, the first two bowls are filled with clean water and dirty water (respectively) and the third bowl is left empty. The clean water promises an attractive, young, bachelor or maid. The dirty water foretells a widow or widower. The empty bowl means that you’ll remain unmarried.

There is also an Irish divination game, púicíní, similar to this, in which an array of plates or saucers are used instead of three bowls. An item would be placed on each saucer for a blindfolded (the name púicíní comes from the Irish word for blindfolds) player to choose from. The items were traditionally a ring, rosary beads, water, a lump or bit of clay, a bean or pea, and a coin. Whichever item was chosen foretold the player's future — the ring meant one would marry, the rosary beads meant that one would be taking holy orders, the water meant that one would emigrate elsewhere, the clay foretold of death, the bean or pea warned of poverty or monetary loss, and the coin promised wealth or monetary gain. [6]

Divining with a Candle and Mirror

This is a simple form of mirror scrying using any ordinary mirror and a candle. It’s said that if you stand in front of a mirror in a dark room while holding a candle at midnight, you will see your future play out (or some symbol of your future) in the mirror, appearing over your left shoulder.

Halloween greeting card, 1904.

This divination could be performed at any time of the year, but is strongly associated with Halloween and New Year as this was when it was most commonly performed.

Divining by a Ring and Flour

This is another Appalachian divination game that comes from Scotland, Ireland, and England. It's used to foretell whom amongst a group will be the first to marry. Simply hide a wedding ring in a pile of flour and let the unmarried folk have at it! Whoever finds the ring will be the first to marry among them.

Bobbing for Apples

When bobbing for apples, the first to bite an apple and pick it up in their mouth will marry within the year.

Old English print included in 'the Book of Hallowe'en,' 1919.

My grandmother used to play this as a child. This divination game was also played in Scotland, Ireland, Newfoundland, and England. Apple bobbing was introduced to those regions by the Romans, from whom this divination custom hails. [7][8]

Catch an Apple, Catch Your Soulmate / Snap Apple

Similar to apple bobbing, snap apple is a game played to catch apples. Instead of the apple floating in water, though, the apples are tied to strings or ribbons, hanging from a stick or from the ceiling or rafters. The apple is then named the apple for your intended. If you can catch the apple in your mouth and take a bite, your love is meant to be.

Halloween Customs of Southern Appalachia Involving Spirits & Food:

The Last Supper

Where this custom originated, I can’t rightly say. I know of it being practiced in areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina, and it may be practiced elsewhere as well.

It’s said that if you’ve had a haint in the home, then Halloween is the perfect time to ease them out the door. One of the methods of ridding the home of a ghost, spirit, or haint is to include them in a meal. It shouldn’t be just any old meal, but a special one, like a holiday meal or a Sunday supper with all the fixings. Include a seat at the table for the spirit, serve up a plate of food for said spirit, and go on about enjoying your meal as normal with your household.

When dinner is over, you tilt the spirit’s chair to lean forward against the dining table. This leaves the spirit with nowhere to sit. Some practices also call for tipping/leaning all the chairs in the house or filling them with items so the spirit can’t find anywhere else to make itself comfortable. Other practices call for closing the doors that lead from the dining area into the rest of the house before putting the spirit’s chair out of commission. This way, the spirit can’t just leave the room and flit off elsewhere in the house before you open the nearest door or window leading outside.

You can usher the spirit out with your words, but you should do so kindly. In the south, we’re not like to rush anyone off, even haints. It’s rude and inhospitable.

To keep the spirit (or any unwanted company, for that matter) from returning to your home, sprinkle black pepper on the floor after they’ve left and sweep it out through the door they left by.

Food Offerings for Spirits

This is less commonly practiced in more populated areas of Southern Appalachia these days, but it can’t be left out. You know how at Christmas some children leave out cookies and brandy or milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeers? Well, in Southern Appalachia some folk leave food out on Halloween as an offering to the spirits out roaming. Sometimes this is food made specifically for that reason (pies or cakes, cookies, sweet breads), and sometimes this is a portion of what was had for dinner and/or dessert that night.

It’s believed that leaving a plate of food outside of the house for the spirits on Halloween night will keep the more troublesome spirits from stopping in at your house for good. This custom likely hails from Ireland, where it's still practiced by some.

Spooky Southern Appalachian Dream Lore:

(Note: While only a couple of these dream beliefs pertain explicitly to Halloween, I selected a few that fit general spooky Halloween themes of spirits and death. These beliefs may be shared throughout various southern folk practices and some beliefs might differ from region to region.)

Morning dreams come true, and dreams on Halloween morning will bring twice as much happiness, sadness, or wealth as your dream promised.

If you want to keep from dreaming or having nightmares on Halloween night (or any night, really), place both shoes under the foot of your bed before you go to sleep.

Dreaming of the dead (ghosts or spirits) is said to mean you’ll live a long life.

Dreaming of a dead person you knew is a sign that their soul needs prayers.

To dream of the dead means to hear from the living. (Expect news.)

Dreaming of a baby means you’ll soon hear of a death.

To see a coffin in your dream promises a death in the family.

Dreaming of an empty coffin is a bad sign.

Dreaming of a filled coffin is a good sign.

Dreaming of a black cat means that a relative or close friend of yours is a back-stabber.

To see a funeral procession in your dream is a portend of death to come.

To see a black horse in your dream is a sign of bad luck. To dream of a black horse on Halloween night is double the bad luck.

To see more than one moon in your dream is a sign of death to come.

Some Halloween-Related Superstitions & 'Granny Wisdom' of Southern Appalachia:

(Note: As with the dreams, not all of these will be specifically Halloween-related. Some of them will be about Southern Appalachian beliefs pertaining to spirits and spooky things in general but seemed fitting to include in this Halloween post.)

Those born on Halloween will have the ability to walk among/speak with spirits and will be gifted in the arts of divination.

Rocking an empty rocking chair (or letting it keep rocking after you’ve gotten up from it) invites spirits into the home (or invites them to take a seat).

If a wild bird gets loose in your house, it’s believed to be an omen of death.

Never go into a graveyard alone on Halloween night, lest the dead drag you down with them or you become possessed by a spirit. (I suppose no witnesses means that no one knows to do anything about it, leaving you a bit screwed.)

If you hear a dog howl three times on Halloween night, it means someone you know will die within the following year. (This may be a variation on the southern US superstition that hearing a dog howling three nights in a row is a portend of death.)

Painting your front door, porch floor/porch ceiling, or porch steps a certain shade of bright, paler blue (known as Haint Blue) will keep spirits from entering the home. This stems from the southern belief that spirits can’t cross some bodies of water. The blue is believed to symbolize water and confuse the spirits.

If you hear footsteps behind you on Halloween, don’t look back. It may be the dead following you and if you look at them, it’s believed they’ll have the chance to possess your body through your eyes.

If you hear someone say your name but no one’s near to say it, don’t answer. It’s believed it’s a spirit trying to gain power over you and answering them will allow them to follow you and torment you further.

If you think a spirit might have tried to follow you home, turn out your pockets and brush off your clothes before entering your house. This is believed to shake the spirit off of you.

Never loan anyone money on Halloween, or you’ll never get it back.

Hanging a mirror near your front door will help protect the home from evil spirits, said to confuse them upon entering the abode.

Opening the windows and covering the mirrors in the home of someone who has recently passed on will allow the spirit to move on from the house. Opening the windows helps them leave the home and covering the mirrors is believed to keep the spirit from getting confused or falling into the mirror and being stuck there.

CITATIONS, SOURCES, & FURTHER READING:

CITATIONS-

[1] Williams, John Alexander (2002, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press); 'Appalachia: A History'

[2] Abramson, Rusy and Haskell, Jean (2006, Knoxville; University of Tennessee Press); 'Encyclopedia of Appalachia'

[3] Robinson, Kelly (2004), 'The Haints of the South Carolina Lowcountry: History and Mystique'

[4] Hutton, Ronald (1996, Oxford University Press); 'The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain'

[5] [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widdershins]

[6] (2015, Irish Archaeology), [http://irisharchaeology.ie/2015/10/halloween-in-irish-folklore/]

[7] Johnson, Ben (2022); 'Halloween in Scotland' [https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Halloween-in-Scotland/]

[8] McDonnell, Ciara (2020); '5 Halloween Games to Play At Home This Week' [https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/advice/arid-40071011.html]

SOURCES & FURTHER READING: While the majority of what I've written of the customs and practices comes from family tales, I've included sources for the same or similar customs that readers are welcome to utilize if they wish to learn more about these traditions.

A History of Putnam County, Tennessee - McClain, Walter S.

Death, Witches, and Superstitions - Appalachian History

Eyes on the Rocks: Halloween in Appalachia - Richards, Jake

Heebie-Jeebies, Willies, All Overs, Jimmies, Shivers, Jimjams - Pressley, Tipper

The Frank C. Brown Collection of NC Folklore

'the Granny Curse' - Russell, Randy; Barnett, Janet

‘Kentucky Folklore’ – Alvey, R. Gerald

‘Kentucky Superstitions’ – Thomas, Daniel Lindsey, Ph.D.; Thomas, Lucy Blayney, M.A.

‘Old Scottish Customs: Local and General’ – Guthrie, E.J.

'Seedtime on the Cumberland' - Arnow, Harriette Louisa Simpson

We Hold Our Own: Protecting Hearth and Home in Southern Appalachia - Richards, Jake

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What is the Water Element

Water, as a natural element, holds myriad lessons that can enrich our lives in profound ways. One of the most significant teachings of water is the importance of being calm and collected. Much like a serene lake or a gentle stream, maintaining inner peace allows us to navigate the complexities of life with clarity and poise. This calmness isn't just about passivity; it also involves the ability to respond thoughtfully to various situations, ensuring that our actions are measured and deliberate.

However, water also emphasizes the importance of fluidity and adaptability. Just as water can take the shape of any container it is poured into, being adaptable allows us to respond to life's challenges with resilience and creativity. This flexibility also means knowing when to assert ourselves. Water, while often gentle, can also be powerful and unstoppable, as seen in floods. Learning when to unleash this strength is crucial—it teaches us that there are moments in life when we must stand firm and assert our boundaries or pursue our goals with unwavering determination.

Furthermore, water teaches the virtues of persistence and humility. Over time, even the softest water can wear down the hardest rock, symbolizing the power of persistence in achieving our goals. Yet, water's ability to humbly flow around obstacles rather than forcefully confronting them reminds us of the importance of humility. This balance of persistence and humility helps us understand our strengths and limitations, fostering personal growth and self-awareness. In essence, water's lessons encourage us to be adaptable, resilient, and self-aware, enriching our journey through life.

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Ways to pay tribute to the water spirit

Honoring teachings that emphasize connection with nature and self-awareness can be a deeply enriching experience. One profound way to do this is through emotion-based meditations. These meditations focus on acknowledging and understanding your emotions without judgment, allowing you to develop a deeper connection with your inner self. By regularly practicing emotion-based meditations, you can cultivate emotional intelligence and resilience, which are crucial components of personal growth and well-being.

Shadow work is another powerful method for honoring such teachings. This practice involves exploring the unconscious aspects of your personality—those parts of yourself that you may have repressed or denied. By bringing these shadows into the light, you can confront and integrate them, leading to profound self-awareness and healing. Shadow work encourages a holistic understanding of oneself, fostering a sense of acceptance and balance that aligns with the teachings of self-discovery and personal growth.

Engaging with nature through activities like swimming, boating, fishing, and exploring waterways can also serve as a meaningful tribute to these teachings. These activities not only provide physical benefits but also offer a spiritual connection to the natural world. Participating in beach cleanups is another excellent way to honor these teachings, as it demonstrates a commitment to preserving and respecting the environment. By actively participating in the care and restoration of natural spaces, you embody the principles of stewardship and mindfulness, creating a harmonious relationship with the world around you.

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Types of Divination

Various forms of divination involving water include water scrying, observing waves, interpreting rainfall, tracking storms, and analyzing mist or dew.Water has long been associated with mysticism and spiritual practices in many cultures around the world. Beyond the simple act of drinking or cleansing, water holds a deeper significance in divination and the supernatural. Here are some more forms of water-related divination:

Hydromancy: This method involves interpreting patterns or movements in bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or ponds. Practitioners believe that messages or insights can be gleaned from the way objects or light reflect on the water's surface.

Aquatic Symbolism: Some diviners look at the behavior of aquatic creatures like fish, turtles, or even water-dwelling birds to derive meaning or omens. The way these animals move or interact with their environment is thought to hold clues about the future.

Water Crystal Readings: This modern form of divination involves studying the shapes and patterns of frozen water crystals. Believers in this practice suggest that the unique formations can reveal information about a person's emotional or spiritual state.

Tasseography with Water: While traditionally done with tea leaves, tasseography can also be performed using water in a cup. The patterns created by drops of water can be interpreted to provide insights into a person's life, similar to reading tea leaves.

Water-based Rituals: In various spiritual traditions, water is used in rituals for cleansing, purification, and connecting with the divine. Whether it's through baptism, water blessings, or ritual baths, water plays a central role in many sacred practices.

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How can you deepen your connection with the spirit of water?

I wash my hands and face with cold water when I wake up and allow them to air dry as much as I can.

Brushing out my hair and braiding it, picturing my hair flowing like a river with every movement of my fingers.

Starting the day by purposefully drinking a glass of water, taking a moment to savor and acknowledge its benefits for the body. Cold water is preferred as it's more refreshing and you can feel it flowing through you, especially when charged beforehand.

Explore numerous water sources during this time. You can choose to sit by a public pool, take a bath, stand in the rain, or enjoy your lunch by a river.

When you're near water, engage with it. Share stories, sing songs, pose questions – water is alive and craves a connection.

Keep track of your monthly progress by documenting it through written journal entries, scrapbooking, or digital trackers. Make sure you have a method to reflect on the changes you've experienced during this time.

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Magic that Includes Water

Magic involving water can encompass a variety of practices, such as using magical or blessed waters, working with water-related folk traditions, casting release or banishing spells, incorporating water plants, engaging in elemental spirit magic, conducting death rituals, utilizing charged sprays, practicing travel magic, exploring weather and storm-related magic, engaging in meditation, performing hydromancy and carromancy, incorporating magical baths and showers, practicing glamour magic, and much more.

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What are the advantages of working with water?

No matter where you come from or what path you are on, our common bond is our reliance on water. It serves as not only a link between people but also connects us to the natural world. Water covers three-quarters of our planet and makes up 60% of our bodies. By recognizing the fundamental importance of water as a life force, you can gain deeper insights into yourself. This element is known for its introspective nature, with many spirits embodying or being linked to it. When you welcome water into your home, you are also welcoming that connection and energy.

Water sustains life without bias, much like how it nurtures life. Embracing this concept instills a sense of assurance and, from my own encounters, inner harmony. If you sense life's challenges are overwhelming you, like a ship navigating a turbulent sea, perhaps it's time to cease resisting and begin adapting. If you can influence the waves to respond to your direction, then what obstacle can hinder your progress.

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Hydromancy

hy·dro·man·cy /ˈhīdrəˌmansē/

Noun. divination by means of signs derived from the appearance of water and its movement.

Some argue that hydromancy is the earliest form of scrying and a highly beneficial practice. It involves using natural bodies of water, as well as containers like tubs, cups, and bowls. Starting out can be challenging, so here's how I would recommend beginning:

(It functions more effectively when there is an established connection to water.)

1. Find a peaceful and calm setting, such as outdoors at night if it feels safe and comfortable for you.

2. Prepare your environment and yourself as you typically would for a divination session. Some people opt for a blessing prayer, a divination tea, or anointing with a specific salve or oil. I usually ritually prepare myself before starting (let me know if you want more details on this).

3. In a shallow, dark bowl (or a scrying bowl), pour your chosen water, like waning moon water.

Relax and gaze into the water, allowing yourself to be receptive to any messages that may come through. It could be images, shapes, or even words.

4. Jot down any insights you receive for interpretation later.

5. If you find it challenging, try the ritual with candlelight or moonlight to interpret the shapes. Alternatively, meditate with the bowl, pour the water onto the ground, and scry the shape it creates.

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Magic Associations

Associations with Magic:

Death and life

Duality

Change

Rage

Grief

Peace

Creation

The moon

Ice

Emotions

Mental health

Cleansing

Purification

Storms

Disaster

Dreams

Cancer

Scorpio

Pisces

Psychic abilities

Shape shifters

Travel

Corrosion

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A few correspondents for types of water:

(This is not all of them by far)

Rain: purifying, blessing, scrying

Moon: bathing, cleansing, blessing

River: charging, focusing, warding

Sun: protecting, healing, creating

Sea: cleansing, healing, meditating, banishing

Swamp: cursing, hexing, jinxing

Rose water: self love & love spells

Forest: grounding, stabilizing, balancing

Storm water: strength, courage, confidence, charging

Snow: balance, transformation, divination

Dew: healing, beauty, fae work

Lake: self discovery, peace, relaxation

Well: healing, intuition, manifestation

Waterfall: power, energy, success

Tears: spells for happiness, protection from sadness, warding

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Sources: Pictures: off Pinterest Correspondences: Pinterest/google Content: This is taken from notes from a few different blogs & writings on water magic & elemental magic, and re-written into my own words.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ Thank you for Reading! I absolutely love sharing my knowledge & learnings with others. I try to make posts a few times a week! & they are all organized on my profile.

Until we cross paths once more! Best wishes to all you wonderful witches! Warm regards, Tea.

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Twelve Fetches in Detail Let's look at these fetches more closely. But remember, this is by no means a complete list of potential candidates. Any animal connected with the ocean can act as your sea fetch. Sea birds-see the albatross and sea gull- have a special spiritual energy that crosses the realms of heaven, sea, and land, energetically linking the three permanent elements of air, water, and earth. But every creature has its own totemic power. Which one speaks to you?

Albatross This rare oceanic wanderer can show us the ethereal realms beyond this world and within our hearts. At one time the albatross was seen as the "restless spirits of drowned sailors" because of its cry and its endless soaring. With a wingspan greater than other sea birds', albatross can shepherd us on our journey and steer us in the direction we are meant to travel. Albatross teaches us the value of nurturing even the male sits on the nest as well as the skills to survive any turbulence we may encounter. With albatross as a guide we can learn to see the magnificence in the world around us and the worlds within us. Associations: Solitude, survival, the ability to wonder.

Crab The crab may seem an unlikely guide; however, it has a place in legend and is associated with magical powers. Crabs are found in all oceans. They shed their shells as they grow, which symbolizes renewal and rebirth. As a result, crab can instruct us not to be afraid to change and grow. Crab is adaptable and sensitive, with a clarity of vision that can teach us to keep an eye on our goals and unfold to our own potential. Although crab is shy by nature and stays near shore, we can learn how to come out of our shell and explore the spiritual depths that await our discovery. Crabs may walk sideways but from this we can learn how to sidestep trouble when necessary yet still meet important issues head-on. As a zodiacal sign, crab is associated with the moon and brings creative energies into play as a spirit guide. Associations: Adaptability, clarity of vision, creativity, growth, renewal, rebirth.

Dolphin The dolphin is an ancient symbol of love goddesses: its name comes from the Greek delphinos, meaning "womb." The Celts believed that dolphins carried departed souls to the Isle of the Blessed. To early Christians the dolphin symbolized the resurrection and salvation of Christ. Fond of people and music, dolphin helps us value communication, community, and play. Strength, joy, and serenity are qualities that dolphin can help us cultivate. Ancient mariners believed that dolphins could warn them about approaching storms. Their oracular ability can help us find the way to our individual enlightenment. Dolphin offers support in finding our unique path through life. Associations: Communication, community, intuition, joy, serenity, strength. Manatee In 1493 Christopher Columbus noted in his logbook that his ship encountered sea maidens, which contributed to the scientific order's name of Sirenia. Today, our best guess is that Columbus and his crew had spot- ted manatees. These graceful, slow-moving swimmers have a gentle demeanor and a great deal to teach us. Manatee is shy but curious, teaching us the importance of remaining open to experiences even if they seem frightening. A strong bond develops between a mother manatee and her calf, teaching us that nurturing and gentleness are of utmost importance in relationships. Manatee's lovely, relaxed pace beckons us to take our time and slow down. In rushing, we miss so much of the flavor of life. Associations: Gentleness, ability to nurture, relaxation.

Otter The Celtic people believed otters to be magical animals because they inhabit the netherworld where land meets sea. In legends, otters were shown to be helpful to travelers. The Celts called them "water dogs" because of their appearance as well as their speed and skill. Otter symbolizes companionship and encouragement. Such traits make otter a wise and dutiful guide. As legend suggests, with loyalty, friendship, and playfulness, otter guides us on a quest where the unexpected can occur and deep transformation begins. Associated with the sea god Manannan, otter knows how to keep confidences in order to serve. Otter brings brightness and joy into our world and shows us how to find it on our own. Associations: Companionship, duty, friendship, loyalty, transformation. Penguin Portrayed as a little tuxedoed comic, penguin is anything but this inaccurate caricature. Penguin teaches us that we cannot make quick judgments about people because things are not always what they seem. Penguin gives us an example of how we can be true to ourselves and march to our own rhythm. As fathers, male penguins usually share in the egg incubation process and nursery duties, reminding us that males can be as nurturing as females and also serving as a model of balanced energy. Able to hunker down and weather the harsh Antarctic winter, penguin also teaches us about strength and survival. Emperor penguins in particular spend a lot of time in winter twilight; thus they are familiar with that Otherworldly betwixt-and-between state. With the moon providing the brightest light for several months, penguin gains the wisdom of Luna and passes it to those under its guidance. Associations: Balance, independence, inner strength, wisdom.

Polar Bear In general, bears are earthy and grounded, but then there's the polar bear. These indefatigable swimmers, whose massive paws serve as paddles, are equally at home in the water and on land. It has been said that polar bears "could be considered the link between sea and land in the Arctic". Polar bear is a solitary wanderer, spending much of the year on pack ice, going where the floe takes it. As a nomadic wanderer, polar bear is an excellent guide for inner journeys. Strength and protection (especially in Otherworld realms) are hallmarks of polar bear's mystical and spiritual significance. Polar bear has also mastered the art of survival in the physical realm, demonstrating the power of selfless nurturing better than anyone. All who travel are guided by polar bear through the constellation of Ursa Major-the great bear. Polaris, the North Star, the final star in her tail, was used for navigation by sailors for centuries. But polar bear has a playful side, too: the ethereal spirited movement of the Aurora Borealis is also called the "dance of the bears." While polar bear teaches us the joy of dance and play, her semi-hibernation habits also show us the importance of stillness: self-work begins in active stillness. Associations: Ability to nurture, protection, power, spiritual guidance, strength. Salmon Celtic people considered the salmon the oldest and wisest of all creatures. In some legends, salmons were the guardians of sacred pools and wells. Salmon teaches us about determination, fluidity, and cycles. With its exhausting journey home-upstream to its spawning grounds salmon reveals the importance of epic life-changing voyages, unstoppable progress, and the capacity to overcome great obstacles. A leap of faith can be exceedingly frightening and yet the most healing of experiences. Salmon can help us find focus for the soul, which can carry us through any turbulence. Follow salmon if you seek wisdom and inspiration, and you will be led on a journey through the depths of your soul. Associations: Cycles, determination, healing, progress. Sea Gull Sea gulls seem to come in all shapes and sizes, but the quintessential is the herring gull. Stately and large, with a fifty-eight-inch wingspan, this gull is indeed a master of the wind. For centuries mariners relied on the flight line of gulls to find land-so this bird reminds us that duty and responsibility are to be gladly assumed and never shirked. Sea gull also teaches the importance of clear communication. We can gain more nuanced un- derstanding by asking mindful questions. From sea gull we learn adaptability, helping us go with the flow when necessary, and we see how and when to clear things from our life. Through sea gull's lessons we can learn to soar to new heights, finding freedom of spirit as well as the beauty in simple things. Associations: Communication, freedom, responsibility, simplicity.

Seal Stories abound concerning these playful, active creatures. The legendary selkies of Scotland were said to live most of their lives as seals, but on certain nights they came ashore, shedding their skins and turning into beautiful women. In Iceland, seals were said to come on shore on St. John's night (Midsummer, June 23) to dance on the beach. Celtic people believed them to be guides for sailors and fishermen because of their link to the powers of the deep. As a guide, seal helps us center and find focus in our life. Seal's Otherworld associations aid us in maintaining the deep level of spirituality we need to keep in balance. The shy but curious nature of seal leads us to enlarge our own capacity to explore the world through our creativity. Associations: Balance, creativity, curiosity, playfulness. Turtle Sea turtles spend their lives at sea, most often as solitary wanderers of the deep. Traveling hundreds of miles to lay eggs on the beach where they themselves and their ancestors before them hatched, turtles have earned the name of "ancient mariners." Through this feat of navigation, turtle teaches us to pay attention and remain aware about the truly important matters in life. In Eastern mythology, turtle symbolized longevity and immortality, fertility and perseverance. Through these attributes, turtle teaches us how to awaken to opportunity those presented to us as well as those we create for ourselves. Associations: Fertility, immortality, longevity, opportunity, perseverance.

Whale The largest creature on earth derives its name from the Norwegian word hval, meaning "wheel." And "wheel-like" aptly describes whale's diving motion. It also implies cycles, which are inherent in whale's migratory and musical patterns. Through these habits, whale reveals the importance of freeing our creativity and remembering to sing. Like all marine mammals, whale's rugged and adaptable ancestors left the changing environment on land about 55 million years ago for life in the sea. Perhaps this fact can remind us that we can always change our lives around. Whale's sounding dive teaches us the value of exploring our inner depths. Communication and community are other areas where whale guides our focus for developing cooperation and harmony. Associations: Communication, community, creativity, cycles, harmony.

Text - Sea Magic - Connecting with the Ocean's Energy, Sandra Kynes Cute sea dividers - kaitsawamura

How do I grow my relationship with Water itself?

Begin opening yourself up to it more and incorporating it into your daily life. When I began building my relationship with it this is what I did:

To be done over a months period

Washed my hands & face with cold water when waking up and letting them air dry as much as possible.

Brushing out my hair and braiding it, picturing my hair flowing like a river with every movement of my fingers.

Beginning my day by intentionally drinking a glass of water, sitting down to really appreciate it and how it aides your body. I like cold water because you can easier feel it flow through you, I also like charging it beforehand.

Visit as many water sources as possible during this period. I am lucky enough to live by the pacific ocean and I would go and swim in it everyday to cultivate my relationship. However, if that is inaccessible for you there’s options such as sitting by a public pool, taking a bath, standing in the rain, eating your lunch by a river, etc.

While you’re spending time with water just talk to it. Tell it stories, sing it songs, ask it questions, water is living and it longs for a connection.

Record your progress throughout the month either in written journal entries, scrapbooking, or digital trackers. Just have a way for you to look back at how you’ve changed during this period.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

Examples of Magic that can include water:

research topics

Magical or Blessed Waters

Baneful Folk Workings

Release / Banishing Spells

Water Plant Workings

Elemental Spirit Magic

Death Work

Charged Sprays

Travel Magic

Weather / Storm Magic

Meditation

Shell Magic (like crystal magic)

Hydromancy

Carromancy (wax in water)

Magical Baths / Showers

Glamour Magic

And Much More...

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

What can I benefit from working with water?

Regardless on where you are from, what path of life you are following or anything else we are connected by our need for water. It is not only our connection to other humans but our connection to the natural world as well. It makes up 3/4 of our planet and 60% of your body. You can get a better understanding of yourself just by going back to that fundamental need to sustain yourself with water as a life-force. The element itself is well known to be a very introspective force and most spirits representing or associated are similar (spg). When you are inviting it into your home you are inviting that connection and energy in too.

Water takes life without discrimination, just as it gives life. Working within that provides a confidence and at least in my experience a sense of balance within ones self. If you are feeling like you are being tossed by the path of life, as if you are a lone ship at a storming sea, this might be your sign to stop fighting the current and start moving with it. If you can make the waves move at your asking then what is there to stop you.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

Hydromancy

hy·dro·man·cy /ˈhīdrəˌmansē/

noun

divination by means of signs derived from the appearance of water and its movement.

Some argue this is the first form of scrying Hydromancy is a very useful tool. It can be done with natural bodies of water, or things like tubs, cups and bowls. It can be frustrating to begin so this is how I would begin if I were you: (works better with an established connection to water)

Go somewhere quiet and still, I prefer outside at night but do what is safe and comfortable for you.

Prepare your space and yourself however you normally would set the tone for a divination reading. Some choose to say a blessing prayer, drink a divination tea blend, or anoint themselves with particular salve or oil. I will usually ritually prepare myself (let me know if you want me to go more into this).

In a shallow dark colored bowl (or scrying bowl), pour your preferred water of choice. I usually go with waning moon water.

Relax and begin to gaze into the water. Let yourself open up to messages. Sometimes it comes as scenes of images, or a shape or even words that can come through.

Write down anything you receive to interpret later on.

If you are struggling try this ritual but use the light of a candle or the moon to interpret those shapes. Or meditate with the bowl and pour it out onto the ground and scry the shape it leaves behind.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

Magical Associations

✦ Death & Life ✦ Duality ✦ Change ✦ Rage ✦ Grief ✦ Peace ✦ Creation ✦ The Moon ✦ Ice ✦ Emotions ✦ Mental Health ✦ Cleansing / Purification ✦ Storms ✦ Distaster ✦ Dreams ✦ Cancer / Scorpio / Pisces ✦ Psychic Abilities ✦ Shape-shifters ✦ Travel ✦ Corrosion

Irish Divine Beings Associated

✦ Brigid (keening mother & keeper of the sacred well) ✦ Boann (river personification) ✦ Aengus (The Young Son) ✦ Lir (sea personification) ✦ Manannán mac Lir (son of the sea)