Water has been important to all peoples of the Earth, and it is rich in spiritual tradition. We include water in all our rituals / films and life-celebrations. Below you will find some info on the chemical / element water, H2O.

Contents

* 1 Greek and Roman tradition
* 2 Indian Tradition
* 3 Chinese Tradition
* 4 In Modern Magic
o 4.1 Ceremonial Magick
o 4.2 Wicca
o 4.3 Astrological Personalities
* 5 See also
* 6 Notes
* 7 External links
* 8 Feng Shui
* 9 Extras on Water

Greek and Roman tradition

Water is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. It was commonly associated with the qualities of emotion and intuition.

Water was one of many archai proposed by the Pre-socratics, most of whom tried to reduce all things to a single substance. However, Empedocles of Acragas (c. 495-c. 435 BC) selected four archai for his four roots: air, fire, water, and earth. Empedocles’ roots became the four classical elements of Greek philosophy. Plato (427-347 BC) took over the four elements of Empedocles. In the Timaeus, his major cosmological dialogue, the Platonic solid associated with water is the icosahedron which is formed from twenty equilateral triangles. This makes water the element with the greatest number of sides, which Plato regarded as appropriate because water flows out of one's hand when picked up, as if it is made of tiny little balls.

Plato’s student Aristotle (384-322 BC) developed a different explanation for the elements based on pairs of qualities. The four elements were arranged concentrically around the center of the Universe to form the sublunary sphere. According to Aristotle, water is both cold and wet, and occupies a place between air and earth among the elemental spheres.

In ancient Greek medicine, each of the four humours became associated with an element. Phlegm was the humor identified with water, since both were cold and wet. Other things associated with water and phlegm in ancient and medieval medicine included the season of Winter, since it increased the qualities of cold and moisture; the phlegmatic temperament (of a person dominated by the phlegm humour); the feminine; the brain; and the western point of the compass.

In alchemy, the chemical element of mercury was often associated with water and its alchemical symbol was a downward-pointing triangle.

Indian Tradition

Ap (áp-) is the Vedic Sanskrit term for "water", in Classical Sanskrit occurring only in the plural, ?pas (sometimes re-analysed as a thematic singular, ?pa-), whence Hindi ?p. The term is from PIE hxap "water".

In Hindu philosophy, the term refers to water as an element, one of the Panchamahabhuta, or "five great elements". In Hinduism, it is also the name of the deva, a personification of water, (one of the Vasus in most later Puranic lists). The element Water is also associated with Chandra or the Moon, and Shukra or Venus, who represent feelings, intuition and imagination. Water is also linked to the north east direction.

Chinese Tradition

In traditional Chinese philosophy, Water is classified as one of the Wu xing (Chinese: ??; pinyin: w?xíng), or the Five Elements, also translated as five phases, five movements or five steps, by which all natural phenomena can be explained. The system of five elements was used for describing interactions and relationships between phenomena. It was employed in many fields of early Chinese thought, including seemingly disparate fields such as geomancy and Feng shui, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese alchemy, music, military strategy and martial arts. The original foundation for the idea is based on the concept of the Five Cardinal Points.

Water is yin or feminine in character, its energy is downward and its motion is stillness and conserving. It is associated with the planet Mercury, the north, winter and cold, darkness, night and the colour black. It is also associated with the moon, which was believed to cause the dew to fall at night. It is also believed to govern the kidneys, ears and bones. The negative emotion associated with water is fear, while the positive emotion is calmness. Its Primal Spirit is represented by the Black Tortoise.

In Chinese Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom, flexibility, softness and pliancy; however, an over-abundance of the element is said to cause difficulty in choosing something and sticking to it. In the same way, Water can be fluid and weak, but can also wield great power when it floods and overwhelms the land. In the birth and nurturing cycle, water spawns wood, and is spawned by metal. In the conquest cycle, water overcomes fire, and in turn is overcome by earth.

Water also plays an important role in Chinese Astrology. In Chinese astrology water is included in the 10 heavenly stems (the five elements in their yin and yang forms), which combine with the 12 earthly branches (or Chinese signs of the zodiac), to form the 60 year cycle. Yang water years end in 2 (eg 1992), while Yin years end in 3 (eg 1993). Water governs the Chinese zodiac signs Pig, Rat and Ox.

v • d • e
Chinese Zodiac
Elements Wood · Fire · Earth · Metal · Water
Signs Rat · Ox · Tiger · Rabbit · Dragon · Snake · Horse · Sheep · Monkey · Rooster · Dog · Pig

In Modern Magic

Ceremonial Magick

Water and the other Greek classical elements were incorporated into the Golden Dawn system despite being considered obsolete by modern science. Theoricus is the elemental grade attributed to water; this grade is also attributed to the Qabalistic sphere Hod and the planet Mercury.The elemental weapon of water is the cup.Each of the elements has several associated spiritual beings. The archangel of water is Gabriel, the angel is Taliahad, the ruler is Tharsis, the king is Nichsa, and the water elementals (following Paracelsus) are called Undines.Earth (Water) is considered to be passive; it is represented by the eagle, and it is referred to the upper right point of the pentagram in the Supreme Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram.Many of these associations have since spread throughout the occult community.

Wicca

In Wiccan tradition, water is associated with the West, autumn, and the color blue on the physical plane. It is sometimes represented by a white crescent, a downward pointing triangle, the chalice, the bell, shells, sapphires, lapis lazuli, tears, and the cauldron. Water represents emotions, wisdom, the soul, and femininity. In rituals, it is represented in the forms of pouring water over objects, brew making, healing spells, ritual bathing, and tossing objects into bodies of water.

The manifestations of the element of water are rivers, oceans, lakes, wells, fog, all drinks, and the rain. Animals, especially the dolphin, seal, turtle, frog, and all types of fish, are also thought to personify the element of water. The astral creatures of water, known as elementals, are the Undine/Mermaid, Oreade/Naiad, and Sea Serpent/Dragon. Water’s place on the pentagram is the upper right point.

Astrological Personalities

People born under the astrological signs of Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces being one of the two drawn elements meaning it is part of two of the classical elements are thought to have dominant water personalities. Water personalities tend to be emotional, kind, nurturing, sympathetic, empathetic and intuitive; however, they can also be needy, sentimental, over-sensitive and irrational.

Feng Shui

Water is one of the key elements in the Feng Shui theory of the Five Elements. Instinctively, people have always had an affinity for water. Most major cities and palaces of the world are located near rivers or bodies of water. Houses or property located near these waters usually fetch higher resale prices. Water, properly applied in Feng Shui can strengthen existing relationships, help to create new relationships, and even assist the overall prosperity of a home or building. Frequently, people ask, “What role does water play in Feng Shui?” or “How can you apply this element to improve your prosperity?” Water plays a key roll in Feng Shui and properly applied can greatly assist the prosperity of a home or building.

The water element is used frequently in Feng Shui. Water can be found naturally in the environment such as a river or lake. It can also be applied as a Feng Shui remedy. For the exterior, water can be stored in pools, ponds, fountains, or even cattle troughs! Water inside can take the form of small inside-fountains, fish tanks, water sculptures, or even large bowls. The key thing in all of these applications is to keep the water clean, fresh and moving. Fish tanks do not necessarily need fish, although Chinese superstition says to put in 6 gold fish and 1 black fish). Fish do help the water circulate though. Video fish tanks do not work as a Feng Shui remedy!

When applying the water element, it is important to understand that metal containers tend to work better than earthen containers. Metal strengthens water in the cycle of the elements. We have also seen people put a metal liner in their fountain to increase the strength of the water qi. Another key understanding is that the water has to be fresh. Water that is stagnant or moldy is considered a “sha” or negative influence. It can create a worse situation than if there were none.

The colors of blue or black can also be used as a substitute for the water element. North represents the Trigram of K’an. A house that “sits” to the North can benefit from a blue trim. While north is the water direction, this does not mean that you should automatically place water in that direction. Although a lot of books suggest water be used in the north, it really depends on the house and the particular qi it holds.

Recently we were asked the following question: “I’ve read that water in front of a dwelling brings prosperity into it, and water behind it draws prosperity out of it. Also, running water moves too quickly and must be cured by windmills or the like to catch the energy so it doesn’t just rush by.” First, a lot of what people read is not necessarily true. The best answer to the above question is “it depends.” In some cases, water behind the house will help the money prosperity. People frequently ask about swimming pools. Water near the house is good because it keeps the energy flowing and prevents it from being “locked.” Each house is different and it takes a qualified practitioner to determine the specific qi possessed by that house.

Traditional Feng Shui is concerned about the qi of the house and how comfortable it makes you feel. Further, traditional Chinese Feng Shui does not use “windmills” as a correction. If anything, putting up an embankment or by placing large rocks (then, only if needed) would be the solution. Earth dominates the water element and in order to block the water qi, you would use earth. A softer solution might be to put up a hedge or row of trees, as wood reduces water qi and is a softer solution than earth dominating water. This is not always needed, but rather, these are the solutions that might be applied if the water qi was undesirable.

Another positive benefit of water can also be to induce a relationship. Poetically known in China as bringing about the “peach blossom,” water used in the right place in combination with a particular qi (found only in certain homes) can attract male suitors.

If you belong to the Chen Trigram (wood), water can be used to give you strength. You belong to the Chen Trigram if you were born after February 4 in 1934, 1943, 1952, 1961, 1970, 1979, 1988, 1997.

Until 2043, it can be said generally, that water in the southwest or east, can assist prosperity. The water should be placed outside in fairly large container (perhaps as much 100 gallons). A warning though; if these directions are in front of, or behind your house, you should consult a qualified practitioner to determine if it is okay to do this. Just like medicine, there can be side effects if not applied carefully. If these directions are on the side of the house and you can apply it. Ensure that you use a compass to accurately determine the directions.

Water can be used in a lot of beautiful and creative ways. As with all Feng Shui remedies, work to create a harmonious environment that does not look “Feng Shui’d.” Water can be soothing and refreshing, especially during the summer months. Remember to keep it clean and don’t forget it. Water does evaporate, so keep your fountain or fish tank full. Store the qi. Lastly, when in doubt about how to use the element properly, please ask a trained practitioner. Properly applied, the water element can make a world of difference.

Extras on Water

Water, together with Wind, Earth and Fire is one of the four known basic Elements, which represent the substance of the world - at least this is the common belief among many races and tribes throughout Caelereth. Water in its physical form is needed to live as one must drink or absorb in a way some form of it, as life - be it plant, animal or sentient life - seems to depend to a large degree on this eement in order to survive. Water is often associated with emotions, art, time and especially healing and philosophy. It has the depth of a philosophers soul and is the inspiration of the artist, but that makes them just depending on its unpredictable nature. Water gives much, but takes as easy everything back. And more. An old Santharian proverb says that he who gets everything from the Water Goddess will lose everything to her again.
The Torán's Falls (Veil Falls)
View picture in full size Image description. Water masses tossing down at the impressive Torán's Falls near the Manthrian village Nepris. Picture by Nalfaren.

Appearance. Water is, while Earth is solid, Air/Wind gas and Fire the changeover between them, liquid. Its the most common liquid matter and therefore most people believe it to also represent the mother of all liquid matters. Therefore it can be said that Baveras didn't only create the water, but also blood and milk and everything liquor.

Water is often also interpreted as the purest form of liquid, as the "primal liquid", which only appears in different shapes and forms, but in its transformation always retains its basic elemental properties. In its natural state Water can be found salty (undrinkable for most races) or fresh (the form most plants, animals and races require it). Fresh water is found in wells or in rivers. Salt water is mostly found on seas, wide open spaces filled with Water, too big you can't see land at the other side - on these gigantic seas of the world of Caelereth all the landmasses float. Water is an unpredictable element, because it is so variable. It can cause death and destruction upon those living near open Water, but it also grants life - at humanoids for example it first appears in the form of the sperm, later it helps to maintain important body functions. Return to the top

Physical Water. Water is in physical form one of the things you need to survive. It's something you quickly have enough of, or too less of. Water can only be trusted in small proportions, in wells or fountains. And even then it is a mysterious element, because it can disappear in no time on a hot day in front of your eyes. Nobody knows for sure where it has gone to if that happens, but it is a thought by the elves that the Wind takes the Water back (as the elves believe that Water originated from Wind) to carry it along if the Fire gets too dominant. The heat of the Fire seems to represent the natural elemental enemy of the Water - but also vice versa - Water can extinguish Fire, Fire can make Water evaporate.

Water has many properties which especially the Avennorian people have learned to admire, but they also fear it. Water can carry boats to distant lands, and Water in wide open spaces, the body of Baveras, provides also food in the form of fish. But be careful - a legend tells that everyone who fishes on the sea more than it is due is said to that he will be taken by the sea like one takes the fish out of the sea. Water can be very destructive, as it can overflow, taking things with it if the flood ends. It is an element with two faces the Gods send to us down from the skies in the form of rain. Your crops need it, but if they get too much they will die because of it, and so will you.

Spiritual Water. Water stands, like Fire, for deep, but also for variable, or - expressed in a positive way - "open" emotions, for the acceptance of diversity and the will for the new. Water also represents the contemplative moment, the searching in your inner self, for the discovering of the deepest and darkest things of yourself but also for unleashed chaos, for uncertainty without a goal. Water, in opposition to the stability of Earth, stands for inspiration, for creation, for giving birth to ideas, longings and hopes, for moving and for changing. Because if Water stands still, it will rot, just like things made of derivates of the Element of Earth. But the flowing and the constant re-arrangement as well as the inherent desire to increase, to overflow, to pave the way of the unknown, are also the Water's strength. Water is the first idea to get started, reaching for a goal, where Fire is the actual real first step towards achieving these ideas.

It is not incidentally that many a culture in Caelereth sees the Water as the source of all. Water means surviving or not surviving, life or death. Water stands for the influences of the moon on Caelereth (supposed to control the tide through still disputed magical means) and mysteries. Water stands for freedom and independence. Water is creation and destruction of prior things, care and wisdom, but also tranquility and healing to restore what was once lost. The Element of Water stands for cleanness and pureness, for innocence and virginity. Water is the force which changes people, minds, time and everything, as Water itself is constantly changing, but always the same, a constant pulse of life. Where Fire transforms, Water is the element which demands to be transformed and is transformed itself.

Symbols of Water. To represent Water alchemists often use the sign of a drop or the wave, depending on how the element is used in an alchemistical formula. Art also is said to need Water for inspiration, and is therefore dedicated to this element. The most common natural representations of Water are the rain and the sea.

The Water Elemental

Blue, purple and white are the colours of the Water. The circle, a symbol of Baveras, the Santharian Goddess of the Sea, is also a symbol of the Water in general, probably because it is shapeless, but has the will to spread in all directions. The mythological beast of the Water is the sea-horse or the fish horse. It is a fine representation of the double meaning of Water. It can be a sign for fishers of a clean, fertile and pure sea, but it can also mean that there is a heavy storm approaching. Return to the top

Religious Meanings of Water. As all elements, Water is represented by three gods in common Santharian religion; Baveras, Goddess of the Sea, Jeyriall, Goddess of the Harvest and Seyella, Goddess of Destiny. Note that they are all goddesses, where the Element of Fire is represented only by male gods.

The meaning of the Element of Water in relation to these Gods can be described as follows - each Goddess focuses on a certain aspect of the Element:

* The Water of Seyella (Time and Prophecy)

Seyella, the Goddess of Destiny, shows her followers the future, as she represents the transparency of time. Priests of Seyella spend their days trying to understand their future, which is shown by Seyella, and fulfill their destiny according to the Gods' intent. Followers of Seyella are rare, but people go to them if they are seeking advice in a difficult situation, wisdom or knowledge. Seyella's Water is the Water of a river, flowing like time. She is also represented by the deepest and darkest caves of the oceans, showing the depth of her thoughts and so the infinite knowledge of creation. Seyella represents the profoundness, the flowing and the clearness in the Element of Water.

*The Water of Jeyriall (Growth and Increase)

Jeyriall, the Goddess of the Harvest, is the Goddess who gives life to the beings and teaches her followers to be as generous as she is and respect and love all life. Jeyriall stands for pureness and the life she provides or restores. The Water associated with Jeyriall is mostly the Water inlands, the lakes and the oases, in regions where Water is scarce. Jeyriall's Water never shows the destructive force, as she only deals with the positive side of the element. Reproduction, existence and continued existence in the sense of healing and growth are her main goals. Followers of the Goddess of Harvest are mostly seen as healers and midwives, but they don't have the ability of clairvoyance and neither do they travel a lot. They mostly stay their whole lives in one village, are well respected and provide security to such small communities. They are as down-to-earth as the Fruitful Goddess is, spending their everyday lives mostly as farmers.

*The Water of Baveras (Giving and Taking)

Baveras, the Goddess of the Sea, has many faces - she is the wild and untamed Goddess, but also the playful, caring one and the one that reminds people of the constant change of things. Baveras stands for moving and changing, and so do her followers, the Baveras' Wills, wander around - healing, finding Water sources and holy places. Baveras is the unpredictable, the variable part of the Water. She is the one that grants artists their inspiration and their courage to literally sail to new shores with their works. Baveras creates, she destroys and she teaches her followers to give something back for everything that is given to them.

Myth/Lore. The Element of Water plays an important role in many religions, be it the Caelerethian North, where the land is dominated by ice, or deep down in the deserts of Aeruillin, where Water is seen as a sacred good and an oasis a gift by the Gods.

Among the Sarvonian elves we also have a highly influential myth on this element contained in Chapter II called Aér'aí'chanía ("Elements") of the books of the Cárpa'dosía, the legendary "Books of the Beginnings". While the first chapter deals with the High Goddess Avá and her Dream of the world, where the Winds come into existence, only to produce their counterpart, the Earth, Chapter II deals with the Elements Fire and Water. These two elements are described in complicated, at times seemingly esoteric lines as antagonistic, inseparable forces of nature, filling the gap between the principle of the eternal (Wind) and its realisation (Earth) with what appears as "life":

Cárpa’dosía, Of the Elements. II, 15. And so it happened, namely that from the First Hour in the Dream of Avá, in the realm of the Wind and the Earth, the Fire, só Efér, and the Water, sá Már, seized dominion as the forces of the In-Between, in the midst of the soughing of the Winds and the perseverance of the Earth. It is incumbent on those Elements to maintain the equilibrum, as in reality the Becoming is lacking the simplicity of the Spherical, as the Thoughts of the One and All are dispersed too much in its earthen existence. Hence the strife of the Aér'ai'chanía [the Elements] commenced in the very First Hour, the fundamental stife versus the own counterpart, the strife, whose fate it is, never to cease. The Axhái hence named the world S'O'kroí ["Everlasting War"], according to the everlasting strife, and S'O'kroí is meant to mean both: the woes and the conflict, and both is part of the world, and both is one.

-- "Cárpa'dosía. The Books of the Beginnings", Chapter II

It is interesting to note that in the Cárpa'dosía the races are also directly related to the origin of the races. According to the elven myth the races were formed by the Gods (who themselves sprung from the thoughts of the High Goddess Avá), and with the Element of Water the Gods formed the race of men, which they named as a specification of the world's conflict "mé'kroía" ("war in vain"). This also indicates very clearly on how the elves see the human role in the world's gigantic play, as - along with the fire-race, the orcs - one of the key races, executing the endless war between the floating ideas of the Wind (elves) and the numbness and invariability of Earth (dwarves). In their origin to the insecure and still constantly expanding Element of Water the elves also see the main reason for the humans' short lifetime. Man is seen as a fleeting vehicle of transgression into the new, forming and re-forming the world, and in doing so he maintains the world's essence, just like the blood in the veins maintains the body's functions.

It's also interesting to note that in elven mythology Water is seen as a female power (sá már), in opposition to the male counterpart, Fire (só efér). This also reflects in the fact the Gods related to the Element of Water are all female, while the Fire Gods are all male.

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