Water Witchcraft: Magic and Lore from the Celtic Tradition

283 Pages·1·1.18 MB·english

by  Annwyn Avalon

Praise for Water Witchcraft
“Water Witchcraft is a fluid mixture of ancient and modern practices
flowing from the fertile watery realms of Annwn and Avalon. The
author has listed many interesting items from tradition, often
combined with thoughtful and creative concepts of her own. I
enjoyed her accounts of her direct magical experiences with water
and the practical advice that she offers based on those experiences.
This is a very thorough beginners' book that should prove useful and
inspiring to those seeking a path of water magic.”
—R. J. Stewart, author of The Underworld Initiation, The Way of
Merlin, and other books
“Come away with Annwyn Avalon and immerse yourself in the
wonderful, magical world of water witchcraft. Water witch Annwyn
Avalon will deftly guide you through the flowing deep wilderness of
all aspects of water magic, regaling you with magical tales and
folklore rooted in Celtic and Brythonic lore. In her book Water
Witchcraft, Avalon meanders through the history, magic, and deep
mythology of water with vast knowledge and experience. No pebble
is left unturned in this enchanting book, as you are swept up in a
magical voyage of spells, meditations, incantations, and useful tools
for the modern witch.”
−Patricia Weston, author of White Witch Patricia Westons Book of
Spells & Magic
“Water, one of the primal elements of nature, has long deserved a
book such as Annwyn Avalon has brought into the world with Water
Witchcraft. Featuring rituals of connection, charms of healing, and
goddesses to reach out to, this book isn't just a primer, it has
something for witches working with every drop, from sacred well to
local spring. The magic within feels as though you've been
practicing it your whole life from the moment you pick up this
book.”
—Amy Blackthorn, author of Blackthorn's Botanical Magic and
creator of Blackthorn Hoodoo Blends
“Annwyn Avalon takes us on a fascinating journey that explores the
various types of water and their associated folklore, deities, and
magical beings. In addition to explaining how to work with different
forms of water, her unique practices and exercises serve as a guide
for becoming a water witch and using the enormous power of this
element.”
—Sandra Kynes, author of Sea Magic: Connecting with the Ocean's
Energy
“A gorgeous guide through the world of water myth and magick.
Annwyn Avalon lifts the lily pad on the watery nature of our own
spirits and shows us how to embrace our own mermaid, selkie, and
well spirit. If you have ever gazed at the ocean and longed to touch
its heart, this book offers a path to do just that.”
—Courtney Weber, author of Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick
of the Celtic Goddess and The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick
and Might
“Annwyn Avalon's enchanted book dares to peer deep into the
waters—the mirror betwixt the worlds—revealing unto the reader a
rich trove of spirits, ancient deities, eldritch beings, stories, and lore.
Deeply practical too; Water Witchcraft reveals also tools,
substances, rites, charms, and spells, both traditional and innovative,
enabling the reader to fully explore, connect with, and employ water
in all its forms as a potent vehicle for power and transformation.”
—Gemma Gary, author of Wisht Waters—Aqueous Magica and the
Cult of Holy Wells, Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways,
and other books of magic and witchcraft
“Annwyn Avalon shares her deep water wisdom in this insightful
book that is empowered with well-researched lore, traditional folk
practices, and sound magical principles. Water Witchcraft is a truly
comprehensive work that reflects not only an intimate
understanding of the nature of water in its various forms, but also
details the myriad ways in which water can be used to effect
positive change in our lives. Annwyn deftly channels various
streams of folkloric knowledge into a practical approach that is
reflective of the wisdom of the past, while being eminently
accessible to the modern-day practitioner of water magic.”
—Jhenah Telyndru, MA in Celtic studies, priestess, author, and
founder of the Sisterhood of Avalon

This edition first published in 2019 by Weiser Books, an imprint of
Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
With offices at:
65 Parker Street, Suite 7
Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
Copyright © 2019 by Annwyn Avalon
Foreword copyright © 2019 by Skye Alexander
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser,
LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.
ISBN: 978-1-57863-646-4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.
Cover art by Shaheen Miro
Interior by Deborah Dutton
Typeset in Weiss
Printed in Canada
MAR
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
www.redwheelweiser.com/newsletter
Dedicated to the Gwragedd Annwn, Melusine, Sulis, and the
water spirits that guided my mind and heart and forced my
fingers to write when I was lost in the whirlpool of my mind.
Special thanks to the Green Flame and Fire Storm that gave me
such a strong foundation for my magical craft, holding oceans
of possibilities. To the Circle of the Rising Moon who honored
my voice and gave rise to my water craft. To Duston and
Tiffany who loved, encouraged, and believed in me.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Magic of Water
Chapter 2: River Witches
Chapter 3: Sacred Well Witches
Chapter 4: Lake Witches
Chapter 5: Marsh Witches
Chapter 6: Sea Witches
Chapter 7: Local Water Spirits
Chapter 8: Mermaids and Finfolk
Chapter 9: Water Witchery
Conclusion
Bibliography
Internet Resources
Index of Magical Exercises
Foreword
Maybe we sense a sacred connection with water because our bodies and
our planet are composed largely of water. Maybe it's because, as science
says, we emerged from aquatic sources. Long before the theory of
evolution developed, however, creation stories from around the globe told
us life on earth originated in the world's waters. According to Babylonian
mythology, for instance, the water goddess Tiamat was the mother of
everything, including the other gods and goddesses. The Aboriginal
Australian story of the Rainbow Serpent also credits a water deity with
bringing us all into existence.
Water goddesses, such as Anuket, Sulis, Oshun, and Danu (for whom
the Danube River is named), figure prominently in the folklore of cultures
everywhere. Our ancestors believed ponds, rivers, and seas teamed with
spirits of all kinds. In his book The Secret Teachings of All Ages, Manly P.
Hall wrote “According to the philosophers of antiquity, every fountain had
its nymph; every ocean wave its oceanid. The water spirits were known
under such names as oreades, nereides, limoniades, naiades, water sprites,
sea maids, mermaids, and potamides.” Usually we link water with the
feminine or yin force, which is why so many water entities are described
as female.
Today we continue to revere the earth's waterways—the Ganges River,
Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, Glastonbury's Chalice Well, the grotto at
Lourdes, Crater Lake in Oregon. At these places of power and mystery,
modern-day pilgrims seek healing, purification, consecration, and
transformation, just as they did centuries ago. Even people who don't
recognize the spiritual nature of water intuitively understand its curative
properties. Who hasn't felt invigorated when sitting near a waterfall or
cleansed after a dip in a cool lake? We go to spas to “take the waters” and
flock to the seaside to rejuvenate our minds and bodies. Those who live
near the ocean, as I did for thirty-one years, quickly become aligned
physically, emotionally, and psychically with its shifting tides.
Countless legends also tell us about the magickal nature of water.
According to Celtic lore, evil spirits couldn't cross running water. Faeries
resided in wells. Lakes served as portals into other realms. The River Styx
in Greek myth led to the Underworld. In the Arthurian legends, the Lady
of the Lake gave Arthur power by gifting him with the sword Excalibur.
And we've all tossed coins into a pool or fountain hoping our wishes
would come true.
Water plays an important role in many magickal traditions and practices.
It's one of the four elements that serve as the building blocks of life (along
with fire, earth, and air). In the tarot, water is represented by the suit of
cups. Three of the twelve zodiac signs—Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces—are
water signs. In spellwork, a witch's magick chalice and cauldron are
considered water tools. A still pond serves as the perfect scrying device—
reputedly, the noted 16th-century seer Nostradamus sat for hours gazing
into a bowl of water to divine the future.
When we think of water magick, we often think of cleansing tools and
crystals, taking ritual baths, and formulating potions or elixirs. In Water
Witchcraft, Annwyn Avalon offers a wealth of information about these
practices; however, she also shares ways to use water magickally that you
may never have considered before, such as freezing it to bind an enemy,
making poppets of snow, and melting ice to release stuck energy. She also
explains how to tap the properties of dew, fog, mist, hail, rain, and sleet—
even the steam from your morning shower. Each type of water has its own
unique qualities and applications in witchcraft. For example, water
collected during a thunderstorm is imbued with dynamic energy that can
fuel aggressive spells. Water from a peaceful lake can ease stress and
promote harmony.
The entities who guard and occupy earth's waterways also possess a
wide range of characteristics and powers. Some are benevolent, others
mischievous or downright dangerous. Annwyn (whose name refers to the
Otherworld in Welsh mythology) describes these mysterious beings, such
as the seductive Lake Ladies and the dark magick of marsh witches, and
explains how to deal with them, should you encounter them in the physical
or spirit realm.