Mermaid Magic: Connecting With the Energy of the Ocean and the Healing Power of Water

by Lucy Cavendish, Lucy Cavendish

From the authors of The Book of Faery Magic comes an enchanting new adventure into the power and beauty of water and the oceanic realm. Brimming with sea magic, inner journeys, fun recipes and rich research, Mermaid Magic will help you develop your own deep connection to the element of water. Work with the ocean and its creatures, learn about tides and lunar phases, divine your future with sea oracles, absorb the healing energies of sacred wells and springs, become an eco warrior, and discover the beauty of mermaid lore and legends – and how to call on the mermaids for love and transformation. Whether you believe mermaids are living beings or a beautiful myth, they have long reflected our greatest hopes and embodied our deepest fears. They have been cast as helpful sea beings, innocents prepared to sacrifice all for a human soul, and sirens intent on luring men into temptation. Today they are stronger, kinder and more powerful than ever – and are inspiring a new wave of ocean guardians to care for our fragile planet and its sacred bodies of water. Within the pages of Mermaid Magic you * Invoke mermaids and sea goddesses for health and happiness. * Dive in with dolphins, whales, dugongs and sea turtles. * Slip back in time to the golden age of Lemuria, Atlantis and Ys. * Study the charms, spells and secrets of the sea witches. * Connect with your inner mermaiden and transform your life. * Discover your mermaid archetype and tap in to your watery muse. * Work with the element of water in rituals and meditations. * Unlock the messages of the mermaids from literature and legend. * Visit the planet’s most sacred healing wells and springs. * Hear from marine conservationists, dolphin advocates and free-spirited surfers. * Meet real-life mermaids, artists, writers and healers, and much, much more… Including interviews with professional surfer and environmentalist Dave Rastovich, artists Jessica Galbreth and Jasmine Becket-Griffith, real-life mermaid Hannah Mermaid, healer and ocean-lover Doreen Virtue, British druidess and teacher Cassandra Eason, dolphin researcher Dr Olivia De Bergerac, manatee expert Professor Caryn Self-Sullivan, sea turtle rehabilitator Lesley Baird, magical authors Michelle Lovric and Liz Kessler and more, this book is a magical journey into the enchanted oceanic realm as and your own heart and soul.

Genres: Witchcraft, Mermaids, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Paganism, Mythology

370 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2011

About the author

Lucy Cavendish is the author of numerous books, the creator of Oracle and Tarot cards, and the founder of Witchcraft magazine. In addition to writing for Spellcraft Magazine and Spheres, she appears regularly on television and radio to explain her craft. A founding member of the Goddess Association in Australia, Cavendish lives in Sydney with her daughter and their menagerie of plants, animal companions, and spirit beings.

Reviews

[Kirryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a sea witch. There's actually a wealth of information for sea witches out there, both in existing books and on the internet...it's just piecemeal. You very rarely find entire books dedicated to our pagan path. So when I heard of this book's existence, I was over the moon. I read the reviews here, and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I was so excited when it arrived!

Ahahaha.

I started reading, and...okay, a synopsis of mermaid-themed TV shows and movies. I mean...okay? I guess? Not sure what that had to do with ocean spirituality, but hey...

Then we started with the whole "woman's holy moon blood" stuff, which I will...put up with. I'll (very) vocally express why it's incredibly damaging and transphobic and actually just flat-out sexist as all get out (another rant for another place), but I can grit my teeth and bear it. It's an idea that's losing steam as of late, anyway. Hopefully pagans of the future will look back on it fifty years from now and just shake their heads in bemusement.

But okay. Teeth gritted, pages turned. Started getting to the actual 'information', and so much of it was flat-out wrong. I'd read something, think, 'er, no, I don't think that's right...' and check to see if I was right. Sadly, I was. By the time I'd gotten a quarter of a way through the book, I was literally putting it down approximately every two sentences to fact-check.

I suffered through an interview with Doreen godsbedamned Virtue (who tells you "don't wear sunscreen in the ocean". Not "don't use sunscreen with benzone (etc) in it" -- seriously, don't do that -- just don't wear sunscreen full stop! And this idiot lives by the beach?!) before falling over ANOTHER page of misinformation and I'm sorry, I ran out of patience.

Look, I get it, okay. Paganism and spirituality and all that, it's "woo". It doesn't deal with things that can be proven in a scientific sense (most of the time). But that doesn't excuse sloppy research or even mean you have free reign to just make nonsense up! Part of being a witch or a pagan or whatever you choose to call yourself is respecting legends, myth, traditions (especially those not of your own culture), and lore. You show that respect by researching them PROPERLY, not just pulling ideas out of your backside because it sounds nice or you can't be bothered. Or you need something to pad out your book that reads like it should be published by Hay House. Hell, I've known folks whose entire paths operate almost completely on UPG, but they always knew and respected their groundwork. Fluffbunny Extraordinaire Cavendish and/or Conneeley do not.

Overall, I'm disappointed as well as suitably annoyed. I'd hate to think of a beginner sea witch or someone curious about sea witchery in general picking up this book and swallowing all this mis- and half-information.

And I really want my thirty bucks back.

Please, please, for the love of pink dolphins, skip this book. Pick up Sandra Kynes' brilliantly written and beautifully sourced Sea Magic: Connecting with the Ocean's Energy instead.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The oceans have long drawn people to its shores to marvel at its wonder and beauty, its ability to provide and its power to destroy. For thousands of years people have taken to the seas to find food, fortune and adventure. Those who meet the waters find themselves moved by its music, mystery and depth and few can turn their back on it without leaving behind a piece of their heart. As the personification of these waters Mermaids carry with them a magic and intrigue that has captured our imaginations for thousands of years.

Mermaid Magic is more then just a history of mermaids and the legends that have sustained them; it is a book of healing, hope and magic. A catalogue of spells, stories and knowledge on a number of sea creatures that are as majestic as they are inspiring. Even as land animals we rely on the power water has to sustain us, provide for us and heal us. Mermaids are the embodiment of water and of life, and it is impossible for us to deny that which makes up a significant part of who we are, after all it's in our blood.

[Nicole Lungeanu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gosh, this book took me ages to read! It's not that it was bad, but sometimes just too much background information about saving our planet. Yes, it's a very important topic and having a part of it in a mermaid book is totally fine. Unfortunately 60% of the book was about how to save the Earth. It started good with information about mermaids and their mythology but drifted very fast in the mentioned topic. I wished there would have been more background details about mermaids in book/music/movies and especially in daily magic! I mean it's called "MERMAID MAGIC"! Where are all the spells? I found what, three? This section was definitely too small.

Well, I stay with the magazine "Mermaids & Mythology" where Lucy Cavendish is also an editor...

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a good read. I really liked that it covered not only all the different types of mermaids but also animals that are important to the planet and mermaids. Also how to protect these animals and mermaids for the future.
Love the ideas to get in touch with mermaids and you inner mermaids

[Madison Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mermaid Magic is a thoughtful and empowering read that really resonated with me. Lucy Cavendish strikes a beautiful balance between myth, personal reflection, and practical guidance. Her writing helped me reconnect with my sense of self, my intuition, and my deep connection to the ocean.

As someone who identifies strongly with sea-based spirituality, I found this book validating and inspiring without being over the top. It encourages reflection and offers accessible tools for tapping into your own strength and sense of calm.

A meaningful read for anyone who feels at home by the water or is exploring their spiritual path with the sea as a guide.

🩵

[Prerana Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book as I would have not picked it up if it wasn’t for the sea coven challenge that I am part of with bookstagrammers. It’s not all about magic as it has quiet a lot of scientific information which I enjoyed. It also has a lot of personal experiences of people and how they see the ocean and it’s creatures. Wish it was a bit small and had less repetition.

[Crazy_catlady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only wanted to read certain chapters I Tried! Some of it was really interesting but there were only certain parts which really intrigued me. Really great writing!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read this book the more I fell in love with it and the wonderful writers. Mermaid Magic is unique. It contains mythology, folklore, spells, and general Pagan information. As well as personal stories from the authors and interviewees (artists,surfers, biologists, etc) about mermaids or the idea of what a mermaid is. Ocean conservation is the mission statement for Mermaid Magic. I love how many topics and tones are presented in the book. Mermaid Magic engages both Pagans and people that are passionate about mermaids. Moreover, unlike other books on mythical creatures there are facts and science presented in Mermaid Magic. In the end, the authors goal is for their readers to care for the ocean. The key theme of Mermaid Magic is to cultivate a sense of responsibility for the planet that provides for all living creatures. Conneeley and her co-author provide a list of organizations that the reader can donate to in order to help conserve the world. I can't wait to buy my own copy of this book.

[Jonina · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some interesting essays here. I didn't particularly care for the synopsises of mermaid themed movies and shows but other than that. It seemed silly to add that and then have no reason of tying it all together with no critique but that was my only issue.

[Sharron Bardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a pisces water sign myself I related to this book and information greatly. Serene and Lucy have given the reader so much love for the underwater world and all things beachy I learnt a lot more about shells than just something pretty to look at . Thank you Serene and Lucy

[Maranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a full review posted on my blog! https://whiteroseofavalon.life/2025/0...