From a Drop of Water: A Collection of Magickal Reflections on the Nature, Creatures, Uses, and Symbolism of Water

by Sorita d'Este, John Canard, Payam Nabarz

Product Description
"From a Drop of Water..." A Collection of Magickal Reflections on the Nature, Creatures,Uses, and Symbolism of Water. "This creation is, in its totality, a drop of Water; man himself has originated from a drop of Water" Bundahishn 28,2 FROM A DROP OF WATER is a unique collection of 17 essays by some of the foremost modern esoteric writers, pagan scholars and magickal practitioners. Each contribution reflects the writer's own understanding and passion for Water, and in doing so they share their unique insights, experiences and their diverse research on the subject with the reader. The powerful nature of Water as transformer and healer, initiator into the mysteries and bringer of both life and death is emphasised throughout. The multitude of spiritual beings associated with Water are powerful and volatile forces of nature. They include the Undines and Nymphs of European folklore, as well as mythical creatures such as mermaids and krakens, sirens and selkies. The importance of Water is often taken for granted, yet its symbolism connects every religion, spiritual path and philosophy. Many of the earliest creation myths have Water as a central theme, and man has forever been telling tales of the Waters of this Earth, and has since time immemorial gazed up at the Moon who governs the ebb and flow of the ocean's tides. Likewise, deities associated with Water often play a central role in myths, legends and practices, and this is explored in many of the essays in this anthology. From Anahita, the Persian Goddess of rain and abundance, to the Afro-Brazilian Goddess Yemanyá, the Egyptian Mother Goddess Isis as portrayed in Dion Fortune's Sea Priestess and Nimue in the Arthurian Legends, the power of Water is ever present. Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love is born from the foam of the oceans, and many of the Vodou Lwa - including Agwe, Mambo La Sirene, Erzulie Freda, Damballah Wedo and the Simbis also have strong associations with Water which are explored in this collection. Furthermore, the magical qualities and symbolism of Water are explored through examples of meditation, ritual, song and dance. Its magic is manifested through talismans, poetry, art and invocation. Moreover, Living Water as used in the Kabbalah and Grimoires, as well as the role of Water in Baptism are also explored. This exceptional collection of essays bring together a breadth of experience, which is emphasised through the diversity of traditions they represent. These include Vodou, Thelema, the Western Mystery Tradition, Wicca, Paganism, and English Root Magick, as well as Grimoire Magicians who work the magick of the Key of Solomon and Goetia. Water both allures and terrifies - just like the stark contrast between the glimmering of moonlight upon the ocean's surface on a clear night and the hulking gloom in its fathomless depths. But the planet's oceans and many Waters are vast and unfathomable, and herein lies but a few drops of wisdom in a sea of possibilities.

Table of Contents:

ANAHITA - LADY OF PERSIA BY PAYAM NABARZ
DANCING WITH WATER BY NINA FALAISE
THE MIRROR OF THE SOUL - ASSESSING THE FUNCTION OF WATERY RITUALS AND FOLK BELIEFS BY YVONNE ABURROW
MARRIED TO THE SEA - EROTICISM IN OCEAN LORE BY CHRISSY DERBYSHIRE
THE ADMIRAL, THE SIREN AND WHALE - WATER SPIRITS IN THE VODOU TRADITION BY KIM HUGGENS
TO DARE - THE ELEMENT OF WATER IN THE WESTERN ESOTERIC TRADITIONS BY SORITA D’ESTE
THE WELL SPRING OF WISDOM SACRED WELLS IN FAITH THROUGH THE AGES BY KATHERINE SUTHERLAND
A FLOW OF WATER THROUGH THE GRIMOIRE WORLD - EXPLORING HOLY WATER, CLEANSING BATHS AS WELL AS MAGICAL OPERATIONS LIKE THE WATER OF LIFE AND TURNING WATER IN TO BLOOD BY MAESTRO NESTOR
NIMUE - THE ARCHETYPAL PRIESTESS BY EMILY CARDING
QUENCHING THE THIRST, DRINKING THE SPIRIT - WATER AND WATER GUARDIANS IN ROOT M

Genres: Spirituality, Occult, Nonfiction

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2009

About the author

Sorita d’Este is an author, researcher and priestess who has devoted her life to the Mysteries. She is the author of around 20 books exploring subjects related to the practice and history of magic, mythology, religion, folklore and witchcraft. Her previous books include titles such as Hekate Liminal Rites, Practical Elemental Magick, Visions of the Cailleach, Wicca: Magickal Beginnings and The Isles of the Many Gods. Her latest release is Circle For Hekate: Vol I. She lives on a hill in Glastonbury (Somerset, UK) from where she works as a publisher and writer. She is frequently distracted from her work by her love of gardening, exciting visitors and the promise of interesting esoteric knowledge.

Reviews

[Steve Cran · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a drop of water all life began. From a mere book about a drop of water there opened for me an exciting learning experience about one of the most over looked elements of magic and that is water. Kim Huggens put together an excellent compilation and Avalonia keeps putting out these excellent books.

Essays come from a great variety of writers. To mention a few Sorita d’Este, Payam Nabarz, Emily Carding and Kim Huggens herself. That only barely scratches the surface as there are many more authors who contributed . The subject covered are just as wide reaching and broad. The use of water and the deities connected to water are very thoroughly covered. Payam Nabarz covers the Persian Goddess Anahita who was seen in a vision by the Caspian Sea. Flanking her were two silver lionesses. She was the mother of all and is very connected to water. Temple dedicated to her are scattered throughout Iran, Armenia and other parts of the Middle East. Some of the rituals performed by her followers are still being performed by Muslims and Zoroastrians. Egyptian bathing of the pharaoh in his private chambers is discussed as he is convered with the waters of life by Thoth and Horus so he can be cleaned and invested with Godliness. The water is depicted with ahnks which mean life. The water of life baptism is still followed in the Christian and Jewish religions. Yemanya the African Sea Goddess is the mother of all. Before traveling over seas even if by plane one should pray to her for safe traveling and one should thank her upon arriving safely. Do not mess with her followers as she protects them well. She grants wealth, maternal beauty and stability. Her children are the fish of the sea.

Water itself is imbued with many properties. It is a giver of birth and at the same time a taker of life. It cleanses and it transfers spiritual energy. It is said that moon charged water is healthier for plants then no charged water. This was proved by experiments performed by scientists. Another experiment showed that water charged with positive or negative emotion changed reality to match those emotions when drunk or used. Many opf the deities and well guardians tend to be female by and large. Water is a feminine element. Celtic lore is filled with female water deities. Check out the mermaids, you do not see many mermen. In the olden days bodies of water were seen as portals to the world of the Fae or Underworld. The ancient Europeans used to throw offering into the rivers and lakes.

This book is wide as it is deep. Excellent job Kim Huggens and Avalonia publication.

[Ravenluna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great background

Amazing collection of knowledge and gives the reader more ideas to research and learn more about. I think this is a must for anyone that studies water magick and rituals.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valuable book with interesting, insightful essays. 4 stars instead of 5 as Kindle formatting is screwy: the whole second half of the book was organized as one chapter, so table of contents and the later book itself became hard to navigate beyond straight-through reading.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of essays detailing the element of Water from a number of viewpoints and traditions. Some of the essays were more intriguing than others and some had more information that I found of interest but considering this is a collection of 17 different pieces of work, I would expect that everyone would find at least one article more suited to them than the others.

If you are interested in the esoteric or would like to read about the element of Water from differing points of view then I can definitely recommend this book.

[Bellatrix Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this and have read it multiple times. The experiences and different perspectives offer an inspiring batch of tales and knowledge, offering many different ideas for using water in magick, even in the everyday.

[Sicily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent essays for those interest in water rituals and/or the science and power behind water. A book for witches and scientists. I loved that it included water lore and rituals from various cultures including African and Western. Really, it has something for everyone.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short articles on the meaning of water from an esoteric point of view. Interesting read, some good meditations to work with.

[Michaelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book it a fantastic journey into to the discovery of the importance of Elemental Water