Week four of the Honouring the Land: Elements of Magic Reclaiming course focused on Water, the element of emotion, intuition, and deep inner knowing. It is the fluid current of our emotions, the tides of our soul, and the mystery of the subconscious. Water can be gentle and nurturing, like a quiet stream, or overwhelming and fierce, like a raging storm. It dissolves, transforms, and connects, teaching us the power of flow and surrender.
Water in our lives
Water is essential for life. It makes up a significant portion of our bodies and is present in every cell, regulating our temperature and carrying nutrients. We drink it, bathe in it, and its presence soothes us. Water is in our tears, our blood, and in the rhythmic motion of our breath. The vast oceans, rivers, lakes, and rain remind us of our deep connection to the world around us. The sound of Water—whether a babbling brook or crashing waves—can be profoundly calming, drawing us into a state of reflection and peace.
Water is also a force of destruction and mystery. Floods can reshape landscapes instantly, wiping away entire communities, while storms and tsunamis demonstrate raw, untamed power. The ocean’s depths remain one of the last unexplored frontiers, holding unknown secrets. Water’s duality—its ability to give and take, nourish and devastate—makes it one of the most formidable and awe-inspiring elements. It makes up a significant portion of our bodies and is present in every cell, regulating our temperature and carrying nutrients.
Beyond individual needs, Water has played a central role in the development of human civilisation. Rivers have provided a foundation for establishing villages and cities, serving as sources of sustenance, transportation, and commerce. The Nile River, for example, supported the rise of Ancient Egypt, allowing agriculture to flourish and trade to expand. Similarly, in Yoruba tradition, Oshun, the orisha of rivers, is associated with wealth, business, and the prosperity that Water brings.
Yet access to clean Water remains a pressing issue. Climate change has led to rising sea levels, unpredictable rainfall, and water shortages, affecting communities worldwide. Many still lack access to safe drinking water, making conservation efforts and sustainable water management crucial for future generations. Water is not only a sacred force but a necessary and finite resource that demands our care and respect.
Spiritual alignment with Water
Water invites us to listen deeply—to ourselves, others, and the unseen world. It connects us with intuition and the ebb and flow of emotions, asking us to feel rather than analyse. When we align with Water, we learn to navigate the shifting tides of our emotional landscapes, trusting our feelings as valid and worthy of exploration. Water also connects us to the realm of dreams, visions, and spirit communication, guiding us toward deep inner knowing and healing.
As the element of divination, Water offers insight through reflective tools such as scrying bowls, mirrors, and still pools. The fluid nature of Water allows messages to emerge through symbols, images, and shifting reflections, making it a powerful ally in oracular work. Water plays an essential role in dreamwork, carrying subconscious messages through the dream realm. Working with Water can enhance dream recall, reveal hidden emotions, and bring forth intuitive wisdom. Keeping a dream journal or placing a bowl of Water beside the bed can strengthen this connection.
Water also acts as a bridge to our ancestors, carrying their wisdom through the currents of time. Rituals involving Water, such as pouring libations, working with sacred wells, or setting up an ancestor altar with a glass of Water, can facilitate communication with those who came before us. In many traditions, Water is seen as a conduit between the living and the dead, making it an essential element in ancestor veneration and spiritual communion.
Water is also a powerful force for spiritual cleansing, washing away negativity and energetic blockages. Ritual baths infused with herbs, salts, and essential oils can help to purify the body and spirit, while simple acts such as rinsing hands or feet in fresh water can reset one’s energy. Sacred waters, such as those from holy wells, springs, or the ocean, carry deep spiritual significance and are often used for blessing, protection, and renewal. Whether through full immersion, a sprinkling, or misting, Water cleanses the spirit and space, preparing us to receive new insights and blessings.
Correspondences
Here are some associations to work more intentionally with Water in your spiritual practice.
Qualities: Emotions, intuition, healing, reflection, purification, and compassion define Water’s influence, bringing sensitivity and deep inner awareness.
Direction: West, the realm of twilight and endings, symbolising introspection, emotion, and the setting sun.
Season: Autumn, a time of release, transformation, and turning inward before winter’s stillness.
Time of day: Dusk, the liminal space between day and night where intuition and dreams awaken.
Tools: The chalice, cauldron, shells, and mirrors are all sacred vessels that channel Water’s energy for divination, healing, and emotional work.
Platonic solid: The icosahedron, a twenty-sided shape, represents Water’s fluidity, adaptability, and boundless movement.
Colours: Shades of blue, teal, silver, and seafoam green mirror the ocean’s depth, the sky’s reflection, and the mysteries of the unseen world.
Astrological signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, the water signs, embody deep emotional wisdom, psychic insight, and the power of transformation.
Crystals: Moonstone, aquamarine, amethyst, and lapis lazuli enhance intuition, emotional balance, and spiritual clarity.
Plants and herbs: Willow, lotus, aloe, watercress, valerian, and jasmine resonate with Water’s healing, dreamwork, and psychic connections.
Tarot: The suit of Cups, The Moon, and The High Priestess reflect Water’s themes of intuition, emotion, mystery, and hidden depths.
In the Witch’s Pyramid, “To Dare” represents the courage and willingness to step into the unknown, embracing the fluid and often unpredictable nature of Water. It speaks to the boldness required to trust our emotions, follow our intuition, and surrender to the currents of change.
Activities
Here are some activities you could try to connect more deeply with Water.
Ritual baths: Submerge yourself in a bath (or shower) infused with herbs, salts, or oils to cleanse the body and spirit, washing away stagnant energy and negativity.
Cleansing waters: Use water to purify spaces and objects by sprinkling, misting, or washing, allowing its sacred energy to remove unwanted influences.
Hydrate: Drink more water and try different hot and cold drinks such as flavoured waters and teas.
Explore local bodies of water: Spend time near a river, lake, or ocean. Learn about its history, myths, and management; meditate on its movement and cycles and reflect on how they mirror your emotions and intuition.
Dream journal: Keep a journal by your bed to record dreams and messages received during sleep, enhancing your connection to the subconscious mind.
Water scrying: Gaze into a bowl of water or a reflective surface to receive intuitive messages and insights from the unseen realms.
Sit with your emotions: Allow yourself to fully experience and process your feelings, embracing their ebb and flow without judgment or resistance.
Lunar rituals: Honour the Moon’s cycles with rituals that align with its phases, using water to enhance intuition, manifestation, and emotional balance., allowing yourself to connect with its rhythm.
By mindfully engaging with Water through these practices, you can deepen your understanding of its energy and cultivate a dynamic relationship.
My week with Water
My week with Earth happened early in January when I was still considering my 2025 goals and how to bring more order, balance, and stability to my routine and stay grounded through busy and overwhelming times. My week with Air began alongside the presidential inauguration. It was an intense week with overwhelming distressing information, sharp actions, and hasty reactions. My week with Fire brought clarity, renewal, and a sense of transformation; it was a welcome change.
I mentioned in my Fire blog that, as a Sagittarius, I feel at home in Fire. Astrologically, my elements are not well-balanced. Most of my planets are in Fire signs, then Water, and only one in Earth and Air. I have a deep connection to Water. Many of the goddesses I am devoted to, such as Yemaya, Oshun, Atabey, and Aphrodite, are associated with Water. The Fire has always had an edge. I can be hot-tempered and careless with my words. Water softens me, but it has taken me decades to trust my perception, imagination, and intuition and learn how to acknowledge my feelings, sit with them, and express them in a healthy way.
I spent my week with Water processing my emotions over an important decision. I sat with my fears, doubts, issues of loss and trust, and sense of failure. I didn’t dismiss those feelings or explain them away. I meditated, journaled, and cried a lot, alone and on my husband’s shoulder. And I felt all the Waters–the serene lake, the turbulent seas, and the refreshing showers. I yearn to feel in control and am still learning to surrender to the currents, trusting that they will carry me where I need to go.
Water teaches us to trust our emotions and intuition, to flow with life’s currents rather than against them. It encourages us to embrace change, to cleanse and heal, and to move with grace. Through Water, we learn the sacred art of surrender—knowing that even the strongest river carves its path not through force but through persistent movement. In honouring Water, we honour the deep well of wisdom within ourselves.
