Does the hypnotic lull of the sea draw you, and mesmerize you in its captivating rhythms? If so, you and I are kin. Since a young girl growing up on the California coast, I have been captivated by the sea. It has always seemed a portal into another world; the world of sea creatures, yes, but a portal into a dimension of magic as well, an inner dreaming with as many moods as the sea herself.
Thunderous and terrifying, misty and mysterious, seductively rhythmic, the sea reflects our own emotions, be they tumultuous or calm.
As Pagans, we understand that we are not separate from nature. We evolved out of the same elements as all other life, our existence co-arising along with trees, rocks, rivers, and yes, the sea. We know that we are a part of the soul of nature. So naturally we can feel the rhythms of nature within our own bodies and psyches when we allow ourselves to become quiet enough to listen. The ocean can help us shift our moods as we allow our subtle energies to come into resonance with her. I find being in the presence of the ocean one of the most healing experiences there is, which is why I return to her inspiration for songs over and over again.
Songs of the Sea
I have written many songs of the sea; probably the best known is Song of the Sea, the title track of my first CD dedicated to the ocean. This song reflects the musings of a person at the end of their life, who comes to the sea to make an offering of their memories. They reflect on a life lived with honor, as they “cast their stones to the ocean”. In this song, the sea represents the Celtic Otherworld, the Summerlands that shimmer in fields of light, a world close to our own, available to us as we shift our perception ever so slightly. The sea is a portal to this shimmering realm.
Siren Moon is another song inspired by the ocean, which tells the tale of a seductive siren and the hapless sailor she bewitches.
She will take you for everything you’ve got
from Siren Moon by Sharon Knight, on her album Song of the Sea
And she’ll lead you to your ruin on the rocks
It’s a siren moon and the winds they wail
You ride full sail and free
But your heart rings with every song she sings
Now you’re lost forever to the sea
It’s a siren moon and the tide is high
Your spirit’s flying free
You never knew she had her claim on you
Now you’re lost forever to the sea
This song speaks to the lure of breathtaking beauty and inspiration; a divine encounter, the majesty of nature, the intoxication of a beloved, or the miracle of a child. It is my hope that you all have something like this is your life, for which you would be willing to risk all. For these are the moments that define our lives.
Here Winter and I are joined by some of our favorite people, singing Siren Moon on the Faerieworlds main stage in Oregon. From left to right: Joseph Blackfeather, Jessica Star, Winter, me, and S.J. Tucker. There is a special kind of magic that happens when serendipity lines up, and you find yourself booked at the same festivals as your musical friends, and can sit in on each other’s sets. It’s spontaneous, exhilarating, and so bonding!
Now, many years later, Winter and I find ourselves returning to the sea. We have recently finished a new song, called Ghost Forest, to be released on an upcoming album. This song goes in a bit different direction musically, and has been a favorite among our Patreon subscribers. Ghost Forest tells of an actual forest along the Oregon coast that fell into the ocean during a dramatic earthquake about 200 years ago. This entire forest literally sheared away from the cliff and fell into the sea. It was hidden by storms and sands until the winter of 1997-1998, when exceptionally strong storms swept more sand that usual out to sea, and the petrified stumps revealed themselves. I was completely fascinated by the idea of a secret forest buried at sea! What stories might these ancient trees tell?
Here’s another song you might enjoy, called Melusina, from our most recent album, Portals. This song is inspired by the French legend of the Melusine, half woman, half serpent or fish. She lives both in the realm of humans and in the realm of myth, and speaks to the longing often felt by those of us who live between worlds. You may recognize the voices of SJ Tucker and Sonja Drakulich (Faun, Stellamara) on this song!
For me, the sea has always represented those liminal places where we can slip between worlds and taste that Otherworldly wild magic we all fervently seek. This is why we become Pagans, is it not? Because we can feel that Otherworld, just brimming at the edges of our perception, waiting to be discovered. These openings, these portals into other worlds, can be accessed through all manner of natural environments, of course. If you don’t live near the sea, I am sure you have your secret places. These songs and videos are my way of sharing my own secret portals into magic with you.
An Animist’s approach to songwriting
Have you ever wanted to write songs, but haven’t been sure where to start? Blank page syndrome can be terrifying, but the sea, or any natural environment, can help. Go out to your favorite waterway, and you will see moods and rhythms all around you.
Sit down somewhere comfortable with your journal in hand, and allow yourself to become quiet. Take in the sights around you, and take note of the emotional effect this environment is having on you. What memories come up? What recent conversation or insight is sparked? Are you thinking of a loved one? Does something that has moved you bubble to the surface? Jot down a few notes without thinking about it. Don’t imagine yet that you are “writing a song” just let yourself freeform whatever emotions, impressions, or memories come to you.
Then pick up an object near you, or allow your eyes to fall on a specific aspect of this natural environment. For example, a piece of driftwood.
- What does this element of nature tell you about itself?
- About your relationship to it?
- What type of texture does it have?
- Is it rough or smooth?
- Is it very old?
- What color is it?
- What does it smell like?
For me, as I pick up the piece of driftwood in the photo above, I note that it feels very dry, parched, bleached. I could easily get a splinter from it. It is rounded at each end, which leads me to believe it has had many an adventure. It seems to me an old sailor who has made his last voyage. He is ready now to sit quietly by the fire, with his pipe in his mouth and his grandchildren at his feet. And there we have a theme for a song!
Current Project: Undertow
Winter and I are currently developing another sea-themed album, called Undertow. This album speaks to the way the moods of the ocean echo our own human experiences. It is my intent that this project will be tied to climate change activism as well. I plan to create shows which combine these songs with education about the plight of our oceans and what we can do to help.
It will include a companion art book – I am a visual artist as well – which will be an entire presentation on the beauty of our oceans, and how taking care of them can be a joy. I am very excited about this project!
I love to create music for you, and it is my honor to share my work with you. You can discover it here:
- Learn more about Sharon on her website: https://sharonknight.net
- Follow Sharon on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SharonKnightMusic
- Buy Sharon’s music and art on her shop: https://shop-sharonknight.com
- Buy Sharon’s music on Bandcamp: https://sharonknight.bandcamp.com
- Become part of Sharon’s creative community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SharonKnight
To browse our posts on music in the magic of water and other elements,
visit the Magic and Ritual page in our Book of Shadows
For more information about Sharon Knight, including her collected articles here on Pagan Song, her bio, and links to Sharon’s sites on the web, check out Sharon’s page on Pagan Song.
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