Water Magic & Mermaid Song, part 2

This is my second post on Water Magic here on Pagan Song. In part one, I shared some simple rituals to connect with the energies of water. In this installment, I’d like to introduce you to three of my favorite water deities and beings. They are Yemaya, she who is the essence of the ocean; Sulis of the cleansing springs; and Lakshmi of the lotus pond.

Yemayá

Yemayá, great mother of the ocean, is from the Santería tradition. To me, she is the essence of compassion and unconditional love. She has a reassuring way about Her. I always imagine Her laughing warmly and saying, “Oh sweetie, it’s going to be okay” in my stressed-out moments.

As a full-figured woman myself, I love that she is often depicted as curvy and owning those curves. The teaches me self-nurturing through that confidence. For seventeen years, I have escaped to the ocean at dawn to call upon her when I have felt lost.

Working with Yemayá often causes me to turn Her unconditional love and acceptance within myself.

As with any Deity, I always suggest you introduce yourself and do something to honor Them, like creating a beautiful altar, offering a special food or drink, a poem or a song. I always sing to Yemayá when I call upon Her.

As you meditate upon Her, ask yourself these questions…

How can I better my self-care?
Are there places where I am letting my power be drained?
How can I bring more laughter and freedom to a stressful situation?

Here’s a favorite song to Yemayá by the pagan band Kiva. Sing along and feel the joy of Her abundance and love!

Sulis

Sulis, or Sulis Minerva, is the goddess of the healing springs of Bath. I often imagine her as floating, clothed in a gown made of white, sparkling, flowing water. Her energy is that of cleansing, and also, release. Again, please introduce yourself and do something to honor Her, and meditate upon the energy She offers rather than asking for favors. I find just meditating on her presence brings me great clarity. When you are able to let go of patterns and thoughts which do not serve you, there is room for growth. This is why cleansing and release rituals and meditations are so important.

As you meditate upon Sulis, ask yourself these questions…

What do I need to let go of in order to grow?
What thought patterns do I need to “cleanse” from my mind?
What can I do to live a cleaner lifestyle (diet, exercise, self-care routine)?

In this track, Sayama provides a soundscape that’s perfect for your meditation on Sulis.

Lakshmi

Lakshmi is from the Hindu tradition. She is the essence of abundance and generosity. She is depicted as a beautiful woman with long, dark hair and kind eyes. She wears bright pink and gold silks and sits upon a great lotus. Gold coins flow from her hands. She teaches receptivity. Her lotus, itself, has its own spiritual symbolism. The lotus’ roots reach deep, through the “muddy waters” of life and sink into the nurturing of the Mother Earth. It grows up from that stability, through the mud to float gently and calmly on the waters of consciousness, petals opening to the light (divine guidance and all the goodness life has to offer.)

Lakshmi often sits with Lord Ganesh by her side. Ganesh is known as the Remover of Obstacles. There is a beautiful friendship between them that shows the important relationship between releasing/removing old energies and patterns to clear the way for opening to abundance.

The most wonderful way to honor Lakshmi is by acknowledging all the things you are grateful for, and the many ways abundance has come into your life.

As you meditate upon Lakshmi, ask yourself these questions…

What are the ways I am blessed by abundance?
What are my mental blockages or negative thoughts regarding money?
How can I be more at peace with, and open to, the process of earning money?

Lakshmi is often honored in songs in the kirtan tradition. Here’s a sweet live video–you can sing along with Jaya Lakshmi & Ananda’s audience. Very spiritual.

Other Watery Guides

If you are a person who finds great magic in connecting with the creatures of the sea, here are a few of my favorites:

Dolphin

Dolphin symbolizes joy, taking time to play, and being in the present moment.

Meditation questions:

Can I let go and take time to play?
Where and with whom am I most playful?

Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle symbolizes slowing down and being deliberate with your actions while trusting your own power wisdom.

Meditation questions:

How can I slow down and make simpler movements
How can I move through life from a place of inner power?

Octopus

Octopus symbolizes intelligence and adaptability.

Meditation questions:

How can I use my intelligence and skills to my advantage?
How can I “flow” with a stressful situation?

Thank you for reading Part Two of my series on water magic. For more in-depth exploration into working with water goddesses, please join me for my musical guided meditation journey “Musical Ritual: Mermaids & Water Magick” online on Friday, August 27^th 2021 at 7pm EST.

To read more posts on the magic of water, the other elements, and many other types of spellwork, be sure to browse this website’s Book of Shadows. In addition to my first post on mermaid magic, there are wonderful posts on water magic and music by Sharon Knight and Carole Crowwomyn, among others. Highly recommended!

All watercolors by Jenna Greene

For more information about Jenna Greene, including her collected articles here on Pagan Song, her bio, and links to Jenna’s sites on the web, check out Jenna’s page on Pagan Song.

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