Hey witches! I wasn’t sure what to do for our latest challenge, so I decided to explore some different magickal and religious waters you might hear about. This is going to include my thoughts on why water is so prevalent in magickal practices, as well as explanations about things such as moon water, Holy Water, khernips, and more!
So, let’s kick off with the why of water.
Serenity By Valentina-Remenar
Why Water?
Water is life, right? We already know this! Water is a requirement for most creatures on Earth to live. It is a shapeshifter, a memory-holder, and a universal solvent. Water bends and flows, molding to the shape of its container. It also shapes and molds the world around it, given enough time. It holds memory, not in a scientific way, but an energetic one.
We magickal practitioners understand that the unique energy of water allows it to absorb other energies, giving it an inherently spiritual quality. Water is also a universal solvent, and its unique physical properties allow it to be used as a carrier for many other ingredients.
Knowing all of this, it is no surprise to me that water has been considered a sacred part of many magickal practices around the world. This extends from ancient times all the way to present day!
Now, lets look at some different types of magickal, spiritual, and religious waters you might hear about. This list includes witchcraft and pagan-specific waters, but also waters not tied directly to a magickal practice. Also, this is not an exhaustive list! There are so many types of magickal waters around the world, and I wouldn’t possibly be able to list them all.
Moon Water
Most of us know this one pretty well! Leave water out under the moonlight, usually a Full Moon, and absorb the lunar energy. You can use any moon phase, drawing the energy of that phase into the water for use later. Some people believe just setting the water in view of the moon works. Others believe that they moon needs to be reflected in the water. Still, another view is that moon water is only created if that is what you intended to do.
Moon water is used for so many things in magickal practice, and these uses will vary from person to person. Some common uses of moon water include charging amulets, cleansing crystals and tools, or adding a lunar boost to spellwork.
Learn more about moon water here: A Moon Water Recipe for Every Phase: Boost Your Magick Powers
Holy Water
We often think of Holy Water as a Christian tradition, but it actually extends to Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and more! Each religion has its own way of preparing Holy Water, and each religion has different uses. The general similarities in use include cleansing and protection.
In Christian traditions, holy water is water that has been blesed by clergy and used for protection, purification, and healing. It is often kept at church entrances or used in baptisms. Some witches who blend paths, or grew up Catholic, still use it in the practice.
Mikveh Water
In Judaism, the mikveh is a ritual bath used for spiritual purification. The water must be living, which means it must be from a natural source like rain or a spring. There are many regulations in Judaism surrounding the mikveh, and these regulations are strictly adhered to in Orthodox Judaism. The mikveh is central to their practice, so much so that a Jewish community is required to build the mikveh first, even before a synagogue.
I watched a video about a woman’s experience with mikveh a while ago and shared about it here if you are interested!
Ganges River Water
The Ganges River is considered sacred in Hinduism. It is believed that bathing in this water cleanses the person and aids in spiritual liberation. Some people even collect water from the Ganges River for home altars. It is another example of how a natural body of water becomes spiritually and religiously charged through belief and tradition.
Khernips
Now we are going back thousands of years to Greece and Hellenic practice. Just like modern witches make moon water for purification, Greek practice has a specific procedure to follow when making cleansing water. Khernips, water purified by fire, is used to cleanse the hands before ritual and rid the body of miasma.
This is still practiced today by many Hellenic pagans and reconstructionists. You can find videos all over YouTube and the internet discussing khernips and explaining how to make them.
Here is one you might find helpful!
Other Ways To Work With Water
Remember, we talked about water being a shapeshifter and representation of many facets of life. Here are some ideas for working with water in its many forms.
- Steam can represent rising energy or transformation.
- Ice can symbolize preservation or boundaries.
- Rain can be cleansing.
- Snow is quiet magick. It is stillness, reflection, and purity.
You can work with water in all its forms! Melt snow for a winter solstice ritual. Collect rain during a storm for banishing spells. Use ice in a freezer spell to hold something in place. Water adapts, and so can your magick.
So…
Remember that you don’t need beautiful labels, fancy jars, or imported water. Tap water that you have consecrated can be just as powerful. What matters here is how you connect with water and what you intend to do with it.
Next time you fill up your cup, think about what kind of what you are using! Invite the magick in and connect with the intuitive and transformative energy of water.
This is my challenge entry for 
WITCH CHALLENGE - Moon, Sun, and Other Magickal Waters 
