Rain & Other Waters in Witchcraft

It is important to listen to weather reports espeically about when rain is coming,  certain rain waters have certain magikal uses or properties, rain water in general is good for making holy water, but rain waters gathered or collected at certain times or under certain conditions are exceptionally important.

Right now I'm just going to tell you what kinds of Rain Water.

Rain Water is concidered one of the types of "Living Waters" that is important for magikal workings, there are others such as River, Ocean, Bay, Spring water (at the source), natural glacial water, snow, stream, creek, Lake (but not pond).  Water from the Tap or made ice cubes are not "Living Water".

Rain water in general is good for making Holy Water and can be collected any time it rains, but these next 3 types of waters listed are very important and should be bottled and labeled separately---

The first rain water after the Spring Equinox....

Rain Water collected during a thunderstorm or (if possible) a hurricane...

Rain Water that falls at night during the full moon...

The last three are espeically important

Now where I'm at we've had the Spring Equinox but no rain although rain is predicted in the next few days, I will put out a large glass jar or ceramic bowl to collect the water, then over another glass jar I will strech a large piece of natural muslin over the mouth of a glass jar and tie it down with string, slowly pour the water onto the muslin to allow it to drip into the 2nd bowl while filtering out any debris, the
jar then will be sealed and labeled as to what it is and when it was collected and under what conditions.

If you are not sure how to lable it it can be like this ---Rain Water  1st Rain after Spring Equinox 03/22/14

Or Thunderstorm Rain Water 3/22/14   or Full Moon Rain Water 3/22/14    and then there's the plain Rain Water 3/22/14   This way you'll know what kind of water it is and under what conditions it was collected and When.

Now I was told some years ago if the water collected the previous year was not used to pour it into the ground after you've collected replacement water under the same conditions.   It is possible that it could lose its potency, but I've not had that happen as yet, but this year where I'm at it being unusually dry I may find out.  Which means I may have to use other Living waters in spell work.

MORE INFO--
Now you want to know what types of Rainwater there are and their magical uses as well as other types of water, how to collect it, how to filter it, how to store it and what are their individual purposes.

Well remember how I told you about all the different kinds of Graveyard Dirt and how to collect it, classify it, even how to do substitutions if going to a graveyard or cemetery was not easy?


Well it’s the same thing with WATER----there is all kinds of Waters and believe it or not there are sub-headings for a number of those waters.


The General Headings are these:


Rain Water


Spring Water


Well Water


Ocean or Sea Water


Lake Water


River Water


Holy Water or Consecrated Water (yes there are two different types)


Snow (yes Snow)


Hail (yes Hail)


And Made Waters--- I’ll explain that later


Trust me the types of Waters, their combinations, how to collect and store them, their uses would take a book.


So I will have to post it under separate headings, and also have to deal with different living conditions, such as City, Country, Desert, Forest, Ocean side, not Ocean side.


How you will collect each type of water will be covered in each section.


It’s what you’re going to do with each batch that’s important after you collect them.


And you are going to need bottles, bottles of different colors if possible, and this is where you become a repurposing practioner----Say you have a neighbor who LOVES Vodka, and he gets the Vodka that comes in dark Blue Bottles---ask him to set those bottles aside for you, Bombay Gin and some Saki comes in pale blue bottles and one brand of Sake comes in pale pink bottles, certain types of sparking waters (for drinking) come in blue and green bottles, also look for bottles that are black, red, purple, yellow, look for any unusual color bottle.  Brown beer bottles are also good as well but don’t overdo them.


Then you are going to need corks that will fit the open neck of the bottle, and this will mean different size corks, no you cannot use the metal twist on tops, metal takes away the energy.


Now after you have a supply of bottles Wash them with lemon dishwashing soap and if they have paper labels remove them, so it will mean soaking those bottles to remove the labels, if the label is permanent to the bottle cover it with an appropriate color paper and either glue it to the bottle or tape it, but leave a side edge open so you can see how much water you have in that bottle----it will tell you when to replenish your supply.


Eventually over time you can get fancy with your bottles in designs, as you do that it will make them more connected to you and the type of workings you will be doing with each type of water.


COLLECTING----as I said each type of water has their own way of being collected, no matter what  when you collect your waters use only either glass bottles or glass or ceramic bowls, or cups, those too need to be pre-washed with lemon dish soap, now in the case of transporting the bottles if they have plastic twist on tops that is fine, and if the area is dangerous to walk in then use plastic bottles for safety  to collect the water but then transfer to glass bottles as soon as possible.


All Waters that are collected should be filtered afterwards at your home,  use paper filters like for coffee making to remove debris and particles.  My Granny in her day use to use clean white cotton cloth or muslin or several layers of cheese cloth, if you have a plastic funnel that is a good holder for the filter.

SUPPLIES LIST---


So the supplies you will need are:


 bottles in both clear and color,


corks in different sizes,


 a collecting bottle,


 a collecting bowl,


filters and funnels (remember all this should NOT be metal),


color papers in case,


label papers,


water proof pens with water proof inks. 


A map to show where you can freely collect waters that is not rain water,


A list of locations where you can carefully collect specialized waters,


And a link to your local weather station to see what kind of conditions for rain.

MORE INFO--

Reading water or diving messages from water is called Hydromancy, but usually it is done with a bowl of water to gaze into much like crystal gazing. It is entirely subjective.

Having a glass of water next to one’s bed was to appease the spirits so they would not invade one’s dreams, or to protect one from any negative energy. Mrs. Byrd was good at that but she would use two glasses of water, one put next to your bed on a nightstand on a small tray, and a 2nd glass of water on one’s bureau also on a tray.

The 2nd glass of water was what one would call the “control” glass, if it evaporated a lot like the one next to your bed then it was a very hot night, the same thing with cloudiness etc.


But if it appeared normal compared to the other one then something happened. A lot of bubbles meant worries were being taken away, evaporating faster than normal meant a spirit of a loved one had been nearby or the angels were working to keep your spirit from not departing your body.


Cloudy meant that a negative entity had been trapped and should be poured out into the gutter or into a storm drain.


Odd objects like threads meant that you should be warned of entrapment, or threats, insects meant illness of some sort.

At least that is what Mrs. Byrd told me.

But usually using a glass a water was to help read an egg that was used in a cleansing spell.

THE COLLECTING AND PROCESSING OF WATER


Before you begin to collect water for magickal use, any kind of water its best to know what to collect it with and in and how to process it and store it. 


Although I’ve mentioned it briefly in the INTRODUCTION blog, I’m going to repeat it and in more depth in this section.


FIRST---if at all possible collect your water in a clear glass bowl or glass jar or in a white ceramic bowl or cup (a glass cup is fine too).


Now there is a sort of common rule of thumb depending upon the tradition that one practices in the collection and storage of Nature’s waters. The item you use to collect the water should be clear, non-colored glass or a container that is plain white, for either a bowl, cup or jar that doesn’t matter. One thing it should never be is crystal, most crystal items have Lead in it and that affects and discharges the energy of the water and even if you were able to find a natural crystal bowl (very, Very expensive) depending upon the conditions the water was collected especially Rain water, that could permanently affect the energy of the bowl so that all waters will have the same energy, when you really need the different energies from different conditions for different rituals, potions etc. So using regular everyday glass or a plain white ceramic item is the best collector.


The extra advantage to using that is that it can be washed with Lemon dishwashing soap to clear off the energies from the water collected, so that it will be energetically clear for the next “harvesting”.


There are those practioners who believe it should only be collected in natural metals (copper, silver, gold, etc.), because glass is a processed object, however that is incorrect, at least according to what I was taught and what I have discovered through the process of experimenting  with the waters to see what effects it does have and I’ve discovered that because a metal bowl is also processed it is not natural also that metals can adversely affect the waters, just like a natural crystal bowl. 


Now some people can be lucky in finding a large stone that has a natural depression usually caused by the wearing of river water, and this makes a completely natural bowl avoiding any concept of something being processed, and it too can be cleaned by washing it with lemon juice and flushing it with plain tap water which is a Non-living water.


I do know of several practioners who have gone to a rock quarry that carries rocks for gardens and such and look for a large natural rock whose energies in general feel good and with asking permission of the rock for that particular purpose will buy it then have it manually ground down into a gentle bowl and consecrate it to that use of collecting Rain Water and maintain it the same way, and it seems to work well for them.


However in some situations glass or white ceramic may not be the best material to use for fear of it breaking, this is true where you go to areas outside of your home, such as the parks, beach, monuments, rivers, lakes.  Then you will be forced to have to use plastic, I’ve found that the plastic bottles for holy water (commercially available) work very well, as well as the bottles and jugs for Distilled water that one uses for baby formulas, irons or vaporizers (this can be purchased in any grocery store), and works well for transporting home to be decanted and processed into glass bottles.


So when you are collecting water from rivers, lakes, oceans or anywhere outside your home use those bottles that are non-breakable and then as soon as possible decant them.


Now as I said you should be collecting glass bottles of every color possible, some you will use right away, some may take a while because the collecting of certain types of water, especially certain types of rain water has to take place under certain conditions----You cannot say that rain water is Thunderstorm water if there was no thunderstorm for example.


Now in the collecting of Lake, River, Ocean water, these too need to be collected during certain conditions, but if an opportunity arises and you have a chance to go to any one of those areas, make a note of the Astrological conditions, say you go on a Friday when Venus is in a good planetary arrangement, then the water you collect that day would be good for Love.


If you have an opportunity to collect River water on St. John’s day (June 24) that water would be good for home protection.


If you have a chance to go to the beach, collect the water especially if you plan to do a ritual to an ocean goddess.


No matter what if you have an opportunity to go somewhere with water present be sure to take your water jug or bottle (plastic in this case) and take advantage of it---make a note of the day, date and time when you do it and then check your Astrological calendar to see what planets were in what signs and go from there.


I knew of one elderly practioner who didn’t drive a car, most of the time she took a bus to go to certain places but if one of her friends or family members were going and she was invited she’d leap at the opportunity and then check her Astro calendar to see what she had in essence “Captured”.  She never had a problem with her workings, even though she was hindered by her lack of transportation.


One time she went to this park where there was a natural creek running through it and collected the water, a park ranger asked what she was doing and being a quick thinker even though she was elderly, she told the Ranger that she had a microscope at home and would use it to amuse her grandchildren to see what tiny “bugs” could be found in the water.  The Ranger found that a logical explanation and just warned her to be careful among the slippery rocks.


THE PROCESSING----


The processing of your water, no matter what type is relatively easy, you have to take into consideration debris and tiny wiggly things, so you need to filter your water.  So using a glass bowl or jar, fit over it using either rubber band or string a coffee filter, make sure it has a depression to collect the water and hold it while it drips down into the bowl.


Slowly and carefully pour your collected water through the filter, allowing to stop from time to time so it can perk through the filter.  


Once your water has been filtered, throw the filter way, then pour the water into the appropriate bottle, cork it, and label it.


At this time the energy of the water is inert, not activated. 


When you are ready to use some of that water for you ritual, pour it out from that bottle into the appropriate container small bowl/cup/chalice and then consecrate it to your will.


There are some exceptions---the water collected during violent storms, such as Thunderstorms, hurricanes etc.  are always active, it just then depends on what use you will direct it towards.


Also waters that are collected on certain times of the year such as the Equinoxes, All hallows, Yule, Mid-summer etc. or on special Christian Holy Days, such as St. John’s Day, the Day of the Ascension those have certain active properties.


Only by studying folk lore, Tradition and by observation will you have an idea how they will work.


But in the meantime after you have poured the water into the appropriate bottle but before you use it, label the bottle with the type of water, condition or time it was collected and date.


For Example :


 River water 


St. John’s Day


6/24/14       


 Or  Thunderstorm


       Dark Moon


        3/30/14


Or:    Spring Equinox


          Waning Moon


          3/21/14


Or    Rain Water


         Full Moon


         4/13/14


Other examples are:   Ocean Water—Samhain---Waxing Moon —10/31/14


Recently I was lucky I was able to collect Rain Water during a Thunderstorm at when a lighting strike occurred at 1:23 p.m. during a New Moon  So it was labeled : Thunderstorm w/lighting strike 1:23 p.m., New Moon and the date.  


The strike occurred just 6 blocks from where I was, and I was lucky to collect the wood from the blasted Tree, one long enough to eventually make into a wand, the other pieces will come in handy.

labeling always remember this:


1. The date and time it was collected. I know people who also add the phase the moon was in at the time of collection.


2. Where the collection took place.


3. What you collected. Is this rain from a lightning storm, melted snow, hail, ocean? Give it a description.


SPECIAL NOTE:   Do not use wood, leather or other natural materials because the water will have a tendency to absorb the minerals and energies of the container. This will alter its composition and change the energy you wanted to collect for your workings.


BOTTLES


As I said about the bottles, they can come from different types of uses, whiskey, beer, bottled water, vodka, or other liquid glass containers that never held anything poisonous; some men’s cologne bottles work just as well. 


Before you use them they must be washed with Lemon dishwashing soap and any paper labels soaked off.  Some practioners will add a pinch of Sea Salt for extra purification during the soaking process.


Plastic bottles or jugs used to transport waters should be purified in the same manner. 


Except for the plastic twist on tops on plastic containers all bottles should be plugged with cork stoppers, you can find them either at a hardware store or craft store, measure the inside diameter of the bottle by measuring across the lip of the bottle, this will help to insert the cork into the mouth of the bottle.  No metal caps should be used as this will discharge the energy of the water.


Now if you are a bit shaky about pouring the water into the bottle, you can use a plastic funnel to help pour it and avoid spillage.


And as I said if the label on the bottle is not paper but more permanent, you can cover it with an appropriate color paper, just leave enough on the side of the bottle so you can see how much you have remaining after each use.


Keep your bottles in a special cabinet to avoid Sun light, to prevent the Sun’s energy changing the energy within the bottle and to slow down any evaporation.


HOW LONG TO KEEP


The average amount of time to keep Sacred waters that you’ve collected is anywhere between 6 months to a year, but on an average a year at least.


And to wait to replace them until you’ve collected your next year’s batch in approximately the same or nearly the same conditions.


The exception I’ve discovered is those water’s collected under exceptional conditions, keep those until they are gone, even if it may be more than a year,  sometimes exceptional conditions only come just a few times in one’s life time, so it is worth holding on to.


With those exceptional waters you may have to check to see if anything is growing in them, when that happens filter the water again, clean out the bottle it was stored in (again with lemon soap) and then re-cork.

MORE INFO--
This post is about Rain Water and the types of Rain water that abounds, since this is a very long post, I would advise that you print it out and add it to your book of magickal workings.  That way you can refer to it without having to go on line.

Water, Any kind of water has a certain mystical attraction to us, it not only covers 70% of the Earth's surface, but over 90 percent of our bodies is composed of water; we are born from the waters that contain us within our mother’s womb, it’s no joke when an expecting woman cries out “My Water broke!!”  It is a sign that a new life is coming.


Water defines, creates, destroys in its own way, it gives life and in its most destructive mode, floods, tsunamis, boiling hot and even two inches of bath water, it can take away life.


The human body can go 7 days to almost a month without food, but it can only last 3 days without water, many elderly people and even healthy athletes, find themselves being rushed to the hospital because they are de-hydrated, because without water we die.


Water is more precious that oil or gold, because we need it to survive.


Water is a magical thing, it is a combination of two very flammable gases. It's somehow a liquid at room temperature and hard as stone when frozen. In all three states, it's colorless, but when sunlight shines through it, it refracts a brilliant, multi-colored rainbow that can be seen for miles.  It is the only element that shows the levels of energy in our universe.


There are three states that water can be found in, solid, liquid and gas, can be seen as symbols of the three Realms of Land, Sea and Sky for water is found flowing from all three of these areas, no other element can do that.  It is the most magical and mystical of all the elements.


And no matter what your belief system is water is important to ritual, you’ll find that baptism, holy water, and other ritual uses of water are a central component of religions and spiritual beliefs.  Even the simple ritual of a cup of tea can bring a moment of calm, meditation and grounding.


It is the great purifier. We wash away our sins, we cleanse our wounds, and our tears bring release.   It is the Great Beginning for one finds in various legends and in the Bible the importance of water, how it was the first element.


The Hopi creation myth starts, "In the beginning, the earth was nothing but water," and in the Bible's book of Genesis, you' will read that "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters."


It is interesting to discover how central a role water plays in belief systems throughout the world, and yet we make it an object of personal taste, in the latest styles or flavors of bottled water.


 Many Native American belief systems see the sun as the immediate creator. However, they also believe that there is a greater power beyond the sun, a power "so big that it cannot be named."  Science has noted especially one William E. Marks said that….  “Our sun is basically a collection of energy waves, energy waves that have their source from the cosmic waters that created and permeate our universe. In fact, recent science tells us that a star like our sun cannot form or survive without water. Without water, our sun would overheat and expand into its basic elements."


Cosmic Waters….that is a bit mind boggling that beyond the clouds beyond our atmosphere there is Cosmic Waters.


Which is why in ritual and spell work water is a very important component.




Over the years, through experimentation done by my Grandmother, her Mother, her Mother before her, and also with the ladies of my Granny’s group as well as myself, I’ve discovered what waters work in what capacity and it’s interesting to see these same discoveries reflected in other area’s on the internet.


But with my continuing series of posts on Water I hope to be able to collect it all for you in one location instead of it being scattered.


So let us start with  the most obvious and most variable types of water, for this post


 Which is Rain Water----


Rain water is drawn from moisture in the ground, the oceans, the poles and through a remarkable process is elevated into the heavens until the cloud formations become so heavy with moisture that it begins to fall back to earth and the seas.  


But on the way down it collects energy and it is that energy that we are seeking in this mutable of elements.


As I said there are basic headings on the types of waters but with each type of water there are sub-categories, and in each category there is specific uses and rituals.


And Rain has the most.


Each type of Rain storm gathers together various fragments of energy that create the flow and function of the Rain water. And will impact the type of energy infused into the water.


Let us start with the most basic:


Seasonal Rain Fall or Rain Fall of the Seasons

SEASONAL RAINS

Rains that happen on the Day and Night of the Equinox’s or the Solstices are especially powerful, it adds extra power to spell and ritual work, depending upon the type of work one is doing but if it happens to be the first rain just after the equinox or solstice it is just as good for spell work, because it is the closest to it.


Springtime

 Rain water collected in spring should be stored in a light green bottle. It’s energy  can be used for empowering new ventures. Such as a new relationship, new business ventures, a new job and so on. 


But rain water collected on the Spring Equinox or from the first rain after the Spring Equinox is good for empowering spells for relationships, business as well, in some cases it can help relationships.

Summertime

Rain water collected in the summer should be stored in a sky blue bottle. It can be used to encourage growth, be it personal growth, spiritual growth or growth of a venture or relationship. It can also be used for rituals that are designed to overcome bad habits.

Rain collected on Mid-summer’s eve and Day is especially mystical, if one does a spell using this water to bless a Holy hole a rock with a natural see through hole one then can see the fairy folk, but to do this with care as they do not like to be spied upon.  With spells for romance or to bring a new love to you a dab of this water on your petition paper is good.

Also if you know it’s going to rain just in general during this time put any indoor plants outside to enjoy and absorb the rain, including any herbs you are growing indoors.

FALL TIME

Rain water collected during the fall equinox or the first rain after the fall equinox should be stored in an orange or other fall colored glass bottle. This should be used for giving thanks and showing gratitude for the abundance you have received during the year. 

Other rains collected during this time depending upon new or full moon are good for blessings of thanks

WINTERTIME

Rain water collected during the winter solstice or the first rain after should be stored in a silver or iridescent glass bottle. Iridescent bottles can be any color but will sparkle with a rainbow of color when moved in the light. The best color of these bottles to store your winter Rain water is, gold, silver or blue.

Winter rain can be used for blessings a person, relationship, family or object. It can also be used for blessing an event such as a wedding, birth, business venture and so on.  For to be able to survive the hardship of winter so should one be able to survive the hardship of life.

MOON PHASE RAINS

One of the hardest types of rains to collect is during the time of the Full or New Moon, sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t want to cooperate.   Rain collected at those times of the Month is very powerful.

Dark Moon
Rain collected during the phase of the Dark Moon is good for banishings or to bring about difficulties to those who have troubled you.

New Moon
Some people have a hard time what is a dark moon and a new moon, for me a new moon is right when the barest sliver of the edge of the moon is showing, the dark moon is complete absence of moonlight

Rain collected at the New Moon is good for workings in which something needs to be brought in, or the starting of new projects.

Waxing Moon---
Sometimes we are not lucky to get rain during the exact moon phase, but either waxing or waning the rains collected that time is good as well, Waxing is to bring in good things, blessings, the start of a project, a new beginning.

Full Moon--
To collect Rain during the Full Moon is sacred waters to honor the Goddess.  A small shot glass of this water (properly filtered) can be added to one’s cleansing bath, or for blessing during a full moon ritual

Now some people will collect every rain water possible during a full moon but label it according to the season of the moon such as Wolf Moon,  Snow Moon to reflect the energy of that moon and month according to that time period of that quarterly season.

In other cases to collect rain water during the full moon but label it according the Solar Astrological sign we are in such as Aries, Libra, Scorpio, this is to work with the energy that is reflected in that sign.

Now that you have your Full Moon Water you can use it to clean  alter spaces and other things in your home by putting the water in your cleaning products. You can use 1 ounce (equal to 1 small shot glass or just a few drops). Its used to clean, bless and purify your alter supplies and items that sit on your alter.

Using herbs you can sprinkle the water on just about anything that you would like to be cleared of negativity. Often before a ritual you will see someone doing just this. Walking around the circle and sprinkling the ground with water. The Full Moon Water can also be used for divination, child blessings, pet blessings, and even a few drops in your bath water before an important event or ritual. I have also seen a few drops mixed with wine or mead in ritual. There are hundreds of uses for the Full Moon Water

Waning Moon-
Rain waters collected during this time is good for getting rid of things, banishings, purging of negativity.

Moon water has many purposes and uses.  It can be used like blessing oil. It can be used to enhance your spells and rituals; it can be added to your bath for relaxation, for clarity, to promote love or prepare for lunar rituals, to anoint money to increase wealth, and to anoint yourself to increase psychic awareness, among many other purposes or water your plants with it. It’s only water. It is largely dependent on your intent and often what zodiac sign the moon is in.

Water that is not rain water but bottled water from a natural filtration system can be made into Moon water to make tea with.   I will cover that in another post.

The next set of Rain Waters deal with the Elements

ELEMENTAL RAINS

Lightening Storm or Lightening Snow
I have always felt for the most powerful of waters the water collected during a lightning storm has the greatest energy. This is especially true for Lightening Snow storms, primarily because they are so rare. I never knew of Lightening Snow Stores but one of my Granny’s ladies lived back east and when she saw it for the first time, throwing on her coat and rain boots, she ran out with a huge bowl and collected it.

Her husband had to drag her indoors so she left her bowl out there to be filled to overflowing with this specially charged type of water

With the water collected from a Snow lighting storm its best to store it in a white glass bottle, or a clear bottle covered with either white paper or the whitest cloth to be found.

With a powerful lighting storm one can store it in a black bottle or a dark brown bottle covered with black paper.

These types of waters can be used to empower any spell or prayer. Use it in a bath to re-energize your being, or to aid in a ritual for clearing and cleansing yourself, an area or any object.

The most powerful that I have ever collected was lighting storm on Samhain, you can imagine what uses one could do with that.

Wind, Tornado, Hurricane Storm
Water collected during a wind storm, especially a Tornado or Hurricane Storm, should be stored in a blue glass bottle. It can be used to empower spells for moving things forward. Such as letting go of the past and moving forward in your life.  Use it for getting out of a rut or changing a pattern you don’t like.  Or for helping a project move forward and get beyond any current blocks.

However if you are in the path of the Hurricane or Tornado, look for safe shelter. 

Rain & Sun Storm
Rain collected when the sun is shining is a very rare thing, but it does happen.  I’ve had it happen on occasion during unexpected Summer storms with nary a cloud in the sky.

This water  can be used to balance energies when you’re feeling weighed down, or flighty and scattered in your thoughts. It should be stored in a dark green glass bottle.

Rainbow Water---Aurora
This is very unusual, and it has only happened to me just once, it was one of those Summer storms where the Sun is shining which I thought was wonderful but just as I put my bowl out and collected a cup of water I saw that there was also a rainbow that lasted throughout the entire summer shower.

I used a few drops of this water to bless a baby, and she grew up to be a very artistically talented person; that was over 30 years ago, I decided to call this type of rain water Aurora water.

Hail Storm
I have mixed feelings on how to collect this type of water.  Some people say that Rain collected from a hail storm is the only time a metal bowl should be used, preferably an iron bowl should be used and the water should not stay in the bowl for longer than 3 to 6 hours.

But I have collected Hail in a glass bowl and other times in a white ceramic bowl and have not had problems, but that is because where I live when there’s hail it is the size of peas. 

Now unless the hail comes down the size of golf balls---THEN I’d recommend the Iron bowl, but usually most people don’t have that, but a clean cast iron skillet or Dutch oven works just as well.  I have one that has a crack in it that is no longer useful for cooking I cleaned it thoroughly and loaned it to a friend of mine who was going back east and while visiting friends there came down a hail storm, she put out the loaned pot because the hail stones were Huge.    She let the hail melt a bit at a time in the pot and poured it into dark brown clean beer bottles, and brought this bottled hail water home.

She has used it and I have too. 

Allow any hail collected to melt before storing. It should be stored in a black or very dark brown bottle. It can be used for dispelling psychic attacks or negative energies that have been sent to you from another. It is also the best form of rain to use for 'black' magik rituals designed to destroy your enemies or negative forces that stand in your way.

And if you have ever been hit by hail you know why it’s good for that.

Now the next part is collecting rain water from living things such as flowers and trees

The easiest waters to collect from a flower is collecting it from roses---

Now why roses---because roses are sacred to the female energy or as some people would say to the Goddess, if you are of Catholic beliefs or are a “Christian (catholic) Witch” you know that the Rose is sacred to Holy Mother Mary, because the rock rose is a 5 petaled flower, representing the 4 elements and spirit or will.  The Scent of Rose Water is also her sacred scent. 

Also Roses hold up well being shaken to release the rain water collected among its flowers and leaves.

Rain water collected from roses can be collected directly into a bowl. Simply shake the water from the roses over the vessel of your choosing for collection.

So now what does the energy of each type of rose impart to the water.

RAIN WATER COLLECTED FROM ROSES

Black Roses
While black roses aren’t truly black, remember that the intent is what generates energy. Hybrid roses that marketed as “black” carry with them the intent of being a live black variation of the rose.

Look for roses to plant in your garden that are of very dark hue or use the word black in its description

Rain water from black roses should be stored in a black or very dark red bottle. It can be used for  warding off negative energies, overcoming hatred,  depression and miserly. If used in a ritual for undoing, you can create energies to reverse these emotions.

Pink Roses
Rain water from pink roses should be stored in a dark pink bottle. It can be used for matters of protection and compassion.

Purple Roses
Rain water from purple roses should be stored in a dark purple bottle. It can be used for matters of divination. Such as working to identify your psychic ability, developing your talent and learning the wisdom of divination.

You might even like to sprinkle a little on your table used for divination to enhance your connection to the tool being used and the topic or client you’re performing the reading for.

Red Roses
Rain water from red roses should be stored in a red bottle. It can be used for matters of love and commitment.

White Roses
Rain water from white roses should be stored in a white bottle. It can be used for protection and any general spiritual matter. Such as communicating with spirit, working on raising energies for meditation or bringing a greater sense of Divinity into your being.

Yellow Roses
Rain water from yellow roses should be stored in a yellow bottle. It can be used for bringing success to any kind of venture. Such as a court case, a new business plan, looking for a job and so on.

Multi-colored Roses
Rain water from multi-colored roses take on the properties of both colors. For instance, a white rose with dark red trim, would infuse both the essence of communication from spirit with the love and commitment.  Those with the combination of red or white with orange for success, look at the color listings on my pages links and you will see what color combinations that can be developed for these types of waters.

Dew, Rain or Snow from Trees
Rain collected from a tree is similar to collecting from a rose. Depending on the energy of the tree, will depend on what the rain is used for in rituals.  In general, a bottle in any variation of green can be used

for storing Rain water from trees. But you can also use a color that distinguishes the tree itself, such as a white bottle for birch trees, or greenish-blue for a Blue Spruce and so on.

If you do not want to go that far in collecting bottles you can tie a ribbon to the neck of the bottle, but the easiest is to simply label your bottle.

Ash Trees
The Ash represents balance, spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The ash is a strong wood, and even its most slender limbs are hard to break. As such it also represents strength, endurance and getting back on your feet.

Birch Trees
The birch tree is a totem tree of Celtic shamans. It is seen as the “World Tree,” the axis upon which the universe spins upon. Rain water collected from a Birch tree can be used for fertility, inception, conception, cleansing, purification, birth and rebirth.

Elder Trees
The Elder tree represents death and regeneration, the Mother phase of the Goddess and wisdom. Rain water from an Elder tree can be used for transformation, change, communication with spirits. It also represents Gods rebirth and can be used for regeneration or starting over.

Holly Tree
Holly trees represent the physical world, authority, courage, soldiers/warriors, male sexuality and energy. Rain water from Holly Trees can be used to improve physical energy, provide support for taking on tasks as a leader or in positions of authority.

Oak Tree
The oak tree is seen as the “door” between the light and dark halves of the year. It is the door of protection between the physical and spiritual worlds, as well as, between home and the outside world. A view that is still practiced today. Rain water from Oak trees can be used for protection, setting shields around yourself, home or a circle for spiritual work.

This short list gives you an idea, there are many more which I will list on a separate post about the uses of trees in magic.

So if you know what type of tree you are near that is covered with rain or snow, gather its waters and put it into a green bottle until you’ve had a chance to see what its magical properties are.

RAIN WATER FROM THE GROUND

The next part is about collecting Rain Water from the ground, now the reason for this is sometimes because of work or other events that keep you indoors you may not have a chance to go out and collect

water from a bountiful rain fall.  Or there is a type of rain water that you seek for a special use.  In that case you are looking at collecting rain water from the ground.

Rain water collected from the ground can also provide varying forms of energy. Strong rain storms that generate a flow of water down a driveway, road, or yard will pick up additional energy from that area. For instance water from a flow of rain through a yard will pick up energy from the grass and soil as well.

But you are cautioned to remember that whatever was on the ground will also be in the water you collect. This is the one time that I strongly suggest filtering your collection before you store it. And because this is from unusual circumstances you can use a plastic bottle or small jug.

Concrete Driveways
Rain water collected from a concrete driveway should be stored in a sand colored bottle or crock. It can be used to bind things together. Such as binding yourself to a job. Or binding a family together.

Asphalt Roads or Parking Lots
Rain water collected from asphalt should be stored in a gray bottle. It can be used to remove negative energies. Or sending negative energies back from where they came. Remember there will be motor oil in these areas DO NOT DRINK!

Dirt Roads
Rain water from a dirt road should be stored in a brown bottle and can be used to promote a sense of “getting back to nature”. It can be used to promote travel and to create energy for a safe trip.

When I see rain water from a dirt road I’m reminded of that song “Take Me Home, Country Roads, Where I Belong….”

Grass Lawns/Fields
Rain water collected from a grassy area should be stored in a green bottle and can be used to promote physical healing of the body.

Dew, Rain or Snow From the Beach
Rain water falling at the beach has always had a sense of purity to it. It can often feel refreshing, cleansing and re-energizing. There’s nothing like a lightning storm at the beach. And all this promotes an additional element of energy in the rain. . Whither it's collected directly from the sky, a flow  of rain water from the sand, or directly from the edge of the surf.

Collecting it from a hotel or motel balcony or patio won’t do. You’ll need to be at the beach itself.

Now I know why would I want to collect rain water that is falling at a beach?  There is plenty of Ocean water---that is true but the combination of energies of the two types of water is very heady and it can vary depending on where you are in the world. It can be used to for clearing, cleansing and re-energizing your overall physical, emotional and spiritual being. It promotes a sense of serenity and relaxation.

And if you have the extra kick of a lighting storm it can be very powerful in dealing with the sea Goddesses.   Another thing to take into consideration is the mood of the Ocean when it is raining, is it violent, re-energizing, invigorating, moody this also needs to be taken into consideration when collecting this rain water, meditate, reach out and feel the mood, and add that to the label on the bottle

The Rain water should be stored in a sea colored bottle

Dew, Rain or Snow from A Building or Object

Collecting Rain water from a building can be tricky. Try looking for a place where the building has a seam of some kind. It’s usually one of the easiest places where you can get a bottle or collector that will allow rain to pour directly into your container. Buildings also have edges or rough profiles where snow can stick to the building.

It’s hard to place a container next to the building and collect the Rain water. Because of this, you can use a tool to collect rain. Try using a funnel to place against the building and funnel the flow into your bottle. Finding a place that ‘drips’ is also good. But try not to take drippings from a roof you don’t want to fall and hurt yourself. The best and safest way to collect snow from a building is to brush it off a window ledge.

Or during a rain storm if you have a chance, see what would be the best way to collect the water, sometimes one gets lucky and a nice puddle forms on the ground that the building is built upon, so water can be collected from that.

Professional Buildings
Rain water collected from a business building should be stored in a bottle that matches the color of the building. It can be used to empower a ritual or spell designed to match the purpose of the business. For instance, collecting rain from your bank can be used to promote financial abundance. From a court house, it can be used to promote success in a legal matter. From a hospital to promote healing

I know of one practioner who collected rain water from the Coroner’s office (this was done at night), she used it for some negative magic, but I warned her that she could have a back lash, she did but was prepared for it. And she managed to collect rain water from a Police Station, she sat outside and told anyone who asked she was waiting for someone to pick her up, she had a small plastic bowl which she manage to collect 4 ounces of water.

Monuments
Rain water collected from a monument, such as a historical site; should be stored in a copper colored  bottle. Copper green can also be used, this is that natural color copper turns to when it ages. It can be used for rituals of remembrance.

Gravestones
Rain water collected from a gravestone or mausoleum, should be stored in a black glass bottle. Most people think of this as a negative collection; but a gravestone is erected to remember a loved one. So this Rain water can be used to ease a loss, to put things to rest, to bury a long held emotional hurt or to bury feelings that one desires to let go.

House
Rain water collected from a home should be stored in a blue bottle. It can be used to create a sense of security, safety and harmony. If you’re hoping to buy a new home, and have an opportunity to collect Rain water from that home, it can be used to promote a connection to the space and set an energy of possession over the property. An “it’s my new home” type of connection to promote the purchase of the home. Of course you’ll want to get permission from the current resident.  Or you can go to a building development where they are building new homes and collect the ground rain water from that area, if this is where you want to live.

FINAL NOTE ON RAIN WATER----First this is by no means a definitive list, I’m sure you think of other types of rain water or where to be collected from.

Now if you’ve noticed I’ve included snow in some cases as a substitute for rain, this is because in many areas it gets so cold it doesn’t rain it snows---so snow should be equated as rain water as well, with the exception of Hail, that type of water has an entirely different energy.

And no matter what, do not drink this water, it is not for any brew or potion to be drunk, and no matter what all rain water should be filtered as a precaution.

Now there are other types of waters which I also call “Made Waters” and I will include that in my list of waters.

In my next few posts  I will talk about "Collected Waters" which are River Water, Lake Water, Ocean water,  Spring water, as well as  "Made Waters", and how to create "Moon Water" when there are no rains for that phase of the Moon and I will finish with what you can do with these waters depending upon your magickal intent.

MORE INFO--
rain water from your roof would be good to use in house protection work such as a floor wash or to wash the front and back steps or thresholds , but first you need to use several layers of cheese cloth to filter out the debris that also comes off the roof.

You can add a few drops of this rain water, plus a few drops of Chinese Floor Wash or lemon scented Pine-sol to a bucket of water, wash down the porch and front and back steps to keep out negativity, good to mop the kitchen floor, since the Kitchen is considered the "heart of the house", if you have wall to wall carpeting using a broom dip the kind with natural corn brush into the water and sweep the carpets into the direction of the open door and then sweep the debris down the steps and into the gutter.

You can also hand wash around the windows and front and back doors to help keep out negativity, do it once a month, then put the wash water into the gutter to drain away from your home.

Many Rivers around the world have a sacred connection, the Nile to Ancient Egyptians, The Jordan River to Christians, the Ganges to Hindu's,  as a matter of fact I have here a brief list of some of the better known rivers.

Aciravati,  Bhagirathi River, Brahmaputra River, Ganges River to Hindus,  Gowda Saraswat Brahmin, Indus River, Jordan River to Christians, Kaveri,  Manas River, Sarasvati River,  Triveni Sangam,  Turag River, Yamuna,  San Juan River and Little Colorado to the Navajo



Now in each area locally among the native people will know of other sacred rivers.  So what is important about River Water. 

First it is a moving body of water, a living water, it runs over the land and therefore either purifies it or fertilizes it such as the Nile, to Christians especially to be baptized in the waters of the River Jordan is to be cleansed of sins and to start life anew. 

The Ganges also holds that belief among the people of India.  As well as other places who have that same belief.

Because River water is moving it is considered highly energized, activating healthy negative ions, which many people who live near a moving river find refreshing to breathe, feel themselves energized.

River water is good for washing away negativity that may have been collected by just going out and dealing with people in general.

My Granny would mix Holy water from the church with River Water and put it in her Holy Water founts next to the inside of her Front Door as well as her back door. 

River Water is also used to make Peace Water or the 5 or 7 Holy Waters, which is a combination of different waters.   In some spell work River Water is used to banish negativity

One of Granny's Ladies in her group was a Mrs. Washington, she lived in Louisiana and learned a lot of what some people would call Hoodoo from a number of the practioners who lived around, some she traveled to, to learn things from and some she discovered were just down right frauds, but those that she learned from was, as we would say now a days, "The Real Deal".

She was very big on collecting River Water on St. John's Day in June (June 24th) she'd  collect river water and put it into a glass bottle, and bring it home,   June 24 is the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.



She told me that  ST. JOHN'S WATER is a wonderful extra protection for a person and their home.

She said it was a tradition, especially in (but not restricted to) the New Orleans area, to collect St. John's Water every year on St. John's Day. This water is protective; it wards off evil and keeps the one who collects and keeps it,  secure and safe from harm.



You take a clean  dark colored glass bottle with a lid, this is one of those times when a metal lid or cap its fine. Be sure to wash it first as you would with any of the bottles you'd use to hold your collected waters, and then let it dry so that the washing water will not "contaminate" the river water you collect.
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Carrying your bottle, go to a river in your area.  Rivers are the right body of water to use.  We are, dealing with St. John the Baptist, who baptized in the Jordan River.



You have to  recite prayers, first saying a prayer of contrition asking to be forgiven for your sins,  then say the traditional Lord's Prayer for the blessings for the year to come. 

Then ask St. John the Baptist for his help and blessings, he who was so intimately aware of the spiritual power of rivers.  Then fill your bottle, cap it, and take it home with you.



Set this bottle on it's side by the hinge side of your front door, so that it is a bit hidden from those who come to your door.  Make sure that the neck of the bottle is facing the door.  Keep the bottle in this position throughout the year.



If anyone comes to your door who you do not wish to deal with, anyone who may make life difficult for you  - or even if you are just worried that they may come to trouble you - simply roll that bottle with your foot. 

 Roll it back and forth on the floor, as you concentrate on exactly what you want especially what you want to say to the person to get them to leave. Then when they leave and you close the door roll the bottle right back into it's original position, where it will continue to guard and defend your home for the remainder of the year. 

Remember  when requesting the aid of any saint, including  St. John the Baptist be sure to thank him  for his assistance.



Just remember to renew this bottle of River Water every year on St. John's Day.




Lake Waters

Fresh water from a  lake is a collection of sustained energy. It provides a reservoir of creative energy. Think of it this way, these bodies of water provide life sustaining liquid to the animals that drink from it and the animals that live in it. This establishes the energy of Creation within its cells so to speak.  It is considered Living Water but water that awaits to be activated, the energy is far more quiet as oppose to River Water.

In many cases, it maybe used to call upon the Ancestors, especially if the Lake has a reputation of being a habitat of Ancestor spirits.

Collecting the waters from a Lake should be done only during the Full Moon never during the Dark Moon especially if you are dealing with spirits, because you may not know what spirit you will unleash.

This is a partial list and some of the legends surrounding some Lakes: 

Lake Bosumtwi,  The Ashanti consider Bosumtwi a sacred lake. According to traditional belief, the souls of the dead come here to bid farewell to the god Twi. Because of this, it is considered permissible to fish in the lake only from wooden planks.


Chagan Lake (China), Chicabal Lake, Crater Lake (Oregon USA), Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee is considered important  among Christians because many of Jesus’s miracles took place along the shores of the Sea, Ganga Chhu, Ganga Talao, Gosaikunda,  Grand Lake (Colorado) Grand Lake was named Spirit Lake by the Ute Tribe because they believed the lake's cold waters to be the dwelling place of departed souls.


Kaali crater,  Lac Ste. Anne (Alberta, Canada, Lake Saint Anne)  Lac Ste. Anne was first called Wakamne, or God's Lake by the Nakota Sioux, and Manitou Sakhahigan (Lake of the Spirit) by the Cree first nations before the arrival of the settlers.


The legend goes that the Indians hunted buffalo and fished in the lake called Manitou Sakhahigan. The legend told of a large monster that lived in the lake, and as it moved it would create dangerous and unpredictable currents, which could easily capsize a canoe. Very few people saw the monster but when the Hudson's Bay Company came they renamed the lake Devil's Lake, possibly in reference to the reported lake monster.


Elders of Alexis Reserve remember their grandparents telling of how as children they would go out on the lake and peer down through the then clear water to the lake bottom in search of the monster. They would hope and fear that they might actually see its legendary form.


"Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage is a site of national historic significance because as early as 1889, Aboriginal people, including Cree, Dene, Blackfoot and Métis, have been coming to Lac Ste. Anne to celebrate the Feast of Saint Anne. Saint Anne embodies, for many Aboriginal peoples, the traditional importance of the grandmother figure. For the Aboriginal people of Western and Northwestern Canada, the pilgrimage site is an important place of social, cultural and spiritual rejuvenation, which are important aspects of the traditional summer gathering."


Lake Guatavita, Lake Iguaque, Lake Nemi,  Lake Ronkonkoma (lake)  and the legend of the Lady of the Lake  I offer this to you to show how legend can form around Sacred lakes.


Supposedly a Native American woman committed suicide by drowning herself in the lake during the colonial era.  Variations of the legend indicate that her tribe was assaulted by European settlers, one among them being her lover. Betrayed, she drowned herself in grief.   Since then its said at least once a year she will claim a man to be her lover. But her claiming of men is out of love and need, for she does not understand that she is also condemning these individuals to death. Her loneliness overwhelms her and she reaches out to these men in desperation. Some men, likely in the mood to cause a stir, claim that when they swim beyond the boundaries of the designated swim area (marked typically by buoyed rope), they feel "cold fingers" touch and try to grasp at their ankles.[citation needed]

Rumored to have no bottom, Lake Ronkonkoma has deep depressions that seem to go on forever. Myths continue to persist of the "bottomless lake". Such rumors include the presence of a "whirlpool" in the dead center of the lake that drags people down into the bottomless hole where they drown and are never seen again. Similarly, it is said that the deepest depression forms an underground tunnel that empties out into Long Island Sound, and through this tunnel myriad creatures from the sea pour in. A popular rumor among wildly imaginative kids is that the depressions are gateways to Hell.


Lake Waiau, Lhamo La-tso, Lake Manassarovar, Nydam Mose, Sacred Cenote , Lake Sonfon, Taos Pueblo,   Yamdrok Lake (Tibet) --- Like mountains, lakes are considered sacred by Tibetan people, the principle being that they are the dwelling places of protective deities and therefore invested with special spiritual powers.


 And last but not least, Zuni Salt Lake.


Ocean or Sea Water

If you're lucky enough to live near the Ocean the energy from it is good for almost all magical workings with some exceptions , especially if rain fall does not come at a time when you need it.

But there are some limitations, primarily Sea water is best for exorcism and expelling evil spirits from a person, home, or piece of land  especially if it is collected at high noon.— “nothing evil ever came from the sea”.

In certain rituals  Sea water is not offered to the dead,  nor is it used for any Full moon collected rain water nor used in ancestral rites. Because Salt protects from and exorcises spirits,  so for banishing's or exorcisms, to cleans something of negativity it is excellent.  

Sea water is never used to bless land nor a woman who wants to conceive, as the focus of Sea or Ocean water is to rid evil, if there is land or a location that is negative then use the Ocean water for banishing, and once the area is cleared of negativity follow it with Rain Water for fertility.

Never harvest or collect Ocean or Sea water during the Dark Moon, collecting Ocean Water during the New Moon (when the barest sliver of moon is showing) is fine.

Sea or Ocean waters are used during spells or rituals when working with deities who are associated with the Ocean or spell work that would involve the Sea.

In my next post I will deal with Spring and Well Water, followed by Holy and Consecrated Waters and then Made Waters.

BLOOD MOON WATER--

On the whole aspect of the Blood Moon cycle and what does it mean I would have to address in a whole separate post, different from my current series on Sacred Waters.

But collecting water during a Blood Moon, in this case I'm referring to the Lunar Eclipse not the Month of October---this is something that is a bit rare, because a Blood Moon occurs during a Full or nearly Full Moon, in essence you are collecting Full Moon Water, but because it has been collected during an eclipse makes it very unusual and very special.

Part of it is determined by what water was used to collect this Moon's rays.

And also if your part of the world was affected by seeing the full eclipse.

If it was raining during the time of the Blood Moon, then that rain water would be completely attached to that lunar event.

If you used Lake, River (this would include, stream and creek water), Ocean,  or water from a sacred well or sacred spring, that psychic event plus the energies of the particular waters alter the cosmic makeup of the water.

With Lake Water, you'd be calling ancestors or spirits but with "pay-back" intent; River would be for the blessing or consecration of powerful energies to your ritual  tools, but possibly for a negative intent as well;  Ocean would mean for exorcism of a tremendous villainy or energy; from a sacred well such as Chalice Well would mean the remembrance of those lost to violent death; from a sacred Spring such as Fatima, Lourdes or Guadalupe would mean blessing during Woman's mysteries.

But if you used water from a regular spring, such as bottled spring water, that would be the same as if you collected any rain water that happened during that event.  That water could be consecrated or dedicated to what ever difficult situation to work with.  In some cases as a substitute for Blood or dark workings.

That is something that one needs to think very carefully about, as long as the water is not activated you can make a careful decision, maybe not even use the whole amount but only a small amount, much like a "Blood Bank"  keeping the bulk of it in reserve for a different type of working, perhaps healing instead.

There are going to be 3 more blood moon's, the next one to be seen in the US will be on October 8, 2014, and it will fall during the time the moon will be Full as well and also in the Month and Moon that is traditionally called the Blood Moon Month. 

This one that is coming will be particularly powerful in many ways, the energies to be determined only by meditation and one's personal intent.  

To know the exact day and time for this event check with either Google, Bing or what ever search engine you are using.   Not all countries will see the Blood Moon eclipse, in some it will only be partial, but since it will be a Full Moon it would be wise to collect the rays of the Moon at that time using Bottled Spring Water, again after you've collected the rays  filter the water for particles, because by using bottled Spring Water this would be good to put into a potion.

The next two blood moon's will occur in April and September of 2015, again check your search engine for exact dates and times and if you will see a full or partial eclipse.

When I start working on the meaning and workings of the Moon cycle I will be sure to talk about Blood Moons, Blue Moon's and Black Moon's.  But that will be for future.

SACRED WELL AND SPRINGS--

Considered to be very holy in the minds of the faithful are sacred springs and wells, these locations usually have legends (with the more recent versions) crediting healing or conversion of belief.


With more recent wells and springs such as Fatima and Lourdes there are documentations of such healing, although the Catholic Church does not considered these locations (which includes the River Jordan and the Sea of Galilee) as Holy Water, it is thought by the faithful to be of holy action, all based upon faith.


Much of that concept can also be credited to when we consecrate oils, incense and waters to the Devine Presence (aka God, Holy Mother, or what Deity one believes in).


It comes down to the power of the mind---as well as what natural energies are also imbued into these waters.


Let us first examine the concept of wells---many people believe in wells, even simple wishing wells, or the Fountains of Trevi where it is believed that by throwing a coin over one’s right shoulder into the fountain one will find true love, which is one of the basis for wishing wells.


But it is also believed that when Jesus talked to the Woman at the Well and explained to her about the “living Water” he was metaphorically referring to having the spirit being refreshed within the soul like drinking fresh cool water.  In the bible there is much reference to the sacredness of water and the use of water for a form of baptism is even older than the biblical references.


Because of that concept, wells and springs of sacred importance have a holy and purifying importance.


Legends of healing and visions have grown surrounding these locations, but it is the spiritual intent and consecration by the individual along with the natural energies, that gives these waters such potency.


Listed here are some of the Sacred Wells---this is by no means a complete list, and if you live in the United States all but one or two may not be easy to get to by simply driving your car.


The best known well is Chalice Well in Britain and it is the most loved holy wells in Britain. Many legends are attributed to its chalybeate waters, which flow ceaselessly at a steady rate and temperature that never varies. Not least among these is that they represent the blood of Christ miraculously springing forth from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea buried or washed the cup used at the Last Supper. For others the waters are acknowledged as the essence of life, the gift from Mother Earth to sustain its living forms and so a continuous spring like Chalice Well is a direct expression of an unbounded life force.


There are many others in Great Britain such as:


St Dominic's Holy Well


Church of St Morwenna and St John the Baptist, Morwenstow


St Brigid's Well


Each has its own healing and miracolus legend and I would advise you to research in your own individual country or location area’s of sacred or holy wells or springs.


There are in the Christian world and belief 3 major springs of healing significance each has been accompanied by a vision of the Virgin Mary, so sacred are these waters that the power of each for blessing, healing, restoration of faith, protection is hard to deny.


I have availed myself a small bottle from each of these springs and have used them in major crisis’ and they seemed to have given a measure of calm and clear thought in dealing with problems to a successful conclusion.


They are: 


Fatima, Portugal-- The Castilian Spring


Between mid-May and October of 1917, three Portuguese children experienced the vision of a saintly presence. It is believed by many Catholics around the world that the visitor was Mary, mother of Jesus, whom many Catholics refer to as the Blessed Mother. During her time with the children, Jacinta, Lucia and Francisco, the Blessed Mother reportedly revealed several warnings and predictions that included the rise of Soviet communism and the Second World War. All of this occurred within this tiny community.


The revelations given the children also were reportedly accompanied by instructions for others. Among these instructions was one for a local bishop who was told to dig in a very specific place close to where the Blessed Mother had spoken to the children, now called the Cove of Peace. Upon digging at the spot, the bishop in question discovered a water source. The water that emanated out from the source was subsequently accredited with miraculous powers and the well is still being used.


The most commonly cited power the water is believed to possess is a miraculous ability to help the sick. In this sense, it is given to those suffering from disease or other painful conditions that hurt their quality of life. The water also could be used for other forms of devotion, such as blessing a space or home or in daily prayers. It could also be employed to warn off dangers by applying it to the skin of a loved one. In the end, there are no formal limitations for the uses of the water as long as the use is not irreverent or insincere.  This water is considered non-liturgical holy water.


Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico


The site of the Fifth Apparition of Our Lady near Teotihuacan. This is where Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego’s uncle and told him that he would be healed of his illness. A well was dug where she pointed and water was found and a church was built around this spring that contains the healing well and one can obtain some spring water. This is considered non-liturgical holy water.


Lourdes, France


Each year, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, in search of a cure for what ails them. Lourdes is well known for its spring water, which is said to heal the sick.


The story of Lourdes holy water dates back to the mid-1850s when 14-year-old Bernadette Soubiroux claims to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary eighteen times. Eventually a church was constructed at the site. Since then, people have claimed to be miraculously healed by the spring waters—apparent cures not proven scientifically but no less convincing to believers. Lourdes water is water which flows from a spring in the Grotto of Massabielle in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France. The location of the spring was described to Bernadette Soubirous by an apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes on 25 February 1858. Since that time many thousands of pilgrims to Lourdes have followed the instruction of Our Lady of Lourdes to "drink at the spring and bathe in it". Lourdes water is considered non-liturgical holy water.


Golden, Colorado


One spring was uncovered by seemingly miraculous means by a 20th Century American Saint, Mother Cabrini.


In 1902 Mother Cabrini came to Golden, Colorado to start a school.  When she arrived, she found there were many orphans because of mining accidents.  She wanted to start a summer camp for the orphans and purchased some land for that purpose.  A few years after purchasing the land, when Mother Cabrini came back to Golden for a visit, one of the nuns told her that the land had no water and it took half a day to bring water from Denver to Golden.  Much like the biblical Moses in the desert,  Mother Cabrini responded by tapping a rock with her cane and said, "If you move this rock and begin to dig, you will find water."  The spring that was found as a result of Mother Cabrini's intercession, is still in existence today.


As to any mystical powers it is based upon faith and consecration.


Serra Springs (California) at University High School (Los Angeles, California)


Serra Springs is California Historical Landmark #522It is located on the campus of University High School in Los Angeles, California, USA. The springs, called Kuruvungna by the native Gabrieleno Tongva people, were used as a source of natural fresh water by the Tongva people since at least the 5th century BC and continue to produce 22,000-25,000 gallons of water a day. The springs are also sometimes referred to as the Gabrieleno Tongva Springs, the Tongva Holy Springs, and the Sacred Springs. The springs are found at two separate locations on the high school campus. The larger is now closed off from the rest of the campus and is under the care of the Gabrielino/Tongva Springs Foundation. The other spring is located on the northeastern edge of the so-called Girls' Field. A third spring was located farther north, near Texas Avenue, but it ceased to flow during the 1940s when a local water company began drawing from the aquifer.


   These springs are considered sacred and holy to the Gabrieleno Tongva native americans  and a foundation was established to preserve the springs, currently annual festivities to make people aware of native American cultures are held at these naturally bubbling aquifers


Waconda Spring


  I’m including this spring to show the illogical destruction by man and as a warning to those who would destroy waters that are considered sacred and healing.


Waconda Spring, or Great Spirit Spring, was a natural artesian spring located in Mitchell County, near the towns of Glen Elder and Cawker City in the U.S. state of Kansas. It was a sacred site for Native American tribes of the Great Plains and, for a time, became the site of a health spa for American settlers. With the completion of the Glen Elder Dam in 1968, the mineral spring disappeared beneath the waters of Waconda Reservoir. 


Natural Waters that come from the ground are in danger with the use of Fracking to obtain Oil, oil cannot be drunk by Human’s or Animals, but Water is far more precious to life, and yet it is being destroyed by humankind’s greed. One of the last James Bond movies showed how one man was trying to control a nation throw withholding water.


In time Water will be more precious than Gold.  It gives all living things including the earth, life.


When you do rituals or spell work with water any kind of water remember how precious it is.


So what is the specialized use of either well or spring water.


If you obtain waters from a sacred well or spring, you must consider the purpose of those waters to be for healing, Blessing and protection.   Going by the legend surrounding each location will give you an idea of that particular water’s purpose and you should put it to that particular practice.


But if you obtain water from a natural spring that does not have a sacred purpose around it, it is an excellent water that can be charged with magic depending upon your individual purpose.


Spring water can be put out to capture the Full Moon rays of each moon, and you can do Lunar magic with it.


Spring water can be infused with various herbs and oils and made into magical potions for different purposes, a bowl of spring water poured into a black bowl is excellent for scrying.


I have seen at flower shows if there is a large waterfall or fountain element, people will throw coins in a make a wish, the money is then collected for a designated charity which is a healing element.  So man-made wishing wells for benefit purposes can be made for charity provided that the water is moving, there for considered “alive” or a “living water”.


In your own home or place of meditation, by using bottled spring water in one of those tiny meditative fountains with specialized quartz rocks for healing can set up a healing and relaxing condition especially for stress. 


Water is life.  How you use it is by your own intent.


MADE WATERS, CHARGED WATERS AND HOLY WATER VS holy water

need to make clear on a point of order---when I use the term Holy Water that is with a capital H and capital W, I am referring to Church blessed Holy Water.


When I use the term holy water with a lower case H and W I am referring to water’s that have been consecrated by rituals other than that done by the Church.  So if you see that I use one or the other you will know which one or type I’m referring to.


First I will deal with Holy Water as associated with Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Christianity.


What is Holy Water?  That is the type of water is water that has been blessed by a priest or bishop and is used in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity.   


If you have ever watched the T.V. program “Supernatural” when they refer to Holy Water they are referring to priest blessed water.


Let us look at Holy Water in the Catholic Church-----


Holy water figures in Roman Catholic rituals of exorcism. It is also the usual water used in baptisms that occur in a church; however, the use of specifically consecrated water is not required for a valid baptism under Roman Catholic religious law.


There is a little known exception that if someone who is not Catholic but is under the fear of immediate death may ask any Catholic lay person to baptize them, using any clean water available even sea or ocean water, the lay person can sprinkle the water over the head of the dying person and say “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that your soul may be cleansed of all sins and be received into the Holy Spirit.  Amen” But this can only be done at the explicit request of the dying person and in extremely exceptional cases.  


The specifics are far more detailed than what I have written here and I recommend that if you are interested in this procedure for spiritual emergencies please look it up through your search engine to be familiar with it.


Within the physical body of the Church, a quantity of holy water is typically kept in a font, an item of church architecture that typically appears in a baptistery, the traditional location for baptisms; a smaller font, called a stoup, may be placed near the entrance of the church. Roman Catholics bless themselves when entering the church by dipping their fingers in the holy water and making the sign of the cross. Holy water is also sometimes sprinkled upon the congregation during the Mass; this is called aspersion.


In the theology of Roman Catholicism, holy water is a sacramental, a "sacred sign which bear(s) a resemblance to the sacraments." Holy water recalls the sacrament of baptism.


 There are within the Catholic Church rituals varieties of Holy Water


Roman Catholic rituals distinguish four different kinds of holy water. There are:


•Holy water per se, of the kind found in the stoup, which has been blessed with a small amount of salt as a preservative. This is the holy water used in aspersions and blessings;


•Baptismal holy water, to which a slight amount of chrism or anointing oil and the oil of catechumens has been added, used in church baptisms;


•Gregorian water, also called "water of consecration"; small amounts of wine, salt, and ashes (usually from palm leaves that have been burned from Ash Wednesday)  are added to it, and it is used by bishops at the consecration of a church; and


•Easter water, which is distributed to the faithful on Easter Sunday for use at home.  Not all Catholic Churches distribute Easter water but one can find out prior to the next Easter.

There are specific rituals associated with holy water

The ritual of consecrating holy water traditionally is performed on Holy Saturday and during the vigil of Pentecost. Once consecrated, more ordinary water can be added to the supply of holy water, and the entire quantity of water remains consecrated provided that the amount added is less than the amount of water that was there

Holy water can in fact be consecrated upon any day in the liturgical calendar except Easter Sunday and Pentecost itself. The ritual of preparing holy water is itself in form an exorcism; the priest first exorcises the salt, and then the water itself.  The traditional Latin formula for exorcising and blessing the water is:

Exorcizo te, creatura aquæ, in nomine Dei Patris omnipotentis, et in nomine Jesu Christi, Filii ejus Domini nostri, et in virtute Spiritus Sancti: ut fias aqua exorcizata ad effugandam omnem potestatem inimici, et ipsum inimicum eradicare et explantare valeas cum angelis suis apostaticis, per virtutem ejusdem Domini nostri Jesu Christ: qui venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos et sæculum per ignem.

Translation:

I exorcise thee in the name of God the Father almighty, and in the name of Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord, and in the power of the Holy Ghost, that you may be able to put to flight all the power of the enemy, and be able to root out and supplant that enemy and his apostate angels; through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire.

Deus, qui ad salutem humani generis maxima quæque sacramenta in aquarum substantia condidisti: adesto propitius invocationibus nostris, et elemento huic, multimodis purificationibus præparato, virtutem tuæ benedictionis infunde; ut creatura tua, mysteriis tuis serviens, ad abigendos dæmones morbosque pellendos divinæ gratiæ sumat effectum; ut quidquid in domibus vel in locis fidelium hæc unda resperserit careat omni immunditia, liberetur a noxa. Non illic resideat spiritus pestilens, non aura corrumpens: discedant omnes insidiæ latentis inimici; et si quid est quod aut incolumitati habitantium invidet aut quieti, aspersione hujus aquæ effugiat: ut salubritas, per invocationem sancti tui nominis expetita, ab omnibus sit impugnationibus defensa. Per Dominum, amen.

Translation:

God, Who for the salvation of the human race has built your greatest mysteries upon this substance, in your kindness hear our prayers and pour down the power of your blessing into this element, prepared by many purifications. May this your creation be a vessel of divine grace to dispel demons and sicknesses, so that everything that it is sprinkled on in the homes and buildings of the faithful will be rid of all unclean and harmful things. Let no pestilent spirit, no corrupting atmosphere, remain in those places: may all the schemes of the hidden enemy be dispelled. Let whatever might trouble the safety and peace of those who live here be put to flight by this water, so that health, gotten by calling Your holy name, may be made secure against all attacks. Through the Lord, amen.

These prayers and exorcisms show the uses and powers that have been attributed to holy water in Roman Catholic tradition.

About Eastern Orthodox Holy Water

Holy water is used in Orthodox rituals of exorcism and blessing. It is also the usual water used in baptisms that occur in a church; however, the use of specifically consecrated water is not required.


As in the Catholic Church, a quantity of holy water is typically kept in a font, an item of church architecture that typically appears in a baptistery; a smaller font may be placed near the entrance of the church. Orthodox Christians may bless themselves when entering the church by dipping their fingers in the holy water and making the sign of the cross. Holy water is also sometimes sprinkled on items or people when they are blessed, as part of the prayers of blessing. For instance, in Alaska, the fishing boats are sprinkled with holy water at the start of the fishing season as the priest prays for the crews' safety and success.


The reason behind Holy Water---


The use of holy water is based on the story of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan and the Orthodox interpretation of this event. In this view, John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, and the people came to have their sins washed away by the water.


But Jesus was an exception.  Since Jesus had no sin, but was God himself, his baptism had the effect of Jesus blessing the water, making it holy, that is used fully for its original created purpose to be an instrument of life.


Jesus' baptism is commemorated in the Orthodox Church at the Feast of Theophany (literally "God shining forth") on January 6. At the Vespers of this feast, a font of holy water is typically blessed in the church, to provide holy water for the parish's use in the coming year. The next morning, the prayers often include a trip to a nearby river, lake or other public source of drinking water, to bless that water as well. This represents the redemption of all creation as part of humanity's salvation. In the following weeks, the priest typically visits the homes of the parish's members and prays prayers of blessing for their families, homes and pets, sprinkling them with holy water. Again, this practice is meant to visibly represent God's sanctifying work in all parts of the people's lives.


Other Holy Waters non liturgical---


Some Roman Catholics believe that water from Lourdes and Fatima and other holy wells and shrines has supernatural powers, such as for healing. This water, technically, is not holy water since it has not been consecrated by a priest or bishop. Other Christian groups have sold water from the Jordan River and called it holy water as well.


The power in these holy waters is in the belief and power of the faithful, that because the location has a sacred meaning the waters too are held sacred.


Many Christian churches believe in the power of Baptism to wash away one’s mortal sins and be cleansed to lead a new life.  For many the rite of Baptism is an extremely powerful moment within their spirit.


Some Catholics and Anglicans believe holy water is miraculous. But for many of us we hardly think about it, and yet, water is life and life affirming and it should be given the greatest of considerations.


Many people assume that the term "Holy Water" indicates church-based water only. This is an oversimplification of a complex concept. The Roman Catholic Church did not invent the concept of Holy Water but adopted it from earlier Pagan use. Various Pagan shrines possessed virtually identical Holy Water fonts. Holy Water is a crucial component of many magical, religious and spiritual traditions, although what constitutes Holy Water and how it's made varies greatly.


Holy Water may refer to any one of a variety of products:


•Jordan River Water


•Church blessed water


*Water from a well or spring where there has been a Marian apparition


•According to British folk tradition, rain falling on Holy Thursday - Ascension Day - may be gathered and used as Holy Water.


But if you practice either wicca, witchcraft, Hoodoo etc. then any other day held sacred to the spell caster may be substituted: Summer Solstice, May Eve, New Year's, Samhain, your birthday, a saint's day, etc.


•holy water may also be made via astrological correspondences. Some believe that waters synchronized with a lunar eclipse or a Full Moon are holy and charged with extra magickal power.


Even non-Christian persons of other religious beliefs also know and understand the power of water washing away sins and there by one’s spiritual self is cleansed.


For example:  The Sikhs prepare a sort of holy water, which they call amrita, and use in a ritual similar to baptism.


Balinese tradition uses a variety of holy waters. These may include the water found within unripe coconuts or young bamboo. Ocean water is sometimes used as well.


Modern Wicca as well as Hoodoo and/or Voodoo, has evolved the notion of holy water. Various formulas exist. At its simplest, Witch's holy water is spring water with salt added. Different covens may have personal recipes, including infused herbs (rosemary, thyme, and vervain are particularly popular), or crystals.


Pow-Wow also features various recipes but the mainstay is water with salt and vervain added. Christian Pow-Wow may choose church-blessed waters instead.


Holy Water or holy water is most commonly used for:


Cleansing and purification, both for individual bathing and for space-cleansing (sprinkle in corners).


Altar cleansing and blessing.


Healing spells. holy water is also believed capable of magically transmitting physical relief especially for headaches and tension. Use in compresses and massage.


Cleansing and empowering materials and tools: anoint roots and crystals or let roots and minerals soak in holy water.


Exorcism and banishing spells.  Although it is best to delineate Church Blessed Holy Water and other holy water in these rites


But it doesn’t matter whether it is Sikh, Balinese or other non-christian holy water, Church-blessed Holy Water or Wiccan holy water (among others)they are all consecrated via sacred ritual: the ritual activates the water.


 Other magical traditions consider that the sacred, magical power of Holy Water is such that no further ritual or consecration is needed and may in fact be interference. Obtaining Holy Water may thus be as simple a gathering rainwater or adding sea salt to spring water or complex rituals may also be designed.


Can you make your own Holy Water? That is Church blessed Holy Water?  No.   That water is priest or a religious leader blessed.


And some rituals or spell work specifically require that Church Blessed Holy Water be used.


Now if you have water from any of the sacred springs or wells such as the River Jordan, the Sea of Galilee, from Lourdes or Fatima, because of the focus of the many people who believe in its blessing power that activates it and there for through prayer you consecrate it or dedicate it to protect your family and home.


Some people believe and I am one of them that if you have church blessed water, that by adding purified aka spring or rain water to it to help it stretch out will also make the water that is added to the Church Blessed Water also powerful.  


And I do attest to that fact myself and have found it to work quite well.


CHARGED OR MADE HOLY WATERS

These other holy waters are those made and specifically consecrated or charged with spiritual intention, in some cases like War, Swamp or Tar water they are used for possible negative intent or to also turn back negativity---it is based on the intent of the user of that water. 


These holy waters are found in Hoodoo or Voodoo work or in the use of Witchcraft or Wicca, but many have evolved through the development of Voodoo or folk magic sometimes known as Hoodoo.


Now how effective are these “made” waters?   I can only attest to the fact that in the use of some of them, I have not used all of them, BUT  I have found them to be effective.


Some of these waters I originally mentioned in my listing of the various Rain Waters and depending upon the energies that were abounding at the time of their collection the various energies have been effective.  But that is based upon my experience and the experience of some friends and those ladies of my Granny’s group.


I am going to list each of the specific “Made” Waters and what their use is.


Some Waters you may have heard of and some of these that I list you may not think of as Water’s but even liquor or perfumes are considered waters in sacred use.


Let’s start with these:


PYRAMID WATER


The Pyramid Water is charged beneath the spire of an energetically aligned pyramid, this Pyramid Water is of great use for your ritual crafts. Use the energy with which it is endowed to help empower all of your ritual crafts. This is particularly potent if you use it in combination with an herbal spell mix, or other such ritual blend that allows you to increase the potency of your ritual items' properties.


GLORY WATER


Glory Water is a magical formula intended to draw prosperity and ease financial crisis. (Glory Water is for external use only and is not to be taken internally). Glory water is used to bless your home and remove any bad vibrations. Also used in many rituals for spiritual attainment to gain victory over others and to overcome obstacles of any kind. Can be used to win favorable attention from others


To make:


1.Place frankincense tears (small chunks of frankincense) inside a bottle.


2.Cover them with orange blossom water.


3.Add a few drops of essential oil of bergamot, available from aromatherapy suppliers. (Bergamot is a species of orange and the primary flavoring agent of Earl Grey tea)


4.Sprinkle Glory Water throughout your home or business to attract customers, prosperity and overcome challenges. (A spray bottle may also be used)


 Glory Water is used in spells cast for success and good fortune. Its key ingredient is Orange Blossom Water, without which, it is not Glory Water.


Another recipe to make Glory Water, combine Orange Blossom Water (or neroli hydrosol), Frankincense resin (or essential oil of frankincense) and essential oil of Bergamot.


FLORIDA WATER—


Florida water is perhaps the best known among those who have studied Voodoo and Hoodoo, it has an attractive citrus-rosemary fragrance, once was marketed as an American version of the original eau de Cologne.


 It is the only water whose name is copyrighted and has evolved into a metaphysical staple among Vodou/Santeria communities. A good and inexpensive product is readily available in markets that cater to the Caribbean clientèle. There literally are thousands of versions of homemade Florida Water, although you can still buy the commercial version of it.


One recipe for Florida Water consists of a blend of vodka (clear and not infused with any fruit flavors), rose water, essential oils of bergamot, lavender, rosemary and jasmine; and rose attar. There are other formula’s that can be found on the internet.  But I’ll include this one here:


Proportions: two cups of vodka; two tablespoons of rose hydrosol, 18 drops of essential oil of bergamot, 12 drops of essential oil of lavender, six drops each of essential oils of may chang and rosemary, and three drops each of essential oil of jasmine and rose attar.


Add a cup of Florida Water and a handful of salt to a cleansing bath before working magic.


For protection while in the dream-state, add a pinch of agar-agar (dried seaweed) to a bottle of Florida Water. Keep the open bottle next to the bed while you sleep


Its use in spell work is wide and varied, but usually it is to attract good luck, love, even cleansing of negativity.

WAR WATER AKA WATER OF MARS


There is some controversy about War Water, several traditional Hoodoo practioners say that is was something created or concocted by Non-hoodoo practioners to sell in their catalogs back in the early 1920’s and it eventually became popular, and that among traditionalists never existed.


For me personally I feel that it is the intent when it is created that gives it its powers


It’s Traditional Uses are:


To Curse an enemy


For tricks or to hex  your enemy


Declaring occult war


To trouble someone


Render an enemy harmless so they can not affect you


Traditionally, a glass bottle with war water is secretly broken at the doorway or in the yard of the enemy or secretly sprinkled there.


After doing that as soon as  you return home, burn John The Conqueror Incense or sprinkle Peace Water or Powder at your entry way.


Another use is to Sprinkle where your enemies walk or touch.  I’ve known some people to use an empty soda can that would carry a dark colored soda and use that to sprinkle near an enemy. 


I have even been to a party where one girl I knew brought some war water in a soda can then poured it into a martini glass complete with a black olive and then deliberately bump into the person they wanted to hex by spilling their “drink” on them and then making apologies about it and offering to replace or have cleaned the piece of clothing, usually it was jeans or something casual so it would not cause a fuss and this girl then offered to buy the person a drink again being very apologetic but the hex was done.  It usually worked.


War Water is basically a suspension of iron rust in water, with other ingredients added according to the desires of the manufacturer. Since the Roman god Mars was the god of war and his symbolic metal was iron, it’s possible that War Water is a European contribution to hoodoo. It may have originally been compounded as a blood tonic or strengthener of courage, but in the hands of Hoodoo folk-magicians, it became a tool for laying tricks against an enemy by means of hostile foot track magic, causing "poisoning through the feet" and making everyone in the household quarrel and fight one another.


Additional ingredients included in War Water to make it stronger are  magnetic sand and a rusty nail preferably a coffin nail. Spanish moss, an evil-looking twisty grey herb which rots away in the water quite nicely, provides the proper blackness to the red-ochre color of the basic mix and imparts an appropriate "swamp water" scent when the bottle is broken open.  Some practitioners  include creosote in the mixture but I have to warn you that creosote is a toxic, carcinogenic substance and must be handled with gloves and does not necessarily need to be added.


Mrs. Washington who was from Louisiana said that her Mother and grandmother would add nails from specific areas so that the water,  which they called Tar or Swamp Water,  would do its work for specific reasons for example from a jail, to get someone arrested; the person's job site, to make them get fired; a hospital, to cause injury; a court house, to make someone lose a court case;  or from any repair work on that person’s house so they’d lose it, she said the most powerful she ever made was with a nail done on a repair inside the county morgue, she said that was so powerful that she made a master bottle of it and simply poured off what she needed into a smaller vial and sprinkle it.


She said that throwing and breaking a bottle was to declare war on someone, and she never liked to tip her hand on her workings so she found that by simply sprinkling the water it was better, besides she said “Bottles can be expensive”.


Because her husband was a carpenter, he’d have envelopes in his work pockets and would label the envelopes from where he got the nails, because sometimes things had to be removed and he would pull out some of the nails.  He got nails from all over, churches, firehouses, court houses, mortuaries, etc. and he’d give them to his wife, she had a whole spice box filled with those labeled envelopes.


PEACE WATER AKA VENUS WATER


The opposite of War Water is Peace Water, which is used to soothe a home and ensure that only good spirits and friendly people enter.  Peace Water is used to bring peace and harmony to a place, person or situation. It is also the antidote to War Water and counteracts hexes, curses, jinxes & tricks.


And preventing hostile people or evil spirits from entering the premises.   Thus, it is not only used for protection, but also to work on the minds of those who come into contact with it, rendering them gentle and mild in temper. 


Mrs. Washington told me that simply having a bottle of this water in your home calms tension, anger, quarrels and problems of all sorts. I find it to be true as well. This "water" can be used anoint surfaces in your home like doorknobs, frames and sills, or added to your floor or wall wash. I find washing your steps with it really blesses your home with a harmonious vibe.


A friend of mine was having problems with her teenage daughter so while her daughter was at school she anointed the various areas that her daughter would hang around as well as anointing the front and back doors of the house and she washed down her front wooden steps and then gave them a final wash with peace water.


The composition of Peace water is Church Blessed Holy Water colored with either Blue food coloring or Mrs. Smith’s Bluing (for Laundry, old ladies use to use this to make their yellowing grey hair more silver looking)  or Blue Balls also known as Anile to make Indigo water.  It is preferred to use Anil to make true Indigo water and can be found from a Mexican botanica or on line, otherwise the more modern use of laundry bluing or blue food coloring will work just as well, but I am a traditionalist.


Then a layer of oil either virgin olive oil or almond oil and then either lavender water or Florida water, Hoyt’s Florida Water works very well and can be found either in a drug store or on line or in a metaphysical shop.


Now if you are going to spray or sprinkle peace water around your house be very careful as it does contain oil which will stain.


Now to use Peace Water, you shake up the bottle thoroughly, blending and mixing the three layers into a single pale-blue, cloudy emulsion. Then, walking backward, you sprinkle drops of Peace Water at the four outside corners of the house or in the four corners of each room. For a really strong job, you can circle the house, sprinkling as you go, or sprinkle on the four corners of a larger piece of property.


When it sits the three layers will separate that is why you have to shake it up before using it.


I'm going to continue with Peace Water as there are variations to the basic formula here is one that is very simple and uses the herb Basil : brew a tea of fresh basil leaves, add a splash of bay rum and in Spring or Rain water that has fallen during the Waxing moon a few drops of liquid bluing. The three waters should separate and Basil is a protection and cleansing herb.

Another formula is this:


Designed to bring serenity to a troubled house hold. The formula is a mixture of oil and water. The blue water is Notre Dame water with blue food coloring added to it. And the oil can be any base oil of your choosing. Add half blue holy water and half oil to a clear bottle. To use, shake the bottle so the layers disperse. They should return to their positions once the bottle is at rest. Burn peace water in a special diffuser (keep watch on it if you use a tea light), by sending the diffused water into the air it is absorbed by all who smell or have it lightly fall upon them.


There are two other formulas for Peace Water credited to the Voodooine  Marie LaVeau


You may see it listed as Marie Laveau’s Peace Water or


As Five Holy Waters


MARIE LAVEAU'S PEACE WATER or FIVE HOLY WATERS


consists of equal parts


     Holy Water from a church


     Spring Water


     River Water


     Rain Water


     Ocean Water


Now this is the  five waters altogether, with no fragrance and no oil.


There is a more elaborator Peace Water mixture of 7 Holy Waters


SEVEN HOLY WATERS


This contains equal parts of


     Holy Water from a church


     Spring Water


     River Water


     Rain Water


     Ocean Water


    Plus   Cologne (Florida Water or Hoyt's Cologne)


 And  Whiskey--- I know why whiskey---well whiskey is made with water and in Hoodoo and Voodoo work it as well as gin is offered to the Saints so whiskey is considered a holy water


-- seven waters altogether, with some fragrance from the Florida Water or Hoyt’s Cologne


It is known that where household quarrels or in-law troubles have been of long standing, it is advised to ritually cleanse the home first with Chinese Wash to clear out any old messes before sprinkling Peace Water in the corners. For a more powerful job when there have been assaults from enemies, an outer ring of Fiery Wall of Protection sachet powder can be laid down around the perimeter of the property after the ritual cleaning, and the Peace Water can then be sprinkled within this circle at the corners and center.  But remember because there is oil involved it will stain so use carefully.


MARIE LAVEAU MAGICAL WATER


The Queen of New Orleans voodoo, Marie Laveau, was an amazing woman. She was instrumental in establishing a beautiful tradition especially holding her gatherings in what was called Congo Square in New Orleans and making it widely known to westerners, black, white and creole people would come to her for assistance.  Sometimes people would be troubled and she’d give them this potion to wipe their forehead with or to use in a diffuser or to put into a wash for spiritual cleansing


Marie Laveau water is used for psychic enhancement, protection, aura cleansing, and general cleansing spells.


One cup rainwater


 One cup spring water


 One cup rose water


 One cup Holy water


 One cup lavender hydrosol


 

Now onto other Made Waters


NOTRE DAME WATER


 Named after the famed cathedral of Notre Dame, early use of Notre Dame water served as an elixir. The formula from the 1870’s gives its main ingredient as tincture of arnica flower. Over time using it as an elixir  lessened, but because of its name it became associated with spiritual work, used for cleansing or to bring peace to one’s home. Most contemporary recipes call for floral scents, chiefly rose or citrus.


Notre Dame water is sometimes included in other waters such as Peace Water and it is good for spells invoking goddesses, including Mother Mary, happy home spells, cleansing spells, spells to summon spirits, and uncrossing/hex-breaking.


 It is made from Church or Priest blessed Holy water, white rosewater, and either Neroli Hydrosol or  violet hydrosol.


Usually its 1 part Holy Water


2 parts Rose Hydrosol


 1 part Neroli or Violet Hydrosol


Then read Psalm 62 over the mixture


I’m now going to go into some flower waters

A COMMENT ON FLOWER WATERS


Various flower waters - most especially Rose Water - are used in a variety of spells. Certain spells specifically demand flower water, but these waters may also be substituted for regular water in other spells and formulas, particularly those for romantic or healing purposes, and in magical ink or incense formulas, or for spells that involve dissolving gum acacia or other gum resins.


Some waters are also used in cooking such as  Rose Water and Orange Blossom Water are frequent additions to Indian, Middle Eastern and North African cuisine, and so are easily and inexpensively purchased from specialized vendors. The quality of pre-packaged flower waters is erratic; however some are excellent. Fine hydrosols, once rare, are becoming more popular, and may be the finest source of true flower waters.


Flower Waters are easily made, providing one has a sufficient supply of fresh flowers. Depending on one's intent, it is wise to avoid florists' flowers because they tend to be laden with pesticides, which then may be concentrated in the flower water.


ROSE WATER


Use it in your bath water or on body and in home to TURN BACK EVIL. Be protected from evil and enemies.


Remove the petals from a few fresh roses. Place them in a small pot and cover with approximately one quarter inch of spring water. Simmer gently until a visual change is observed: the petals will become limp and pallid. Strain and allow the liquid to cool. Refrigerate any Rose Water that is not used immediately.


LAVENDER WATER


Powerful love potion that makes your lover want you. They will show you respect and give you what you want! Use in laundry, bath, bed sheets, or clothes.


Lavender Water is thought to enhance the memory while stimulating psychic ability. Originally, Lavender Water was created by Hildegard of Bingen in the twelfth century through the steam distillation of lavender blossoms. Lavender hydrosol, the product of distillation is truly the appropriate choice for creating Lavender Water; however essential oil of lavender may be substituted in this formula, which is for external use only. 


Diffusing it into the air with a diffuser helps to create a relaxed and calm atmosphere.


ORANGE BLOSSOM OR JASMINE WATER


Place petals within a mason jar. Cover with boiling water and allow to sit overnight. Strain out the botanical material. Refrigerate any Orange Blossom or Jasmine water that is not used immediately.  These are used in various spell work and unless you are using specific spells that call for this water you can purchase it from reputable metaphysical shops.


ANGEL WATER AKA VARIATION ON WATER OF VENUS


This is made of Myrtle, dried orange blossoms (neroli) and dried rose petals.


Add the flower petals and herbs to spring water in a glass bowl. Lay out in sunlight like you would make sun tea. Use a French press to separate the water from the herbs. Pour in a mason jar and refrigerate. Myrtle-based Angel’s Water was used by Europeans of the British Isles. The Spanish also have a formula which consists of angelica flowers, lavender, rose and trefoil. This is used for love, beauty, sensuality and sexuality. Myrtle is sacred to the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.


Angel Water also refers variously to Jordan River Water, or to a sixteenth century complexion remedy that had, by the eighteenth century, evolved into a love potion.  (do not take internally)


Its name may have come from those angels described In the Book of Genesis who seduced the “daughters of man” with lessons of magic. Another source may be found in the legend of Aphrodite, who was clothed in myrtle (the crucial ingredient of Angel Water) leaves when she first arose naked from the sea.


Myrtle is a small tree native to the Mediterranean coast; it was considered sacred to Aphrodite. The basic formula for Angel Water consists of myrtle, orange blossoms (neroli) and rose. All of the basic ingredients are available in the form of essential oils. Angel Water typically is used externally.


Add a quantity of Angel Water to a bath to maintain romance (whether bathing solo or together) and to provoke erotic dreams. Purportedly, the greater the quantity of Angel Water, the greater the aphrodisiac effect.


Blend Angel Water with alcohol for an erotic massage potion.


Allegedly, angels love the scent of myrtle. So if you wish to summon an angel, fill glass or crystal bowls with Angel Water and verbally request the angel's presence.


In this case to help summon the Angles blend the combination of myrtle, orange blossoms and rose with water from the River Jordan.


Sometimes it is best to consider homemade floral waters or infusions of fresh and dried flowers and leaves instead of essential oils if they are grown in your own yard. Homegrown flowers are preferred to those commercially grown due to pesticides.


HECATE WATER


This is a combination of Lavender, rosemary, brandy or vodka. Used for banishing negativity during the dark moon.

FLORIDA WATER


Never enough can be said about Florida Water so if I am repeating myself please bear with me.


Florida-Water is a floral scented water that was originally used as a perfume cologne by both men and women in the 19th century. It has many and varied uses in the Hoodoo Tradition such as an offering for spirits, protection of the home (by putting it in a spray bottle and misting it in the air), protection, and cleansing objects in a similar manner as Holy-Water.


Another variation of Florida Water is Hoyt’s Cologne which works on the same principal.


Can be used for body perfume, cleansings and floorwash, for external use only.


I have here a formula to make Florida Water:


2 cups of vodka


 Two tablespoons of rose water, hydrosol or orange blossom water or hydrosol


 16 drops of essential oil of bergamot, or an Earl grey tea bag (contains bergamot)


 12 drops of essential oil or lavender, or dried lavender herb wrapped in cheesecloth


 6 drops of essential oil of may chang


 3 drops of essential oil of rosemary, or dried rosemary wrapped in cheesecloth


 2 drops of essential oil of jasmine


 2 drops of rose attar


ROSE OF JERICHO WATER 


The Rose of Jericho is a Mexican plant that when added to water, opens up. And when dried the plant closes back to its original position. Place the rose of Jericho in a bowl of water. Say sacred prayers over it to do that select the Psalms you want depending upon the work you want it to do.


Wait for the rose to unfold which can open overnight or take up to three days. Change the water weekly, reserving the old water for magical use. Can be used for cleansings, house blessings, and spell reversals and to repel malevolent magic.


BLUE WATER OR INDIGO WATER


Blue Water is used to rid a person or place of negative energy, hexes, and crossed-conditions. It can easily be made by adding liquid bluing to spring, river, lake or rain water and adding a pinch of salt. One of the best commercial bluing is Mrs. Smith’s Laundry bluing which still can be purchased or buying Blue Balls sometimes called Anil or Anile from metaphysical shops.


 Pray the 23rd Psalm over the water and make the sign of the cross to seal the working. There are several ways of using Blue-Water from taking a spiritual bath, adding it to scrub waters, or leaving it sitting out in a clear glass somewhere in the home.  The color Blue is considered sacred, holy and calming, and in a way helps invoke those positive energies into one’s home.


One time I went to an estate sale and there was this room on the sunny side of the house but it was painted in a Wedgewood blue with white enamel trim and pale blue drapes with white curtains, the feeling in that room was peaceful and serene and spiritually uplifting.  I found out that the lady of the house conducted all her meetings of the various charities she was involved with, in that room and they always ended on a positive note, I also found out that she was very active in her church and was known for doing good works.


SPIRIT WATER


This is to not be confused with Ghost Water.


Add one tablespoon of anisette to a glass of spring water. Place it on the altar to call in ancestral spirits, to perform séances or other necromantic spells.  You do not drink this water, this is placed for the spirits to drink from while you are conducting either séances or rituals dealing with the ancestral spirits, do not throw away but leave on your altar until gone.


GHOST WATER


Not to be confused with Spirit Water, you place a bottle of spring water on a grave of a particular person you wish to speak to at midnight, during a dark moon.  Remove the bottle before daybreak.


Ghost water is used for talking to the dead, more specifically to the person whose grave you put the bottle on.  When you are ready to speak to that person, open the bottle and pour some of that water into a clear glass and recap the bottle, place the glass with the amount of water you’ve poured and then conduct your séance.  When it is over thank the spirit for coming and place that water into another bottle to take back and pour upon the grave that you collected it from.   You still have the remaining bottle of water that you’ve collected if you wish to contact that spirit again. 


Exercise caution when doing this.


VINEGARS


Vinegars have their own ritual use in cleansing and banishing's, the most famous is 4 Thieves vinegar

4 THIEVES VINEGAR


Four Thieves Vinegar has a reputation and tradition of its own, separate from that of other forms of vinegar.    Folklore tells us of four thieves who concocted a special vinegar that kept them healthy even as they robbed graves during the Black Plague. Folk tradition utilizes this vinegar for the purpose of cleansing and protection, often adding it to a wash. There are a multiple recipes out there for Four Thieves Vinegar, using either apple cider or basaltic vinegar if it’s for consumption or distilled white vinegar for washing formulas.


Some people use it at a love potion that makes your lover want you ONLY, They will show you respect and give you what you want so to  use in laundry, bath, bed sheets, or clothes


 But I would not recommend it for a love potion as it contains Garlic which would through off any lover and do not wash any clothing or bedding it because Red wine vinegar can stain, so I recommend it as a wash to keep evil out and for illness banishing spells, and commanding spells.

If you come across any web site that says its a love potion avoid it at all costs---it is not.

Traditionally, each thief contributed one ingredient. Choose one of the following to represent each thief; Garlic, cayenne, coriander, lavender, mint, rosemary, rue, sage, thyme, or wormwood. I have here two formula’s



Add to a bottle of Red Wine Vinegar the following items: Camphor Leaves


 Cinnamon Sticks Cloves, Garlic, Ginger, Lavender, Mint, Nutmeg, Rosemary


The second one: To a bottle of cider vinegar add equal parts of:


Garlic Lavender Mint Rosemary Rue Sage Wormwood


You can use the less expensive distilled white vinegar and it will work just as well.


 Do this on a Sunday, and let steep for a full week shaking it once daily. Best used as a wash.


Be very careful do Not ingest  Note: Wormwood contains thujone, a psychoactive chemical that can cause epileptic-like convulsions and kidney failure when ingested in large amounts.  So wear dishwashing gloves


VINEGAR


The primary use of plain vinegar in Conjure or Hoodoo work is for souring and cursing magic.


Being "Hag Ridden" refers to the belief that malevolent witches are able to take possession of your body at night, riding it like an animal. You awake exhausted, and over time the carousing committed in your body can cause sickness. There are many ways to keep a witch from riding you, and certain preventatives play off the belief that a witch is forced to count whatever is set before her.


 A common way of escaping the clutches of a witch would have you throw salt crystals behind you, for the witch will be forced to count each and every one before she is free to pursue you. Another thing in your favor is that witches can be evaporated by vinegar.


Remember how Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz made the wicked witch melt by throwing water on her? Well it wasn’t water it was vinegar. 


What you can do is place an open bottle of vinegar near where you sleep, fill it with items that the witch must count, an odd number of pins is always good or tiny, tiny pebbles or seed beads. The witch will enter the bottle in order to act out her compulsion, then turn to mush. A bottle that had successfully entombed a witch should be sealed and buried at a crossroads, in modern city wide American that can be hard, but look for a crossroads that’s not busy or a rural cross roads.


Another spell for vinegar is this:


A vinegar bottle is a type of bottle spell used to sour a person’s temperament and reputation. Something representing that person must go into the bottle, such as their photo, a personal concern of theirs, or simply their name written on a paper.


Ideally you want it to be a material that will over time be disintegrated by the vinegar. Other things may go in a well, such as pins and thorns, or controlling herbs such as licorice root. But the main ingredient is the vinegar. No need to go to a fancy shop to buy good artisan vinegar or anything fancy. Its exact variety does not matter (it can be apple cider, malt, or what-have-you), so long as it is strong. Once the bottle is full, cap it, and shake it whenever you wish for this person to encounter additional negative effects. The bottle alone will work on them over time.


But there is something very satisfying about giving it a good shake whenever you feel angered by them. I knew a girl in High School who was always humiliated by some girls in a particular clique, High School is the meanest time I think.   We all were in choir music class and had done a competition successfully and I had my little box camera with black and white film and asked all of them to line up and pose, what I did was deliberately take several pictures one with everyone in it, one without the girl who was always being humiliated, and several others and then one with the specific girls who were the culprits.


A few weeks before School let out for the Summer and we all knew we’d be back together in the fall, I asked the girl (let’s call her Jean) a question, was she tired of being humiliated by those girls?  She said yes, and I said “well if nothing else let’s do this so you’ll at least feel good over the summer”   And with my Granny’s help (she did approve) we made the bottle.  


Come the fall two of the girls did not return to school, it seems they were arrested for shop lifting and their parents sent them to relatives out of town, of the other two girls one got pregnant and didn’t return and the other was sent to a boarding school as she had become a problem with her parents over the summer.   Jean was able to blossom and became a popular girl with a lot of nice friends and made excellent grades. 

BLACK WATER AKA AGUA NEGRA

I’m going to use the words Black Water and Agua Negra interchangeably it is the same thing.


It is said that it destroys all evil around you. Makes the devil run!  At least that is what is said to do, some formulas have Black Salt added to Water of Mars aka War Water for improved protective and jinx removing effects. Please note that Black Salt is a very powerful tool so I want you to think twice before you cast a spell to remove someone from your house. I know that its effects are long-lasting which I’ve discovered from personal experience.


Agua Negra is used to wash the outside of your home, like steps, porches, decks, windows, and doors in order place a barrier of protection. Those who wish us harm cannot pass. It is great to combine with red brick dust by washing with the water first then laying a line of red brick dust down when the area has been finished with cleaning and drying.


Black Water is used in many traditions including Hoodoo, Voodoo, Santeria, Witchcraft and other magical systems. It is used to cause ones enemy to become dissatisfied with ones surroundings and move away or wander aimlessly. To use simply sprinkle on the doorstep of or in a place where the person you want to send away will walk through it. Black Water can also be used to anoint a black candle or a black Voodoo doll for the same result. Stepping on Black Water can cause great confusion and dissatisfaction so please use with caution you don’t want the wrong person to be affected by it.


A powerful ritual tool for forcefully removing negativity, baneful energy, and sending away unwanted people (and making them stay away), Black Water (Aqua Negra) is also used for potent purification and to empower darker spells such as hexes, curses, jinxes, crossing conditions and confusing an enemy.


Sprinkle on the steps of an unwanted neighbor to make them move or across the path of an enemy to remove them from your life or put some on their door knob whenever you can.


I know that it combines indigo water, pokeberry dye, ash, and other natural ingredients but traditional hoodooists are very jealous of their recipe.  Only a few places I know offer the really good Black Water or Agua Negra one is Conjure Cardea on the internet.  Some people swear by the Anna Riva products, but I’ve found Conjure Cardea to be an excellent shop.

know the section of Made or Charged waters is long, but it does show how important water is used in spell work and ritual work.  We take it for granted and waste it with taking long showers or washing down our sidewalks and drive ways, or filling luxury swimming pools when it should be measured carefully drop by precious drop.

Yes we do need to drink it to keep hydrated, yes we do need it to water our plants and animals, yes we do need it to keep clean our clothes, bodies and cooking utensils and home.  But it should never be wasted.  I would prefer to see lawns of vegetables and fruits than green grass unless its to feed an animal.  And trees of sustainable fruits or much needed lumber. But eliminate much of the useless and wasteful sprinkler systems.

I use simple drip irrigation and in the evening a misting system, that uses far less water.  Even though I have a dish washer I do not use it unless I'm giving a party and even then I use paper plates and hand wash my metal utensils. Laundry is a full load of the same types of colors and clothes, bathing I do quickly with a timer.  I have friends who go so far as to using "grey water".  All of this needs to be looked into carefully.  Washing the car???  Only the windshield and by hand, if its really bad we go to a car wash that uses recycled water.


When Dracula said “The Blood is the Life, Mr. Renfield” he could have easily been talking about water as well.


“Waters” in ritual and spell work can also include vinegars, cologne, and such alcoholic products as whiskey and vodka, that is why in the previous post I included Vinegar and 4 Thieves Vinegar as well as Florida Water(a cologne) and Hoyt’s cologne.  The last two were over the many years discovered to have certain qualities in cleansing and banishing works.


Now I have not mentioned wine (vinegar is an exception), well that is because wine is, at least according to how I was instructed, the blood of the fruit of the vine, and it was wine that Jesus spiritually converted into his blood for he was the fruit of the vine as well as the blood of the lamb.   So wine in ritual should be offered and drunk as a ritual drink separate from spell work.  Only when used as part of a love potion is wine considered.


So now I will continue and hopefully finish the sections on Made or Charged waters.


Even with all the mentions of the types of waters that I listed previously Waters can be charged with magical power and intentions. Not all charged waters are really waters. Some are alcohol-based formulas, which recalling that the roots of alchemy, perfumery and liqueur began with magic brews, philters (drinks) and potions, much like Astrology was the ancestor to Astronomy.


But we have to keep in mind while some potions that you read about may be consumed, many formulas are for external or ceremonial use only, so caution must be exercised.


Now Charged or made waters must also be viewed in the context of perfume designations, such as eau de Cologne (“water of Cologne”) or of alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey (Gaelic for “water of life”). In the making of some potions Vodka that is not fruit flavored infused,  is recommended as a base, not because it may be consumed, but due to its minimal scent.


Avoid common rubbing alcohol, as the strong aroma will interfere with that of the formula. And of course never consume anything that contains rubbing alcohol as it is highly poisonous.


Some waters are used for Banishing and hexing, some for blessing so let us continue----

POLLUTION WATER
is used for banishing unwanted people and/or spirits.  To make you grind ashes from a fire or the burning of holy woods such as cedar, cypress or Palo Santo, sea salt, coriander and red pepper to fine powder. Add the powder to plain spring water or if you have something specific in mind then from a sacred spring.


Sprinkle around the house in the four corners, or across the path of a person you want to leave.  In some cases if you can sprinkle it on the person, make it look like and accident.


SEVEN SISTERS WATER


There are various mentions of two types of 7 sisters in spell work, but the most famous are the 7 Sisters of New Orleans sometimes known as the 7 Sisters of Algiers (an area in New Orleans), I’ll write about them at length later, but their waters is supposed to help with blessings and psychic work, what the formulas are I do not know as many traditional hoodooists protect their formulas as it is passed down word of mouth from generation to generation, and since my granny never worked with their water or have need of it I really don’t know of its specific uses except that I include it here for your information.  I do know that they did Alpha Omega Water, Glory Water, Sacred Heart Water, and others.


ELIJAH WATER OR EVIL EYE WATER


Now this is a bit confusing as Mrs. Bella and her twin sister Della called it Evil Eye water, Mrs. Washington called it Elijah Water but Mrs. Byrd was half German and half Russian on her Mother’s side, Mrs. Byrd’s husband was German as well, but she called this same water Perun water.


According to Russian folk lore, Perun is a thunder spirit. His feast days are July 20th and July 30th, known as “thunder days.”  But Bella and her sister were Italian and said that those were holy days, and Mrs. Washington was from Louisiana, now where she learned it I’m not sure but the belief about it is the same. If rain fell on those days that water was to have magical power. It was important to bottle it and use for protection against the Evil Eye, or any malevolent magic, and serious illness.


I’d have to say if we were lucky to get a Summer shower of any import on either of those two days in the middle of Summer I’d say that it was very magical and powerful.


BAY RUM


Bay Rum was used and in some areas is still used as an after shave, especially by old time barbers as an astringent perfume. It has been famously used by men as an aftershave in the 19th and early part of the 20th century.  It was observed that some men especially bankers seemed to have extra skills at making good investments after a shave and a haircut and a splash of Bay Rum from their barber, because of that it took on a magical import.


The original Bay Rum formula is used for gambling, and luck, as well as for healing and cleansing spells  with the fire element, and to enhance divination skills.


 It can be placed in baths for personal cleansing, used as an offering to spirits, or placed on the tip of a broom which is used to sweep a carpet to cleanse it of evil messes.


The “bay” in Bay Rum refers to the berries of a Caribbean tree, Jamaican bayberry, rather than to the bay laurel leaves that are a staple of many magic spells. Do not substitute bay laurel leaves for Jamaica bayberry. Instead, use allspice berries, which have similar magic properties.


 Jamaica bayberry is available as an essential oil, and so a true Bay Rum can easily be created. For True Bay Rum, you will need essential oils of Jamaica bayberry, petitgrain, allspice, cardamom and cloves


Add the dry ingredients to one pint of fine dark Caribbean rum. Or if you use essential oils dilute the essential oils in a fine, fragrant dark rum and distilled water. Shake it and let it sit for a week. Strain out any solid ingredients.  Place a small bay leaf in the master bottle.  The presence and fragrance of the Jamaica bayberry should dominate the blend. If you have access to Jamaica bayberries, dried botanicals may be substituted for essential oils, and orange zest may be substituted for petitgrain.


 

A NOTE ABOUT THE WATERS


Water--itself is vital to human life, it has always played an important role in religious and magickal rituals. Water is commonly used in religious rites to cleanse people, places, or things. In many churches especially fundamentalist churches, people were ritually immersed in a natural body of water by the preacher to symbolize their “rebirth in Christ” this was and is an outward sign of their inward spiritual transformation.


 In the Catholic Church, Holy Water (water blessed by a Priest) is often sprinkled on people, objects, or in dwellings such as houses to bless and cleanse them of any negative energy. 


In the Hoodoo Tradition, you will find many different baths are often prescribed for various conditions. These baths often contain an herb(s), mineral, or chemical in addition to the water depending on the need of the individual.  With so many people developing sensitivity to skin conditions I would exercise caution in using some of these baths


 Many spiritual-waters began as herbal perfumes or colognes and thus often have an alcohol base despite being identified as water.


But over time spiritual practitioners began using these perfumes or colognes in accordance with the magickal correspondences associated with the herbs they contained.  For the herbs used is what made and makes certain colognes spiritually active.


 For this reason, spiritual waters are often added to baths, floor-washes, or rubbed onto the body.  Another use is to use the water to feed mojo bags, wash talismans, roots, or clean candles before their use in spells. Finally, some spiritual waters may be used as offerings to spirits or the ancestors in some cases, again one has to study carefully what would be correct especially dealing with one’s ancestors.


For example I would not offer my Mother whiskey but I know she would welcome Spring Water and a bit of her favorite perfume dropped onto a cotton ball for her to spiritually breathe.


I now come to Lunar Waters---


LUNAR WATERS


Each month on the night of the full moon, you can take ordinary Spring water and place a glass bowl out where the water can receive the full charge of the Moon’s rays.


Each month each Moon has a different designation, as well as it being in a different Astrological sign, so in some cases you can put out 2 bowls of water, one for the spiritual moon and the other for the Astrological aspect of the sign that the Full Moon occurs in.


Now some people will take it a step further and collect the rays of the Dark Moon, New Moon, and if there are two Full moon’s the second is called a Blue Moon (which I talked about in an earlier post), or if there are two Dark moons in a month the 2nd Dark Moon is called a Black Moon, and just recently we also had a Blood Moon, that was a full moon but in Eclipse.


Each Lunar water has a different energy  and is charged by the powers of the Moon. The clue for the success of the Lunar Water is to align the procedure with the waxing part of the Lunar Circle, from the New Moon till the Full Moon without missing even one day of the Lunar Circle.


This is for Astrological aspects as well as Lunar aspects but with Black, Dark, Blue or Blood Moons you can only capture those energies that night.


 NEVER EXPOSE THE LUNAR WATER TO SUNLIGHT FOR IT WILL WIPE OUT ITS EFFECTIVENESS!  Get up before the rising of the Sun and place the bowl of water in to a dark cabinet away from Sunlight.


When you put the water out put the index finger of your dominate hand (the one that you write with) into the water and call upon whatever Deity or Angel or guardian spirit to charge your water.


Now I remember my Grandma doing it with a simple request but she’d call upon Mother Mary, she’d stir the water with her index finger saying upon each stir “In the name of the Father, (stir) In the name of the Son (stir)  and the name of the Holy Ghost”(stir)


Still keeping her finger in the water and looking up at the Moon she’d say


I call upon Holy Mary,


Queen of Heaven,


Mother of God incarnate,


Vessel of the Holy Spirit,


as the Moon, your sign, grows stronger,


Bless and make holy this water with


your sacred Light


Through it, in it  and with it


 help me with your


Divine Grace and Might.


Accessing the power of the Element of Water requires very little energy but it has to be done for a long time. It is very important not to miss even one night of the Waxing Moon! The Water should be charged every night!  But through your patience and effort you will gain an important element in your magickal workings


Here are some easy uses for Lunar Water, through research over the internet and in books I’m sure you’ll find more:


To increase your Psychic Powers with Lunar Water:  Every night when you pick up the bowl but before you put it  back into its cabinet,  put your index finger of your strong hand into the water and make a clockwise circle on your forehead seven times. And just sleep.


To increase Romance in a happy couple and for Fertility: Pour some into a small glass bowl and  every night  put the bowl under your bed and make love.

To maintain Youth and beauty:    When you pick up the bowl prior to sun rise splash some of it onto your face with the water and if it’s very early in the morning go back to sleep.

To Banish negativity and be protected from Evil:    Each night sprinkle some Lunar Water on you and your room visualizing that you and your room  is sparkling with  the Bright Light of the Moon.

IF YOU ARE A WITCH OR WICCAN:

If you do not believe in the power of Church Blessed Water but believe that calling upon your own deities will make your water holy, this is how to consecrate it or charge it.

Making and charging your own holy water

First have rain water selected or if need be plain Spring water

Prior to preparing the water you need to prepare yourself by bathing in water in which several drops of   Fiery Wall of Protection and Dragon's Blood oil has been added , if you don’t have that then either sea or kosher salt, while reciting psalms and/or sacred verses.  Believe it or not the 23 psalm is very effective, the rhythm of the words and you can say “the Lord and Lady is my Protector”

Prepare the water either nude or in clean ritual clothing. If you feel uncomfortable doing it nude or do not have ritual clothing then use fresh, clean clothing, preferably white and made from natural fabrics if possible, avoid polyester or polyblends.

Pour the uncharged water into a glass or crystal bowl.

Place it between two unlit white candles.

Light incense first (frankincense, copal, benzoin, and/or white sage) and then the candles.

Pass the bowl of water through the incense smoke.

During this part visualize why you're preparing this water. Visualize the results this water will bring.

Then return the bowl to its place between the candles, continue visualizing until you feel it is set and leave everything in place until the candles burn out, continue to relax and meditate for at least one hour, then let the candles burn, keep the cell phone, radio, T.V. off do not disturbed the energies.

Bottle the water.

My Granny had an old 12 inch 78 record that played the “Humming Chorus” from Madame Butterfly, and I’ve always found that music to be perfect to set the energy to the water.  Later I was able to put it onto a Cassette tape, for her, more recently I was able to put it onto CD and have it set to play for an hour when I charge my waters.

I remember my Granny would tell my Uncle who lived with her (he had an apartment in the bottom half of the house) that he needed to go out and have some fun, he knew what that meant and asked when it was a good time for him to return.

So what do you do with your own made holy water?  This is some of the many uses:

•Use Holy Water for cleansing and purification in your bath, or sprinkled on your altar and in corners of your home.

•Holy Water is thought to be capable of magically transmitting physical relief, especially for headaches and tension, so use it in compresses or massage oil for healing spells.

•Use Holy Water to cleanse and empower tools, plants and crystals – they may be sprinkled or soaked, depending on the nature of the material

Holy water (non-church) can be any water that is held sacred, or which has special significance for the spell-caster. This may be water from a shrine dedicated to a deity, or water from a sacred spring.

In modern Wicca, holy water may be spring, rain, lake or river water with salt added. Some covens maintain unique recipes, which may include rosemary, thyme and vervain or other herbs. Crystals may be used to charge holy water.

But no matter what Holy Water or holy water, whether Church, Wiccan, or other religious belief, must be consecrated and activated via sacred ritual, either by the Church or by your own visualization.

And that is as far as I can personally take you on Sacred Waters, Holy Waters, Made Waters, or Charged Waters, as you investigate and research various beliefs and rituals you will discover more to add to your book. 

What I have given you is by no means definitive but it does give you a starting point.   As I come across more information I will add what is called "Addendums" or extra chapters to this information.