Water Pilgrimages

Whatever waterway exists near you- whether a mighty river, large lake, creek, or series of ponds- do what you can to find sacred water sites in your own area and honor them accordingly. And while part of the spiritual experience is always just getting to the actual site, there are some things you can do to honor your magic and make your trip a more fruitful experience:

⤞ Stand at the edge of any local waterway and honor it by calling its name, whether it’s an older indigenous name or the one that was placed on it long after. That is its name you can say aloud — say its name and introduce yourself. Tell the water you honor it and cherish its life force and all of its fish, crustaceans, insects, birds, and animals that live along and with it.

⤞ Research the traditional songs and prayers associated with the site and the divinities that may reside there. Be ready to perform or recite them at the site. The water contained in these sites is ancient, and finding out how it was honored in the past will help you to access its sacred energy and power.

⤞ Bring some fresh water with you that you can pour into it as a libation with your love and gratitude. You can also offer a few flowers, either purchased or picked along the way, again as a gift to the water. You could also offer small bits of foods that the fish or birds would enjoy to again offer sustenance and gratitude towards its life.

⤞ Give a few pennies at the edge of the river to pay for its favor- or for a favor asked from it (such as its energy of motion and abundance towards your needs); a few won’t hurt, and the symbolic gesture can go a long way magically in the reciprocity you seek.

⤞ Consider bringing your ritual tools with you to the site. When you get there, you can then use the water to cleanse and bless these things. Be respectful always, and if your tools are covered with unsavory materials, consider taking some of the water, placing it in a bucket, and using that to wash your items. After you’re done, you can then dispose of the water far away from the source.

⤞ Bring a container to collect a small amount of the water you find there. You will then be able to bring it home and use it whenever needed- such as anointing your threshold or even the inside of your dwelling, or creating a wash with other ingredients, depending on the purpose at hand.

⤞ Perform a personal blessing ritual at the site. Being at the edge of sacred water gives you a unique opportunity to cleanse yourself and others at the site. Pay special attention to blessing your hands so that everything you touch will be influenced by the power of that water; do the same with your feet and head.

Sacred water is all around us. Exploring the sacred sites both near and far will help you get in touch with all the glorious manifestations of water throughout the planet. Including the occasional or regular visit to your local river, creek, lake, or ponds, bond with it, call its name, and commune with its life force and what lives among it will better allow you to harness the power of the place where you live.

This should always be done with mindfulness and respect, however; always consider not only what you can take away from the space, but what you bring to it as well.