She flows through the history of Africa, her face leading the way as she leaves trails of streams running graciously behind her. Her body inhabits the spirit of healing, cleansing, and growth. She speaks with sounds of serenity and comfort, She is a beautiful spirit, a beautiful healer, a beautiful woman, She is the spirit of the river .
Water offers healing properties to all of our senses, whether it be the comfort of hearing ocean waves pressing against each other, the trickling stream above the rocks, a warm hydration in a bubbling jacuzzi or tub, a dip into the cool waters, or the tapping of rain against the window. The spirit of water is a beautiful one and holds many ancient traditions and deities, such as Mama Wata ( Yamaya) and especially the spirit of the River Osun in in the Yoruba lands of Osogbo, Africa.
Every year the people of Osogbo come to gather at the River of Osun to remember, to cleanse, to offer, and to celebrate their ancient deities. Osun was one of the ancient wives of Sango, the God of Thunder, and she is respected as having powers of making barren women fertile.
Many other religious rituals are surrounded by water as well, such as baptisms an holy water. In our past history it was very common for baptisms to be held in the river, encompassing our ancient roots in our gathering at the river for the sake of healing, cleansing, and celebration in community form.
Remembering the spirit of the river can not only be celebrated at the river or ocean itself, but can be celebrated and practiced within your own home. Cleansing is one of the most sacred acts of using water. Next time you step into your bath, take a moment to remember the powers of water, give thanks to it's creation and it's creator for together they bring health and life to your body. Set the atmosphere of your laboratory to a serene place, dimly lit candles, frankincense & Myrrh or your choice of scent. Celebrate her beauty by offering her rose petals and oils to adorn herself with. Speak an affirmation of thanks and observance such as this:
If you ever visit the ocean, take a moment to gather a gallon or so of water and us it for your next observance, you can pour this water into your sink and offer the same offerings as suggested for a bath, rose petals and all. If you do not want to use rose petals, you could also use a few drops of pure rosewater. It is no wonder that we gain healing effects from submerging ourselves within these waters, our bodies are made up of 75% water, we are water beings and it is important that we remember this, to continue the traditions of giving reverence to the spirit of water, without it, life would not be, and it is beautiful that our ancestors acknowledge this, and the river for this matter, as a life source, a representation of life, fertility, and growth.
The Creator has blessed it, and it will
I live in the high mountain desert and it is important & good to remember that the free flowing waters in the current area are a real and serious blessing. Enough people don't have the luxury of running water in the home and are forced to bathe and drink real yucky water. I know that in these times InI have to always pray and bless our water before moving forward because the nature of the time requires itinual prayer as this is the only way one will be able to overcome the evil schemes of the government. In developed countries we are told the water is safe; it is clean, clear and pure. However, educated folks know this is not the truth. The water flowing out of my faucets here in america is laced with plutonium, arsenic, chlorine, mercury, fluoride and many other toxic chemicals. God alone knows the intention that has been implanted in the cellular memory of the water molecule. This is why the Anceint ones teach one and one to pray and bless the water. Scientists know that water hold memory and will form beautiful crystalline structure when spoken to with words of gratitude and love. Thank you for reminding me to forward in the tradition of giving reverence to the spirit of water. It is my prayer that all the little children will come to know what is it like to drink clean and clear water from any free flowing stream. May the blessing be given unto all God's children.