“Bodies of water teach two important lessons:
Everything changes,
What you see is a reflection of you.”
Elemental Living delves further into Astro Interiors, to explore the elements which underpin each of the signs of the zodiac.
I am fascinated by the innate intelligence and alchemy of the elements – water, fire, earth and air – and how we can harness their healing properties in our lives, and in our homes.
First up is water, the element which governs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, yet manifests differently for each sign.
This post explores the properties of water in nature, energy, culture and the zodiac with more to follow on finding flow in our everyday lives…
The nature of water.
There is no life without water. The Earth’s surface is around three quarters water and the human body is composed of around 60%. In nature, water nourishes, hydrates and sustains growth. It transforms from dense ice, to formless vapour, via the shapeshifting intangibility of liquid.
In liquid form, water manifests in a myriad of ways – clear crystal lakes; gentle glinting waves; meandering streams; great surging rivers; deep abundant wells; rejuvenating summer rains; tumultuous, devastating floods.
Water is both gentle and strong; healing and destructive; still and fluid; buoyant and dense; soothing and erosive; reflective and impenetrable. Even at its stillest, there is movement that ripples outwards to touch everything in its path.
Water as energy.
Water represents the constant flow of life and mirrors the cosmic dance of feminine energy, or Shakti. Being in the state of flow is that magical, almost trance-like meditative feeling when you lose all sense of time. It is a journey within, led by intuition and connection with our creative essence, in order to find wholeness and freedom.
Conscious Creative Organisation, PATTERNITY founded by Anna Murray and Grace Winteringham explores the positive power of pattern with a focus on the wisdom of water and its relation to the human spirit, they say,
“Finding time to meander and explore can ignite feelings of flow…most often this is simply encouraged by reconnecting with the senses…”
Human nature.
As humans we are in a symbiotic relationship with water, both within our bodies and in our interactions with the world. We are interconnected, a part of nature and not separate to it.
Water has been at the heart of cultural and spiritual life for thousands of years, with water used for cleansing rituals by many Indigenous communities and religions. Almost every culture has a tradition of using water for its therapeutic benefits; from the Roman baths to Turkish hammams, Japanese onsens and European natural springs and spas – water plays an important role in our collective wellbeing. With no current plans to leave the city, I’m sure I’m not the only Londoner missing the healing powers bestowed by deep breaths of sea air and the feeling of the ocean enveloping my body.
As well as self-care traditions, water is also used in most cultures and religions to cleanse and purify, including the use of water in Christian baptism and the use of the Mikvah, a ceremonial bath in Judaism, which “is about the immersion of the soul”. Mythology often features water from natural springs, such as the Chalice Well in Glastonbury Tor, England for its healing properties, as well as being a gateway to the spirit world.
Waves of emotion.
Water is also closely linked to our very real emotions. Just like water, our emotions are our feelings in motion. By allowing them to move through us with conscious breath, movement and other tools, we can prevent a stagnation of energy and becoming stuck in our lives.
CANCER SEASON – water as healing balm.
Cancer is ruled by the moon and the element of water, signalling a time to surrender to the ebb and flow of our inner depths and languid lunar rhythms. The moon and water are inextricably linked as the moon governs the tides on earth and the cyclical nature of the feminine.
Cancer is symbolised by the crab, a creature literally carrying its home on its back with the ability to retreat into its shell. As such, the sign is closely aligned with the values of Home as a safe space and the archetype of the nurturing Mother.
After an intense Gemini season in 2020, of more confinement, information processing and fervent communication, it is time to go inward. Personally I have felt a sense of overwhelm over the last few weeks, with a feeling of lots I want to do and a frustration at not having the time or space to do it. Cancer season has come to me like a healing balm allowing me to ease the pace, connect to intuition, cleanse, distil and discern. with the intention to allow, listen and integrate.
