NMR ISSUE 27

An Urban Wicca
Astrological Forecast 27
Cat
Crimson and Gold
Editorial 27
Elf-Calling
For Scott
Great Universal Mystery
Letters 27
New Abundance
Overcoming Inertia
Samhaintide Ritual
Shark
The Crystal Tree System
The Elves are Returning
The Life Flower Formula
The Secret of Magickal Power
Two References
Water Spirits

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Water Spirits

M. J. Makransky

Self-transformation is an enigmatic process; we all know what we ought to be like, how we ought to be thinking and acting, but we don't know how to actually do it. Even when we can look back on ways in which we have grown spiritually over the years, we can't really understand how we got from there to here. In other words, self-transformation is a process that we can never understand intellectually, but can only feel.

In fact, the essence of self-transformation is a lessening of our sense of self-importance. Carlos Castaneda discusses the theory of self-importance at great length in his books; in essence, self-importance is like a `glue' that we use to hold ourselves together, or a shield we put up against our deaths. Without it we would be in the same position as a newborn—completely passive, vulnerable and incapable of accomplishing anything. Our sense of separateness—feeling that there is an `I' there—is ultimately a product of our self-importance.

On the other hand, self-importance can also become a sticky mess, a barrier that not only keeps our deaths at bay, but which also separates us from (has us close our hearts to) other people, and even to our own true feelings. To erase our self-importance is to feel the barriers that separate us from other people lessening, but also to open ourselves up to the feeling of death breathing down our necks (which is what makes it so difficult to do).

There are many techniques used for erasing self-importance. The one I have found to be most effective, easy and joyous is with nature spirits, particularly tree and water spirits. While some nature spirits (such as mountain and cave spirits) can be pretty strict and tricky to deal with, tree and water spirits are gentle and mellow. Here I discuss how to find water spirits and how to use them in self-transformation. I assume that you are working without a teacher.

Go out alone to a river or creek in an undeveloped area (i.e., where there aren't any people). You should go alone because if you go with a friend you will tend to keep referring your judgments back to the friend for validation, instead of taking responsibility for your intuitive judgments yourself. When you don't know what you're doing, it's always best to do it alone.

Start walking upstream, paying close attention to the sights and sounds. Water spirits tend to be at places where there's a bend in the river, a deep pool, a cataract, rapids, etc. Usually there are also striking physical features at such places—unusual vegetation on the banks, or interesting rock formations. There's often a distinct change in the sound the river makes—if it's been gurgling, it suddenly becomes calm, or the reverse. In other words, there are usually sensory cues to indicate that a water spirit is indeed present. However you should also be able to feel that there's a water spirit there—that this particular place along the river has a unique feeling (personality) to it. Whenever you get the feeling that you've arrived at the right place, rest assured that you have arrived at the right place. Trust yourself.

Sit down on the bank and relax. Talk to the spirit. You won't feel silly doing this if you're alone. Tell the spirit who you are and why you've come. Ask it to help you wash away your self-importance. Then take off your clothes and dive in (or if it's shallow, just splash around). Don't use soap. If the water is safe, take a little sip. Then thank the spirit, dry off, and leave.

You should go back to this spirit every single day, if possible, and repeat the exercise. If you can't do it every day, then go as often as you can (though that should be at least once a week, even if that means in the snow). You may not feel much difference at first, but after a while you will definitely feel what that spirit is doing to you. There will be times—especially when you go to the spirit in a mood of great turmoil and upset—when you will be amazed by how much the spirit can calm you and soothe you.

Water spirits actually `eat' your self-importance; to them it's a kind of food you are offering them, so the relationship is mutual—it's not as if you are the one benefiting. However, it's a good idea to take the spirit a little present occasionally—flowers, a pretty stone, or some food items you have made lovingly yourself (a token portion will suffice). One wouldn't expect spirits to care about such things, but in fact gifts and the thoughtfulness behind them delight them.

As you get to know your spirit better you'll acquire a great fondness for it, and come to regard your visits to it as the high point of your day (or week). After a couple of months you will find your everyday life becoming calmer, more peaceful and relaxed, without any obvious reason for it.

M.J. Makransky is a nurseryman, dairyman, and psychic astrologer. He is the author of a book of computer algorithms for astrologers, and many articles on horoscope interpretation. He is available for astrological consultation by mail at: Apartado Postal #36, Coban, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala 16901.