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The Spirit Of The River
By ymib.com Staff | Circle Sister
Tuesday, 06 June 2006




The ancient center stone for healing and celebration:



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:




“The spirit of the river runs through me and the creator has blessed it, and it will bless me.

I cleanse myself with you to give me life, health, and beauty.

You are pure and I use you to help cleanse my uncleanliness.

You hydrate my body and warm my soul.

I give thanks to you, and will always remember that the spirit of the river runs through me and the creator has blessed it, and it will bless me.”






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.

Very refreshing thread , it makes me want to Drink some water especially after a tall cup of coffee .