Mermaid Wisdom - Meditations, Rituals etc

[Amethyst]

Hi all! :)

I've been re-reading my 'Mermaid Wisdom' book recently and it got me wondering if any mers on here do any spiritual mermaid things, meditation? Rituals? Do you have a mermaid alter? This book has a lot of project/things to do like above but I haven't got round to trying any of them yet (:$ very bad mer lol) If so, how do they help or effect you? Would you have a go at some things? :) I'm just being nosey really. I really enjoy Yoga and meditation, so incorporating mermaid things into it will be great! :D

(I was hoping you'd be able to see and read the pictures :S maybe if you save them and zoom in? :D)

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[Daphne]

That looks like a really cool book. I think I'll wish list that off Amazon.

Yoga/Meditation is real nice; very nice for relaxing and centering yourself. Being a longtime fan and and having had involvement with martial arts, I like Tai Chi. The basic form echoes the graceful, changing form of water.

Thought of something just now, which is not entirely practical but why not: grab some scuba gear, dive somewhere and meditate at the bottom of that body of water. Helps to be one with the sea by being in it?

[Mermaid Momo]

I love that book! I've tried a few of the meditations in the past (I checked it out from the library) I picked it up mostly because of the art at first .

[deepblue]

I don't have the book, but my personal paganism is strongly focused on my relationship with sea. I'm sure some people would see my altar and think 'mermaid altar. To me the ocean is the womb of the great mother, and all the waters of the world are her blood. In fact, in my fiction, this is brought up.

I'm just so much better off as long as I keep the sea within me, so to speak. I'm healthier mentally, and therefore take better care physically, when I keep my spiritual practice up. It has nothing to do with religion, and I don't believe in any deities (which might be confusing after my first words up there, but believe me... deity or the concepts of it don't have to have anything to do with spirituality.)

My altar is covered in shells, all found, except for a few I've had forever and I don't know where they came from. I have red coral, which was a gift to me from a gal I had a fling with, or I wouldn't have it. I don't buy coral for various reasons. But I also work with various animal spirits who aren't of the sea, and they have a place on the altar when needed or warranted. Wolf is always there, for instance.

[Miyu]

Ooh, this sounds like a neat book! I'd like to read it.

[Amethyst]

Thanks for the replies!! :D I would recommend the book, it has stories inside too and beautiful art like others have said :)
I'm glad I'm not alone on wanting to merge my sea love into my daily life! :D I'm off to Porthmadog, Wales, on Saturday for a week! I've been missing the beach and the sea for sooo long! I might try some meditations there :)
Your altar sounds very beautiful @deepblue :)

[tealmermaid]

I have a mermaid altar in my office with a lot of sea shells. I find it very calming.

[Mermaid Oshun]

That's amazing that you have an altar at work Tealmermaid. I love that. Do people know it is an altar? And I really want to get this book!

[tealmermaid]

Well, I work at home. :p

But yes, most people passing through the office do realise it's an altar. Everyone else thinks it's just part of the decor to go with the bright teal walls and mermaid toys.

[TheChimera]

I have started giving 'mermaid blessings' to people, small blessed shells decorated with pearls and all kinds of small thingies to make them pretty :3 the first one was to my boyfriend, it now hangs from his rear view mirror in his car, i also sometimes bless the water I drink , and invoke the undines and sirens , and also Tiamat, mother of the primordial seas, and ritual bathing in salt water,yep I like to go the whole nine yards lol, makes me feel closer to the ocean as I now live inland , i was raised by the shore And I plan on visiting my mother there hopefully by the end of 2014 my bf and I are taking our first road trip down there together

[SeaGlass Siren]

I need this book. For Yule. Where can I get it?

[Mermaid Momo]

I need this book. For Yule. Where can I get it?

Amazon will be your savior lol. Don't forget to look at the used book offers they have. I got a Book once for $1 that would've been $15


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[SeaGlass Siren]

Omg guys I was reading doreen virtue's mermaids 101 book (because i was book hunting yesterday and i found it in the spirituality / new age section ) and she mentioned our forum xD omg best thing ever.

She mentioned a lot of what was already discussed in another culture forum about the roots and beginning of the earth and then transitioned into saving and respecting our planet... And then mermaiding xD

[TheChimera]

Awesome, i wonder if some of it has to do with the aquatic ape theory

[SeaGlass Siren]

Yeah she mentioned that too. There was a lot of questionable stuff in there though like how a persons eyes and hair can help you tell how connected they are to the elements. Sounds like those quizilla days

[SeaGlass Siren]

Actually there's some mention of Africa and the dogon tribe too

[TheChimera]

Interesting... And all this is mentioned in the book?

[SeaGlass Siren]

Yeah. Not in a lot of detail but it is mentioned in one chapter. There's also mention of Atlantis and lemuria, dolphins...

[Mermaid Oshun]

This is such a wonderful thread! I am so glad I found it. I did review the book by Doreen Valiente and it is a nice cursory overview. I will look for some others.

[Mermaid Oshun]

Sea Priestess by British mystic Dion Fortune is a novel written in the 1930s which will certainly get you in the mood.
1590915910
Available free here
http://esotericonline.net/docs/library/Mystic%20Classics/Sea%20Priestess%20-%20Dion%20Fortune.pdf
This was a really fun read when I first read it about 20 years ago. I think I will read it again right now!

[SeaGlass Siren]

wow this looks amazing pearl!

[Echidna]

I looked it up because the title sounds awesome, but

Morgan le Fay, sea priestess of Atlantis? :rolleyes:

Mixing up celtic druidic faery lore with Atlantis Aegean stuff is like...
putting garlic and onions on icecream and honey.

[PearlieMae]

Yeah, I have to laugh when I see people mash-up pantheons.

[SeaGlass Siren]

wait hold on did i read the back right? foster-daughter of Merlin? o_o but i thought they were... yknow.. "together"?

(goes to show to never judge a book by its cover. :P oops)

[Echidna]

Morgan le Fay is a highly interesting subject, because it's a prime example how a real person was turned into a mythological figure.
There are other instances where priestesses of some olden order were viewed as fairies;
they lived in seclusion, performed strange rituals, and possessed inexplicable powers in the view of commoners (knowledge of herbs and healing, mostly).

There has been written a great deal too much fiction on the Arthurian Legend,
but it's a fact most figures from the legend were real people.
Artus was married to several women in succession which all bore the same name (Gwenhwyfar), which added to the confusion.
It's also unclear whether Morgan was his sister, half-sister, aunt, or cousin.

If you're interested in the subject, I recommend any book adhering to the known historical facts- one good indicator for that is the absence of "Lancelot", "Galahad" and such figures
which stem from different legends and were conveniently incorporated into the Arthur saga.

Arthur's reign was a historical threshold, insofar that it fell into the time when the old druidic traditions were slowly dissolved by spreading christianity.
The legends of this time slowly change their tune from a definitely fairy-, wiccan-inspired background to the amalgamation of christian-infused stuff we have today.

During this change, old deities were replaced with christian martyrs and saints in the stories,
druids and priestesses were changed into christian knights, and everything nature-related like fairies was demonized.

"The Mists of Avalon" is a great book if you like the subject in general, but it adheres to the modern perception of the myth and is thus not very accurate, historically speaking.

[Mermaid Oshun]

gosh it has been so long since I read this but if I recall correctly, in this fictional story we are to believe that either she's immortal, reincarnated or was invoked from lineage to lineage or something of the sort. Or maybe she was an archetype that was invoked. I will have to read it again to see how she made this woman transcend time and cultures. But in magick, Dion Fortune is the real deal. Her and Aleister Crowley were from similar schools of thought in Western mysticism.

[PearlieMae]

Morgan le Fay is a highly interesting subject, because it's a prime example how a real person was turned into a mythological figure.
There are other instances where priestesses of some olden order were viewed as fairies;
they lived in seclusion, performed strange rituals, and possessed inexplicable powers in the view of commoners (knowledge of herbs and healing, mostly).

There has been written a great deal too much fiction on the Arthurian Legend,
but it's a fact most figures from the legend were real people.
Artus was married to several women in succession which all bore the same name (Gwenhwyfar), which added to the confusion.
It's also unclear whether Morgan was his sister, half-sister, aunt, or cousin.

If you're interested in the subject, I recommend any book adhering to the known historical facts- one good indicator for that is the absence of "Lancelot", "Galahad" and such figures
which stem from different legends and were conveniently incorporated into the Arthur saga.

Arthur's reign was a historical threshold, insofar that it fell into the time when the old druidic traditions were slowly dissolved by spreading christianity.
The legends of this time slowly change their tune from a definitely fairy-, wiccan-inspired background to the amalgamation of christian-infused stuff we have today.

During this change, old deities were replaced with christian martyrs and saints in the stories,
druids and priestesses were changed into christian knights, and everything nature-related like fairies was demonized.

"The Mists of Avalon" is a great book if you like the subject in general, but it adheres to the modern perception of the myth and is thus not very accurate, historically speaking.

BRAVA! I wanted to post what you put so eloquently! :clap:

[Echidna]

Thanks.
I've read every book about the Arthurian Mythos I could find.

The amount of bad books on this topic is only topped by the amount of bad movies about it! :p

[PearlieMae]

Thanks.
I've read every book about the Arthurian Mythos I could find.

The amount of bad books on this topic is only topped by the amount of bad movies about it! :p

I know what you mean! I could converse for hours on the subject! (A previous mer-name I once used was Nimüe la Mer, but it was constantly mangled, and Pearlie Mae was just easier to manage.)

[SeaGlass Siren]

I only knew her as the lady of the lake.. Also from the DC and marvel comics :P

[Mermaid Oshun]

Pearlie Mae I love your new avatar photo. It is so mysterious :)

[TheChimera]

Morgan le fey is a long standing fascination of mine. Really strong feminine figure

[SeaGlass Siren]

All this talk of Arthurian legends, I have this strange and sudden urge to listen to Kamelot's song, Shadow of Uther.

[tealmermaid]

I blame MZBradley for a lot of the modern mish-mash about Morgan LeFay. :rolleyes: But then, she was only borrowing from Western Occult Tradition (Crowley, Waite, et al) anyway, so maybe we should blame them for romanticizing Arthurian legend so much?

[SeaGlass Siren]

Hahahahaha I just got into season 2 of ONCE ... Lady of the lake episode xD gosh guys it's a sign

[deepblue]

But in magick, Dion Fortune is the real deal. Her and Aleister Crowley were from similar schools of thought in Western mysticism.

Total agreement with that^. I still recall the popularity of the DF and AC sections of the occult bookstore I managed 20 years ago. Dion Fortune is one of those classic names. I also love Crowley.

Also, not to totally drift off this thread drift but-

Has anyone here seen the Tarot of the Mermaids, and how do you like it? Looks like it's based off the basic Rider Waite (as they usually are) and it does have pretty art.
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/mermaids/

Here are some others I'm wondering if anyone's had experience with:

Oracle of the Mermaids- I like the art, and that they've included Selkies.
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/oracle-of-the-mermaids/

Ocean Oracle
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/ocean-oracle/

And a few of interest. Ceph tarot! :D
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/undersea/
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/cephalopod-tarot/
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/magical-mermaids-dolphins/

I used to collect decks. Now I rarely read, and actually use them more for spellwork than anything. I haven't bought a deck in 4 years, I would love one specifically ocean themed to work with on my oceanic altar.

[SeaGlass Siren]

Deep blue, what items do you have on your altar? Just curious because I'd like to have one as well.

[Echidna]

Has anyone here seen the Tarot of the Mermaids, and how do you like it? Looks like it's based off the basic Rider Waite (as they usually are) and it does have pretty art.
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/mermaids/

I've had it for years.
I use it for readings which somehow envolve water or the ocean, deep mysteries, or hidden emotions, and I've found it to be fairly accurate, more straightforward than some other decks I have, interestingly enough.

I also love the art, and that it's about mermaids, of course! ;)
The sword cards (tridents) feature snake-tailed mermaids, which I especially like.

I think the suits are really well done to fit the aquatic theme.

[SeaGlass Siren]

Jut bought and finished reading mermaid wisdom. It's interesting, has a lot of fun hands on activities.. Some seem really difficult to do though. I can't sit still to meditate unless someone is guiding me (it's so bad that I have to listen to YouTube meditation videos) .. Any tips on now to meditate by yourself without aid?

[SeaGlass Siren]

Oh look i've killed a thread x'D

[PearlieMae]

Oh look i've killed a thread x'D

:lol ^: That takes a special talent.

On another note, have you thought of doing tai chi or some other form of moving meditation? I can't sit still long enough for traditional meditation, and I have to admit, being able to swim in a lake without fear of bumping into anything is the best meditative thing I know how to do.

[SeaGlass Siren]

i haven't tried. i have done yoga before though but even then it needs to be guided otherwise i'm all over the place. : (

[Miyu]

Seaglass Siren: I find that the Shamanic method of "meditation" works best for me. I have a hard time sitting still and quieting my mind as well. Shamanic journeying isn't guided by someone telling you what to do; rather, it is a rhythmic drum beat with pre-arranged signals as to when the return to reality begins and to sort of "put you back in your body". I've had my best "meditation" using a shamanic journey pre-recorded beat.

[SeaGlass Siren]

i had something like that. it was an animal totem "mediation." but the person who was performing it still guided the meditation.

also it was a youtube video. :P

I NEED GUIDANCE what can i say :(

[Mermaid Muir]

I'll tend to use crystals or guided mediation. I find that my best meditation happens when it is really dark. Also that book looks amazing!

[Vrindavana Starfish]

I do meditate and chant, and have an altar, but it's not mermaid-centric. My spiritual path does inform my mermaid interests, because it literally informs every part of my life. Meditation is a powerful thing, and it has amazing benefits across all aspects of your life.

[Vrindavana Starfish]

Any tips on now to meditate by yourself without aid?

The thing that makes meditation so difficult is that your mind DOES NOT want to be still, and will find distractions when you try to make it calm. I found chanting on beads to be a great way to meditate. Here's why:
• You're chanting out loud, so your ears are engaged in the sound of whatever mantra you're using
• Your mouth and voice are engaged
• Your tactile sense is engaged when you move from bead to bead
• If you have incense or a candle, your olfactory sense is engaged
• Have an object or relevant picture to focus on, or really hold an image in your mind so you see every detail
This redirects all of your senses onto the task you are doing. Then you can better focus your mind on the mantra. It will wander, trust me, and you will eventually realize you're thinking about other things. Just calmly bring the focus back to the words.

Over and over. It gets easier. Try for 5-10 minutes to start, and work up from there.

This form of meditation is called japa, and you can find japa malas (chanting beads - almost always 108 beads on a string) in almost any material you like— different woods or beautiful stones, or make one yourself out of seashells!

The mantra is up to you. I chant the Maha Mantra, Buddhists have different ones, Christians can chant Jesus' name, pagans can use the name of their patron deities, and the non-religious can find a mantra that they feel speaks to them.

[SeaGlass Siren]

awesome. thank you starfish!