lost in the tides

"The Little Sea Maid" ~ 1910 ~ illustrated by Anne Anderson (Scottish, 1874-1952)

Bedridden witch: Ocean edition

For the bedridden witches who hear the call of the seas. 

Other bedridden witch posts:

Sea Fetches and their Symbolic Meaning

mer interruption: the following text is from one of my favourite books. a part II will follow on, but do consider buying the book for yourself to get more interesting lore!

Animals can act as messengers as well as sources of inspiration, healing, and guidance. Those associated with the sea are generally considered wise and powerful. A totem animal or sea fetch can remain with you for your entire life, or it may come briefly into your life to guide you through a particular phase or turning point. Some are merely messengers that have one brief communication or idea to relay. You may also encounter one that may be difficult to deal with at first. This type of fetch usually appears to draw out a side of you that has been ignored. At first this fetch may seem fearsome or contrary, but in the long run what it helps bring to your surface level of consciousness can be very important. According to Caitlin Matthews, "the appearance of talking beasts in folk story denotes a shift of emphasis to a deeper level of awareness; such beasts are not an- thropomorphic animals, but archetypal forms." Animals that present themselves to you may symbolize who you are, or they may possess qualities that you would like to express in your life. Let's take a brief overview of qualities associated with several potential sea fetches. We'll look at them in more detail over the following pages.

Some of the animals' qualities, such as the crab's, may surprise you. However, the crab is associated with health and vision (mental and psychic), and its energy is useful for protection from negativity. Perhaps the inclusion of the polar bear surprised you, too. While all of its relatives are clearly earthbound creatures, the polar bear is also known as the water bear and the ice bear. It is very much at home in the waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

A fetch can make itself known in various ways. In fact, its image may continually appear to you until you realize and acknowledge it. Thereafter, an appearance may indicate a need for contact or reassurance or it may be a signal that only you and your fetch will understand.

One way that birds communicate their presence and intent is through the gifting of a feather. I have been drawn to seagulls since I was a child and I have felt comforted by their calls. When I moved into my house in Maine and stepped out onto the back porch for the first time, I was greeted with the cry of gulls and a snowy white feather on my steps. I felt that I had truly come home. Still, as with the "signs" communicated by seashells, I believe that a touch of skepticism is healthy. The difference between a message and an ordinary experience is the timing and the undeniable feeling that it holds meaning. Keep your senses open, ask questions of yourself and the fetch, then trust your intuition. If you are still unsure, ask for further signs. If a fetch was communicating with you, you will receive them. The sea journey presented here* will help you find your sea fetch. Of course, there is the possibility that a mythical creature may present itself to you. Don't reject it out of hand. Go with the flow if your intuition tells you that there is something to be learned. Examine why you might be drawn to it and then research as much as you can about it. Our feelings and inner experiences are valid and do not require a stamp of approval from other people. Stay truthful to yourself. * mer interruption: i will post the sea journey separately! Below the cut are the 12 fetches in detail.

Tide Spells

mer interruption: the following is an excerpt from one of my favourite books. Please remember to treat the sea with respect and do not leave anything behind that was not originally from the sands and sea.

High Tide Spell

The high tide spell is a short, sharp piece of operative magic that you can use when something needs to be done quickly. It works best at spring tides when the tidal and lunar powers are at their peak. It is used to attract something that is urgently needed, or to make something positive happen. It is a very short spell that carries a strong sense of urgency. The spell is written using a very brief form of words in the sand or shingle as the tide is rising and just before it reaches its peak, just above the tideline. As the spell is written, the magical will is concentrated on the spell succeeding. The witch then watches until the sea has washed the spell away and the work is done.

Low Tide Spell

A similar spell is worked at low tide to banish or remove something. Again, the power of this spell is very quick and concentrated; it is worked in a few minutes and sent on its way. As with the high tide spell, words are written in the sand just as the tide turns, but this time at the very lowest point of the tide, so that as it begins its climb up the shore whatever you need to banish is taken by the sea. As soon as the words have gone under the water, the spell is done. For both these spells, use as few words as possible; you could even just use initial letters. Concentrate hard on your objective as you write them into the sand then let it go so that the tide can do its work.

Text - A Sea Witch's Companion - Practical Magic of Moon and Tides, Levannah Morgan

Cute ocean dividers - cafekitsune

Intended for reference and educational purposes - please supplement with your own research and knowledge!

🌊 Connect with the Tide: Sea witches typically have a strong connection to the ocean, drawing inspiration, energy, and spiritual guidance from its vastness and power. Tune into the ebb and flow of the tides, allowing their rhythmic movement to guide your magical workings and rituals. Work with the energy of high tide for abundance and manifestation, and low tide for release and letting go.

🚰 Water Magic: Water is a central element in sea witchery, and practitioners often work with its properties for cleansing, healing, intuition, and emotional balance.

🌙 Moon Magic: Like many other forms of witchcraft, sea witchery often incorporates lunar cycles and phases, harnessing the energy of the moon for rituals and spellcasting.

🪸 Herbalism: Sea witches may work with herbs and plants associated with coastal regions or those that thrive in saline environments for magical purposes.

🐬 Work with Sea Creatures: Connect with the spirits of the sea and the creatures that dwell beneath the waves, such as dolphins, whales, and mermaids, honoring their wisdom and guidance in your magical practice.

🐚 Collect Seashells and Sea Treasures: Sea witches may collect shells, driftwood, seaweed, and other items washed ashore for use in spells, rituals, or as talismans. Gather seashells, sea glass, and other treasures washed ashore by the ocean, incorporating them into your spells, rituals, and altar decorations to infuse your magic with the energy of the sea.

🌊 Invoke Ocean Deities: Cultivate a relationship with ocean deities and spirits, such as Poseidon, Yemaya, or Neptune, by offering prayers, making offerings, and invoking their blessings and protection in your magical workings.

🧜🏼‍♀️ Seafaring Lore and Folk Traditions: Sea witches may draw upon maritime folklore, legends, and traditions for rituals, spells, and divination practices. Marine creatures like dolphins, whales, mermaids, and sea turtles may hold symbolic significance in sea witchcraft, representing various aspects of the ocean's energy and mythology.

🌬️ Navigation and Divination: Some sea witches incorporate navigation techniques, such as reading the stars or using instruments like compasses, into their practice. Divination methods related to the sea, such as scrying with water or shells, may also be used.

🦭 Respect for Nature: Central to sea witchery is a reverence for the natural world, particularly the ocean and its ecosystems, with an emphasis on environmental stewardship and sustainability. Sea witches often perform rituals for protection, purification, healing, and empowerment, drawing upon the strength and resilience of the ocean.

Books to Read:

Water Magic by Lilith Dorsey

The Sea Witch: A Grimoire of Ocean Magick by Jennifer Heather

Year of the Witch: Connecting with Nature's Seasons through Intuitive Magick by Temperance Alden

sea witch

𝔞 𝔰𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔢𝔯 𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔩𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔢

Well kids when a captain and a ship love each other very much sometimes they choose to express it physically and go down together

Witchcore appreciation post