Is Water So Lifeless?- (NAT-12)

Introduction

Water by many is considered to be total inanimate and lifeless, though considering how it is so essential to life and that life surges forth from it, is it really as lifeless as we think.

The following excerpt comes from a book written by Viktor Schauberger titled “The Water Wizard, the Extraordinary Properties of Natural Water”, edited and translated by Callum Coats.

Excerpt

“Water and its vital interaction with the forest was Viktor's principal preoccupation. He viewed water as a living entity, the 'Blood of Mother-Earth', which is born in the womb of the forest. Our mechanistic, materialistic and extremely superficial way of looking at things, however, prevents us from considering water to be anything other than inorganic, i.e. supposedly without life but, while apparently having no life itself, can nevertheless miraculously create life in all its forms. Life is movement and is epitomised by water, which is in a constant state of motion and transformation, both externally and internally. In confirmation of this fact, water is able to combine with more substances than any other molecule and, flowing as water, sap and blood, is the creator of the myriad life-forms on this planet. How then could it ever be construed as life-less in accordance with the chemist's clinical view of water, defined as the inorganic substance H₂O? This short description is a gross misrepresentation, As the fundamental basis of all life, water is itself a living entity and should be treated as such. Failure to do so quickly transforms it into an enemy, rather than the nurturer and furtherer of all life that it should be "This civilisation is the work of man, who high-handedly and ignorant of the true workings of Nature, has created a world without meaning or foundation, which now threatens to destroy him, for through his behaviour and his activities, he, who should be her master, has disturbed Nature's inherent unity."

Apart from the more familiar categories of water, there are, according to Viktor Schauberger, as many varieties of water as there are animals and plants. Were water merely the sterile, distilled H₂0 as claimed by science, it would be poisonous to all living things. H₂O or 'juvenile water' is sterile, distilled water and devoid of any so-called 'impurities'. It has no developed character and qualities. As a young, immature, growing entity, it grasps like a baby at everything within reach. It absorbs the characteristics and properties of whatever it comes into contact with or has attracted to itself in order to grow to maturity. This 'everything' - the so-called 'impurities'- takes the form of trace elements, minerals, salts and even smells! Were we to drink pure H₂O constantly, it would quickly leach out all our store of minerals and trace elements, debilitating and ultimately killing us. Like a growing child, juvenile water takes and does not give. Only when mature, i.e. when suitably enriched with raw materials, is it in a position to give, to dispense itself freely and willingly, thus enabling the rest of life to develop. Before the birth of water, there was no life.”

End (12).

Viktor Schauberger on Water - (NAT-11)

Introduction

Any study on water would at one point or another lead one to come across the works of Viktor Schauberger.

Quote from Viktor Schauberger

“The Upholder of the Cycles, which supports the whole of Life, is WATER. In every drop of water dwells a Deity, whom we all serve; there also dwells Life, the Soul of the 'First' substance — Water — whose boundaries and banks are the capillaries that guide it and in which it circulates.”

Viktor Schauberger

Who was Viktor Schauberger?

The following excerpt from the book “Hidden Nature (The Startling Insights of Viktor Schauberger” by Alick Bartholomew, gives a brief run down of who Viktor Schauberger was.

“Viktor Schauberger was known as 'The Water Wizard' because he made profound discoveries about its nature. His principal preoccupation was with water as the key to all life, and its vital relationship to the forest. He saw water as the foundation of all life-processes and the channel that nourishes and energizes all life. He also recognized it as a living entity, whose main function is to accumulate and transform the energies originating from the Earth and the Sun. The source of all our problems, according to Schauberger, is our failure to regard water as an organism; we arrest its creative processes and when it becomes our enemy it can do enormous damage.”

Summary

I think that a study into Viktor Schauberger’s works is worthwhile and certainly his works based on many years of concreter observation and thought definitely indicate to us that there is much more to water than we think that there is.

The following excerpt, from the same book mentioned above sums this up nicely.

Excerpt

“Our Earth is the planet of water. Seventy percent of the world's surface is covered by water. Our bodies are seventy-five percent water.

It is essential to all life. Yet, our present science understands little of its real nature. We have no respect for water; we use it for transporting inappropriate substances, usually waste and pollutants. We destroy its complex structures by driving it through turbines, pipes or straightened riverbanks. We treat it as a commodity. Viktor Schauberger called it a living organism,'the blood of the Earth,' and insisted that in its various forms, as blood, sap or water, it is the basis of all life.”

End (11).

Esoteric Water Qualities - (ESO-10)

Introduction

Actually I find the following excerpt from the book “The Elements of Ritual” by Deborah Lipp, quite interesting, especially since it ties in how water relates to the Moon as well as to our emotions, our creativity, mystery, the subconscious, death and re-birth.

I find this quite interesting and perhaps you might too.

Excerpt

“The natural forms of water are myriad. Not just the sea, but every body of water from a little creek to the Great Lakes. 'Water is also found in our bodies; in the clichéd "blood, sweat, and tears"; in mother's milk; and, perhaps most importantly, in amniotic fluid. Just as life first evolved in the sea, the fetus swims in salt water as it "evolves" and develops. Since all bodies of water have tides, the moon is also associated with water, and many lunar qualities are also water qualities.

Sea creatures-both plant and animal are connected to Water: fish, eels, shells, coral, seaweed, sponges, and driftwood all partake of this element. Dolphins and whales are often the creatures most associated with water, although I suspect this has more to do with our affection for them than with any natural or symbolic imperative.

The personal quality of water is feeling. Emotion flows, following its own path, which may meander. Emotion runs deep, with mysterious depths not visible on the surface. Emotions bring forth secrets like sunken treasure. Emotionality and mood swings are, of course, associated with the moon as well, as are secrets - things visible just a little bit, lit by moonlight and not exposed in the Sun. In the Tarot, the card The Moon is full of watery images; crustaceans crawl up from water, and the card's meaning is rooted in secrets, mysteries, and hidden knowledge.

The Moon is the menstrual cycle, and water is childbirth as well, making water perhaps the most feminine of elements. Since moon phases are cyclic, ending where they began, and beginning where they end, it makes sense that water is also associated with death, and it’s not surprising that many people's folklore depicts death as a passage over water. To make the cycle complete, Hindus refer to rebirth as an ocean.

All of these things: The moon, feeling, depth, birth-death-rebirth, and mystery, combine to associate water with dreams and the subconscious, and from there to altered states in general-trance, vision, and transformation coming from these things. Transformation by water is visionary, and may take the quality of a journey-which is probably why the Hero Journey generally begins with a passage over water. Watery people are weepy and over-full of feeling. They are dramatic and sensual and otherworldly. They can be draining to be around-wet rags. They can also be the opposite: joyful and full of love - their cup runneth over. The generosity of water flows forth abundantly, and people in love feel love towards everyone.

Water's direction is west. Sunset in the west is associated also with death, with the end of things, and with transformation. Twilight is an in-between and mysterious time - so is autumn. Neither seed nor sprout, Water is the sap-flowing through flora just as blood flows through fauna.

In our creative/becoming process, we used Air to get the inspiration, and Fire for the get-up-and-go. Now we need to let creativity flow through us. If you've ever written or played music or painted, you know where's a time to let go and let it happen.

That's the water time. Intuition has to play a part in any endeavour, and a "go with the flow" attitude has to allow us to take advantage of opportunities we could never have predicted in advance. Because this is daring, in the way that closing your eyes and letting yourself fall is daring, water corresponds on the Witches' Pyramid to ‘To Dare’.

For magical symbolism, Water has ocean and lunar colors-deep blue, sea green, and silver. The magical undine is water's entity. Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. (Cancer's crab and Scorpio's scorpion both appear on The Moon in the Tarot).

The magical tool of Water is the cup, which is the Holy Grail. On the altar, water is always represented by a simple dish of water-some people add a seashell. I like the seashells that double as water dishes, although they tend to be a little prone to spillage.”

Summary

I think the practical essence that we can take from the above passage is that water is emotion in our psychology and that as with everything, if we align with its positive qualities draw benefit. The positive qualities available to us according to the above passage are creativity, adaptability and knowledge of some of the mystery hiding in our subconscious that express through our emotion.

End (10).

Some Earth Ocean Data - (SCI-9)

Introduction

The following excerpts comes from a book titled “An Introduction to the Chemistry of the Sea” by Michael E.Q Pilson.

Earth Water Data

Volumes of water on Earth

“Seawater                                                        1 346 000 x 10³ km³ or 97.4%

Sea ice                                                              20 x 10³ km³

Continental ice                                                 27 800 x 10³ km³ or 2.0%

Lakes and rivers                                               225 x 10³ km³

Groundwater                                                    8062 x 10³ or 0.6%

Vapor (liquid volume)                                      13 x 10³ km³

TOTAL                                                             1 386 050 10³ km³ or 100%

From Baumgartner and Reichel 1975, Menard and Smith 1966, and Table J-6.

The water chemically combined in crustal rocks and in the mantle is not included in these estimates.”

Miscellaneous Earth Ocean Data

“Earth surface area                                         510 x 10⁶ km²

Land surface area                                            148 x 10⁶ km²

Ocean surface area                                          362 x 10⁶ km²

Ocean surface area, % of Earth area              71%

Ocean: total volume                                         1.35 x 10⁹ km³ or 1.35 x 10¹⁸ m³

Average depth                                                   3740 m

Temperature range                                           ~ –2 to ~40°C

Pressure range                                                 ~1 to ~1000 atm or ~1 to ~1000 kg cm^-2 or 

                                                                          ~1 to ~1000 bar or ~100 to ~10⁵ kPa

Menard and Smith 1966, and other sources. For more detail, see Appendix J.”

Summary

Very interesting, the figures that mean the most to us are the percentages. A staggering 97.4% of all the Earth’s waters are sea water and 71% of the Earth’s surface area is covered in water.

End (9).

The Oceans and the Earth’s Climate - (NAT-8)

Introduction

The following excerpt comes from a book titled “An Introduction to the Chemistry of the Sea” by Michael E.Q Pilson.

This beautifully written excerpt describes in an easy to read and simple way, some of the roles the Oceans play in determining the Earth’s climate.

Excerpt

“Those magnificent pictures of Earth from space, among the most humanly important and evocative results from the placing of manned and unmanned satellites in orbit during the last several decades, have shown us that underneath the clouds most of the world is blue. Viewed in this way from space, Earth is seen as a planet covered mostly by water, and most of that water is seawater.

This thin layer of water, covering 71% of Earth, affects or controls much of its climate and chemistry. The blue color of the sea tells us that most sunlight on the ocean is absorbed and not reflected. The absorption of sunlight warms the planet. The warmth evaporates water, especially from the tropical ocean. Water in the atmosphere is a greenhouse gas, and this also helps to warm Earth. Some atmospheric water forms clouds; by reflecting sunlight clouds help to cool Earth. The balance between heating and cooling is always changing as clouds form and dissipate, so exact calculation of the balance is difficult. The water in the ocean is a vast reservoir of heat, which buffers and slows global change. Both the currents in the ocean and the winds in the atmosphere carry heat from low latitudes, where there is a net input, towards the poles, where there is a net loss of heat to space. These vast currents, simple in general concept, immensely complex in detail, profoundly affect both the local distribution of climate and the overall climate of Earth. The ocean contains an enormous reservoir of carbon dioxide; it both absorbs and releases this greenhouse gas from and to the atmosphere. Living things in the sea influence both the release and the uptake. Physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes interact with each other in the ocean and with the atmosphere to create the environment of the planet we live on.”

Summary

The oceans of the Earth play an enormous role in the functioning of the Earth. They are key factors in determining the Earth’s climate. A suspected the animals in the sea are determining factors in how the oceans perform their function of determining the Earth’s climate.

End (8).

Water Outside the Earth - (SCI-7)

Introduction

''Hydrogen, Helium and Oxygen are the most abundant elements in the Universe”. Taken from “Water, A Very short Introduction”, by John Finney.

Inert Helium

Because helium is inert, this leaves hydrogen and oxygen to do most of the mingling. So it is no surprise that water, H₂O is one of the most abundant substances in the cosmos.

On Earth

In relation to the Earth, H₂O is the most substance on its surface.

Outside Earth

In the cosmos the most abundant substance is H₂, that is Hydrogen gas, with the next most abundant substance in the cosmos being water - H₂O.

Outside the Earth water is found as a gas in interstellar space and also as ice on some of the other planets and moons in our solar system.

It has also been found in the atmosphere of some stars, including our sun, and it is also abundant as a solid ice phase in the cores of comets and in the surface particles of asteroids and meteorites.

Summary

Surprise, I didn’t think that water was so abundant. According to science it really is, and this further confirms that water is something special and is very much related to creation and life. We can even say no water, no creation that can be sustained.

End (7).

Magic of Water - (ESO-6)

Introduction

This excerpt, which has been taken from the book “Initiation into Hermetics” by Franz Bardon, reveal something very interesting about water.

The excerpt tells us that water like all other liquids has a magnetic or attractive property, and it is this property that can be quite useful to a human being.

The second excerpt shows us how we can make use of this magic magnetic property of water.

Excerpt 1

“Water plays one of the most important parts, not only in daily life, being absolutely indispensable for drinking, preparing food, washing, producing steam in factories, etc., but also in our magic development; the water element may prove to be a great factor. As we have already stated in the theoretical part, the watery element rules magnetism or the attractive force, and it is just this property that we shall utilize in the development of our faculties. All the books dealing with the animal magnetism, emanation of od and so on are acquainted with the fact that water can be magnetized or od-ized. But it is far less known how to enlarge this quality or use it in a different way. Not only water but every kind of liquid has the special property of attracting, and according to the contraction, holding fast, no matter whether good or bad influences be concerned. Therefore we may consider the watery element, especially the material kind of it, as an accumulator. The colder water is, the greater its accumulative capacity. With its full specific weight, namely at 39° F (4° C) above zero, it is most responsive. This notion is not so decisive, for the difference of receptivity of water (or other liquids) up to 43° F (6° C) above zero is so insignificant and so faintly visible that only a thoroughly trained magician can recognize these differences. If by increase of heat, water grows lukewarm, its receptivity is rapidly diminishing. Between 7-99° F (36-37° C) it becomes neutral to magnetism. Attention! Here, our only concern is with the specific properties of the attractive power and its practical value with respect to magnetism which results from the interaction of the elements as an undeniable matter of fact.”

Excerpt 2

“Now let us regard the magic of water from the practical side. Every time you are washing your hands, think intensely that by washing, not only do you wipe the dirt off your body, but also the uncleanliness from your soul. Think of failure, trouble, dissatisfaction, illness and the like being washed off and turned over to the water. If possible, wash yourself under the tap so that the dirty water can run off immediately, and at this moment think that your weaknesses are flowing off with the water. If you have nothing but a washbowl at your disposal, do not forget to throw away the used water immediately, so nobody else can contact it afterwards. You can also dip your hands into cold water for a little while, and concentrate on the magneto-astral attractive force drawing all weaknesses out of your body and your soul. Be firmly convinced that all failures are passing into the water. You will be surprised at the success of this exercise after a short time. This water also is to be thrown away at once. This exercise is extraordinarily effective if you can manage it in the summer while bathing in a river, when the whole body (except for the head, of course) is beneath the water.”

Summary

Water has a magnetic and attractive property that lends itself to magical use. Furthermore the attractive or magnetic property of water is greatest when water is at a temperature of 4°C.

By thinking intensely of having our weaknesses and short comings drawn out of our body and psyche, while washing or bathing ourselves in cold water, we Franz Bardon says can help ourselves to clear our body and psyche (soul) from such weaknesses.

I have tried it and it certainly does do something. That is probably why a cold shower or swim is so refreshing and vitalising.

End (6).

The Principle of Water - (ESO-5)

Introduction

The following excerpt has been taken from the book “Initiation into Hermetics” by Franz Bardon.

This excerpt describes in a clear and concise way, some of the qualities of water as seen in esotericism.

Excerpt: The Principle of Water

“3. The Principle of Water

In the previous chapter we have studied the origin and the qualities of the positive element of fire. In this chapter I am going to describe the opposite principle, the water. It is also derived from akasa, the etheric principle. But in comparison with fire, it has quite contrasting qualities. These basic qualities are coldness and shrinkage. The point in question are also two poles, the active one being constructive, life-giving, nourishing and protective, whereas the negative pole, similar to the one of fire, is destructive, dissecting, fermenting, and dividing. As this element owns the basic quality of shrinking and contraction, it has produced the magnetic fluid. Fire as well as water, operate in all regions. According to the rules of creation, the fiery principle would not be able to exist all by itself if it did not conceal inside as opposite pole the principle of water. These two elements, fire and water, are the basic elements with the help of which all has been created. In consequence of these facts, we have everywhere to reckon on two main elements. Moreover with the electrical and magnetic fluids which represent contrasting polarities.”

Summary

The basic qualities of water are coldness and shrinking or contraction. Water also has magnetic properties. The qualities of water are furthermore seemingly the opposite of the qualities of fire.

Water in its qualities also has two poles, which in the positive pole are life-giving, nourishing, and the in the negative pole they are fermenting, dividing. In summary water has its constructive and destructive side.

Fire is electrical and water is magnetic.

End (5).