Coventina is the water Goddess who is still very much alive in the lives of the people of the Scottish Lowlands and Borders today. Perhaps the most important water-goddess from northern Britain was Coventina, she is also associated with renewal, abundance, new beginnings, life cycles, inspiration, wishes and prophecy. At Carrawburgh, on Hadrians Wall you will find her shrine, where coins and other objects were tossed into wells as offerings for sympathetic magick. The wells represented the earth’s womb where the Celts felt her power could be most strongly felt. Her name is Celtic; she was the personified spirit of a spring that welled up out of the ground to feed a pool. The identity of this water-spirit is known from the inscribed dedications to her which bear her name. Coventina was not exclusive to Britain: there is evidence that devotees worshiped the goddess in North-west Spain and at Narbonne in southern Gaul. In about AD 130 engineers contained the spring and well within a square stone-walled enclosure. Its first use was as a functional cistern but soon afterwards it became imbued with religious significance as the vallum-builders gave way to soldiers with Celtic superstitions and beliefs regarding springs. The coin-evidence from the well indicates that Coventinas cult reached its height of popularity only gradually, the greatest level of ritual activity taking place during the late second and early third centuries AD. By the fourth century the cult was already waning. There is evidence, however, that in the late fourth century Coventinas devotees reacted to the Theodosian Edict of AD 391, in which pagan rites were made illegal and temples closed, by trying to conceal and protect her shrine, placing building-stones on top of the well and its offerings. The many gifts and inscribed altars tell us to her importance. Her high rank is indicated by such titles as Sancta (Holy) and Augusta (Revered), which are rare for other than Roman State goddesses. Coventina is depicted as a water spirit on some of her altars. On one stone, the goddess is shown reclining on waves lapping against a bank, waving a waterlily leaf in one hand, her other arm resting on a pitcher of flowing water. On another relief a triple water-goddess is represented. The offerings and other material found in or near the well itself gives us a time scale of her popularity. These divide fairly sharply into stone dedications and small items such as coins and jewellery. More than 16,000 coins were offered to the goddess and thrown into the well -- a higher level of ritual activity per year than is reflected at Bath, where the cult was active over a much longer period. Many finger-rings, brooches and other trinkets were cast into the water, together with a thin bronze plaque in the form of a horse and a number of small bronze masks of human faces. There were also objects of bone, glass, lead, leather, jet and shale from the site, many of which were probably votive gifts, although some of the vessels may have been used in water-rituals associated with the cult. Some of the altars had been deposited within the well, a curious occurrence and one that apparently reflects two separate activities: some stones were carefully placed in the water, whilst others were seemingly ritually destroyed. The connection between springs, curative cults and goddesses is sufficiently strong, especially in the Celtic world, to make a healing function for Coventina at least likely, even if this was not her sole, or even her primary, concern. That she had an infernal dimension is suggested by the offerings of leather shoes and which may symbolise the journey to the Otherworld. The fragment of a human skull found in the well is unlikely to represent any sinister ritual practice but rather a reverential interment of a piece of a human body, perhaps found by devotees and placed in the water to give the soul an easy passage to the afterlife. Water is the symbol of our emotions. It involves intuition, insight, conception and pregnancy, fertility, the womb, health, beauty and divination. A low water person would appear as a cold calculating one, one who is indifferemt and unresponsive. On the other hand, a high water person may seem as though at the slightest touch the well is opened and can be over emotional and over dramatic in all areas of life. A good balance of water here is needed to keep the flow running smoothly. Its feelings are cold moisture, its season is Spring, its colors are Blue, Light Grays, Sea Greens and Whites. Its symbols are the cup or chalice. It’s direction is west. The Moon phase is the Full Moon and its time is Dusk. Some Water Magick can involve the use of the beach and its sand, shells, animals and seawater. Especially good for love spells and too, when you need to get a grip or clarify your own emotions. The use of shells in the practice is widely used. These can hold appropriate herbs or be used as a symbol of Water Magick. One old tradition is using that of well water. A lot of gems and stones are exposed to this for a period of time and used at night, in full moon or the waxing phases, for Water Magick. Be careful though to know your stones, as some do not react well in water for long periods of time. This type of magick can give you insights to how others think of you, what others are doing and how well they are and to find the truth within yourself. Be careful when using this type also, if there is an intent of maliciousness or control of another, all you will get is a reflection back unto yourself. Water spells can involve the use of Scrying bowls. This is a bowl of clear or colored water in which you are able to see the future and future events or get a clear direction on decisions. Widely used in certain meditations and visualizations. Crystals for New Beginnings CITRINE (cleansing geode) Citrine is the stone for new beginnings and birth, it is a feel good crystal. It can help banish negativity and deep gloom and inspire enthusiasm, originality, a positive outlook and feelings of self-confidence. Citrine is said to help in the achievement of personal goals and to help you to explore every avenue until you find the best solution to a problem. It is therefore a good stone to have around you in a business or work environment. Citrine can be used to balance the Solar Plexus Chakra. A balanced Solar Plexus Chakra can increase your sense of personal power and encourage freedom from emotional hang-ups and inhibitions. Citrine is the birthstone for November and for Scorpio. Please note Citrine can fade if kept in direct sunlight. Citrine is the only self cleaning crystal, it changes all negative energy into positive. It will clean any other crystal you place inside (or upon if smaller cluster) ROSE QUARTZ Rose Quartz is a translucent or transparent pink crystal. It is known as the Love Stone and is said to be the stone of unconditional love. This crystal opens the Heart Chakra and is believed to encourage forgiveness and to help you to let go of anger, resentment and jealousy. In healing Rose Quartz is said to smooth the complexion, sooth burns and blistering, strengthen the physical heart, alleviate vertigo and aide chest, lung, kidney and adrenal problems. Rose Quartz is believed to enhance fertility. Wear Rose Quartz over the heart, or keep close to you in your pocket or purse. Placing Rose Quartz by your bed or under your pillow can aid sleep. CARNELIAN Carnelian is found in nearly all parts of the world and derives its name from the Latin word meaning flesh coloured. It varies in intensity from deep reddish-brown to a yellow or cream coloured translucent stone. Carnelian is the fertility stone, and is said to increase ambition, drive and confidence. It is believed to protect the wearer from negative emotions and to calm the angry, and the envious. It is also reputed to bring about warmth, sociability, creativity and happiness and to restore self-esteem.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 07:00:53 +0000
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