Magickal Mermaids and Water Creatures - Invoke the Magick of the Waters author: D. J. Conway cover illustrator: Lisa Hunt New Page Books/Career Press 2005 ISBN #1-56414-784-3 Magickal Mermaids and Water Creatures is an introductory book on energy work - referencing the specific energy of the element of Water. Although basic in scope, it could also become a very powerful reference tool for energy work, because it introduces certain energy forms/beings, and opens a path to working with them. Conway begins with an introduction to mermaids and water creatures (including the Undines, which represent the elemental form of Water). She makes the point that to see these creatures, one needs to be very aware of ones surroundings. These are creatures that exist on both the astral and physical planes, and shift between the planes at will. Many of them also carry the capacity to shape-shift at will (largely for their own protection). These creatures carry an energy that is in great need right now, and that is the energy of healing. On what I would consider somewhat of a higher level, they also carry the energy of seeing into the future. They are also universal in nature, in that they are found all over the world. Conway presents myths about the what she terms the "mer-folk" (mermaids and mermen) from diverse parts of the world, including Babylonia, the Shetland Islands, France, Iran, Japan, China and Nigeria. The same themes show up throughout: that the mer-folk, especially mermaids, carry the ability to gift humans with certain powers, and that, while they can inter-marry with the human race, they generally do not stay with their partners for a lifetime. Conway also addresses the importance of being able to work with the energy of Water, an element that comprises a large part of our planet, as well as a large part of the human body. She talks about how to cultivate friendships with the mer-folk: where they can be found, and how ocean, river, stream, pond and waterfall entities differ in size, shape and ability. There is a very general meditation given in the book to connect with these energies, as well as the suggestion that the meditation be recorded in your own voice for use. This meditation is certainly usable, but it is very basic in nature. Someone who is conversant with meditating and journeying may wish to alter it to fit their own needs/tastes. Although several different water entities are presented (amongst which are the winged sea Pegasus, the Taroo-Ushtey, Tritons and Selkies), the emphasis is placed on mermaids and the mer culture in general. How they appear to humans (generally sitting on rocks along a shore, or near/under a waterfall), the language they speak (which changes depending on their location), and how they relate to humans is discussed, along with the thought that they can, if they wish, take off their tales and walk on land. There is an interesting discussion of the connection between Dragons, Faeries and the Mer-folk, along with an admonishment that there are some water entities that are dangerous, and with whom contact is to be avoided (especially as prospective teachers/mentors). Combining Earth power with the power of Water is also discussed. Conway has a section on meditations that are specific for different types of energy, such as sea creatures, mermaids from waterfalls and streams, lake maidens, and exploring under the sea. For those who wish to work with spells, there is a section that gives the basic correspondences for candles (and their colors), herbs, incense, oils, shells, and stones (crystals). My one issue here is that Conway states that artificial substances (such as specific oils) can be used just as well as a more expensive "true" substance. My thought here would be that if something is too expensive to use, find something less expensive that will do the job, but still be true to itself, rather than something that is artificial in nature. Artificial oils, and other artificial substances, do NOT carry the same energy as the substance in its true form. Spells are given for inviting the presence of mer-folk, making friends with sea creatures, banishing specific energy, for building a business, changing luck, cleansing, love and more. These spells all use Water based energy. Magickal Mermaids and Water Creatures works well as an introductory book for those new to working with elemental energy, and for those that are not familiar with the various forms of water energy. This is a good book to take what you will from, and leave the rest behind. One other thing that this book addresses is using the energy of the Water elementals to help you change the weather (starting with a basic exercise for moving clouds around, changing their shape, etc). This certainly can be done, but should be done with great discretion, so that a storm system is not visited upon a neighboring area due to your own ineptitude. While this book is a good read - easy to follow, with many great ideas, it is not a must have for any library. The reader would also have to have some basis for deciding how much of the information they agreed with, and how much they needed to leave behind. © March 2005 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. Home Personal Empowerment links Personal Empowerment articles View My Guestbook Sign My Guestbook Graphics by Art for the web