The Well is the Oracle’s resource page, where you will find ever-evolving lists of (mostly, but not exclusively) water-centered recommended reading, art, music, magical tools, classes, and other relevant suggestions and links. Always more coming soon!
Ocean Oracle – Conchomancy by Michelle Hanson (see also Conchomancy: Messages from the Sea)
The Water Witch – Annwyn Avalon
The Traveling Witch – A great blog by Avery Hart which includes the Traveling Witch Academy, a terrific and easy-to-understand course for witches of all stripes and skill levels.
Mermaids of Earth – A celebration of mermaids in art and culture throughout the world
Starhawk – Official website of author, activist and teacher Starhawk
The Sisterhood of Avalon – Nonprofit Celtic Women’s Mysteries organization
The Fellowship of Isis – International society celebrating the Goddess in all her forms throughout all cultures and faiths
The Fountain of Life – Lost teachings of the ancient Womb Mysteries, sacred feminine spiritual tradition
Mystic Mamma – Ongoing creative, intuitive representation and insights of the Divine Feminine
Cailleach’s Herbarium – Scottish folklore, herbalism and magic
Sacred Water: The Spiritual Source of Life by Nathaniel Altman
– This is currently one of my favorite books on the subject of water, particularly in its spiritual and mythological contexts. It is the very book I had been hoping existed and looking for (and not unlike a book I’ve imagined writing!) since long before I found it at my local library this March (2018). It is beautifully written and discusses our relationship with water throughout human history and spirituality. Altman covers the uses of water in cleansing, healing, initiation, magic and ritual and the importance of protecting our life-giver.
The Earth Path: Grounding Your Spirit in the Rhythms of Nature by Starhawk
– While not just about water (though featuring a whole chapter dedicated to it, along with the other three elements), this excellent book is the source and inspiration of this site’s tagline as quoted and explained on the main page, “Water Knows“.
The Witches’ Almanac, Issue 36, Spring 2017-2018: Water, Our Primal Source
thewitchesalmanac.com
–The Witches’ Almanac is a wonderful annual publication, each issue centered around a certain theme. The last four issues have each focused on one of the four elements – Earth, Fire, Air and ending this year with Water, my obvious favorite and the one I was most excited about since Earth (which also happened to be the first issue I ever bought and now I imagine I will be buying one every year)
The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Wanderers, Exiles and Seekers
by Frank MacEowen
– Another favorite of any contemporary spiritual literature, this is a book that I found early on in my transition into paganism and personal, authentic spirituality. Years ago, his reference to the Celts (my ancestors) as “People of Water” resonated with me. Referenced in my guest piece “The Everyday Blessings of Water” on the pagan lifestyle blog RituallyMade.com
Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
– A beautiful, contemplative collection of seashell-inspired reflections on life, love, marriage and being a woman in a modern age. A must-read, especially for the philosophical conchology enthusiast.
The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation by Dennis William Hauck
– A deeply insightful, thought-provoking modern grimoire of personal development and spiritual alchemy. Offers lots of background on the legendary artifact believed to contain the secret of creation – the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus.
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness
by Peter Godfrey-Smith
– Octopuses (not octopi, as “octopus” is Latin, not Greek) are among my very favorite creatures in the world, and this intelligent book does them great justice with its examination of their highly advanced consciousness and utterly unique physiology.
Poseidon’s Steed: the Story of Seahorses, from Myth to Reality by Helen Scales
– Marine biologist Helen Scales brings the history, mythology and biology of the delicate seahorse to life in this lovely, quick-reading discourse.
Voices in the Ocean: A Journey into the Wild and Haunting World of Dolphins by Susan Casey
– This intense, eye-opening book about dolphins, their majesty and their tragic plight, is a must-read for everyone, including those with deep concern about the safety and conservation of marine life. Dolphins are among the most intelligent creatures on the planet and they have been sacred to humans for millennia, at least until now. Casey discusses the undeniable mystery of how very special and unique they are.
See also the Oracle posts “The Dream of the Dolphin” and “The Doom of the Dolphin”
How to Read Water by Tristan Gooley
– An excellent, insightful guide into a more literal way to understand water and how to observe, navigate, interpret and locate it in nature and all around. This book also still supplements and complements water spirituality as understanding something in it’s physical form helps to understand it better in it’s metaphysical/spiritual forms.
The Collected Works of Kahlil Gibran
– A favorite author and veritable poetic prophet, Gibran has many beautiful writings and sayings based on or represented by various forms and metaphors of water, and is otherwise one of the most deeply spiritual and uplifting authors I’ve encountered. Despite his being raised a Maronite Christian (as almost anyone from Lebanon at the time would have been, if not Muslim), I am convinced that deep down, Gibran had a naturally pagan soul and very mystical and earth-centered understanding of life and spirituality.
Cassandra Eason’s Complete Book of Natural Magick
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer-Bradley
Children’s and Young Adult Books
Oloyou by Teresa Cardenas
– A precious retelling of a Yoruba myth about Oloyou the Cat – the first being created by the God-child – who falls in love with a mermaid named Kandili.
The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell
– The charming story of Minnow, one of Poseidon’s 50 daughters, who doesn’t seem to have a special talent like the rest of her sisters. She finds a mysterious object – a red shoe – and sets out on a quest of self-discovery.
Old Turtle and the Broken Truth by Douglas Wood
– One of the most profound, touching and beautifully illustrated (by Jon J. Muth) children’s stories I have ever read. A personal favorite – even for adult reading – ever since I discovered it nearly 15 years ago. It is about a solitary little girl who goes on a journey (that I believe can be seen as an allegorically shamanic journey) for the sake of angry, warring mankind. With many animal guides, she comes to seek the wisdom of the Old Turtle and learns the truth that all are loved, and deserve love. She receives the other piece of the broken truth, returns home and heals her people.
Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson
Water Monsters (Creatures of Fantasy) by Kathryn Hinds
Mermaids (Creatures of Fantasy) by Kathryn Hinds
The Oracle of Water 