© Marina Seabourne 2003
This time there was time to reflect, time to spend in quiet communion with the Lady of the Sea. On this visit I walked the shores and spent time with Her. I bathed my weary body in the coolness of her blessed embrace. I frolicked in the waters of the womb of creation. I rejuvenated my spirit and washed its Light in the waters of the Ancient Ones. It was my time at the Sea. A visit I shared with Her. A chance to honor the Blessed Ocean Mother; also a chance to receive her blessings and gifts. For each time we visit Her She presents us with gifts to strengthen our ties with Her, She may even give us the very tools of our Sea Witch Craft.
As I stood at the Cliffside, I heard the gulls above; making their presence known, perhaps welcoming me back to the shore. The western winds blow the salty air through my hair and caress my body in welcome. I am home, once again. The vast expanse of ocean spreads as far as the eye can see. The waves wash ashore like the hands of the Goddess scattering her treasures upon the sand. She leaves gifts for us that those walking below do not see. In my life there was a time when I did not see them either.
The weather worn staircase to the beach below is littered with treasures left behind by those returning upward to the mundane world. What are these gifts? Where are they? They are everywhere. They come in every wave. They lie on the sandy beaches awaiting discovery. The children see them. They come to the shore and anticipate the treasure hunt. What treasure?
The Goddess gifts us with the treasures of the Sea. Tiny, priceless gifts of power that will forever strengthen our connection with Her and the Sea. Bits of wood washed about for countless spans of time, empowered by the ocean waters. With one of these, I fashioned my wand. A thin tree branch sanded smooth by the waters over time. A few steps away, partially buried in the sand lay a sea star. This beautiful creature that completed its life span and was washed ashore by the Goddess’ hands. This pentacle of the Sea is a symbol of my Craft upon my altar. I continue my walk and there is what appears to be a bit of string poking out of the wet sand. I pull it free and it is a section of fishing net. Tossed ashore, it is no longer a danger, but empowered with the energy of the ocean and the scent of the Sea. Each of its knots serves as a reminder of the ties we share with the Sea and all life in it and on the Earth. Spread over my altar cloth, it now holds a place of honor.
My walk continues, my gathering bag quickly filling with treasures. My toe touches something just under the wet sand. I pick it up before the next wave washes up and whisks it away. A beautiful pearly white clamshell. It is smoothed by years in the ocean, and it is thick and solid. It will hold a place on my altar as a censer, in honor of the element of air with a gift of the sea.
Something bobbing in the water catches my eye as it shines in the sun. The waves toss it about like a child’s toy, but it does not sink. It continues to bob and float. I follow its movement thinking perhaps it is a bottle with some mysterious message. It finally washes ashore. It is a glass orb. A fishing float. No longer used by fishermen, these are considered antiques. This is truly a special gift. This orb is in place on my altar as a Sea Witch’s scrying ball. It has been blessed by the Sea Goddess and entrusted to me. Empowered by the Sea.
There ahead of me, I see a scattering of wet stones and shells glistening in the sun. The tide is going out and revealing more and more of the shore that was covered with water. The curious stones that call to me are ones that have holes in them. Smooth rounded stones with a perfectly round hole bored through. I pick one up and peer through the hole at the ocean. It is said that these “Holey Stones” are representative of the Goddess. Precious, sacred gifts. I look about and see a rather large Holey Stone, I thank the Goddess. Laying next to it a long spiral shaped shell, a symbol of the God, to whom I give thanks. These hold places of honor on my altar as symbols of the Goddess and God of the Sea. I have been blessed by the Lady and her Consort with the natural tools of the Craft of the Sea Witch.
My visit to the Sea has been blessed by the Goddess and God. I give thanks and leave the gift that I brought to Honor the Ancient Ones. My heart is here, with them. I may travel many miles inland to my home, but my heart is always with the Lord and Lady of the Sea. I am their child.
