The Element of Water
Ayurvedic Wellness by Gemma Celento
The element of water, Apas, has a special connection to Shakti within Tantric cosmology and the deeper practices of Ayurveda. In this blog I’ll cover the subtle connection of water through the self and environment- the bridge between subtle and physical. This bridge will highlight the operating wisdom behind water so you can keep yourself in harmony throughout the seasons and in accordance with nature. It will also provide deeper understanding to the element’s subtle energy in ritual and for co-creative manifestation.
The golden rules and overview of Ayurveda are in the Element of Fire blog. As a refresher, the golden rules of: like attracts like, and the opposite creates balance are a part of the creative intelligence throughout the universe (dance of shiva and shakti). Hermetically, these rules can be understood in the Law of Genders. It goes much deeper, but the wisdom within The Law of Genders elucidates elemental intelligence for spiritual practices and self-healing.
The water element has multiple forms beyond its material manifestation. The knowledge and creative aspects (magician) of elements lie within the subtle forms. The subtle forms of the elements are through the senses (tanmantra), the mind, emotions, and karma. Water rules the sense of taste and the sex organs. Increasing or decreasing the sensory faculties of taste, or sexual energy will affect the physical constitution through to the subtle constitution (mind and emotions). Your senses are the bridge that connect the mental/emotional world to the physical world. They are key components in the karmic cycles. Water being the universal solvent, means it dissolves and carries other substances. It also attracts the widest array of other molecules-magnetization (feminine principle). Water in taste- Saliva, is the first step of digestion. Water within the sexual organs is sexual fluid, and is the intelligence of magnetisation, and creation. The actions of Water- dissolving, transporting, and magnetisation are the characteristics of its energetic intelligence.
Let’s break this down from the subtle realms. Because water is the universal solvent it creates the same actions within the mental and emotional world. Baths- dissolve energy, to be magnetised within the water and carried out. Tears- dissolve stuck emotion, or mental dissonance to be carried out. This is why affirmations into water, or charging water works to carry energy. Elemental intelligence operates on all realms simultaneously- astral, mental, emotional, physical. When one state is affected, all states are affected. When your constitution (elemental makeup) is affected the field of which you are creating within is affected. This wisdom can be applied by not eating (taste) emotions, because it will carry that energy imprint to be transported throughout the body. Or to dissolve negative energies within your spiritual practices, will simultaneously magnetise higher vibrations and shift one’s co-creative powers. Magnetization and dissolution are non-tangible; these forces are in all life forms, all life processes. Your world is created through the elements to be sensed, affirmed, and recreated. It is all one consciousness distinguished by characteristics. The characteristics are how to apply the element of water for self-healing, rituals, and wellbeing within the natural world.
Now let’s talk about the element of water expressed within self and the natural world. Water is dominant in late Winter to Spring. If you have a water predominance in your constitution apply the opposite quality (law of opposites) to maintain balance. The qualities of water are within physical, mental and emotional bodies. These qualities are expressed within the characteristic actions (dissolution, transportation, magnetisation) and how senses interpret the natural world-elements. Watch for these qualities in all of life and within self- to balance diet, emotions, and catch karmic imprinting.
Qualities of the Water Element ||
Cool: cooling, soothing, and temperature, relaxed temperament, sensitivity
Stable: satisfied, content, stubborn, constant-recurring illness or disease (chronic), constipation
Heavy/gross: depression, weight, water retention, resistant (to change), dense
Soft/smooth: Supple, kind, gentle, physically soft skin, hair, personality, etc
Moist: Nourished, life giving precursor
Flowing: life supporting, adaptable, positive movement
Dull/Cloudy: Forgetful, unfocused, lack of direction, lethargy, cloudy urine, dull pain
The following video shares water element practices that can be incorporated into your spiritual rituals for healing in your daily life. Working with the subtle practices of pranayama (breathwork), mantra, and mudra (energetic points through hand gestures) will unfold more of the water intelligence within you. Dreams, creative potential, and compassion are impacted when working with these practices. It will also work to balance water within the mental, emotional, physical bodies.
