“Water” Wonderful World I Live in!



I was born under the air sign of Libra, and I definitely have my “floaty” moments—I have been teasingly called a “Black blond.” However, anyone who knows me well is aware of what a grounding presence I am, and how much I work with Earth Mother’s gifts, so I am often associated with earth energy, and even called Earth Goddess. A recent Facebook quiz said my element was metal, and the description seemed to fit me to a “T.” And of course, I can’t effectively do my healing work or cooking without the transformative energy of fire. So with all that being said, these days I associate mostly with the element of water.
I perceive water as the master element. It can take the form of solid, liquid, and gas. Pliny said "Water swallows up the earth, extinguishes the flame, ascends on high, and by stretching forth as clouds challenges the heavens for their own, and the same falling down, becomes the cause of all things that grow in the earth.” My resonance with water as I have entered into my 50’s illustrates to me that I am still evolving and definitely stepping into my mastery.

Depending on the source, it is estimated that the human body is made up of between 60 and 70 percent water—mirroring the amount of water that makes up the earth, according to the US Geological Survey. Every one of our living cells in the body needs water to keep us functioning. I know as a massage therapist, experiencer of osteoarthritis and recipient of two low back disc surgeries, that water is crucial to lubricate our joints. Additionally, it helps to flush waste—that’s why I speak my massage therapist mantra, “Drink extra water” after each session; the process of massage helps move toxins from the muscles and they need to be flushed from our bloodstream. Water has a plethora of other functions, including regulating our body temperature through sweating and respiration. Therefore, depending on how hot it is, the maximum time an individual can go without water is approximately a week, according to Randall K. Packer, a professor of biology at George Washington University.

These days, the maximum time I seem to be able to go without water—rather being in the water—is one week. And I definitely start to show signs of withdrawal—spiritual dehydration—much sooner. This is a new experience for me. Though I grew up on the Rappahannock River in Virginia, and have always lived in a town with a river flowing through it, I didn’t consciously feel the pull of the water until my first period of aquatic classes that ran from 2011 to 2012.

Nowadays, submerging in water has become a form of worship for me. I realized that one day as I was in the midst of my Warm Water Therapy class—I finally returned to the pool on the regular back in February. During that class, I felt myself becoming One with the water, and my movements became a praise dance. The Divine within me could see the Divine within the water energy, one of God’s amazing creations. I felt the lightness of my weight and said, “Thank you.” I felt the increase range of motion of my knee joints and said, “Thank you.” I felt the stamina fueling my body and I said, “Thank you.” I realized that I was in prayer, since thanksgiving is a powerful, prayerful utterance that attracts more good to it. I smiled at that time, recalling a frequent comment I heard from my friend and senior minister, Rev. Jim Webb, “There is no spot where God is not.” So yes, there are times when I go to the pool and that is my church service for the day.

This year I also decided to improve my consistency of meeting another healing sister at yet another pool to walk and work out. This has evolved into twice a month, and it has become, walk, work out, and worship. We literally feel our vibrations rise as we share, laugh, praise, and support each other while walking and working out in the water. We cheerfully greet other poolsters, and have invited one to join us. We then end our session relaxing in the hot tub, bringing a close to our worship time together.

I love my warm water and not-so-warm water pool experiences, but I am clear—I truly feel called by natural bodies of water and their creatures. I’ve cried for ancestors and dipped in the waters off the coast of Ghana. I’ve swam and/or snorkeled in and parasailed over the waters of both Mexico and the Bahamas. I’ve sailed in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and seen dolphins frolicking and whales performing in waters of the Atlantic. From Key West on up to Cape Cod, I have been called to the waters. From Monterey down to San Diego, I’ve heard the water siren’s song.

Rehobeth Beach, Delaware and St. Helena Island in the Gullah country of South Carolina both hold a special place in my heart, because I was part of two groups of healers who journeyed to those sacred waters for amazing healing and transformation in 2014. These trips were just what I needed as I emerged from a period of darkness that had enveloped me in 2013. I actually heard those waters call to me, and felt a spiritual tug to go. I’m experiencing these same sensations again. This July and August, I will be spending two weeks as a retreat chef again, this time in Corolla, North Carolina. Our house is literally on the beach, and I make a sacred promise to spend daily worship time with the water. Whether it is meditating to sea air and surf, grounding in the sand, soaking up sun on the beach, swimming in the water, or telepathically communicating with dolphins—a skill I acquired last year in Virginia Beach—I will get my worship on.

As I continue to float through this thing called life, I call on the water energies personified across cultures as Yemaya, Oshun, Mami Wata, Sedna, Ezili, Eurybia, and Mazu.  I call in their energy for love, purification, intuition, and fluidity. I call in the mind, body, spirit healing through this Master—Mistress energy. And I give thanks for “water” wonderful world I live in!

To find out about my holistic offerings, visit my website at www.mindbodyandspiritworks.com. To check out my Self-Care Saturday Series and other holistic events, go to http://www.meetup.com/Laurel-Mind-Body-Soul-Food-Meetup/.  To listen to my podcast, Mind, Body & Soul Food, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/tonyaparker. Purchase a Kindle or audio version of Diary of a Witch’s Daughter, my young adult novel with holistic and metaphysical themes at http://tinyurl.com/diaryofawitchsdaughteronamazon.

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