Published: Sun 4th June 2023

For the past few weeks, I have been working on a presentation exploring the significance of water across African and Diasporic Cosmologies. Just as water flows, it feels like the floodgates of my mind has been burst open with clarity, as I begin to see so many correlations in various aspects of life, so much that I’ve been moved to share.

The primordial waters have featured heavily in the creation stories, as the universe was synonymous with the expansive, dark, unlimited potential of creation which births everything in existence.​

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From Nun in Ancient Kemet, to the Nommo in Dogon cosmology to the Mami Wata pantheon that stretches across Africa and the Diaspora, it is clear to see that the element of water is integral to our existence. It is acknowledged as powerful a​ life-giving source, associated with ​creation and a tool of purification. ​​Water is seen as sacred in all its expressions including oceans, rivers, lakes, rain and even meticulous detail down to morning dew and water found in coconuts, as all have their own significance. ​​

Mami Wata

A term used throughout Africa and the Diaspora to describe the archetype of the primordial mother of the waters, which encompasses the veneration of a pantheon of water spirits who are often represented as a mermaids or mermen, associated with various bodies of water including lakes, rivers and oceans.​

The veneration of Mami Wata traces back into ancient African societies and still exists today throughout the continent and in the Americas. ​Mami Wata is revered as a divine powerful being who is both loved and feared.​ This feminine archetype symbolises fertility, good fortune, protection and healing. Just how the ocean can transform from calm to turbulent so is her character, this dual nature reflects her ability to protect but also destroy.

Artwork Credit:  “Mother of Water”, Acrylic and Hand-Sewn Cowrie on Canvas by Jay Percy 

Mami Wata is also known to transform her appearance. In addition to the half human, half fish depictions, she is also represented with or as part serpent.

The serpent is symbolic of transformation and renewal. It represents life death and rebirth as it can shed its skin and serves as an example of the ever-changing nature of life.

 

 

The Mami Wata pantheon of water spirits are known by various names across Africa and the Diaspora including… Yemọja, Olokun, Oshun, Inzunza, Uhammiri, Oshimiri, La Sirène & River Mumma.

The Age of Aquarius & The Divine Feminine

I’ve been hearing about the Age of Aquarius for decades and whilst I understood its potential significance, I never really explored it too deeply. There are varying dates on when it is supposed to begin, but ultimately it represents a shift in our collective consciousness for our greater good.

I’m not an astrologer by any means, but I view the world through a symbolic lens, so here’s what I’ve found in relation to Aquarius.

Aquarius = Water Bearer

“Aquarius lies in a region of the sky sometimes called the Sea. This part of the sky looks dark and deep, but of course there are stars here, as there are everywhere on the heavenly globe. The stars in this part of the sky tend to be faint. In western sky lore, early stargazers associated the star patterns here with water in a celestial sea. It’s here we find Cetus the Whale, Pisces the Fish, Eridanus the River, and Piscis Austrinus the Southern Fish.” – Earth Sky.Org

 This quote from Earth Sky.Org serves as a direct correlation to the teachings found in my research about the primordial waters also being associated with the sky.

Aquarius = Air Sign

Air is a significant element to our lives as it represents the breath, which shows its importance as without it we can no longer live. It also serves a means to highlight the power of the unseen. This reflects the spiritual aspect of our being and its correlation to our physical experience.

Indicating that the shift moving forward will be of a spiritual nature and also interconnected with the primordial water element that is both acknowledged in the sky (spirit) and in the physical (earth plane).

To me this indicates a return to the veneration of the divine feminine principle of creation that has been denigrated over the years, often disregarded or mispresented.

 Themes of the Divine Feminine

By studying water through the lens of African cosmologies and understanding its connection to the divine feminine, there are several reoccurring themes that I have identified. In my opinion, the following themes will be prominent in our physical reality as a symbolic reflection of the divine feminine spiritual energy that is rapidly regaining prominence at this time:

  • Feminine Empowerment & Liberation
  • Gender fluidity & Sexuality
  • Increase in Nature-Based Spiritual Teachings
  • Pregnancy & Motherhood
  • Children’s Rights & Protection
  • Water: Floods, Droughts & Sea Life (Including Mermaids)
  • Healing: Holistic Health & Wellbeing
  • Living in Balance with the Environment
  • Life, Death, Re-birth (Renewal – Serpent symbolism)
  • Creativity & Freedom of Expression

Here are a few examples of recent events that have taken place that correlate with some of the themes mentioned.

Little Mermaid  Remake 2023

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Closing statement

The element of water in all its manifestations in creation, are highly respected in African & Diasporic cosmologies along with all the other elemental forces, as each of those aspects are fundamental to our very being and exist within ourselves. These nature-centred traditions that can be found across the globe remind us of our divine connection to the earth and our responsibility to live in harmony with it.

Water as expressed throughout these teachings is our symbolic mother, she sustains our existence with her ever flowing abundance of the elixir of life.  Her nurturing, love, care and support has been with us since the birth of creation, as her amniotic fluid surrounds us before we even enter this realm.

Our relationship is so divine, that she permeates the majority of the earth and our bodies. Her essence flows through us constantly. There is simply no life without water, without water there is no us.

Our mother us is calling us to remember our sacred relationship with her and to restore universal balance. By forgetting the wisdom of the past and our connection with our great mother, we allowed this life-giving essence to be disrespected. Her polluted waters, represent the contamination that exists within ourselves. This is the result when we no longer honour the sacred.

Our behaviour reflects a deep disconnection, as we become willing participants in our own destruction.

May we remember these divine wisdoms as they transcend spirituality, religion and politics. These ways sustain our health, vitality and allowing future generations to survive, continuing the cycle of life.

Her healing essence manifests through us as we cleanse away all that is not in alignment with our natural state of being. As we purify our spirits and gain clarity our sacred bond, we begin to feel her love, her protection and support.

Thank you, great mother, for all that you do. May your spirit be honoured and remembered as we acknowledge our divine reciprocal relationship.

Asè!

Verona Spence-Adofo (Ancestral Voices Co-founder)

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