Pagan water goddesses are female deities in pagan and polytheistic cultures who are associated with water and the sea. They are often seen as protectors of sailors and fishermen, as well as being associated with fertility, renewal, and purification.
This article gives examples of my favorite pagan water goddesses from different cultures around the world to invoke.
Yemaya
Yemaya is a Yoruba water goddess from West Africa. She is often depicted as a mermaid or a woman with the lower body of a fish.
According to Yoruba mythology, Yemaya was born from the primordial waters and gave birth to the first humans. She is seen as a nurturing and loving mother figure and is often invoked for help with fertility, childbirth, and family issues.
In Yoruba culture, Yemaya is also seen as a protector of women and children and is often invoked for help with issues related to fertility, childbirth, and motherhood. She is also associated with the element of water and is often invoked for purification and renewal.
Yemaya is a popular and widely revered deity in West Africa and is often depicted with a crown of cowries (small seashells) and holding a mirror or a comb. She is often invoked through the use of offerings and prayers and is seen as a powerful source of guidance and protection.
Invocation for Yemaya
Here is a brief invocation ceremony for Yemaya, the Yoruba water goddess:
Begin by finding a quiet, peaceful space where you can focus on your connection to Yemaya. This could be outside by a body of water, or in a room with a few candles and some calming music.
Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to relax. Imagine that you are surrounded by the calming energy of the ocean, and allow yourself to be open to Yemaya’s presence.
Hold a small offering in your hands, such as a shell or a piece of ocean-themed jewelry. This offering is a symbol of your respect and reverence for Yemaya and will help to focus your intention during the ceremony.
Begin the invocation by speaking aloud the following words:
Great Yemaya, mother of all living things, I call upon you now. Please hear my prayer and lend your wisdom and guidance to me. I offer you this small gift as a symbol of my respect and appreciation for all that you are and do.
Spend a few moments in quiet contemplation, focusing on your connection to Yemaya and what you hope to gain from the ceremony. You may want to ask for help with a specific problem or situation, or simply seek guidance and support from the goddess.
When you are ready, thank Yemaya for her presence and guidance, and close the ceremony by saying:
Great Yemaya, I thank you for your wisdom and guidance. I will carry your love and guidance with me always. Farewell, until we meet again.
You can then take a few more moments to sit quietly and reflect on the ceremony, or you can end it by extinguishing any candles or incense you may have used. You can also leave the offering as a symbol of your gratitude to Yemaya.
Sedna
Sedna is an Inuit water goddess who is associated with the sea and marine animals. She is believed to be the ruler of the underworld and is often depicted as a mermaid or a woman with the tail of a fish.
According to Inuit mythology, Sedna was a woman who was cast into the sea by her father. As she drowned, her fingers transformed into seals, and her hair became the whales and other sea creatures. After her death, Sedna became the ruler of the underworld, where she was responsible for controlling the animals of the sea.
In Inuit culture, Sedna is revered as a powerful and mysterious figure. She is often invoked for help with fertility, childbirth, and other matters related to the home and family. She is also seen as a protector of sailors and fishermen and is often invoked for help with safe passage on the sea.
In addition to her role as a fertility and protection goddess, Sedna is also associated with the element of water and is often invoked for purification and renewal.
Invocation for Sedna
Here is a brief invocation ceremony for Sedna, the Inuit water goddess:
Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to relax. Imagine that you are surrounded by the vast, icy expanses of the Arctic, and allow yourself to be open to Sedna’s presence.
Hold a small offering in your hands, such as a piece of ice or a piece of ocean-themed jewelry. This offering is a symbol of your respect and reverence for Sedna and will help to focus your intention during the ceremony.
Begin the invocation by speaking aloud the following words:
Great Sedna, ruler of the underworld and protector of marine life, I call upon you now. Please hear my prayer and lend your wisdom and guidance to me. I offer you this small gift as a symbol of my respect and appreciation for all that you are and do.
Spend a few moments in quiet contemplation, focusing on your connection to Sedna and what you hope to gain from the ceremony. You may want to ask for help with a specific problem or situation, or simply seek guidance and support from the goddess.
When you are ready, thank Sedna for her presence and guidance, and close the ceremony by saying:
Great Sedna, I thank you for your wisdom and guidance. I will carry your love and guidance with me always. Farewell, until we meet again.
You can then take a few more moments to sit quietly and reflect on the ceremony, or you can end it by extinguishing any candles or incense you may have used. You can also leave the offering as a symbol of your gratitude to Sedna.
Nüwa
Nüwa is a Chinese water goddess who is revered in traditional Chinese mythology. She is often depicted as a serpent or dragon and is associated with the creation of the world and the repair of the sky.
According to legend, Nüwa was the daughter of the creator god, Fu Xi, and was responsible for repairing the sky after it was damaged by the evil Gong Gong. To repair the sky, Nüwa used five-colored stones to patch the holes, and she also created humans from the yellow earth to populate the world.
In addition to her role as a creator goddess, Nüwa is also associated with fertility and the nurturing of life. She is often depicted holding a bowl of water, which is a symbol of her life-giving powers.
In Chinese mythology, Nüwa is often seen as a protector of the people and is revered for her wisdom and her ability to bring harmony to the world. She is also associated with the element of water and is often invoked for help with fertility, childbirth, and other matters related to the home and family.
Invocation for Nüwa
Here is an invocation ritual for Nüwa, the Chinese water goddess:
Begin by finding a quiet, peaceful space where you can focus on your connection to Nüwa. This could be outside by a body of water, or in a room with a few candles and some calming music.
Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to relax. Imagine that you are surrounded by the soothing energy of the ocean, and allow yourself to be open to Nüwa’s presence.
Hold a small offering in your hands, such as a bowl of water or a piece of ocean-themed jewelry. This offering is a symbol of your respect and reverence for Nüwa and will help to focus your intention during the ritual.
Begin the invocation by speaking aloud the following words:
Great Nüwa, creator of the world and protector of the people, I call upon you now. Please hear my prayer and lend your wisdom and guidance to me. I offer you this small gift as a symbol of my respect and appreciation for all that you are and do.
Spend a few moments in quiet contemplation, focusing on your connection to Nüwa and what you hope to gain from the ritual. You may want to ask for help with a specific problem or situation, or simply seek guidance and support from the goddess.
When you are ready, thank Nüwa for her presence and guidance, and close the ritual by saying:
Great Nüwa, I thank you for your wisdom and guidance. I will carry your love and guidance with me always. Farewell, until we meet again.
You can then take a few more moments to sit quietly and reflect on the ritual, or you can end it by extinguishing any candles or incense you may have used. You can also leave the offering as a symbol of your gratitude to Nüwa.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples of the many pagan water goddesses and gods that have been revered in different cultures around the world.
Whether they are seen as protectors of sailors and fishermen, or as symbols of fertility, renewal, and purification, these deities have long been an important part of pagan and polytheistic traditions.
There are many other water goddesses. If you find one you are interested in, then any of the above water goddess invocations can be adapted to your goddess of choice.
Water is one of the four elements of Wicca. If you are interested in elemental magick, check out my article: Elemental Magic for Beginners.
Further Reading
References
- Kynes, S. (2008). Sea Magic: Connecting with the Ocean’s Energy (Illustrated). Llewellyn Publications.
- Pradel, L. (1998). African Sacredness and Caribbean Cultural Forms. Caribbean Quarterly, 44(1–2), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1080/00086495.1998.11829576
- Sakakibara, C. (2009). ‘No whale, no music’: Iñupiaq drumming and global warming. Polar Record, 45(4), 289–303. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0032247408008164
- Witzel, M. (2015). Water in Mythology. Daedalus, 144(3), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1162/daed_a_00338
