Wisdom of Water

ISBN – 978-0-9757782-1-0
Python Press 2007.
250 page A5 paperback

Fresh water tends to vanish when human impacts are high. But we can reverse the trend and reconnect with the wisdom and healing powers of water. In this book author Alanna Moore delves into water’s mysterious origins and manifestations; its energetic and spiritual aspects; global traditions; as well as water in Australian landscapes. The book is unique in giving holistic understandings about water from a geomancer’s perspective, including water divining, historical, esoteric and Indigenous perspectives.

It looks at issues around the ‘water crisis’ and shows that energy guzzling desalination plants are not necessary. It suggests greater diversification in water harvesting, such as seeking sources of ‘new water’ deep in the Earth, telling how people al- ready find it.

It looks at traditional modes of weather prediction, whereby changes in plant and animal behaviour can herald rain with more accuracy than meteorologists. And it outlines how farm planning and landscape design can be used to store water in the soil, where it belongs, in order to reverse the processes of desertification that are so prevalent in countries like Australia.

Water pollution and lack of rain may be remedied with subtle means, including prayer. Rituals can connect us to water’s powerful elemental forces and help us find deep cleansing on emotional and spiritual levels. It is no wonder that it has always been the most highly revered of the elements. This book hope to re-kindle that reverence and provide inspiration for greater kindness and care for all the Earth’s waters.

Praise for Wisdom of Water:

“This very readable book is a valuable resource for anyone concerned about the current problems associated with global warming and climate change. Alanna has compiled the results of an enormous amount of research on the subject of water. I have learnt a great deal from this book. As Alanna says in her Introduction: ‘It focuses on water in the Australian context (and beyond), its various manifestations, unique characteristics and abilities, and especially its folklore and spiritual dimensions.’ Alanna’s easy writing style and ability to evaluate and encapsulate a lot of data, putting it all in context, makes this a fascinating read. Although this research spans the globe as well as the millennia, it is set out in such a way as to allow immediate and easy access to any information required. Alanna has divided the book into four parts, each with headings, sub-headings, and giving the page numbers so useful! The four parts are headed: 1. Waters of the Earth; 2. Waters of Power and Mystery; 3. Water of the Sky and 4. Restoring the Waters. This is a ‘must have’ book that will be read and re-read many times.” – Sue Bussell, Natural Resonance Study Group September 2007.

“I was looking forward to reading a ‘real book’ by Alanna Moore, after reviewing some her DVDs and accompanying booklets over the last year or so, as I quite liked her writing (and film editing) style. I was not disappointed. The format of The Wisdom of Water is very similar, but on a larger scale, with interesting stories, myths, facts or information inserted judiciously in their own box space. Divided into Four Parts, each is subdivided under section headings which guide you through 250 pages of text overflowing with mythology, history, environmental issues, geo-biology, geomancy, and dowsing. A good part of what is in the book centres on Australiana, though there is plenty of global content too, from rain making in India to the healing well of Celtic saints. The essence of the book is that Alanna Moore treats the water aspect of Earth holistically. She makes connections and networks between the element of water and the life forms of the planet, including us, of course. By the end of the book I was totally connected. I did warn you, didn’t I? This book is full to brimming with ‘stuff’. It had me riveted for two days. Part One is Waters of the Earth. This includes for instance, the rise and fall of civilisations in relation to water, the Australian landscape, ground water and divining. Here you can read about vanishing waters and the Holy Grail, plantations and ground water, the Cauldron of Rebirth; ancient Aboriginal gardens, hot springs and dowsing for underground rivers. Part Two is Waters of Power and Mystery. Here we look at water’s special qualities including its relation to thunder, lightning, ionisation, its memory and emotion. Then we move on to Mysteries, the unexplained but events that have a continuing profile, such as Lights, UFOs and again, dowsing. Now we head back into history as Alanna talks about tapping what she calls ‘water’s wisdom’, the other side of the conversation between humankind and the element: wells, oracles, and predictions of earthquakes and rain, and the culture of water worship. Back again to ancient history, this section is jam-packed with information on amphibious Gods and Goddesses around the Globe, healing waters, angels, lustration (ritual emersion), and concludes with comments on the Water Goddess as she is perceived today. Here Alanna makes a direct connection with Mother Mary, which was a bit of a surprise for me, bypassing the biblical Mary and pointing out that the great mother has direct descent from the Spirit of Water. Certainly part of the Marion cult that I had missed. Alanna has done some truly interesting research. The book is full of little surprises like this. Onward to Part Three, Waters of the Sky, which turns our attention to Australian droughts, weather prediction, rain making, and how to harvest water from the sky dew ponds and fog fences. Fascinating. The actual mechanics of how water passes through the daily life of the planet are explained simply and concisely, and there was a lot of information here that was new to me. Part Four, Restoring the Waters, covers all the ‘alternative’ and exploratory methods of restoring water in the Australian landscape, methods which actually work but are still regarded with suspicion by mainstream advisors. Part Four culminates in an inspirational head up on how we can restore not only the degradation of our global water environment, but our own emotional and perhaps spiritual connection with the element of water. Essentially, as she discusses water’s reaction to sound vibrations, Alanna introduces the reader to the concept that it’s ok to talk to water. At the end of this book, I felt as though I’d ridden a roller coaster. I learned a lot, agreed with lots, and went back to re-read much. The Australian reader is totally catered for and the whole book is well peppered with colourful international information, such as Balinese temple rituals or the weather forecasting of bees! You truly don’t know what’s going to be on the next page. For those who like to know where facts and ideas come from, Alanna gives book references at the end of each section, though the text is not footnoted. If it were so, you probably wouldn’t be able to read the text for numerical interjections! This book covers so much diverse subject matter related to water, that you are regularly invited to look up the primary sources of you chosen interest. I find this method very efficient for the general reader. What I may have previously described as ‘Alanna’s open door method’.

“Very invigorating. Highly recommended” – Jilli Roberts, Pagan Times, Dec 2007.

“…It’s the sort of book that gives you the information you need when talking with those who think that ‘business as usual’ will keep human civilisation going endlessly. I also like the constant referral to the Australian Aboriginal use and customs with regards to water too long neglected in those who see Australia as another England – just add water!” – Dr Annette Hackett, Permaculture Association of Tasmania newsletter, 2007.