Living on the coast or near the ocean is not an option for many people. Whether it be budgetary reasons, minors living with family, spoonie witches who need to live with caregivers, or being stuck in a landlocked state or country. Though because you have distance between you and the ocean, doesn’t mean you cannot connect to it still. Though your craft will likely not be as powerful at times as one who is practicing straight on the beach, never think that you cannot use the energies of the great oceans in your craft just because you are stuck somewhere else. With this masterpost I hope to help my fellow landlocked witches know how to connect and use sea magick.

Stop the Gatekeeping

First I would like to address a problem I have seen several times in this community (especially here on witchblr) about sea witchcraft. I have seen far too many people telling others they cannot use anything ocean related in their craft unless they are near or on the beach, and that if you wish to practice sea magick you “should just move to the coast”. This is an issue I already brought up in my little intro: for many that is just not possible.

Firstly, in several places living even near the coast costs extreme amounts of money, much more than certain people can afford. Secondly, it may not be medically feasible. If the spoonie witch’s caregivers or care circle cannot move or if moving is something that could upset their illness further, they should certainly not move just to please you “real sea witches”. Some countries are also simply landlocked, they’d have to move completely out of their homeland to reach the coast and for some that is not even an option. So before you go onto this post saying it is inaccurate because sea witches only live by the sea, please do not and think for a moment that not everyone has the same circumstances as you. We all have different lives, needs and situations going on and not everyone can live the same way. Let others practice their craft in a way that suits them.

Getting Started/Creating your Space

As in my previous Stuck In the City post, we are going to start with a space or altar set up that will allow you to help feel connected to the ocean. Depending on the space you have available there can be some fun ways for you to connect to it. First find a corner or a table or even a spare part of a room that you can use for your set up, the more room the better in my personal opinion but I understand that space can be very limited.

Clean and cleanse the space you wish to use, make sure this is done well enough for the space to be comfortable to work in. Next it is time to create space for yourself, create an area that you can either sit or even lay down in, whatever you find to be the most comfortable when meditating or rejuvenating yourself after a long day.

Once it has been clean and cleared find a nice flat space and surface to place your altar, preferable somewhere that is fire safe in case of wanting to use incense or candles. I usually in cases of meditation or long term practice try to make it somewhere comfortable with furniture or an area where I can sit or even recline during my practice. I personally enjoy some extra pillows or cushions in the corner though this is entirely up to you.

Some things to consider adding to your ocean altar: beach sand, shells of any kind (clam, oyster, cone, crushed, broken etc), crab shells, dried sand dollars, dried starfish, driftwood, ocean stones/pebbles, shell dust, sea glass, sea salt, dried kelp (powder), ropes, buckets/cups/bowls/containers, fish bones, fish oil, bottles, shark teeth, cork and sea water.

Images of the ocean, the sea, islands and beaches are also other wonderful things to have posted or framed about your altar to help make it feel like you are on the beach. If possible to do having a large container of sand to run your hands through or even rest your feet in for grounding purposes can be very helpful to have tucked away nearby. For candles on your altar try to stick to blue, white, sea foam, teal, green and beige colored candles to help associate it directly with the sea. If you have ocean scented candles or wax melts those are perfect to have here as well.

Some candle, incense and oil scents to consider if you wish to have something scented on the altar that are often related to the sea (other than the obvious Ocean Mist/Spray scents) would be: coconut, tropical fruit/citrus, seagrass, lime (coconut lime together works well), sandalwood, any ‘fresh air’ scents tend to relate well, ‘sex on the beach’, rain/storm scents, tropical scents, sea salt, sea salt reed, cedarwood, rosemary and some say lavender they like to add to certain scent combinations.

Crystals are always good options to add to any altar and can be affordable depending on their size and cut. Some crystals to consider to add to your ocean altar would be: ocean jasper, aquamarine, chrysocolla, amazonite, pearl, mother of pearl, blue lace agate, moonstone, sapphire, coral and opalite. Though any blue, white and teal/green crystal can also be used to associate with the sea and dyed or crackle quartz can be used to substitute stones as well.

Herbs that are associated with the sea and water would be: coconuts (and coconut oil), seaweed, kelp, seagrass, lotus, grapes, lettuce (and other watery greens), cucumber, chamomile, orange, willow, melons, watercress, lemon, lime, jasmine, lotus, pansy and skullcap. All water related plants can intern be used to associate with the ocean.

Grounding and Meditation (Brief)

Ocean grounding and meditation is very similar to that of standard practice. Though to make it more connected to the ocean there are a few things you can do. One tip for meditating and feeling close and connected to the ocean is to use that previously suggested tub of sand to either stand in or rest your hand/feet into. Close your eyes and feel the sand on your skin, ground your energy into that, have it flow into the sand and back to you. Image you are on the beach with your feet buried into the sand. Light some incense or candles before you begin to help get that oceany smell. If you have a computer or phone available you can play calming ocean sounds or the sounds of waves. Envision yourself there on the beach or out at sea to help connect to the sea’s energy. Any crystals or shells or other things available to you can help you connect to its energy.

Portable Ocean Altar

So like I covered in my previous installment of this series, portable altars a fantastic optionsf or witches on the go or for witches who practice their craft in secrecy. To recap quickly, portable altars are used by many witches who are on the go or just keep their craft secret. They are very easy to make and can be very convenient for when you need to cast a spell away from home.

First you will need a small container to carry your supplies in. Some witches prefer pocket sized things like small boxes that jewelry may come in, altoid tins or other small containers, other witches prefer journal sized ones inside boxes, plastic containers or tins. It really depends on what you will need and what you will personally be carrying it in. Whatever you choose to carry it in make sure its durable enough not to be crushed inside a purse or bag so that whatever is inside of it does not get damaged or ruined. Preferably make sure there is a way to close the container or tin you are using tightly, if needed tie it shut using ribbon or yarn to help prevent it from popping open inside your bags.

Now, it’s time to fill it with the items you need to make it an altar in the first place! Depending on the size of your altar it will change what can fit into it, so feel free to play tetris a bit with what you are fitting into it. You want things to be a bit snug to prevent them bumping around and breaking but you don’t want it so tight that you can’t get anything out.

Common suggestions to add to your travel altar: tealights, birthday candles, travel matches or lighter, crystal shards, chips or small crystals; beads, small containers or packs of salt and herbs, tea bags, small sachets and bags (for portable spells on the go!), small animal figurines, small shells or shell shards, small containers of sand, sea salt, images of the ocean, blue or black pens/ink/pencils and sea glass.

For larger portable altars consider also adding: scissors, baggies, travel books on different subjects (such as shells, the ocean, ocean animals, herbs, witchcraft, etc), journal or notebook, sketchbooks, pens and other writing tools, portable bottles, crystals and portable wands.

Sea Witch Crafts, Spells and More

Sea Witch Bath

A bath for a sea witch to help them connect with the ocean, recharge, and meditate to their heart’s content.

• Kelp Powder (1 tsp)
• Sea Salt (½ tsp)
• Coconut Oil (1 spoonful)
• Coconut Water (½ cup)
• Sea Glass, Sea shells, aquamarine, ocean jasper, abalone, pearl, larimar, coral, sand dollars and/or clear quartz
• Wood Spoon
• Blue and white candles (optional- ocean scented ones)

Steps: 

Light your candles before filling the tub. Once you start filling the tub add your coconut oil, coconut water, sea salt and kelp powder. With your spoon stir clockwise to help mix in the powder, which can take a bit. The water should turn a faint green tint (the more kelp you add the greener it gets but also the stronger the smell gets). Line your tub’s edge with your sea glass, sea shells, and gemstones. Be sure not to let the gemstones fall in the water, especially if they are ones that can’t get wet. Get into your tub and enjoy.

Note: Kelp powder smells very strongly of kelp, it is a scent I personally like but a lot of people don’t. Air out your bathroom a bit after the bath to disperse the smell. Also if you do not wish to smell like kelp yourself, rinse off after your bath quickly.

Sea Witch Bath Mix (faster and storable mixture compared to Sea Witch Bath)

A simple bath mix to add to baths for a quick relaxing and cleansing experience.

You will need:

• 1 cup Sea Salt (or epsom salt mix)
• 1 tsp of Kelp Powder
• 1 full spoonful of Coconut Oil (melted and mixed in)
• 4 drops of diluted Sandalwood Oil for scent

Steps:

Simply add to your bath whenever you wish to have a nice relaxing bath. You may adjust mixture to your desire though be careful when using essential oils. For more sensitive or dry skin you can replace all of sea salt with epsom salt with kelp scent/ocean scent instead to prevent more damage to it.

Simple Shell Candles and Candle Holders

Shell candles are super easy and fun to make! Simply all you need is some candle wax, wax dye (if you wish to have it colored), a wick which you will be cutting to size and a candle preferably a clam or oyster shell. For added spell usage you can add sigils inside of the shell using a marker and activate it each time you burn your candle. Carefully place your wick into the candle and add your melted wax. Let it harden and trim candlewick as needed.

For candle holders make sure you have a sturdy shell, if possibly glue or stick it to a wooden chip or other sort of ‘stand’ to prevent it from tipping. Add your candle into the older and add a bit of melted wax if you can to the bottom to help hold it in place from tipping out of the shell (especially if it is a tower candle).

A Witch’s Portable Ocean Jar Spell

A spell jar to hold the energies and essence of the ocean for use when one is away from the ocean. Good for charging, meditation, sea grounding, spell strengthening, and general ocean witchcraft.

You Will Need:

• A Jar with a tight sealing lid or cork (preferably one that won’t rust)
• Beach Sand
• Sea Salt
• Sea Water (or stormwater if you can’t get sea water, tap works if really needed)
• Dried Kelp or Kelp Powder (small amount)
• Sea Shells or crushed shells of choice
• Driftwood (small)
• Sea glass
• Twine or Rope or Blue Ribbon

Steps: 

Make sure your jar is cleansed and yourself before beginning spell. Have all items prepped and your area cleansed and prepared as you see fit. In your jar add the sand covering the bottom. On top of the sand add your shells, driftwood, and sea glass.In a separate bowl or cup add your water and in it mix in your kelp and your salt, stirring clockwise focusing on the smell it emits (which will be salty and kelpy like the sea) and how the waves and currents of the ocean churn and move. If you desired you may play sounds of waves on a device to add to the visualization. As you stir focus on this visualization and putting those images into the water as you stir it.Once thoroughly mixed pour it carefully into your jar, visualizing how the waves rush onto the beach during high-tide, covering the sand and shells on it.

“Water of salt and brine, upon the sand and bits of shell, the ocean I capture into this jar, so I may draw from its energy like a well.” While saying this focus on your intent to capture the energy of the ocean and have it with you when you need it, and keep visualizing the ocean and beach.

Once you have all of your water in the jar seal it tight with the cork or lid.Take your rope/twine/ribbon and tie it around the jar just below the lip of the jar. “I seal the power of the sea inside, I capture the beach at high-tide.” Keep refrigerated to prevent from getting gross though contents may have to be regularly replaced (excluding the shells and glass that should be reusable).

Sea Spell for Astral Travel

A sea spell for any sea witches who wish to astral travel, especially if it is to the ocean. Good for witches who are stuck inland.

• Light Blue Tealights
• White Tealights
• Sand (protection, the sea)
• Sea Salt (protection, the sea)
• Abalone Shell(s) (Meditation, energy, protection)
• Scallop Shell(s) preferably white (travel, protection)
• Glass bowl
• (Optional) Sounds of the beach or sea

Steps:

If you are using sounds of the beach then play it softly in the background as you perform the spell. Light your candles and encircle them about your bowl or near it, depending on what your space allows. In your bowl place your sand then sprinkle salt over it. “My feet in the sand, the salt in the air.” Place in your shells as you see fit, into the bowl atop the sand and salt. “Seashells about me, I’m without a care.” Sit near the bowl and get yourself comfortable. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds of the beach, feel the energies of the ocean you have brought into your space.  “So now I travel, across the sea, to the places I desire to be.’

Voice Theft Curse (Sea Curse Inspired by the Little Mermaid)

A curse to stop someone who has been spewing hateful speech and words and return that negativity they put out back into their life.

You Will Need:

• Sea Shell (preferably a clam shell)
• Paper
• Black Marker or Pen
• Black Candles
• Taglock (if you can manage)
• Pencil
• Sea Water (sea salt in water will suffice if needed)

Steps:

On your small slip of paper write down your target’s name in pencil. With your black marker write in large letters covering the name “SHUT UP!” Crumple up the paper between your fingers, rolling it and squashing it. Put all of your frustration and anger into this action. Place the crumpled piece of paper into your seashell. To release more negativity and return it to the target spit onto the shell and paper. If you have a taglock place it in the shell as well. Place your candle on top of the seashell and light it, let it burn down and cover the shell and paper in wax. Once it is sufficiently covered take your sea water and pour it over the over the candle drenching it and the shell. Take the shell and bury it in the ground or into a planter. If you cannot do this then store it somewhere dark. Cleanse your space and yourself afterwards and rest.

Spirits, Beasts and Entities of the Sea

• Merfolk (see this wonderful post by Orriculum for some specific types and origins of these entities)
• Siren
• Merrow
• Selkie
• Finman(wife)
• Cecealia
• Sea Mither
• Sea Serpent
• Water Nymphs/Ocean Nymphs
• Naiads
• Undine
• Hippocampus
• Nereid
• Kelpie
• Oceanid
• Hydra
• Kraken
• Spirits of the Sea, Water and Ocean Animals

Deities of the Sea

(disclaimer: these are all known water and sea related deities that I could find. I did not list any that I knew for a fact were closed cultures or religions, though some may still be seen or considered closed culture. Keep this in mind when viewing this list.)

Aztec:

• Chalchiuhtilcue – Goddess of water, lakes, rivers, seas, streams, horizontal waters, storms and baptism
• Huixtocihuatl – Goddess of Salt
• Opochtli – God of Fishing

Celtic:

• Lir –  God of the sea
• Llyr – God of the sea
• Manannan mac Lir – God/King of the sea
• Nodens – God of healing, the sea, hunting and dogs

Chinese:

• Mazu – Goddess of the sea
• Ao Kuang – Dragon King of the Eastern Sea
• Ao Qin – Dragon King of the Southern Sea
• Ao Run – Dragon King of the Western Sea
• Ao Shun – Dragon King of the Northern Sea

Egyptian:

• Nu – Personification of primordial waters
• Tefnut – Goddess of all waters and moisture

Finnish:

• Ahti – God of the depths and fish
• Iku-Turso – Malevolent God and sea monster
• Vedenemo – Goddess of Water
• Vellamo –  Wife of Ahti, Goddess of the seas, lakes and storms

Greek:

• Aegaeon – God of violent sea storms
• Akheilos – Shark-shaped sea spirit
• Amphitrite – Sea Goddess and consort of Poseidon
• Anapos – Water God of Sicily
• Brizo – Goddess of Sailors
• Carcinus – Monstrous crab, later made into the constellation Cancer by Hera
• Ceto – Goddess of dangers of the ocean and sea monsters
• Charybdis – Sea monster and spirit of whirlpools and the tide
• Cymopoleia – Goddess of giant storm waves and daughter of Poseidon
• Delphin – Leader of dolphins, later turned into the constellation Delphinus by Poseidon
• Doris – Goddess of the sea’s bounty
• Eidothea – Prophetic sea nymph and daughter of Proteus
• Electra – an Oceanid, consort Thaumas
• Eurybia – Goddess of the mastery of the sea
• Galene – Goddess of calm seas
• Glaucus – a god of fishermen and the sea
• Graeae – Spirits of the sea who appear as seafoam
• Ladon – 100 headed sea serpent who guarded the western reaches of the sea
• Nerities – consort of Aphrodite
• Oceanus – Titan God of Earth’s fresh-water (and some argue the seas as well)
• Pan – Patron God of fishing
• Palaemon – Sea God who aided distressed sailors and ships
• Phorcys – God of the dangers of the deep
• Poseidon – God and King of the Oceans, rivers, seas, storms, floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses.
• Proteus – Shape-shifting Sea God and herder of Poseidon’s seals
• Psamathe – Goddess of Sand Beaches
• Scylla – A Nereid turned into a great sea monster
• The Sirens – In lore, they were 3 Nymphs who led sailors to their deaths on an island
• The Telchines – Sea Spirits native to the island of Rhodes; the gods killed them due to their use of magic (in some lore it is dark/evil magic)
• Thalassa – Primordial Goddess of the sea
• Thaumas – God of the wonders of the sea and father of Harpies and of Iris the Rainbow Goddess
• Thetis – Leader of the Nereids, responsible for all sea life spawning and procreation, mother of Achilles
• Triteia – Daughter of Triton and the companion of Ares
• Triton – The fish-tailed Son of Poseidon
• Tritones – fish-tailed spirits loyal to Poseidon and his domain

Hawaiian:

• Tangaroa (Kanaloa) – God of the ocean and magics, takes the form a cephalopod
• Kamohoalii – Shark God
• Namaka – Sea Goddess
• Ukupanipo – Shark God who controls the amount of fish close to fishermen for their catches

Hindu:

• Ap -Group of Water Goddesses
• Danu – Goddess of primordial waters
• Makara – Mystical creature of the waters
• Samundra – Goddess of Seas
• Varuna – God of water and the celestial ocean

Incan:

• Pariacaca – God of water and rainstorms

Indonesian:

• Nyi Roro Kidul – Goddess of the South Javanese Sea

Inuit:

• Aipaloovik – Evil Sea God associated with death and destruction
• Alignak – Lunar Deity and God of weather, water, tides, eclipses and earthquakes
• Arnapkupfaaluk – Fearsome Sea Goddess
• Idliragijenget – God of the Ocean
• Nootaikok – God who presided over icebergs and glaciers
• Sedna – Goddess of the Sea

Japanese:

• Ebisu – God of fortunes and fishery often related to seal life such as whales and whale sharks
• Hanzaki Daimyojin – Gigantic Japanese Salamander and “Master of the Water”
• Omononushi-no-Kami – Serpentine Deity of waters
• Ohoyamatsumi – God of mountains, seas and water
• Ryujin – Japanese Dragon and Deity of the sea
• Shinto – God of water
• Sumiyoshi Sanjin – God of the ocean and sailing
• Watatsumi – Dragon King and Ocean God
• Yamata no Orochi – Serpentine Monster but also regarded as an incarnation of violent waters or rivers

Korean:

• Imoogi – Giant Snakes from Korean folklore which later became dragons
• King Munmu – a king who wished to become a dragon to protect Korea from the East Sea
• Dragon King – Undersea Deity believed to determine the fortunes of fishermen and sailors

Lithuanian:

• Atrimpas – God of the sea and water
• Bangputys – God of the sea and of storms
• Gardaitis – Spirit of ships and sailors
• Jurate  – Goddess of the sea
• Laume – Goddess of wild spaces including open waters
• Neringa – Goddess of seacoasts

Lusitanian:

• Duberdicus – God of rivers and the sea

Norse/Germanic:

• Aegir – Personification of the sea
• 9 Daughters of Aegir – personifications of the characteristics of waves
• Ran – Sea Goddess of death who collects the drowned
• Njord – God f the sea, specifically seafaring
• Nehalennia – Goddess of the North Sea
• Nix – Water Spirits who can take human forms

Persian:

• Anahita – Deity of “The Waters” and associated with fertility, healing and wisdom
• Haurvatat – associated with water, prosperity and health

Phillipine:

• Amanikable – Ill-tempered sea God
• Haik – Sea God
• Amansinaya – Goddess of Fishermen
• Sirena – Mermaid
• Siyokoy – Merman
• Magwayen – Goddess of the sea and death
• Lidagat – 2nd sea Goddess and daughter of Magwayen

Roman:

• Neptune – God and King of the sea
• Salacia – Wife of Neptune and Queen of the sea
• Volturnus – God of the waters

Slavic:

• Czar Morskoy – God of the sea
• Chernava – mermaid and daughter of Czar
• Mokosh – Goddess of Waters and Moisture
• Rusalki – Female Spirits/Nymphs/Mermaids who live in water ways and sometimes the sea or shipping routes
• Veles – God of earth, waters and the underworld
• Viz-Anya – Mother of Water/Water Mother
• Viz-Leany – Water Maiden
• Vu-Ava – Water Woman
• Vut-Kura – Water Grandmother

Vietnamese:

• Ca Ong – King of the Sea and Patron of fishermen

Other:

• Aquarius – The water bearer constellation that depicts a river or a young man pouring water from a goblet or vase, often related to air energies or water energies closely related to springs, rivers and the ocean
• Cancer (constellation) – constellation depicting a large crab often related to the ocean and water energies
• Capricorn – An Entity from Greek mythology said to be a finned goat living out in the sea who in some lore suckled infant Zeus while in other lore is another form of the God Pan, often is closely related to fish, the ocean, to land/earth energies and fishing. Also can be related to the constellation of the same name.
• Davy Jones – Seen as Death and the “devil” of the sea, sometimes associated as a grim reaper like being 
• Draco – A constellation that depicts a dragon or large sea serpent. Depending on the lore it is sometimes related to islands, the sea or other waterways. Sometimes it is depicted as a woman with hundred of serpentine heads.
• Kraken – Mythological creature of the sea depicted as a great squid or octopus, some worshipping it as a lesser deity of the deeps of the ocean
• Mother Nature – often represents all of nature the ocean and sea life included
• The Moon – The moon’s gravitational pull controls the tides of Earth’s sea and due to this many worship it in relation to the ocean, tides, waves and water.
• Neptune – Planet closely related to the sea and its energies, is named after the Roman God of the Sea Neptune.
• The Ocean/Spirit of the Ocean –  Some see and worship the ocean as a deity of its own with its own lifeforce and will
• Pisces – The fish constellation, often related to the water, the sea and sea life