Sacred Wells and Springs

The Chalice Well


Our Oceans are precious to us, but for hundreds even thousands of years humans have regarded fresh water springs and wells as sacred. With a long history of magic, spells, healing and cursing the UK has some amazing sacred springs. Each month this column will introduce you to one with a little history, folklore, and magic! Since it is spring I decided to start with the Chalice well. The Chalice well has so much history both Christian and Pagan. It is located in the small village of Glastonbury which is located in the South West of the UK. It is called the Chalice well due to the mythology of the Holy Grail being hidden in its depths. Though it has never been found the Chalice well has become a place of healing and of feminine transformation. The waters which originate a few miles away bubble up in this sacred spot. The waters flow red, rich with iron deposits and speak of the womb, the goddess, and birth. No wonder the sign of the Vesica Pisces has been placed on the well cover. A Sacred symbol, which is associated with the Flower of Life and other Sacred Geometric formations. Strangely the Chalice well flows just feet from the White Well at Glastonbury which we will discuss in future newsletters. Today Glastonbury is very much like Salem and Sedona with many shops catering to the new age and pagan folk and many kindred spirits roaming the streets....


Montezuma's Well


Montezuma's Well is Arizona's Sacred Spring. While we have other springs that are used for recreation this particular one has a long history of being sacred, and a place of magic and mysticism. The name Montezuma's well is a misnomer as the Aztec King Montezuma has never been associated with this sacred place. Montezuma's well is a natural limestone sinkhole that pumps around 15,000,000 gallons of water a day. It is believed that this place has been used by indigenous cultures as far back as 600 C.E. However it is possible that this sacred springs has been used for 10,000 years. While there is still much mystery surrounding the well, it is believed to be a place of spirituality. During the 1895 expedition and exploration of this sacred land, it was noted that the pit house or small cliff dwelling at the top of the well was a place of rest, spirituality and possibly a resting place for a shaman or a place to deposit offerings to the gods and the spring. We know that indigenous cultures from the UK to South America have always had much respect and spirituality surrounding sacred springs. It would not be too much of a leap to think that the indigenous cultures of the America's and the UK had a similar understanding and reverence for our sacred waters. Today it is tended and cared for by our National Forest, and those that are called to protect our sacred waters...
Click here to learn more about Montezuma's Well


Bath: The Roman Temple of Sulis 

Sulis is a Brithonic Goddess that presides over Bath, where she has a temple first built by the Romans. Though inactive for several hundred years during the Victorian era the hot springs was resurrected and many would still visit. Aristocrats from both the Roman and Victorian area would frequent this sacred space. Today tourists flock to see the ruins and her temple is alive and well with many patrons visiting and the Government caring for the ruins. While it is now a museum the energy that surrounds it keeps her alive and well.  While Sulis is a water goddess, and healer she is also the keeper of  curses. 
Sulis was also called Sulis Minerva by the Romans, while they are the ones credited with the wonderful architecture of her temple, she was originally worshiped by the Celts and other locals of the land. The etymology of her name is still argued about today. Some believe it means clear sight, while other think that it is associated with the sun. Still others think it means gap, and she is often referred to as the Goddess of the Gap. This is interesting as she isn't really an underworld deity but isn't really an above world deity either. She is the goddess of the gap, the place between, she is both here and there, in and out etc. Hundreds of votive offerings and over 100 curse tablets are found in her temple ruins. She is a goddess of indulgence, chocolate, flowers, luscious waters, and votive offerings. This liminal goddess was once loved and feared for being both a Goddess of healing and cursing. Today she is honored by just a few Priestess who are dedicated to working with her, keeping the waters clean, and sacred springs.
Visit Sulis the Goddess of the hot springs at bath with this virtual tour


 Tonopah and El Dorado Hot Springs

 El Dorado Hot Springs which means "Hot water under the bush" is a Hot Spring in Tonopah Arizona. These hot waters bubble up from the subterranean hot springs that lie under the hot desert sands. The waters are thick with a soothing mix of natural minerals. Ducks, Peafowl and wild birds roam the desert oasis, which is full of life. Don't let the hot desert fool you, there is much life, wild and tamed that roam these grounds and call them home.   I have visited this wonderful place before and you can read about it and see some other photos here.