Waters covers most of our blue planet, with over 97% of that water in the ocean. It is the most powerful substance in our world: it quenches fire, it erodes earth and rock, it corrodes metals, it is the source of most precipitation, and it encourages the growth of plants. Without water, none of these things are possible.
It is also one of the few materials on earth that can exist simultaneously in more than one state of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) at certain temperatures. Water freezes (becomes a solid) at 0 deg Celsius and it boils (becomes a gas) at 100 deg Celsius. It is a liquid between those two temperatures.
Because of this unique scientific property, each state of water has its own magickal associations. It is vital to carefully choose the best state of water for your magickal application.
Ice, hail, and snow are solid-state (static) waters with crystalline structures representing the element of Earth.
Rain and bodies of water are liquid forms of water. They have a fluid structure which adapts to the shape of its environment. Liquid water will always pool at the lowest area. This represents the element of Water.
Steam, humidity, and fog are gaseous forms of water. This represents the nebulous communication of the element of Air.
Lightning, heat, and fire are all types of energy which cause changes in state. This represents the mutability of the element of Fire.
Water is not just water, as you know. It can be used as a vehicle of energies and as a base for potions, baths, and washes. Choose your type of water carefully such that it best suits your particular magickal application.
If you are collecting liquid water from a body of water, you can scoop it directly into a glass jar or bottle. Label your bottles immediately before you forget which water is which. Rain water, dew, ice, hail, and snow should be collected in a shallow basin. Frozen water should be used immediately. Fog and mist cannot be collected as such, just herded by magickal means in the desired direction.
Warning #1: Water should not be collected in areas with high levels of air pollution, near roadways, in areas such as lawns where chemicals are sprayed, or from polluted waterways. Chemicals have no place in natural magick. Do not collect or even touch polluted and/or waste water.
Warning #2: It should probably go without saying, but unless you have tested that a magickal water is potable, don't ingest it. If you do not have the means and know-how to test the potability of water, definitely don't drink it!
Note: The water collected from specific plants such as different colours of roses or a specific species of tree is not inherently more magickal than just collecting that type of water directly in a bowl or bottle.
Bay Rum is an alcohol-based solution. It is not water, and it has no place in sea magick.
Dew condenses each night out of the atmosphere from fog and mist onto leaves, grass, etc. It is traditionally used in beauty spells, but is also useful in glamour spells.
Distilled water (from the supermarket) is created by a distillation process. It can be used as a "pure water", or a base to create your own salt water.
Florida water is an alcohol-based solution. Despite the name, it is not water, and it has no place in sea magick.
Fog and mist can be used in spells to create illusions including the impression of invisibility.
Frozen water such as snow, hail, and ice can be used in spells to create stasis, and also for banishment if you do not intend to thaw the frozen water. For this type of spell, have your supplies ready to go when the snow or ice storm is beginning. Perform your spell the moment you are ready since you don't want the water to melt and require re-freezing.
Lake and pond water can be used in meditations to achieve peace and tranquility.
Moving water such as the water from creeks, streams, rivers, and waterfalls removes all magickal charges from items placed in it. This is excellent to neutralize magickally contaminated items.
Puddle water can be used in spells of banishing. However, it should be used as soon as possible after collection for best effectiveness.
Purified water (from the supermarket) is created by running municipal water through a series of filters. It has an alarmingly high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). Since it is not substantially different from tap water, it has no place in any magick.
Rain water is one of the purest types of water. Use it for revitalizing and growth spells.
Sea water can be used for cleansing and purification spells due to its salt content.
Spring water such as the Lourdes grotto water or the spring at Fatima is another traditional "pure water" which is called for in magickal spells. There are also some hot springs with a high sulfur content; this water can be used for banishing.
Stagnant water such as water from a swamp, bayou, or bog can be stored in a sealed jar to be used to attract negativity to a designated area (typically to banish it from other areas).
Tap water is not suited for magickal usage due to fluoride and other chemicals in the municipal water supply.
Tide pools provide water which is used for transformative spells.
Vinegar such as Four Thieves' Vinegar is not water. It has no place in sea magick.
Well water varies by location. The exact uses for well water depend on which minerals are present, following the standard correspondence for that mineral. If copper is present, for example, the water can be used in love spells. Water from a high-iron well such as the Chalice Well in Glastonbury can be used in spells for strength and determination.
Sea salt is created by the evaporation of sea water. The different colours of salt produced from the various of bodies of water each have their own magickal properties.
Black salt comes from volcanic beaches. It can be used as a Fire component in spells, and it is also excellent for banishing.
Grey salt is specific to the Brittany coast of France. It is best used for introspection and meditation in addition to being used in some weather spells.
Pink salt comes from the Salt Range mountains in the Himalayas. It is a mined rock salt. The inclusion of trace minerals gives it the pink colour. This is not sea salt, and as such doesn't have a place in sea magick.
Red salt comes from Alaea in Hawaii. The inclusion of alaea clay gives it the red colour. This is a salt auspicious for prosperity and good fortune.
White salt comes from the evaporation of most sea water. It can be used in purification and protection spells.