There are several pieces of history that include water in different forms of worship. Perhaps one of the best known rituals today is that of baptism in the Christian church. Infants or adults are either sprinkled or dunked into the water as a symbol of their sins being washed away. Even older than this custom, however, are other rituals involving the use of water.

Vatni aura

Prior to Christianity being introduced, the Norsemen had a ritual known as the vatni aura. Like the Christian baptism, this ritual involved sprinkling newborn infants with water. It is thought there may also have been some holy attribute to the water as well.

British wells

There are two wells, one in Gloucestershire and one in Yorkshire that were originally known as Woden’s well and Thor’s Well. Dedicated by the pagans, they were then rededicated to St. Margaret and St. Helena by the Christians. Until recent times, people would visit these wells every Sunday evening and drink sugar water made from the water.

Prophetic wells

The Palici springs in Sicily were known as prophetic wells. Originally, the deep pools would become agitated by volcanic springs. The springs themselves were considered to be gods that watched over oaths, and the most solemn oaths were taken in their presence, and those who lied were blinded.

Wells in Britain were also used for divination. There were numerous wells throughout the country that would be sought out by a person who was having difficulty with an issue. The person would throw a small object into the water, and by watching the bubbles, would have an answer to the problem. Vases and coins have also been found near the sites of old rivers and streams and are presumed to be the remains of offerings to the water gods.

The druids held running water sacred, and there are other instances in myths and legends that moving water, such as that in garden waterfalls (), is powerful. For example, the healing at the Pool of Bethesda in the Bible only happened after an angel caused the water to move.

Water into wine

The Germans collected spring water on Christmas night as the clock struck midnight was called heilwag, and was thought to be good for belly pain. It is still thought that water collected between 11 and midnight on Christmas and Easter night turns to wine. This could have a link back to Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. Magic water for divination was also collected before dawn on Sundays from three flowing large water features ().

Also on Easter, Hessian youths would go to the Hollow Rock in the mountains and draw up water. Before returning home they would throw flowers into the water as an offering, and no one ever dared go down before the flowers were sent. In other places, the water was thought to have healing powers and therefore holy.

Water is still used today in religious practices around the world. And while well worship in its original sense has died out, many of the customs are still carried on today.