Submitted by Holbrook PSI on
Dear John: I am sure you are familiar with this piece of what I call "Humorous Reason" but I am curious about it. I would like to know about your experience or opinion regarding what the supernatural has to say about keeping a glass of water by one's bedside to keep spirits away. It seems to be that the rule of thumb is that spirits don't like water. I have probably seen this premise presented in about a dozen horror flicks where the bedside water glass always seems to go crashing to the floor before the spooks move in! Where did this idea originate? Thanks, Jason N.J.
Jason, thank you for your question in regards to keeping a glass of water by your bed to keep the spirits away. It is interesting that you have noticed that film makers have used this in their art to be an image or omen or things to come. In some of my folklore readings I have come across several different things dealing with water and a bed. Most of the old wives tales are remedies or ways to keep from having an ailment. For example, keep a bucket or pan of water under your bed to keep from having night sweats. There is also keeping two buckets of spring water under your bed to keep from having bed sores. There are many different ones on the same line as these two, but what I believe you are looking for is something else. I have read that in Hoodoo a glass of water by the bed is intended to capture any spirit that comes to the sleeping person in the bed. Each morning you are to pour out the glass of water to rid yourself of the spirits. This is much like what a dream catcher of the native Americans is intended to do with spirits and dreams. This is not surprising to me because Hoodoo is a mix of African, Native American and some western folk magic. It is a folk magic that has its origins from these but is not limited to these cultural groups. Many different superstitions or folk traditions have their origins in what many call Hoodoo but may have came from other folk magic traditions or root-work. Legends say that a many different nasty supernatural entities can not cross water. So lets see what roll water has in a more elemental manner- Earth , Fire, Water, Air- the four elements that the ancient Greeks said were the base substances of the universe. Chinese philosophy has it a little different -Earth, Water, Wood, Fire, Metal- but Water is still there as it is in all life on earth. Water has been recognized as a needed substance for life as we know it, we all have bodies that have the same major ingredient-Water. It is on the very short list of base elements that can transform in to the three states-Liquid, Solid, Gas. Why have I stated this, because water is life, with out water there is death. Lets look at some other thing before we go too far in to what I believe. Most of the religions that I have encountered use water as a purifier, cleanser and ritual catalyst in one way or the other. Different religions believe the same basic thing about water, that water can cleanse or purify someone or something. What are they cleaning off the person or thing with water? We are not talking about something being dirty and needing to be washed. The cleaning is in the spiritual realm of religion not the physical. The water is used to wash away sin, evil, sorrow all things that would could affect life or the afterlife. I am getting in to what I believe again but this what I have felt for years about why water works. Water is life, life in its purest form, there is no evil or impurities in it unless we put them there. Water can be a catalyst for so much spiritual work that some believe it has spiritual powers by itself. I can see why , it sustains life and brings on growth in nature. With water being such a big part of life and the fact it can cleanse the spirit we can hypothesize why a spirit would not like water. First with it being such a big part of life and the living a spirit or ghost would want it , but they could not have it in their realm. This could be why a regular spirit would knock over a glass of water. Next is again based on water being such a big part of life that an evil entity would not want the water near them because it would be reminded of what it could never have -Life. Holy water can be used against an evil spirit also so the spirit may associate any water with holy water. We know that movies and TV will use some of what may be facts but will twist it for entertainment purposes. There is a spiritual link to the use of water as a talisman, cleanser and a weapon in the history of folk lore and religions. In the question at hand I hope that I have helped to answer your question without too much Hollywood hype.