River Blessing in Northeastern Florida

Everything that lives depends on it. Water holds many forms including gas, liquid, and even a solid state. It can form to any shape it’s held in and levels itself when left alone. Water is affected by the gravitational pull from the moon and the sun to create movement over the earth called tides. It creates waves through the connection of the earth’s floor and winds above. When consumed, it creates movement within the body allowing healing, lubrication of joints,  and helps create sound through your vocal chords. If you drink enough water, it will show improvement in your moods. Water is often associated with hope, intuition, dreams, inspiration, and journeys in many cultures around the world. 

With the recent oil pipeline protest, an ancient phrase from the Lakota people has emerged as a worldwide anthem: Mní wičhóni. People say it means ‘water is life’, but it is difficult to translate a verb or experientially focused language. I’ve been told by a Lakota elder that the direct translation is  Mni = Water, Wi = Light, Choni = Life". The indigenous cultures of North America (aka Turtle Island), learned this intuitively by living alongside the earth and it's retaliative. Buddhism expresses water as the life-giver and symbolizes purity, clarity, and calmness. Taoism teaches about water as wisdom being able to flow around difficult obstacles that block the path, and can cut stone and even move mountains. It has a relationship with time and change, rhythm and movement. Christianity has many Bible verses associated with water. Like in John 7:37-39, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them."

There is a growing movement to re-recognize the earth as a living and conscious life form. Some countries, like New Zealand, have recognized that river waters show indications of the health of the local environment and gave the rivers the legal rights to insure longevity of life.

This brings us to the...."Why"

Why should we gather to bless the lifeblood of the earth? The journey to answer this question started back in 2008 when a Native Elder named Basil Braveheart came to Florida to give a talk on quantum physics and Lakota tradition, actually being one in the same. I had to hear what he had to say, and was amazed at how this Elder carried himself and embodying honor, strength, and humility. Basil visited the St. Johns River and decided to do a "Blessing of The Waters Ceremony". One hundred and seventy five people came out to to participate. We gathered at  Marywood Retreat & Conference Center, a Catholic run establishment nestled along the shores of the Saint Johns river to participate.  Basil spoke about the importance of water and his personal relationship with it, at that exact moment, bald eagle flew over his head and almost touched him. Sundancers who came with Basil drummed and sang sacred songs establishing a heart beat that all could relate too. A hand carve wooden bowl filled with water from the St. Johns River was passed around for everyone to touch or give a silent prayer. The simple ceremony was concluded with a slow walking procession of people following the bowl of water held by Basil to the dock's end to pour the water back into the river. Basil explained that the community can keep this blessing going and encouraged us to continue it in our own way. January 2026 will be the 18th Annual Blessing of the River.

This community based ceremony has continued each year ever since. This public event, where the community gathers with local River-keepers to share appreciation for the waters of our local earth. The community is welcome to offer a silent blessing with the heartbeat of the drum in the background. Commonly three of the local River-keepers in NE Florida attend each year and are asked to speak about their personal connection to the waters. A bowl of river water, for each river is passed around for all to touch it, held within the sound of a drummed heartbeat. Following the passing of the bowl, participants slowly walk behind the River-keepers who offer the water back into the river.

The River Blessing is an indigenous inspired, nondenominational blessing of the rivers' in Florida. The annual blessing was started in 2008 by Basil Braveheart, a Lakota Elder. Location may vary from year to year, yet has been maintained in the Northeastern counties of Florida.