Nature of Water

H₂O is the second most common molecule in the Universe (behind hydrogen, H₂).

The earliest philosophers recognized that water was the source of life. Asian philosophy defined water as the “beginning and the basis of all creation.” Thales (6th century B.C.) was the first Greek philosopher to speculate about the primary material element or source of all beings and cosmic phenomena, which he identified as water. Thales’ view that “water is the divine source of all living things” led him to suggest that the real substance of soul and nature is water since water’s power is fundamentally kinetic. Water circulation helps maintain balance on the earth and within all biological organisms. Life simply cannot exist without water. So, it is not surprising that water also plays a central role in most of the World’s religions as well.

Water is a dynamic medium, continually changing from liquid, to solid, to gas. As it cycles from its gaseous phase in the atmosphere, to its liquid and solid forms on the earth, it provides life for an entire planet. The total amount of water on the earth and in the atmosphere has been calculated to be between 1.3 and 1.4 billion km³. That total volume never changes – it merely recycles. Three quarters of the surface of the earth is covered by oceans, comprising 97.2% of the total water volume on earth. 2.15% is in the form of ice and .001% is included in the atmosphere which surrounds the earth. Of all the water that continually cycles and recycles on the earth’s surface, only a small percentage is actually available for our use. Usable water includes underground aquifers and above-ground rivers, lakes, streams, and marshes, comprising only .65% of the total water on the planet. The precious water that is here must continually cleanse and renew itself. It accomplishes this miraculous feat through what is known to science as the Hydrologic Cycle in an exquisite interplay between the two physical actions of evaporation (gaseous) and condensation (liquid), as can be seen depicted in the diagram above. It evaporates from the oceans and moves through the atmosphere traveling on wind currents. As the cycle continues, vapor in the atmosphere ultimately changes form and falls to the earth as rain or snow – ending up in rivers and oceans to begin the cycle all over again.

The vast amount of water which comprise our oceans play an important role in stabilizing the climate, making our earth’s atmosphere hospitable for human life. Land that is closer to the ocean is subject to more frequent shifts in weather, however, water acts as an environmental shock-absorber. This is the reason for milder climates along the coastal regions. Heat from the sun is absorbed by the water and temperature changes are confined to a narrower range. Since the specific heat of water is so high, climatic changes near the oceans are not nearly so extreme. Temperature changes from day to night are minimal along the coast compared to day and night fluctuations in the desert where there is little water.

In nature, water movement is an indicator of energy and purity. Water that is moving is generally better than the stagnant water found in reservoirs or from public water sources. Turbulent water contains considerable oxygen and minerals and it is highly energized. Typically, when movement is created, water becomes a source of living energy.