Mermaids & Selkies: Myths of the Deep.

Rolling tides stretch from coastline to coastline. Water, as far as the eye can see, covers over 70% of our planet- home to creatures that bask in shallow waters and roam the depths where sunlight never reaches. The ocean is a place of wonder and mystery, a realm of ever-shifting beauty. Sunlight dances across the water’s surface, vibrant coral reefs teem with life, and the deep abyss hides secrets yet to be discovered.

For thousands of years, the ocean has captivated hearts and inspired myths. The whispers of the deep call to those enchanted by the sea- and few figures embody that call more than mermaids and selkies. These mythical sea creatures have woven themselves into the fabric of ocean folklore, symbolizing both freedom and longing, transformation and duality, connection and mystery.

The iconic figures of Celtic sea mythology- the mermaid and the selkie- have existed since 1000 B.C.E and 500 C.E respectively, and the depth of these creatures mirrors the depth of the oceans where they dwell. They perfectly embody the duality of freedom and longing, the pull between two worlds, and our connection to the natural world.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been entranced by the legend of the mermaid. You can probably guess my favourite Disney movie from that sentence. I even told my nursery school teacher what I wanted to be when I grew up- a mermaid. My love for these mythical beings has not dwindled into adulthood, and still, I seek the stories that resonate with my heart. The selkie came to me several years ago, quickly becoming just as important as the myth of the mermaid- a longing in my soul that I could never replace.

Myths of the Deep: Mermaid & Selkies Through The Ages.

Mermaid legends have existed since 1000 B.C.E. Before they were labelled as mythical creatures, the Syrian Goddess Atargatis fell in love with a human shepherd. When she accidentally killed him, she flung herself into the ocean out of guilt, intending to become a fish. Her beauty was so great that the Gods would not allow this, instead transforming her into a half fish, half Goddess, with a tail below her waist and a human body above. She is the Great Mother and a Goddess of Fertility, and fish are sacred to her. Her worship spread from Syria to Greece and Rome, where she was also identified with Aphrodite- the Greek Goddess of love, who was born from the sea.

The mermaids we know today evolved from the Greek Sirens- half-bird, half-woman creatures with enchanting voices that lured sailors to their doom. Over time, their image shifted to the half-fish, half-woman beings of modern myth, still possessing a song that calls to the hearts of those who hear it.

Selkies, on the other hand, stem from Celtic and Norse folklore. Their stories originate in Scotland, Ireland and Iceland- shapeshifting beings (who some call the Fae) that are seals in the water but can shed their seal skins to dance upon the sand under the full moon. If a human steals their skin, they are unable to return to the waters, forced into a life on land.

Tales of the selkie from the Faroe Islands tells us of Kópakonan (the seal woman). On a Thirteenth Evening, a young farmer watched as seals came ashore, shed their skins, and transformed into human-like figures to dance under the moon. Hiding in the shadows, he stole a selkie woman’s skin while she danced, ensuring she could not return to the ocean. When the sun rose signalling the next day, she returned for her sealskin but could not find it. The man revealed himself, holding her sealskin and refusing to give it back. With no choice but to stay, she became his wife and bore him children. He kept her sealskin locked away in a chest, the key always on his person- until one day, he left it behind. The selkie found it, reclaimed her skin, and returned to the sea. Her children, bound to the land, would often see a seal watching them from the waves, believed to be their mother longing for them.

Similar stories exist throughout Celtic folklore, each carrying themes of belonging, freedom, and the deep pull between two worlds.

Tales from Scotland speak of a fisherman who discovered a group of selkies shedding their skins beneath the moonlight. Enchanted by one particularly beautiful selkie woman, he stole her sealskin, preventing her from returning to the sea. Left with no choice, she became his wife, bearing him children and living as a devoted mother and partner.

Yet, though she seemed content, a deep sadness never left her eyes. She would often wander the shoreline, gazing longingly at the waves. Years passed, and one fateful day, her child unknowingly found her hidden sealskin. Overcome with emotion, she reclaimed it, embracing her true self once more. With a final, sorrowful glance at her family, she slipped back into the sea.

Some say she watched over her children from the water, a seal appearing whenever they played by the shore. Others claim the fisherman would sometimes glimpse a pair of eyes in the waves, filled with a love that transcended both land and sea.

The Symbolism of Mermaids & Selkies in Spiritual Traditions.

In every story of mermaids and selkies, there is an innate call of the ocean. It’s a call I feel whenever I stand at the shore, gazing at the vastness before me. The ocean symbolizes our connection to the unknown and the subconscious- water is the realm of emotions and intuition. The depths of the sea mirror the hidden depths of our own psyche.

The ocean represents the deep, often unspoken aspects of our psyche. There is a desire for freedom- represented in the vast open ocean, and a longing for something else- shown in the shore, where the water meets land. It reflects our very human desire for both adventure and belonging.

Selkies embody transformation and the fluidity of identity. They shift between two forms, belonging to two worlds yet never truly at home in either. Mermaids, too, exist between realms, symbolizing the fusion of the mystical and the human, the spiritual and the physical.

Lessons From the Legends of the Ocean.

What can these mythological sea creatures teach us?

• Embrace your depths- dive deep into your emotions, your dreams, and your desires. Explore what lies beneath the surface of your conscious mind.
• Balance two worlds- whether it’s the balance between the spiritual and the physical, or between individuality and relationships, find harmony in both aspects of your life.
• Trust your intuition- like mermaids and selkies navigating the tides, trust the currents of your emotions. Allow yourself to flow with life’s changes rather than resisting them.

Connecting with Mermaid & Selkie Energy.

The next time you find yourself by the ocean, take a moment to connect with its vast, primal energy. Imagine yourself as a mermaid or a selkie, feeling the pull of the water. If it’s warm enough, step into the sea and let the waves carry you, experiencing the weightlessness of the tides.

• Journal about the ocean- what does it mean to you? Is it a place of comfort, a place of fear? Where do you feel the tension between freedom and belonging? Do you feel comfortable in your own known, or is there something lost that you long to reclaim?
• Incorporate water into your daily life- salt baths, oceanic imagery, or even the sound of waves during meditation can help you attune to the energy of the sea.
• Work with sea Goddesses- Amphitrite, Aphrodite, Sedna, Atargatis- if one calls to you, research and honour Her. Her wisdom is as deep as the ocean itself.
• Reflect on mermaid and selkie myths- these stories are mirrors, reflecting our own desires for freedom, belonging, transformation, and our ability to navigate change. Let them guide you in navigating your own depths.

Pisces season, with its dreamy water energy, is the perfect time to explore these themes- compassion, intuition, and personal transformation.

Mermaids and selkies have fascinated humanity for thousands of years- they have fascinated me for my entire life. Their stories are mystical, thought-provoking, and deeply symbolic. I invite you to connect with these timeless beings, to listen to the whispers of the deep, and to embody the lessons of the sea in your own life.