Great speculation of what lay beyond the ocean waters spanned cultures and regions, from Swedish Vikings to Spanish explorers to Babylonians. World maps depict land mass surrounded by terrifying and unnavigable seas, sea monsters, and gods of the sea. Stories of healing waters in Lourdes and mystical waters of the River Ganges coupled with modern baptismal rituals and quests for mountain springs, speak to a gentler view of water. Through lenses of legend and literature, this historical and mythical journey leads us to current controversies surrounding water such as water rights in Colorado, the Flint Michigan and Mexico City water crises, and the expansion of desalination plants around the world. The words of Loren Eiseley capture the essence of this seminar, “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”