I absolutely love rain. Most people say rain is kind of a catch 22. Either there is to much or to little. I believe rain is a good thing no matter what. Rain is water, water is a symbolic form of purity and renewal. Remember when you were little? When it would rain you would go dance in it and your mom would yell at you to come back inside. Then after a good storm there would be mud to play with? Well, I no longer play in the mud and goof around in the rain. I do, however, still dance. Walking in the rain, singing in the rain, dancing in the rain...all of it is quite relaxing. Another beautiful thing about rain is that it hides any emotion you wish to lock up. Whatever emotion you feel you can let out. If you are angry then scream, the thunder will cover it. If you are sad then cry, the rain will hide your tears. If you are happy then dance, the rain will keep you moving. If you don't like to go outside, then why no just curl up inside? Use rainstorms to get warm and bond with those under your roof.
Water is an overall good thing in our society. Subconsciously, we know that water is renewal and pure. That is why religion even has water in it.
Buddhist!
Buddhists use water when someone dies. They say "As the rain fills the river and overflow the ocean, so likewise may what is given here reach the departed" as they pour water into a bowl at the feet of the departed. They pour until the water overflows the bowl.
Christianity!
Christianity is
filled with water. The main focus, however, is Baptism. They believe in "living water" and when you are blessed with it, Baptism, the original sin you are born with goes away.
Hinduism!
Hinduism has lots of water as well. They believe in seven sacred rivers,
Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri. Even though Hindus have a hard time...agreeing, they all agree on trying to live a life without pollution and one filled with purity.
Islam!
Islam is like Christianity for they bless the body in water within a fountain. Ghusl is preformed first by washing the entire body (this is also preformed after intercourse and after death). Then comes Wudu, which involves five daily prayers and washing of body individually.
Judaism!
Judaism also has "living water" and wash their body individually like the Islamic do. However, this is like Baptism and can be either on the head, hands, feet, or complete immersion. The Red Sea is very important to them. They have a purity ritual called mikveh which is after handling the dead or after menstruation.
Shinto!
Shinto has many rituals with washing and they hold the waterfall as very scared. They believe in kami, which are deities that inhabit everything natural. If you stand under a waterfall it is said to completely purify you.
Zoroastrianism!
Zoroastrianism uses water as purifying and a fundamental element that gives us life. They strive to keep water from being polluted for it holds all of our futures, so to say. Zoroastrians are not allowed to urinate, spit, or wash one's hands in rivers. Also, in a wedding, nahn is preformed with
padyab-kusti. This is when the married couple eats a pomegranate leaf and then drinks nirang (cow urine) for spiritual cleansing. They also try to keep the other elements pure as well, so the dead must be left for the birds of prey to feed on.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Water is a necessity of life and a symbol of purity and renewal. Let the rain fall!!! <3
