Current Cousin

Pronunciation
CUR-rent CUZ-in

Meaning
A beloved member of the community who may not be related by blood, but is considered family all the same.

Among the Waterfolk, family is not defined only by ancestry. Some souls swim beside us for so long, through calm seas and rough tides, that they become our Current Cousins.
A Current Cousin is someone you trust, support, and claim as family, no matter where they were born.

Example
“Is she your sister?”
“No, that’s my Current Cousin.”

🧜🏾‍♀️🧜🏾‍♂️Now it’s your turn, Waterfolk…
Do you have a Current Cousin in your life?
Someone who isn’t related by blood, but has become family through love, loyalty, and shared journeys?
Tell us about them below. 💙

From The Book of Currents
“The currents choose some of our family for us. The heart chooses the rest.”
🌊 The Deep remembers.

Current Blessings

Pronunciation
CUR-rent BLESS-ings

Meaning
A traditional Black Waterfolk greeting and blessing meaning: “May the currents carry you gently and well.”

🧜🏾‍♀️Among the Waterfolk, currents are more than moving water. They represent life’s journeys, the people we meet, and the unseen forces that guide us. To wish someone Current Blessings is to wish them peace, protection, and good fortune wherever the tides may take them.

Example
“Current Blessings, cousin.”🧜🏾‍♂️
“And to you. Swim under good currents.”

🌊 Now it’s your turn, Waterfolk…
Who would you like to send Current Blessings to today?
Leave a blessing for another Waterfolk in the comments.

From The Book of Currents
“No wave travels alone. We are carried by the same sea.”

🌊 The Deep remembers.

Ocean Good

Pronunciation
Ocean Good

Meaning
A traditional Black Waterfolk response meaning:
“I’m doing well.”
More than simply feeling “fine,” it expresses gratitude, resilience, and being in harmony with the currents of life.

Among the Waterfolk, saying “Ocean good” reminds us that even when the seas are rough, our spirits can remain buoyant.

Example
“How the waters, cousin?”
“Ocean good. And yours?”

🌊 Now it’s your turn, Waterfolk…

Someone greets you: “How the waters?”
How would you answer?

Would you say:
🌊 Ocean good.
🌊 Current strong.
🌊 Riding gentle tides.

Or create your own Waterfolk response!

From The Book of Currents
“The wise do not wait for calm seas to know peace. They carry calm within them.”

🌊 The Deep remembers.

Welcome, Waterfolk! 🌊
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be learning the language, traditions, and sayings of the Black Waterfolk together—one word at a time. Whether you’re new to the community or have been swimming with us for a while, I hope you’ll join in and help bring this world to life.

🌊 Waterfolk Word of the Week #1

How the Waters?

Pronunciation
How the WAH-ters?

Meaning
A traditional greeting among Black Waterfolk. It simply means:
“How are you?”
It asks not only about someone’s well-being, but also how their spirit is flowing.

Example
“How the waters, cousin?”
“Ocean good. And yours?”

Now it’s your turn, Waterfolk…

👇🏾How would you answer if another Waterfolk greeted you with “How the waters?”

From The Book of Currents
“Language carries memory. Each greeting reminds us that we all swim the same ocean.”

🌊 The Deep remembers.

🌊** **Skin tone (deep ocean blues? golden undertones? shimmering?)

🧜🏾‍♀️Hair (locs flowing like seaweed? braids adorned with shells?)

✨Energy (soft healer? storm caller? ocean protector?)

In r/melaninmermaids, we honor the infinite forms of our ocean selves. Describe yours below or share art💙