The Animistic rituals associated with water

In Europe we are blessed with a high number of holy wells, some of the traditions associated with these sites are Christian, others are Celtic or Roman. but then other holy well sites date back to the Neolithic period.

Utilizing the power of wells for healing is possibly a later Christian tradition based upon the concept of baptism, Vitalism and holy reliquaries. (something we examine, just to rule it out as being non-animistic)

yet, Water itself has Animistic qualities, wells run dry, then water reappears later, illustrating the turning of the season, the ending of drought and the return to fertility.