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Do you enjoy a soak in the tub to wash your troubles away, to take a break, to destress? Today, let’s explore the woo woo side of bath salts and discover the components of a ritual bath and several popular types of ritual baths. Last week, we examined the properties of four types of salts: Pink Himalayan salt, Hawaiian Black Lava Sea Salt, Dead Sea salt and Epsom salts. We discussed using bath salts in conjunction with specific herbs and essential oils for wellness of body, mind and spirit.
What is a Ritual Bath?
Most people bathe to cleanse their skin or soak to obtain a health benefit as described in earlier sections of this blog series. Others may take bath time to another level by creating a ritual to manifest an intention, enhance a meditation or to connect on a spiritual level. The procedure for a ritual bath is customized by the bather and is not limited to a set formula. It may be elaborate or simple, prolonged or brief, general or specific, recurring or one-time. Ritual baths use the element of water and, many times, salt, which can represent the element of earth. There is power in incorporating the elements of fire, water, earth and air into your rituals. There are many other components that can go into ritual baths, depending on the purpose/intent and what items the bather has on hand.
Ritual Bath Components
The most important and effective factor of the ritual is the bather’s intention. A ritual bath in its simplest form may only utilize the element of water in conjunction with an intention. However, we can enhance the efficacy by adding ingredients that are tailored to achieving the purpose of the ritual and features that stimulate all of the senses of the bather.
Components Tailored for Purpose
· Water
The element of water is used for different types of healing and magical workings. It is known for supporting rituals dealing with emotions, relationships, healing of all kinds, ancestral connections, birth, rebirth, divine feminine, intuition, dreams and more.
· Salts/Minerals
Salts and minerals can represent the element of earth. Salts are typically used for grounding, cleansing and protection in rituals.
· Herbs/Flowers/Roots/ Oils
Herbs, flowers, roots and essential oils can also represent the element of earth or other elements
depending on the type of plant. These have specific healing properties and also magical uses. Research is necessary to match the components you need for the intention of your ritual.
· Candles
Candles definitely bring the element of fire to the ritual. Candles are a tool that can represent all of the elements (flame=fire, smoke=air, wax=earth, melted wax=water). Additionally, candles can bring color to the ritual. Colors may be tailored to represent different intentions. Candles may be cleansed with sage or other smoke and dressed beforehand with oils, herbs or blessings to boost their effect.
· Crystals
The vibrations, structures and colors of various crystals can magnify the effect of intentions and rituals. Certain crystals support specific purposes better than others. It is important to research beforehand to tailor it properly. Clear quartz is a powerful crystal that can be programmed for any purpose. I do not recommend putting the crystals in the bath water. Water, especially salt water, can damage many crystals. Plus, minerals in the crystals could leach out into the water and be absorbed by your skin, which may or may not be harmful depending on what is in it. To utilize crystals for a ritual bath, I recommend cleansing and activating the crystal beforehand. There are many methods for this including cleansing with smoke, dirt, moonlight, water, etc. Charging can be accomplished with elements, intention and/or moonlight. Place the crystals around the edge of the tub in a configuration that intuitively supports the ritual or place on a grid.
· Wardrobe
The bather does not have to be naked. The bather may design their own ritual bath wear consisting of a swimsuit, cape, headwear or other clothing items in colors, materials or configurations important to the ritual. The bather may draw sigils or symbols on their skin with henna, lotion, soap or bath oils to support the ritual.
Component Based on Senses
· Sight
Visual components such as candles, mood lighting, statues, crystals, flowers, herbs arranged in an appealing way can enhance the mood and raise the vibration of the bather and the environment for the ritual.
· Hearing
The bather may want to play music or nature sounds that support the ritual. The bather may chant or tone during the ritual for a faster or deeper connection.
· Smell
Aromatherapy via certain essential oils and herbs can enhance dreams/meditations and the law of attraction. Ritual baths can stimulate clairalience, which is intuitively sensing a nonphysical presence through smelling.
· Taste
The bather may add a beverage to the ritual such as iced water infused with fruit or herbs, wine, or a warm herbal tea. This may have immediate effects on the body. This can bring an additional layer of benefit from the quality of the infusions in the beverage as it relates to the purpose of the ritual.
· Touch
The temperature of the water can be tailored to support the ritual. (Caution against using too hot of a water temperature which could cause injury). Crystals bring a vibration that can be felt by sensitive people or those trained to use crystals. Turning on the shower during the bath if you have a tub/shower combo can add a feeling of rain.
· Intuition – Claire Senses
Clairvoyance (clear seeing), claircognizance (clear knowning), clairsentience (clear feeling), clairgustance (clear tasting) and clairalience (clear smelling) are intuitive gifts that can all be incorporated into the ritual depending on the spiritual gifts of the bather.
Common Purposes of Ritual Baths
· Ritual Purity
A ritual bath may be the precursor to prepare the bather for a more elaborate or extensive magical working or ceremony. The bather may set the intention to purify and cleanse the body, mind and spirit before connecting with a deity. Purification with elements and certain herbs/oils is common. Lemon essential oil and white candles can enhance this ritual.
· Law of Attraction
o Abundance
The bather attracts money/abundance by releasing lack and inviting abundance through affirmations and a meditation to balance and expand the solar plexus chakra. Bay leaves, cinnamon, and clove are common herbs used. The color gold or green and the addition of actual money to or near the bath are common. Law of attraction rituals are best done during a new moon because the purpose is manifesting.
o Love/Romance
The bather attracts love or romance by releasing lack and inviting love through affirmation and a meditation to balance and expand the heart chakra. Rose quartz is a crystal often used in conjunction with a love ritual. Red candles representing passion are burned. Roses and pink Himalayan salt are a great floral addition to the bath.
· Earth Connection
The bather deepens connection with Gaia, the Earth, and/or earth elemental beings (such as the Fae, the trees, a body of water, etc). The bather may perform ritual to bring healing to the Earth or to pay homage to the Earth Mother. The bather may meditate to become part of a body of water, merging her cells with the ocean or river, becoming a wave or becoming one with a fish or a sea creature.
· Spirit Connection
The bather deepens connection with Spirit. This can involve channeling messages from God, spirit guides or an ancestor or meditating to expand the heart and feel a love connection with Spirit, to receive vital force energy from Source, to open the third-eye or to open the crown chakra and receive healing.
· Release and Grounding
A ritual to release what no longer serves you, dissolve negative energy cords, release negativity and past karma and achieve grounding to reduce anxiety are some purposes of a release and grounding ritual. Salt is an important component of this type of bath. Herbs and oils are often used. It is best performed on a full moon, which is for releasing.
· Protection
Protection from harm, spirits, illness and other threats is a common ritual bath idea. Black salt is powerful for protection. Oils that support the immune system are coincidentally also powerful for spiritual protection.
Example of a Ritual Bath to Attract Abundance
Begin by taking a few deep cleansing breaths and on exhale release any blocks to abundance.
Run a warm bath and create a sachet containing bath salts (recipe follows):
1/3 cup Epsom salt
¼ cup mineral dead sea salt
2 tablespoons baking soda
10 drops of essential oils
Suggested essential oils: frankincense, wild orange, bergamot
¼ cup of dried herbs
Suggested herbs: burdock, dandelion, rosemary, alfalfa, jasmine, chamomile, calendula, laurel bay.
Place any other components desired for your ritual near the bath tub include candles, incense, symbolism and music.
Suggested candle colors: green, gold, silver or white
Suggested incense aromas: clove, cinnamon, ginger
A symbol of abundance
Swirl the tub water clockwise with your hand while stating your intention. Enter the water and soak for 10-15 minutes with your intention in mind. You may state affirmations related to abundance, such as:
I am aligned with the energy of abundance
Money flows easily to me
I am worthy of success
Precautions
Bath salts are not edible. Avoid contact with the eyes; it will burn. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before using any herbs or essential oils or bath salts containing those. Diabetic and cardiac patients should also consult a doctor before immersing in a bath containing bath salts or essential oils. Some essential oils can interfere or interact with prescription medications. Take care not to fall asleep in a bath as drowning could occur.
<Note>The statements in this blog are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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