How To Make A Spiritual Bath

Spiritual Bathing Roots

Spiritual bathing has a deep history rooted in religions across the globe. But spiritual bathing doesn’t have to be tied to religion. For modern spiritual bathers, the bathing ritual can be adapted, drawing upon many old traditions or creating new ones. Immersion (merging or plunging of something in water) is probably the best-known spiritual bathing practice, but spiritual baths can take many forms, including sprinkling, splashing, pouring, sweating, or even drinking (Epstein & Arvigo, 1). If you want to dig deeper into the rich traditions of spiritual bathing, I recommend the book Spiritual Bathing, The Illustrated Guide to Spiritual Water Rituals, by Nadine Epstein and Rosita Arvigo, available at book shops and online at Amazon.

What You Will Need

You will need several “ingredients” to make your spiritual bath. Gather up the things you will need in advance. You will need:

• Your Intention

• Water

• Plants and Flowers

• Salt

• Crystals and Gemstones

• Other Tools described below

Intention

Probably the most significant “ingredient” to the spiritual bath is the intention behind the bath. This is what really separates the mundane bath from the spiritual bath. Intention is what you intend to achieve through the act of ritual bathing. Intention can come in the form of thoughts, spoken words, prayer, meditation, chanting, or singing; so choose what you are comfortable with.

Water

Water is the universal life giver, and in many cultures, it is considered a sacred element. Water carries its own energy, and since ancient times, people have believed that energy carried by water can transform human energy and purify the spirit. (Epstein & Arvigo, 11)

Salt

Salt has many physical benefits to the body, but for this post, I will stay focused on the spiritual benefits. As an element, salt is natural and stays unspoiled. It never goes bad. It is said that negative energy cannot adhere to salt, so it is commonly used to block or remove negative energy from the home, body, and spirit. For a spiritual bath, you can use epsom salt, sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, black rock salt.

Plants and Flowers

It is known that plants have been used as medicine across the ages. In Aruyveda, (traditional Indian medicine) about 2000 plant species are considered to have medicinal value, while the Chinese Pharmacopoeia lists over 5,700 traditional medicines, mostly of plant origins. (Chevallier, 6)

Beyond medicinal value of plants, plants and plant oils are used spiritual bathing for their vibrational or energetic signature. Plants are chosen based upon a person’s desired intention and the plants correlating signature. Plants are used to cleanse the human auric or spiritual body.

If you choose to use plants or flowers in your bath, choose those that are insecticide free.

crystals and gemstones

Metaphysical principles are those which the physical and scientific world cannot define but are known to exist. As with everything in nature, crystals and gemstones carry their own vibrational signature. Metaphysicians use vibrational crystal healing as an alternative technique in which crystals and other stones are used to cure physical ailments and protect against bodily disease, and psychic attack.

Other Tools

Other tools you may need or want for your spiritual bath may include a burning bowl, plant bundles, matches, incense, candles, music, or guided meditation. You may also want to gather a ladle, dipper, or cup to pour water over the top of your head while you are in the bath.

step 1. preparations

Energy Cleanse

1. Gather all your “ingredients”.

2. Complete an energetic cleanse of your bathroom and your body with a burning ritual (aka, smudging). You will need a firesafe bowl, a lighter, or matches for this step. Select the plant bundle or incense of choice. White sage, palo santo wood, or incense sticks are commonly used for this step, but you may choose your plant bundle based upon your desired intention, the energetic or physical properties of the plant, or simply based upon your preferred scent profile. Light your plant bundle or stick with a lighter. Let it catch flame for a couple seconds, before extinguishing the flame with your breath. When working with plant bundles, wave the smoke around your room and your body. You may use a feather to waft the smoke into the corners of the room if desired.

Body Cleanse

3. It is traditional to cleanse the physical body before taking a spiritual bath. This step is commonly referred to as Ablutions. You can do this my taking a shower or washing yourself in the bathtub.

4. If you are planning on an immersion, declutter your bathroom and thoroughly clean your tub. After cleaning your tub, rinse your tub thoroughly with fresh water.

step 2. making your bath

1. Run your bath water at the temperature of your choosing.

2. Add the salt to your bath. You can use as little as a half cup of salt. I generally like to use at least one cup, to a cup and a half of salt in my bath. I also like to do this step while the water is running, to help dissolve the salt faster.

3. Gently swirl the water to dissolve the salt granules into the water.

4. Add your plants and flowers by sprinkling them across the water. For easier clean up, you may choose to put them in a mesh bag, prior to submerging them into the bath.

   Another way to do this is to tie the bag to the tub filler and allow the water to rush over them as you fill the tub. Alternatively, you can make a tea from dried plants and flowers ahead of time and pour the tea into the bath. Prepare at least one cup of tea for this method.

   You can also substitute plant essential oils for this step. If you choose to use essential oils, know that essential oils are not water soluble, so you must use a stabilizing base to mix with your essential oil before putting it in your bath. Common stabilizing bases are carrier oils (I like almond or coconut oil), salt, or milk. If you choose salt, make sure you mix your essential oil with your salt prior to pouring your salt into your bath.

5. If you choose to incorporate crystals or gemstones into your spiritual bath you can arrange your stones around the edge of your bathtub, arrange a crystal grid, or submerge them directly into your bath. Note: some crystals or gemstones can be damaged by water and or salt water. Be sure to check your gemstone hardness on the Mohs scale.

6. At this time, you may also choose to create an intimate space by dimming the lights, lighting candles or playing some relaxing or devotional music.

step 3. immersion

1. Take a few deep breaths and set your intention or recite a personal prayer before your immersion.

2. Slip into the water and notice what your mind, body, and spirit is telling you. Note: Some people find that immersing themselves in a completely dark room can bring a heightened psychic or spiritual awareness. If you choose to immerse yourself in darkness, be extremely careful not to misstep and fall.

3. Relax your body into the water.

4. Bring your attention to the here and now and quiet the mind.

5. Begin your personal devotion through meditation, prayer, reciting affirmations, personal mantra, singing, simply listening to devotional music.

6. Recommended soak time is 20 minutes. You may choose to use a dipper or cup to pour water over your head or body during your soak.

7. Close out your immersion by giving thanks for the gifts you have received.

Step 4. emerge

1. Emerge from your bath.

2. If it is warm enough, you may choose to air-dry rather than towel off. By doing so, you will gain the greatest possible benefit from the plants.

3. You may choose to use this time for a light oil massage before getting dressed.

not a “bath person”? Don’t have a bathtub?

Check out How to Make a Spiritual Bath - Without a Bathtub

references

Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. p6, p29. New York, Penguin Random House, Third American Edition, DK Publishing, 2016.

Epstein, N., & Arvigo, R. (2003). Spiritual Bathing, The Illustrated Guide to Spiritual Water Rituals. Battleboro: Echo Point Books & Media.

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