Ritual Bath Teas
In many Black spiritual practices that predate colonial interactions, there has long been a reverence for water and cleansing. These rituals and concepts have been preserved and transported to the Americas and beyond as a byproduct of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade. They can be found in everything from African Traditional Religions and their descendants, such as Ifa and Black American Hoodoo, to the cultural syncretism embedded in Black expressions of Abrahamic religions.
In many Black spiritual practices that predate colonial interactions, there has long been a reverence for water and cleansing. These rituals and concepts have been preserved and transported to the Americas and beyond as a byproduct of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade. They can be found in everything from African Traditional Religions and their descendants, such as Ifa and Black American Hoodoo, to the cultural syncretism embedded in Black expressions of Abrahamic religions.
In many Black spiritual practices that predate colonial interactions, there has long been a reverence for water and cleansing. These rituals and concepts have been preserved and transported to the Americas and beyond as a byproduct of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade. They can be found in everything from African Traditional Religions and their descendants, such as Ifa and Black American Hoodoo, to the cultural syncretism embedded in Black expressions of Abrahamic religions.
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“Ritual bath, a religious or magic ceremony involving the use of water to immerse or anoint a subject's body. The many forms of baptism (q.v.), ranging from total submersion to a symbolic sprinkling, indicate how certain ritual baths can vary in form even while retaining the same purification meaning.”
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Not simply for the sake of de-stressing and cleaning your body like a regular bath, spiritual baths require you to be present and mindful, involving specific elements to enhance the bath with psychic power. These elements can include candles, crystals, herbs, oils, salts, and more. Spiritual baths can also help to imbue the bather with certain desired benefits or be used as a manifestation tool to bring about things like abundance and creativity.
Spiritual bath rituals are often done during particular phases of the moon such as a full moon or a new moon since these times of the month are especially spiritually potent.
1. PREPARE FOR THE BATH.
A new moon is all about transformation, new beginnings, and setting visions & intentions for the future. It is a time of rejuvenation. When preparing for this spiritual bath, you will want to lay the groundwork for welcoming renewing energy by making sure that you and your space are physically clean. Clean and declutter your bathroom and tub, then take a quick preliminary shower or bath to cleanse your body.
2. FILL THE TUB & GATHER MATERIALS.
Start filling your tub with water. Some people like to fill the tub with about 3 inches of hot water and then add their salts before proceeding to fill up the rest with comfortably warm water. You can also just fill the whole tub with water at whatever temperature is comfortable for you-- then add your salts when it's full.
Take this time to get your materials together, since it may take a little while for the water to fill up. You'll want to grab ingredients that will be mixed directly into your bath, such as herbs, essential oils & salts-- as well as things that will compliment the bath and the atmosphere, such as candles, crystals, and smudge sticks or incense.
3. SET UP AMBIANCE & STIR IN INGREDIENTS.
Take this time to finish setting up anything that you think will enhance the ambiance of your bath, or that will transport you into a more peaceful and spiritual place. This can include lighting candles, setting up soothing music or nature sounds, and opening windows.
You can also use this time to give the space where you will be bathing a quick energetic cleanse by lighting sage, cedar, incense, palo santo, or other herbs in a process known as "smudging." Bring the smoke around the room and over the tub, then place it in a fire-safe dish or burner off to the side.
Now it is time to add the ingredients to your bath.
As you stir in your ingredients, be mindful and meditative and think about the intentions you have for this new moon. You can also do peaceful energy visualizations, and imagine the tub filling with golden light.
4. SAY A PRAYER OR MANTRA.
Before you get into the tub or as you are stirring in your ingredients, you may want to say a prayer, blessing, mantra or intention aloud. It can be anything you want, as long as it aligns with your general intention for the spiritual bath.
5. BATHE FOR 20-30 MINUTES.
Slowly lower yourself into the bath, allowing each part of your body to adjust to the temperature. Try and keep as much of your body submerged as possible. Cup your hands and gently pour the water over your head. Soak for about 20-30 minutes. While bathing, try to clear your thoughts, relax and meditate.
7. REST COMFORTABLY AND WIND DOWN.
After you get out of the bath, try and allow your body to air dry naturally rather than with a towel. It is important to let your body breathe and continue to take in the energy from the new moon. When you are mostly dry, get comfortable and rest for at least 30 minutes. You may want to lie down, focus on your breathing and just relax.
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By law, we are required to say that we sell these products as Curios. Products sold on this site are NOT to be internally digested, and that includes the herbs. This product is not meant to replace medical treatment or intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any type of disease. Refunds or exchanges are not permitted.