Self Cleansing RITUAL BATH ~ Body Blessing to relieve stress

With the upcoming holidays and stress of everyday life, I thought now an appropriate time to post a self cleansing ritual to aid in the upcoming days and events.

The purpose of a ritual bath is to cleanse yourself, from the negative energies and prepare your Physical, Mental and Spiritual Self for what the day or next day brings. A ritual bath is a rite in and of itself. The rite is ideally done just prior to gatherings and/or traveling, but this is not always the case. After the rite is completed and you must try to keep your mind in a Spiritual frame as this will aid you in your duties and tasks.

The bath water should be infused with salts, herbs oils and colors that are harmonious with the current season.

To prepare for the bath:

Select the Herbs, [it is best to have your herbs in a satchel for easier clean-up] oils and salts [of the same color as the candle] that you will be using. Some idea herbs would be: Lavender, Chamomile, Thyme, Rosemary or other scented and beneficial herbs and oils.

Have a censer and charcoal block or incense burner ready to burn a corresponding incense on.

Anoint a candle of appropriate color [Possibly using the same oil as you are using in the bath water.] If you have a shrine set up in your bathroom there should be a Goddess and God candle present. However, this is not necessary.

Have some Holy Water ready. [Holy Water is made from: 1/3 sea-water {river-water with sea-salt added will do if sea-water is unavailable}; 1/3 river-water; 1/3 spring-water {store bought is OK} You can also create your own 'Blessed/Holy' water by simply thanking it with your hands over top the bowl. Visualize the universal energy of love streaming into the water. Ta' da', you have blessed water.

Play some meditation or relaxation music while you are in the tube. NOTE: All electrical devices should be at least 3 feet away from water to avoid electrical shock.

A glass of wine or pure organic juice is also needed for consumption upon completion of the rite.

To begin turn out the lights and light the candle(s) and incense, turn on the music, fill the tub with warm water and add herbs, oils, salts and a cup or so of Holy/blessed Water. With your Athame (you should have a knife or wand for ritual uses, if not, use your index finger) draw and visualize a Water or Banishing Pentagram over the bath water. All of these tools represent the four Elements; Air/the incense and the scents from the bath, Fire/the heat of the bath, Water/the bath and Holy Water and, Earth/the herbs and oils.

Lower yourself into the water and visualize it cleansing you of all negativity. Know that these energies are flowing from your Physical, Mental and Spiritual Self into the water. Relax and enjoy the warmth of the water, the scents in the air and the feeling of being cleansed of all negativity, let yourself drift.

Now concentrate and visualize on the purpose of the coming ritual, gathering or event and know that you are truly prepared. When you feel you are ready, pull the plug and stay in the tub until all the water has drained. As the water is draining visualize and know that the negative energies that are now in the water are going into the Earth and are grounded. Rise up out of the tub and do a Self Blessing like the following:

Anoint each area below with oil while saying aloud:

Blessed be my Mind, that learns of Your ways
Blessed be my eyes, that have seen this day.
Blessed be my lips, that utter Your names and keep Your secrets.
Blessed be my breast(s), formed in strength (Beauty).
Blessed be the phallus (Womb), for without which I would not be.
Blessed be my knees, that shall kneel at thy Sacred Altar.
Blessed be my feet, that have brought me in these ways.

Now drink the wine or juice. When dried, robe, clean-up the bathroom and take the libation outside to return it to the Earth. The rite is ended.

So Mote it Be!
All is blessed and is as should be.

Hope you enjoy!
Namaste,
Rainbow Tree


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