Combining a soothing bath with a
ritual cleansing is an ideal way of des-stressing, calming your mind or as a
preparation for any blessings or magick work that you may want to do
Since time began we humans have
been making use of the wonderful healing qualities of water. Just think of the
Roman Baths or the Victorians and their bathing and you can see how water has
been important to us. According to legend, Prince Bladud, who had contracted leprosy, was
cured after bathing in the hot springs at Bath. In gratitude, Bladud founded
the City of Bath around the springs in 863BC. Later the Romans made the city
very famous, it was a sanctuary for rest and relaxation.
The act of bathing stimulates
blood circulation and calms the nervous system. The hot water may help relieve
common aches and pains such as those associated with arthritis,
menstrual cramps, inflammation, muscle pains and migraines.
So, how to create that “just been to
the spa”, wonderful relaxed feeling? The key is to include all four elements: water,
fire, earth, air, and to think about each of these as you create your magical
bath.
First the element of water- easy,
fill the bath up! Now for the element of earth, add to your bath a cup full of
dead sea salts for detoxification or Epsom salts for relaxation, sore muscles
and headaches. Epsom salts are rich in magnesium which our bodies are often in
need of, this is easily absorbed by the skin and will also make your skin feel
silky smooth. Both of these you should be able to buy at your local health food
shop or on the internet. Now, air, delight and invigorate your senses with a
small amount of your favourite bubble bath, or some essential oil; Lavender and
Geranium oils are very relaxing, Lavender
essential oil is reassuring and excellent
for treating emotional or mental stress. It also reduces muscular pain,
whether from illness or physical exertion. You will need approximately 40 drops of whichever essential
oil you choose. Lastly, fire, find some candles and
arrange them carefully around your bath or in the room somewhere. You may like
to use coloured candles for each of the four quarters and arrange around your
bath accordingly.
As you step into the bath say the
words:
Water, cleanse me and relax my mind,
Earth ground me and keep me safe,
Air fill me with your happiness,
Fire, lend me your energy and
strength.
Spirit I thank you for all that you
are, I am blessed to be here right now and rejoice in my being.
You are now ready to enjoy your relaxing
bath. Lie in the bath and let the cleansing and healing properties of the bath
do their work. Try and think of a peaceful place and imagine that you are transported
there if only for just a short time. By connecting with all four elements of
our world like this you are connecting yourself to our mother earth and
allowing nature to do what it does best: giving you its healing life giving
power. Relax and enjoy the powerful feeling of you at one with nature. You may
like to choose a particular element to concentrate on, for example water if you
feel you need to be more relaxed, or fire if you feel you need to gain more
control in your life.
When you are finished and are lovely
and relaxed, step out of your healing bath, back into reality but with perhaps
a gentler and happier way of looking upon the days ahead of you. Thank the
elements for the gifts they have bestowed upon you and remember this feeling of
relaxed happiness as you go about your day and your week.
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