Ritual Bath
Baths are a foundational healing therapy of many Shamans. Baths open the pores of the skin which is our largest organ for detoxification.
Bathing with medicinal plants and flowers absorb negative energies or thoughts that may have penetrated your auric field creating imbalance in the various subtle bodies. They are also used to wash away unhelpful spirits so that blockages are removed to correct the imbalance.
These baths bring the energy of love, wellbeing and prosperity into your life. It may also be used to call back the soul essence of a person who has experienced trauma. This bath helps us to connect with and draw upon the strength and courage within ourselves, to overcome obstacles and to lead a purposeful and productive life in accordance with our soul's intent.
Through these baths and the element water, the spirit of the plants are believed to easily enter our auric field through a process of merging. When a person bathes, all of the plant qualities are absorbed by the skin and the spirit. Baths are especially healing for our astral body. The healing properties of the element water and earth (from medicinal plants and flowers) support your spiritual cleansing.
SUPPLIES
Large stainless steel pot
Fresh bunch of Roses (1 color or assorted, including red, pink, yellow, or white)
Fresh bunch of Sweet Basil
STEPS
Fill a large pot with 3 liters of spring water and over the element fire bring the water to a vigorous boil. Add in the basil and simmer on low for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, take the pot off of the element and let the infusion cool from hot to warm. During this time take a shower, rinsing your head and body only with water, no soap or shampoo.
For Bath, fill tub with the hottest water possible. While tub is filling with water, gently take the rose petals off of their stem and pray with them asking for the healing qualities you seek (in your physical, mental, emotional or spiritual bodies). Add these petals directly into the bath. Then pour in the basil plant tea. If the bath is too hot, please wait until it cools. Soak for 20 minutes. Focus on your healing intent. Take handfuls of the petals and rub them against your skin into various areas of your body.
For Rinse, pour your infusion from the pot into a pitcher, making sure to strain the plant matter. Gently take the rose petals off of their stem and pray with them asking for the healing qualities you seek (in your physical, mental, emotional or spiritual bodies). Add these petals into your pitcher. Stand in the basin of your shower and with one hand pour the plant tea over your body, from your neck down. Please do this very slowly. I recommend dividing the tea into 3 portions and using a smaller glass if this is easier for you to pour. You may also take handfuls of the petals and rub them against your skin into various areas of your body. Focus on your healing intent.
After either treatment, put on a robe or loose fitting clothing and go directly to bed, lying down in a horizontal position. Please do not pat yourself dry with a towel. In my experience it is easiest to slip on a bathrobe or air dry in a warm room. If a flower petal remains attached to your skin please leave it there.
Place the remaining plant matter on Mother Earth with gratitude next time you go into nature or into your compost.
Please do not shower for 24 hours after this plant treatment.
TIPS
It is suggested to practice this therapy before sleep in the evening. This is so the energy of the plants and their medicine stay with you through the night while your nervous system is deeply relaxed and your body focuses all its energy on restoration. During sleep, when our body is in a theta state, is one of the primary times the body heals itself.
You may enjoy one bath or a series of three baths, one per week. Allowing space in between for your subtle body to fully receive the medicine of the plants and flowers.
Remember this is NOT a cleansing bath. This bath is to bring you the healing qualities of flowering, including love, friendship, prosperity, joy, peace. So when you are setting your healing intent please focus on qualities that you are calling into your being.