The Art of Bathing

I love baths. I love soaking in the tub and letting my day, my week, and all my worries fade away. I love baths because they force me to slow down, to luxuriate, to tune-in to my inner self, and soothe my outer aches. Baths teach me how to take time for myself; reminding me of the importance of nurturing and self-care. And let’s be honest, there are not many things more gratifying than to sink down, letting the water rush over you, and just breathe.

For centuries, humans have used baths to heal, cleanse, rejuvenate, and detox the mind, body, and soul. As far back as 2000 B.C., Egyptians practiced bathing rituals to cure their ailments. In the Old Testament, people soaked in mineral waters for physical healing. Many cultures in our people’s history have adopted similar attitudes towards water and have recognized and implemented the health and spiritual benefits of bathing. Sadly, like many natural discoveries, bathing to heal one’s maladies has been superseded by modern medicine. Taking time to soak one’s injury or illness away, is a lost tradition that our modern, fast-paced lives have sacrificed for the sake of ‘the quick fix.’

Bathing is a beautiful, preventive care that focuses on the inner and outer body and helps to restore health and natural function. Baths have been proven to physically relax tense muscles, open pores, encourage digestion, as well as, soften the skin, assist in detoxification, boost the immune system, and promote restful sleep. Hot baths are recommended to treat muscle aches and joint pain due to their ability to dilate the blood vessels, which allows greater blood flow and oxygenation to the affected area. The hot water also heats up the body and causes it to sweat, which releases toxins and purifies the blood.

Bathing is not just for the body, it has been scientifically proven to emotionally alter moods, calm the mind, relax the nervous system, and reduce certain symptoms associated with illness and disease. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce stress, balance hormone levels, and strengthen one’s overall well being.

Now that we have discussed all the incredible physical and emotional benefits that go along with bathing, let’s talk about the ceremony of bathing:

As you know, I love baths; anytime, anywhere. And I love my bath time even more when I intentionally create an environment that stimulates all my senses and amplifies the waters healing benefits.

Lets first start with setting the tone of the room. Candles, plants, and music can transport you and your bath into another realm. They are a way to send your intentions into the surrounding space, wrapping you up in an experience of self-love. I first place beeswax candles around my tub. I then trim lavender, sage, or rosemary from my garden. I love to place the herbs around my tub to bring mother earth into my space. After my bath, I hang the herbs upside down to dry. Plants absorb energy and I love placing the dried herbs in my room as a visual and energetic reminder of my healing journey. Lastly, I like to incorporate sound into my healing experience, letting it’s soothing vibrations aide in opening my heart.

Now it’s time to prepare the bath and infuse the water with relaxing salts, gemstones, and essential oils to magnify the water’s medicinal properties. My moon mama taught me to place the gemstones under the running water to energize the bath and help prepare the water for ceremony. I then pour my bath salts infused with plant powders to help bring water and earth medicine together and strengthen their healing potential. Lastly, I pick an organic essential oil depending on what my body and soul need. A few drops in the water and the bath is ready for me to submerge, begin to gloriously relax, and let the water work its magic.

I hope by now you are dreaming of heading home, drawing your own bath, and feeling for yourself the extraordinary, restorative powers of ceremonial bathings.  If you love this idea as much as I do, but unfortunately don't have beeswax candles, essential oils, gemstones, or even bath salts at home, don’t worry; our moon mama Debra is looking out for you. She has created ceremonial bath sets that are focused around these curative elements.  In each one, she has intentionally put specific candles, oils, bath salts, and gemstones together; to not only rejuvenate the body, but also to align with and heal each chakra center.

Debra has placed so much love, attention, and care into each Ceremonial Chakra Bath Sets to ensure each piece works with the others to create a holistic, healing experience. She carefully chose the gemstones, bath salts, plant powders and essential oils to ground the energy body and work with the specific chakra center that needs some tender, loving care. These chakra bath sets intentionally unite water, gemstones, and plants to work together towards healing each chakra center. The Ceremonial Chakra Bath is more than just its individual parts. It brings the elements of water, earth, air, and fire together to amplify the experience and help you practice radical self-love. In today’s world, we all need more time dedicated to self-care not just for us, but also to help us take care of our loved one. For it is known, we can’t take care of others if our own cup is empty, so drop into a bath, and let the curative power of water fill your cup up!

Love,
Meagan

 


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