The Purpose:

The purpose of a ritual bath is to cleanse yourself, from the inside and out, of negative energies and prepare your Physical, Mental and Spiritual Self for Circle.

A ritual bath is a rite in and of itself, which is ideally done just prior to Circle, but this is not always the case. (For example; you may need to travel to the meeting place).

If you must travel to another place for Circle after the rite is completed, try to keep your mind in a Spiritual frame as this will aid you in Circle.

The bath water should be infused with salts, herbs oils and colours that are harmonious with the work to be done in Circle.

The Preparation:

Select the Herbs, (it is best to have your herbs in a satchel for easier clean-up) oils and salts of the same colour as the candle that you will be using.

You may like to use our colour chart to assist with your choice of colour.

Color Chart

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

Anoint a candle of appropriate colour (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.

Have some Holy Water ready. If you do not have Holy Water available, you may make some Holy Water using: 1/3 sea-water (or river-water with sea-salt added if sea-water is unavailable); 1/3 river-water; and 1/3 spring-water (store bought is OK).

You may want to have a tape recorder with meditation music in the bathroom with you, to aid visualization and meditation.

Note: Be cautious to have the tape recorder far away from any water and do not touch it while you are still wet.

A glass of wine is needed for consumption upon completion of the rite. You will also need your libation dish for the libation to the Gods.

The Bath:

To begin turn out the lights and light the candle(s) and incense, turn on tape, fill the tub with warm water and add herbs, oils, salts and a cup or so of Holy Water.

With your Athame 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 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.

The Ritual:

Rise up out of the tub and do a Self Blessing like the following:

Anoint each area 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.

Pour a libation to the Gods and drink the wine.

The Completion:

When dried, robe, clean-up the bathroom and take the libation outside to return it to the Earth.