Cleansing
Cleansing in general
- Walk to running water. Throw what you want to get rid of against the current and then 3 scoops of water after it. Wash your face and hands.
- Renew the energy in amulets by putting them in a glass bowl with spring water. Put some marjoram around it and Let it sit in the sun from morning to evening.
- Let your besom soak for a couple of hours, then splash the water around the room you want to cleanse with high screams.
- After sundown, sing or do something similar while you walk in the dark outside. Light the area with torches.
- Walk 3 rounds to the left with a lit candle. Ask the power of light and the sun’s rays to warm and light up your home.
- Throw what you want to get rid of on the bonfire.
- Hang the things in the sun for 3 days.
- Incense
- Wreaths of Sweet Woodruff and Pelargonium have the same effect
- Snort or spit
Ritual bath
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.
The rite is ideally done just prior to Circle, but this is not always the case. (An example of such is if you have to travel to the meeting place.) After the rite is completed and you must travel to another place for the Circle, 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 colors that are harmonious with the work to be done in Circle. To prepare for the bath:
Select the Herbs, (it’s 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.
Have a censer and charcoal block ready to burn 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.
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.)
Have a tape recorder with meditation music in the bathroom with you, as its aid to visualization and meditation is invaluable. (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 also needed for consumption upon completion of the rite. And your libation dish for the libation to the Gods.
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.
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
(Anointing your forehead)
Blessed be my eyes, that have seen this day.
Blessed be my lips,
That utter Your names and keep Your secrets.
Blessed be my breasts (breast), formed in Beauty (strength).
Blessed be the Womb (phallus),
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. When dried, robe, clean-up the bathroom and take the libation outside to return it to the Earth. The rite is ended.
Cleansing a residence
Burn a good, purifying incense (for example frankincense or sandal wood) while you prepare the ritual.
In addition to the incense you need a candle, a bowl of salt water and a bowl of herbs. Examples of suitable herbs are: rose buds for love, lavender for keeping, rosemary for protection, and other herbs that smell sweet and that you like. The best is if you can get them home grown.
Walk around in the residence counterclockwise and cleanse it with salt water. Make sure to remember all corners, windows, doors, drains etc. You only need to splash a small amount on each of them and ask that all evil and destructive influences leave the residence. When you’ve done this, walk around the same way but clockwise. Sprinkle the blessing herbs at the same time as you summon the deities or qualities you want in your house (peace, prosperity, quiet etc.).
It’s common to use three candles on the central altar. A blue one for stillness, a green one for healing and prosperity and a purple one for protection. Other alternatives are for example pink for love or brown for hearth and home. You and those who will share your home with you should now share food and drink. Don’t forget to leave some food and drink. Bring this outside and return to the Earth what was given.
Relaxing bath
Let 4 tbsp of valerian in a sachet steep for 10 minutes in the bath.
Crisis bath
4 tbsp of dill as above.
Bath to be able to sleep
Use the relaxation recipe and add 2 tbsp of linden flowers
1 tbsp of pine needles
1 tbsp of rose buds
Super calming bath
1 part holly-fern (from midsummer’s night)
1 part tansy (from the 2nd of August)
28 drops of eucalyptus oil
In cool water
(Or dig a hole in the ground)