Bain De Fleurs
A pinhole camera. That’s how I would describe bathing by candlelight. It narrows your focus and only lets one stream of light in. It allows for heightened meditation and an access to the vibrations and messages of the herbs and flowers you use. This may be an excellent practice for my dream walkers reading this message. Or for anyone seeking a romantic relaxation. All of my baths and showers are now taken in this tranquil setting, whether they are meant to be ritual based or not. I play soft piano music and take the time to find the relaxation and healing in bathing. It is no longer a chore. It is my daily centering and preparation for a restorative night’s rest. This practice has become one of my favorite parts of my day.
A few nights ago, on my ritualistic full moon bath, I added many different herbs for protection and health. I was afraid that I had contracted Covid-19 from one of my co-workers, even though I was feeling no symptoms at all. Paranoia was setting in nonetheless. I needed to connect to Source. I drew a bath, added salt, lit my candle, and gathered my herbs. Enchanting herbs is one of the simplest exercises in spell work. If you are new to this, you simply put your herbs in a bowl or whatever you have and as you mix them with your hands, focus your intention on what the plant allies can help you with. But as I said in my last post, the universe and its souls owe you nothing. This is a two-way street. You must show your true self to the plant matter energetically, and in some way, even if it is putting the used plant matter outside in your garden, return them to the earth.
This bath was meant to be intensive in order to negate any dis-ease that was coming through. I gathered my stock of yarrow, rosemary, skullcap, rose petals (which I use in all spell works as a signature), fever few, golden rod, Rue, and the light bringer himself, St. John’s Wort. A sprinkle of each did the trick. You’ll know how much of each you need. Most of the herbs I chose for this are ones I usually keep on hand for healings and protection practices. Yarrow and skullcap combined in a tea makes a wonderful heal-all infusion. Most of the herbs I used have been known through generations as heal-all plants. Rue, however, is my favorite herb for protection and I typically wash my windows and doors with an infusion of it.
This time, I didn’t enchant the herbs with a specific need, I’ve stayed away from that. It hasn’t felt right. What I prefer to do is leave the floor open to messages and wisdom. For once you step into the bath and enter your meditative space, the plants will be able to see you energetically. Another practice that I do daily is hold my bottle of lavender tincture, which I take on a daily basis, to my heart chakra, which is my most active chakra and the easiest to activate and open. Recognize which of yours is dominant and hold it there. Open the floor for wisdom, visions, and messages. Through you, the plant medicine will return to the Earth. Take your dose. Listen.
Plants are truly the most pure beings on the Earth. They grow directly from Mother. They are benevolent, caring, and in a lot of ways, protective of their human friends. House plants can be incredibly loyal if cared for correctly and loved. They can hear you on the deepest level. They can sense a threat a mile away. Amazing creatures. I use plants in all of my ritual works, for they can often see things that the human eye cannot. For herbal baths, I like to use the “Sacred Egg” meditation method, where you imagine yourself in an egg of your own white light. Drawn up from the Earth through the spine, pooled onto the top of the head, and overflowing, surrounding you. This method is effective for body scans as well.
I have received direction for daily spiritual practice this way. Sometimes I will receive full written works and will have to dictate as it comes to my notes app. There is so much power in this practice. On the Cancer full moon, I received the message that the Earth responds perfectly to what we give it. Just as the body does. That all beings are here to live in harmony and to help each other, that is the natural cycle. The further we disconnect from our Earth, the more suffering we shall face. The Earth knows who is connected and who isn’t.
Upon exiting my bath and after doing a body scan, I felt energized and well, to the fullest extent. I felt connected and as if more of the essence of life made sense. I collected as many of the herbs out of my bath as I could, and placed them in my garden. They will enrich the soil for when planting season comes again. This is one one of the basic practices in both green witchcraft, and Curanderismo. Witches, for example bathe on every full moon as a ceremony, adding moon water, flowers, salt, herbs, and even fruits. The bath is tailored to the energy surrounding the current full moon, the sign it is shining in, and your own intuition.
I wish you healing and insightful water limpias and blessed herbal works.
