Rosewicket Wicca Coven

Alternative ways to Clease Before a Ritual

Everyone's preferred method is different, I'm just throwing some ideas out there. I used to have no access to a bathtub, thus for quite a while, ritual cleansing baths were impossible. Perhaps, depending on your style, you may have your own method, or you may not feel the need to cleanse the mind or body before you start, but for those of you who would like ideas, here are a few I have had success with - and feel free to add your own!

Ritual Bath

One of the most common methods, you can take an herbal bath. These may include bath salts, candles, or herbs (which you shouldn't add directly into the water, as they will clog the drain) or perhaps to additives at all, just the water. Should you add herbs, steep them in a tea or brew and then add the mixture to bath water, or put the herbs in a pouch or square of fabric first.

Yoga, Tai-Chi, or other exercise

Not to be confused with a 'workout' exercise, as these may leave you tuckered out. Try some form of physical movement that will slow your pace and allow you to relax. In fact, you can make up your own poses and exercises, it works like a charm. A general rule is this: to raise energy, create tension, and to release energy try to stretch. For example, to get rid of stress, do a simple stretch by gently reaching to your toes, then place your palms together in a 'prayer' position, and gently press together...imagine that tension is energy...they can be just that simple!

Shower

I know, it doesn’t sound mystic at all, but hear me out. Cleansing showers can be just as great as baths, sometimes even better! Especially for cleansing, you can imagine the water droplets are a cleansing rain or an old waterfall, the visualization will work wonders.

Fasting

Be careful with this one, it might leave you worn out or uncomfortable. However, if you have fasted before, this should work for you. Set a time limit (if you've never fasted before, I suggest a few hours) during which you will avoid eating certain foods or drinking certain beverages. You do not need to cut out all foods for this to be effective. I often 'fast' by eating no processed food before a ritual, and trying to drink only water and fruit juice the day before. Sometimes getting rid of the extra sugars and chemicals can do you wonders.

Meditate

Try a cleansing meditation, or perhaps meditating on each of the elements. Fire and water often work well for cleansing, but it is up to you. One of the best ones (and most simple) I have ever come across is this: Breathe in light, breathe out dark. Breathe in love, breathe out hate. Inhale faith, exhale doubt. And go until you think you have absorbed all the positivity you can hold. Even my mom walked me through this when I was little and really sick or scared "In with the good colours, out with the bad colours" It's amazing what colour therapy can do with your health if you visualize breathing rainbows.

Elemental Cleansing

It sounds difficult, but trust me, it's not. Try running your hands through water, a bit of salt, incense smoke, and candle flame (do this fast so it doesn't hurt, by swishing your hand horizontally through the flame). Then, if you feel your would like to cleanse the whole body, start by running one hand down the opposite arm. Then do the other side. Try thing with your legs and torso trying to brush off any bad energy.

Vibrating your Intent.

Sit and say to yourself in a normal voice "I am rid of all negativity." Then say it slower. Then slower. Again, even slower. As your pace gets slower and slower, you will feel your words as just long, powerful vibrations of the throat. Keep doing this until it becomes a low, powerful chant. Continue as you think necessary.

Chakra Work

Try opening all the chakras, healing them to the best of your ability, making sure they all rotate smoothly.

Crystals

Take a balck or dark stone and place it over each chakra (or, simple along your torso if you prefer) and with each placement, picture it absorbing all bad energy. Dip the stone inb water or salt later to get rid of the energy that's clinging to it.

OR

Take a piece of orange citrine, which diffuses and banishes negativity without absorbing it, and meditate with it or keep it with you during the day (or a little while prior).

Smudging

This is generally used for tools...but I find it still works. Burn sage (smolder the herbs or use incense) and run your hands through the smoke. Use the same motions described in 'Elemental Cleansing' method.

Again - great information. I like to smudge to cleanse. I start out by smudging my robe or clothes of choice prior to ritual. I take a cleansing "shower" and then smudge myself (sky-clad) entirely starting with my feet and moving upwards. When I am done then I dress in the clothing that I smudged.

Glad you posted - I always wondered about the shower vs the bath. I have a very small tub in my bathroom downstairs and don't like to use it. I like my double shower in my master bathroom (two shower heads - one on each side of the shower) because it is very roomy and I like to sit on the floor of the shower and allow the water to "rain" down on me. It really feels like I am outside sitting in the rain.