The purification of self is a way to remove the accumulation of all negative things that happened during the day and to prepare for the work to come. Before ritual work, you have to change your frame of mind from the everyday mundane world. Here are a couple of ways to do this.
Incense
You may use incense in the common stick form or in what is called a smudge stick. This is a small bundle of incense. The incense is lit and is passed around the body, but not too close to the hair (fire hazard). As you pass the incense around your body, concentrate on the smoke passing through you. Envision all the negativity and the excess baggage of the day leaving you as the smoke rises around you. When you feel cleansed, put out the incense. You will need a container to put out the smudge stick. A terra cotta saucer filled with sand is ideal.
Ritual Baths
A ritual bath is a great way to shed the day and concentrate on the ritual to come.
Supplies:
*White candles, for Spirituality and Higher Self,
*Salt
*Herb or Herbs for Purification
*Candle Snuffer.
Run a bath of very warm water. As the water is running light the white candles. Use as many as you wish. Three is an appropriate number as it represents the three aspects of the Goddess. As you light a candle think or recite aloud:
"I light this candle in truth and peace".
Repeat with each candle. While the water is running, add a small amount of salt into the water, then add the herb or herbs of your choice.
Step into the water and slowly sink down into the tub. Relax and feel the water covering your body. Let the day and all negativity be drawn into the water. Concentrate on letting go and moving to the positive. Wash slowly. Turn the bath into its own ritual. Think or say aloud :
"All negativity is flowing out of me into the water. I am pure for the work to come."
Take as long as you need. When you feel you are clear and relaxed step out of the tub and drain the water. Watch the water flow down the drain. Envision all the negativity and the day behind you flowing down the drain with the water. Dry yourself slowly, deliberately. As you snuff out the candles, think or say aloud:
"I leave this bath in truth and peace." You are now ready for the ritual to come.
Out of all the methods for cleansing the self - ridding your body of negative energies - I must say that the ritual bath is the most amazing method. It is my favorite method. Here is a recipe I use to cleanse myself:
Herb pouch:
1 parts white sage leaf (dried) (can be crushed or cut up)
2 parts lemon balm (dried)
1 parts rosemary (dried)
1 parts lavender (dried)
6 cloves (completely optional)
I use this mixture because it strengthens and heals while cleansing. :) put the ingredients in a muslin or cotton pouch and place it in the water while you draw the bath. Leave it in even when you step into the bath, it should be in the tub the whole time until you are done.
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