Nordic people, it's time to shine! As a proud Finn I decided it would be the best to tell you about saunas (also called bastu by Swedes but sauna is the right name, fight me ) .
When it comes to magick that involves whisks and messy healing methods, use your own Sauna and always clean up after yourself!
Nordic saunas were invented by the Finnish people. (The Mayas did also have their own ones!)
The first saunas (built in 1500-900 BCE) were often little cottage-like buildings with a fireplace with stones in it. That fireplace thingy has now developed into a sauna stove or a kiuas, as we like to call it.
Us Finns have this saying that "If Booze, Tar and Sauna aren't doing any help, the illness is going to make you die." This tells a lot about our culture. Sauna was a place for healing - for example bloodletting, cupping therapy and massages were often done in saunas. People gave birth in saunas as well as dead people were gaven a last washing there.
The old folk of the North believed in elves. Almost every single building a person has has it's own elf. Sauna elves were often greeted by a spell, often a simple "Good evening!" or saying it out loud that water and the steam were important in healing worked.
The heat often bathed in is often something between 70C-90C (158-194F) . The sauna users are naked the whole time. An old tradition of whipping yourself ( or your friends and family) with a sauna whisk remains. It can be weird when I tell you to tie a couple of sticks together and hit yourself with them, but what if I told you that it helps your body? Oh, speaking of which...
The essential oils which birch leaves have help you with cleansing your body and reducing pain. Whisking yourself helps you with getting rid of dead skin and it does wonders to your circulation of blood and metabolism. Birch is associated with spiritual cleansing as well!
Magically making a Sauna Whisk
The most popular material for sauna whisks are Birch twigs, though - let me tell you - you can also use Rowan or even Juniper ( if you only simmer the juniper branches in boiling water for a while.) . For a nice smell and magical properties, you can of course add a little bit of lavender or a blackberry branch.
The best time for gathering the twigs are in June when the leaves are young and soft. Ask the trees ( and the landowners) a permission to take branches. You need a good 30-40 branches.
Bless the branches in a simple ritual.
Clean the branches off some of the leaves, so that you make a handle that is pleasant to hold.
Gather the branches together and make sure that the longest ones are in the middle.
Tie the branches together and place them in a water pot in the sauna waiting for you to use them.
If you have an intent, you can state it when you're in the sauna. Use a spell like this, for example:
"With the power of blessed leaves,
I shall be in perfect ease.
When branches meet the body of mine,
Negative energy, I banish thee,
it harms none, so mote it be. "
Whip yourself thoroughly from your shoulders to your toe. Enjoy the smell of your whisk and feel it filling the sauna.
Clean the sauna after a whisking ritual.
Lotions and Essential Oils
Saunas are great for lotions and oils! It is popular to use honey on your skin in saunas, as well.
Using Sauna Oils and Aromas
I would recommend that you use specific sauna oils in saunas instead of just essential oils. Do your research about the oils you're using and how they react to the heat!
Choose the right oil that calls for you. Often these oils are mixed in the water you throw on the sauna stove. Remember that these bottles can get very hot if you store them in Saunas!
When used correctly, the heat of the sauna combined with an amazing aroma can be a wonderful and powerful healing experience.
I like to do my skin care when I'm having a sauna night! Saunas are great for face masks or peeling creams etc. and I personally love to use sauna honey on my skin! Honey makes your spells more powerful and when you use scented honey, it can bring things for your life (for example, rose honey is the honey of love)
Saunas give your skin care items some time to take effect, and I like to think that the heat helps them as well.
Washing yourself magically
In the modern times, there are often showers near the saunas so you don't have to mix your own washing waters. However, while visiting summer houses or just the saunas of your backyard, you might not be given that kind of luxury and you have to mix the waters traditionally.
If you have to use the water-in-bucket method, I recommend to put a couple of herbs there. It isn't probably the best idea to put essential oils, as they can be harmful to your eyes etc.
Water with rosemary in it is also helpful in cleansing you both physically and magically.
Make a special washing water! Put water, herbs, honey, soap and some coconut oil on a washing basin and clean your body with it before you use normal water to wash it off.
Visualize all of the negative energy going down the drain as you wash yourself
Who said you couldn't use candles? Just make sure you have a small plate where you place the candle. Be aware of safety.
Go swimming in between of your sauna sessions!
If it's winter and you're feeling brave, you can go and roll in the snow!
Give an offering to your sauna elf, like a candle, food, money or liquor!
