#tea bath

A spiritual bath reading is a type of divination that demands faith in one’s own intuition, otherwise, there is a risk of the message being misinterpreted and thus, the spirits that were invoked to share wisdom will have wasted their energy on something that can’t even be understood yet. I personally don’t believe that spirits (most of them) will have adverse reactions to having their energy wasted. I don’t believe that they get angry and wish to punish people for things like this. But I do believe that they get annoyed. So, if you are going to perform this spiritual bath reading, please make sure that you are in a secure place in your spiritual journey in which your relationship with the spirits  is rich, and your trust in your own intuition is deep. I strongly suggest this, though it is not a requirement! 

Part One

Make sure your bathtub is clean! I do this in two parts. First, I like to scrub it down with some bathroom cleaning spray, then I rinse the tub. Second, I stump the drain and let some cool water run. As the water is running, I’ll dribble some spiritual cleanser like Florida Water, Palo Santo Water, or most often the Lemon Wash by Rootine Rituals. I let the water run until the water reaches wall to wall of the tub, then I drain it all out. After that, it’s time run some hot water in the tub.

The first thing I like to add to my spiritual baths is salt. I do this while the water is still running. When I add the salt, I pray that the water is cleansed and suitable to become a portal through which the ancestors can speak and heal.

I’ll let the water run some more while I gather a candle from the [ancestor] altar. I’ll put it on the tub’s edge to give space for my ancestor to listen to my words and my body. Some brujas consider it taboo to be nude in front of the ancestors, but I the way I see it, we are supposed to be naked with them anyhow. Naked mentally, spiritually, and so I don’t see what’s wrong with it physically. I should not be ashamed of showing them my true, raw self. And there is nothing inherently sexual about it.

Add some herbs to the bath. I always add an odd number variety of herbs, or if I’m doing an even number variety, I will place an odd number of leaves, petals, or roots from those herbs. 

Add any oils, powders, sugars, crystals, or other enhancers if you like. I love adding these things, but the most important tool for this reading is the herbs! One enhancer that I find highly powerful and effective is 9 Espiritus from El Mas Alla, a product that can be found at Botanicas. I bought 9 Espiritus off of a gut feeling. I can’t find anything about it online, not even on the wholesale website, but I know that 9 is an ancestral number and espiritus means spirits. Since I am calling upon them to a message in the bath, of course I added some 9 Espiritus spiritual water to the mix. As I do this, I thank the ancestors for their presence. I welcome them and pray thanks to them. 

Then, I’ll add some Florida Water before using my right hand to stir clockwise the bath water. As the herbs, oil, and powder swirl to and fro, I’ll speak a prayer. Usually at this part, I’m praying to an Orisha, a deity. You are encouraged to choose a spirit most relevant to you and your intention for the bath. 

Finally, cleanse the bathroom with smoke. I like to use palo santo, but dragons blood incense or any type of sage will work fine. There are even magical sprays that will do. 

Part Two

Step into the tub left foot first if you’re able. Enjoy your bath! I enjoy the bath by laying on my back and doing a brief mediation. This isn’t a requirement, but at the very least, you should be thinking about the stresses that you’ve been facing. Acknowledge how those stresses show up in your body: discomfort, aching, negative emotions, soreness... ask the spirits to remove these things from you so that you can face it from a different perspective. This way, you have a better understanding and you are better armed against these ailments should they return in the future. 

It is at the point that I’ll play with the leaves and petals in the tub. Placing them on parts of my body that have energy imbalances. As a Reiki Master, I suggest placing herbs on your body, too. Use your intuition to guide your hand. I do this as a form of chakra healing and to familiarize the herb’s energy with my energy. I’ll rub some leaves on myself and then pick another leaf to do the same. With some herbs, I’ll rip the leaf a little, too. Then, the herb’s fluids are more easily extracted into the tub. That way, I’m literally soaking in the healing properties of these herbs. 

Visualize yourself overcoming the stresses in your life. See yourself accomplishing your goals, receiving your blessings, and feel the joy in your breath as you think of it. Let every breath be a prayer. Every breath is a thanks to the universe, spirits, god, your ancestors, and the earth. 

Part Three

Once you are ready to leave the bathtub, unstop the drain. As the water begins to go down the drain, get comfortable. Let the water go lower and lower around your body. This is the way it looks when blockages get removed, when negativity is drained and balance is restored. 

When the drain begins to holler, this is the sound of spirits releasing their battle cries against your enemies. This is the sound of the enemy resisting. This is the sound of your ancestors cheering as you bask in your own triumph. When the silence comes, know that it is the sound of a blank canvas. You have been delivered your blessings, now what will you do with them? The silence is the sound of the potential of your next move.

I am intentional with my next actions at this stage. Usually I’ll remain silent until 3, 5, or 9 meaningful words are ready to come out of my mouth. Words that I want to bring with me into battle with my struggles. Words that I know will inspire self love and healing. Words of protection and assurance.

Part Four

Get out of the tub and see what message may be left behind by the herbs in your tub. Look for images, patterns, or symbols that stand out to you. The herbs can interact with patterns or marks in the tub.