It's getting really close to the holiday season. The hustle and bustle of all that seasonal celebration. I know things in my life will be hectic, especially with a new grandbaby. No doubt yours will be hectic too. So I thought I would cover one of my favorite pass times. "Thy Holy Bath".
All the recipes here are hand blended. Using herbs, spices and other every day household items, you can make salts, herbal teas, fizzing crystals and bath bombs, for your pre-holiday bathing pleasure, ceremonial cleansings for the magickally inclined, or just to relax after a busy day. Not only that, these make great gift ideas.
I have always tried to live as naturally as I can and for the most part, I actually do OK. I especially love to soak in an herbal bath. I have also been lucky enough to come across some priceless recipes that not only smell great but are powerfully magickal at the same time. Not only that, the holidays for the most part are depressing and stressful and sometimes a good soak will not only recharge but bring great relief along with it.
Magickal Bathtime Fun
Several years ago, an attorney I worked for decided to give herself, and those of us on the adminstration staff a special treat. She signed us up for a class on the bath, with this great woman who worked at Casswell-Massey's Seattle store. Her name was Estelle and she was one of the warmest women I have ever come across, a true pleasure to get to meet. Her sense of humour matched her warmth and it was quite a day. I know, it's a real chick thing, but I will never forget her or her class.
In the hand out she gave us were the recipes and and the food and beverage suggested for your evening soak. To one who can soak for hours, this was a treasure trove almost as good as sex, great food or gold. Her recipes I will share as well as some of my own. I will also give some of her knowledge into the history of the bath which is always interesting.
A Bath is a gift for all your senses; A luxury you can afford.
Bath Lore Of Kings and Queens:
King John of England bathed once every three weeks.
Queen Isabella of Castile, Spain boasted that she'd only bathed twice in her lifetime: One at birth the other at marriage.
Henry the 4th formed the order of the bath thus assuring his knights would bathe once in their lifetime as part of the ceremony into knighthood.
Cleopatra
It has been said that Marc Anthony never "knew what hit him". Cleopatra had the sails of her boat so heavily scented that her arrival was detected long before her ship came into view. When the famed meeting of the two did occur, Cleopatra had filled the floor of her boudoir knee deep with rose petals. In honor of her infinite wisdom and charm, Estelle created this bath.
Cleopatra's Bath
Part 1: You'll need the following: 4 Hibiscus blossoms 1/4 tsp. each of Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Allspice. Steep in 2 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes in a non-metallic bowl.
Part 2: You'll need the following: 1 quart of 2% milk 1 cup honey 2 tbls. Sesame oil
Blend milk, Sesame oil and honey in a large pan. Heat on medium low till the honey is dissolved stirring well. Remove from heat. Add 1 tbls of vanilla and 12 drops rose oil. Let sit.
Part 3: Directions: Strain hibiscus mixture through a fine sieve. Add to milk mixture. Slowly pour into a filling tub. Note: A few red rose petals may be scattered on the water surface for visual effect. Use no more than one rose.
Suggested Music: Ravel's Bolero or Sitar music from India.
Suggested Drink: Warm milk with almonds and cardamon. You may add a shot of Baileys Irish Cream if you so desire.
Suggested Food: Mango slices wrapped with lightly smoked salmon; Brie cheese and dark rye bread.
When you turn on the faucet for your bath or shower always remember this:
Bathing about 150 years ago was not like it is today. You would have had to do th following for your bath.
1. Chop the wood.
2. Build a fire.
3. Draw the water from the well or creek.
4. Spread an oil cloth on the floor to catch the splashes.
5. Bring out the tub.
6. Fill the tub with water
7. Have the bath.
8. Bail the water out.
9. Clean up the mess or splashes.
10. Put the tub away.
Is it any wonder people did this only once a month?? Puritans scorned soap and water as being impure. Bathing was a dirty word; it was common knowledge that it was injurious to your health, promoted nudity and encouraged promiscuity.
Autumn Bath
"Don't compromise yourself; You're all you've got. "
~~Janis Joplin
You'll need the following: 1/2 cup of each: Sage, peppermint and lavender 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
Directions: Steep herbs in 4 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain and add to filling tub. Add vinegar.
Recomendations: Almond bath gel, Hops bath oil or Sandalwood bath salts
Suggested Music: Bach concertos for unaccompanied cello movements 3 & 4
Suggested Drink: Why, Spiced cider of course!
Suggested Foods: Japanese pear apples and sharp cheddar cheese
A Great Gift Idea
Make a bath herb vinegar for friends and loved ones by steeping a 1/2 cup each of sage, peppermint and lavender in a quart of apple cider vinegar in a covered container in a warm sunny place. Shake at least once a day. After 2 weeks time strain and bottle in a decorative bottle and place 1 sprig each of the herb itself and seal.
Use 1/2 to 1 cup vinegar in the bath for a skin softening experience next to none. Don't be afraid to try different herbs as well.
Winter Bath
"We can do no great things; only small things with great love."
~~Mother Theresa
You'll need the following: 2 tbls. each: clove and allspice 1 tbls. each: ginger and nutmeg The peel of two oranges and one apple
Recommendations: Apple bath gel Italian olive oil foaming bath or freesia bath salts.
Suggested Music: Jean-Michel Jarre music De Chine
Suggested Drink: Mexican hot chocolate, spike it with cinnamon liqueur or Two Fingers Tequila, if your really brave try all three together
Suggested Foods: Cinnamon rolls (and those oranges and apples that you peeled! - waste not want not)
Bath Salt Base
1 cup Epsom salt, 1 cup rock or dead sea salt, 1 cup sodium bi-carbonate (baking soda) Put in jar and shake well. Store in a dry cool place.
For each bath: 3 heaping Tbls. of salt base, 10 drops essential oil for desired manifestation, 3 drops food coloring for desired manifestation.
Stir together with a non-metal fork. While stirring empower or chant for your desired manifestation. Add to your bath and concentrate on your ceremony or ritual.
Your bath can be for just plain relaxaton as well, so get creative with scents and their magickal purposes; or just a good old fashioned soak. This also makes another good gift idea.
Whether you give a lot to a special loved one or a little to a lot of special loved ones. Either or, you have a truly divine hand-blended gift to give that comes straight from the heart. Believe me the recipients will thank you for them. Don't forget to make a card for them with their bathing instructions.
Fizzing Bath Bombs
I love these things for the simple fact that I turn into a kid with one in my hand. The excitement of seeing the water fizz and how the bomb gets smaller and smaller like a sparkler on 4th of July. I feel like I am 5 again. So when I found this recipe I was pleased none the less. This is another one that would make great gifts for loved ones. My daughter steals mine every chance she gets. Enjoy these they are better than what you can find in any store.
1/2 cup sodium bi-carbonate (baking soda), 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup citric acid (sour salt), 1 tbls. almond oil (you can use other emolliant oils as well; the almond is just a suggestion), 1 tbls. distilled water. 10 drops essential oil or 1/2 tsp. of fragrance oil of your choice to fit your desires, optional, but much more pleasant. Color if you want and I have been even known to throw in some ground herb as well.
Mix all the dry ingredients first then mix the liquids and pour in. It'll fizz but don't worry it's fine, just mix it really really well. Mold into 2 balls, pack tightly and let air and dry for a couple of hours. Then wrap in saran wrap with a raffia tie. They will crumble if left out so keep them dry and wrapped.
Fizzy Bath Crystals
For those of you who have no wish to make the bombs, here's a recipe for the bath crystals.
8 oz. wt. cornstarch, 8 oz. wt. citric acid (sour salt), 16 oz wt. sodium bi-carbonate (baking soda), up to one tsp. fragrance oil or 10 drops essential oil.
Mix cornstarch and citric acid together thoroughly. Add essential or fragrance oil as desired. Blend in baking soda and package. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per bath. Enjoy.
Even if you don't give some out as gifts; this gives you a good basis for your own enjoyment. My advice however, is just this....... It is always nicer to enjoy these with your cherished partner.
Happy Bathing!!!
Peace out friends,
Liz