Might as Well Magic: Bathing
“Might as Well Magic” highlights a variety of ways in which we can inject a little intention into the things we already do everyday. Life can be enough work as it is, and magic doesn’t need to feel like even more work. So, I’ll be sharing some thoughts and ideas based on how I personally enjoy utilizing magic in the mundane. I mean, you’re already doing a buncha shit anyway, might as well make it fuckin’ magic, amiright?
Today we’re talking about bathing. Most days when I get in the shower, I like to set a very simple intention around cleansing the previous day’s energies to make room for today. Sometimes I just have this single thought and then move through the rest of my shower like normal, blasting Spice Girls or listening to my favorite podcasts.
Other times, I’m a little more thorough with my intention. I keep it on my mind throughout the whole shower, almost like a moving meditation. I infuse intention into soaping up, as I rinse, and when I dry. I do this by turning my intention into an affirmation and saying it over and over throughout each action. This affirmation can even change throughout your shower as you consider the variety of ways to support your intention. I also imagine whatever I’m trying to cleanse or relieve finding its way down the drain along with the water.
My pal Michelle from Moon & Salt actually put the idea of utilizing showers for magic into my head. There was no way I could leave her out of this conversation, so I asked her to tell us a little bit about how she utilizes this daily task for magic. The following are Michelle’s own words:
Maybe it's my heavy water placements or my affinity for studying the fluidity in all things, but I have found one of the most profound ways to clear and tune into my highest consciousness to be spiritual baths. A spiritual bath is a cleansing—a way to move stagnant and unwanted energies through and out of the body. The process is simple enough and actually does not even require a tub, since the same result can be achieved in a standing shower.
You begin as you would any other bath or shower and add a little bit of intention—intention is the secret sauce that upgrades this from a typical hygiene routine to a magical practice.
While nearing the end of your bath or shower, start by taking a few deep, intentional breaths. Focus on the feeling of your stomach rising and falling, the temperature and sound of the water, and any other sensations you are experiencing at the moment.
Next, move your awareness to your head. If possible, submerge your head under the water while running your hands from the top of your head, down the sides, past your ears, and towards your neck.
Now, coming up from underwater, continue to move your hands over your chest, arms, torso area, pausing briefly between each area to flick your hands in the water, as if you are transferring the energy from your body into the water.
Continue running your hands down the length of your body towards your feet. "Gather" the energy at your feet and release it, finally, into the water around you.
The last step depends on whether you are in the shower or tub:
If you are in the shower, you will turn the water to cold and allow it to wash fully from head to toe, and give thanks to the cold water for cleansing you before turning it off to watch it drain fully.
If you are in the tub, you will stand up, thank the water for cleansing you, and pull the plug. Again, you will watch as the water drains down, imagining all the unwanted energy being released through the water.
One powerful aspect of a spiritual bath is the ability to adapt it to suit your needs. You can infuse your water with plants, fragrances, and crystals that will provide additional support and intention. As these elemental items all contain their own medicinal and magical properties, please do not add anything without proper research, as you may unknowingly be calling in misaligned energies. When in doubt, keep it simple—you can always evolve it as your own practice evolves and you learn more about your own craft .
Additionally, a spiritual bath is a different practice than a "limpia", a curanderismo practice used for cleansing mind, body, and soul. Limpias should only be used with proper spiritual and cultural considerations.
Michelle Gonzalez is a spiritual practitioner, located in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in plant and moon magic, ritual, and creative wellness. To learn more, visit Moon & Salt at moonbeamrituals.com.