Who can deny the power and potency of water. Primordial element, that which gives, shapes and takes earth, gives, shapes, and takes life, and who's only master arguably is the moon.
Bathing is a way to immerse in the healing and restorative power of water. Emerging from water is a classical way to depict goddesses of love and beauty. They are often daughters or husbands of sea gods. Water is often associated as feminine, as is the moon, and the pearl. All of which are powerful symbols of life and transformation.
As a woman, I love my bath. Children, work, and the whole list of things to do we call life wear at us, even when we love these things. A good friend and teacher told me how she ultimately staked out a claim of space and time for herself. She did this in part by adopting a weekly bathing routine.
I had a dream about that lesson. In the dream I saw her knowledge displayed as the goddess or mother universe bathing. The figure of the woman was covered in white gold, the water was white gold. As she rose from the bath water, the white gold coating her loosened and fell apart, like water dripping, into star shapes. They then were streaming out into the great beyond, transforming her into the universe.
It was through this dream that many connection points were made to the spiritual healing and spiritual work that could be done through adopting a bath ritual. I was also inspired to sketch this out for a later painting.
Bathing Rituals equally are powerful for transformation. Springs, wells, and lakes all over the world are used for this, from antiquity to present day. Some newly found examples are in Nadana India, Tlacote Mexico, and outside of Dusseldorf Germany. Some Ancient ones are St. Brigid's Well in Ireland, Terme's hot springs in Italy, and Eureka Springs, Arkansas in the US.
Imbolc is coming. The season of transformation from death to life. The snows melt, the rivers hasten their flow from mountains, the earths cleansing in its early stages shall begin. Deep from the earth gems and precious metals are birthed out into the streams, the precious water goes on and on fostering life. The earth celebrates herself in her most bare form, giving life, giving renewal.
So we too must remember this important act. Anointing with water is powerful on its own - imagine immersing yourself in the same way. A ritual bath is sacred. More than just bathing, more than just once a year, consider adopting a weekly Ritual Bath.
I have combined this ritual with the moon phases, and use it to cleanse in between as needed. The effect has been awing. I am more inspired, more at peace, more connected to myself and to the universe.
For more information and ideas on Ritual Bathing click on the icon below.
0 comments:
Post a Comment