The Feminine Art of Ritual: How Spiritual Baths Deepened My Connection to Self and Spirit

I’ll never forget the day an older woman, sensing my spirit was heavy, looked at me and said, “Baby, you need to take a spiritual bath.” At the time, I was familiar with the concept but had never truly done one with deep intentionality. It was just something I’d heard about, something I thought was interesting but never prioritized. That moment changed everything.

Now, spiritual baths are part of my monthly beauty maintenance, but not in the way you may think. It's not about enhancing my physical self, but nurturing the beauty within. It’s about cleansing the soul, realigning my energy, and deepening my connection to God and self. Water is more than just a natural element; it is sentient, alive, and deeply powerful. Throughout the Bible, water is referenced for renewal, transformation, and divine cleansing. And let me tell you—this practice has changed my life.

One of my girlfriends recently thanked me for introducing her to spiritual baths, and it made me realize just how much this sacred practice has impacted me. So, I want to share my personal ritual with you. Whether you’ve been feeling off, energetically drained, or simply in need of a reset, this is your nudge to start taking your spiritual baths with intention.

Preparing for Your Spiritual Bath

1. Meditate on Your Intention - Before you start, meditate on your intention. Maybe you already have something weighing on your heart, or perhaps you simply want to invite in peace, clarity, or protection. Whatever it is, take a moment to sit with it. Speak it aloud, write it down—just make sure you’re clear on what you need from this bath.

2. Gather Your Tools - Then, gather your tools. Whatever helps you connect with God and your highest self. For me, it’s my Bible, my journal, and candles. I also use natural elements—gifts from God—to infuse my water. Some of my go-tos are Florida water, flower petals, loose herbs, vinegar, cinnamon, and citrus like lemons or oranges. What I choose depends on my intention, but these are the staples in my practice.

3. Prepare the Space - As I draw my water, I pray over it and smudge my home—especially the bathroom. Clearing the energy of the space is just as important as clearing my own.

The Ritual: Connecting with Water

4. Pray Over the Water - Once my bath is ready, I say another prayer over the water. This step is crucial. Water is sentient. It holds energy. It listens. I speak my desires, my gratitude, my intentions into the water, knowing that it will hold and amplify whatever I pour into it.

5. Immerse Yourself - When I step in, I allow myself to fully surrender. I cleanse my soul in the water—sometimes by reading my Bible, sometimes by listening to music that moves my spirit. Artists like Jhené Aiko, Erykah Badu, Ab-Soul, and Kirk Franklin are some of my favorites.

6. Take Your Time - I typically stay in the bath for at least an hour, but time is personal. Do what feels right for you. One important note—shower beforehand. Your body should be physically clean so that this bath can focus on spiritual cleansing, not physical hygiene. This is about your soul.
   

After the Bath: Sealing the Energy

7. Air Dry and Wear Light Clothing - Once I’m finished, I step out slowly and air dry as much as possible. I want to keep that sacred water on my skin, allowing its energy to linger. I put on something light—white or pink—to symbolize purity, renewal, self-love, and softness. Then, I release. I let go of whatever I was holding onto, knowing that I’ve done my part.
   

Spiritual baths have become one of my most cherished rituals. They remind me that self-care isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling whole, aligned, and at peace. It’s about tending to the unseen parts of myself with as much care as I give to my outer beauty.

So if you’ve been feeling heavy, uncertain, in need of a reset, or just want to love on yourself, consider this your sign. Run the water. Set your intentions. Speak life into your bath. Be present. And let go.

What are some rituals you do to connect with God and yourself?

All my love,

AB