covenrochester

Purification Bath, with Sage, Lemon, Salt

Purification baths are simple preparations and several traditional recipes have been handed down in the Craft. The oldest American recipe we have calls for placing in a bowl several stalks of Sage Leaves (Salvia officinalis) and three husks of the nuts from the Black Walnut tree (Juglans nigra), along with a pinch or two or three of Salt, depending on how scarce Salt was at the time for your family. Nowadays, Salt is cheap and plentiful, so we can place a small handful in the bowl if we want. Another alternative these days is to substitute a chopped up Lemon for the more traditional Black Walnut husks. Use what you have.

When the three ingredients are gathered, steep over them a quart (4 cups) of water just off the boil. Cover the bowl and let the brew steep for at least 20 minutes. The whole process can also be done in a quart jar with a lid.

When the time is up, strain off the ingredients, and throw the brew into a hot drawn bath. Get in and have a soak. Dunk your head at least three times while in the bath.

It is common to softly sing a charm at this time. The word Woman or Witch can be substituted for Man. Most charms have tunes or songs to them, like this one does. You will have to find a traditional Witch to teach it to you to use it, but these are the words:

I am (Man) made clean
By the power of the Water.
I am (Man) made strong
By the power of the Fire.
I am (Man) made whole
By the power of the Green Earth.
I am (Man) made pure
By the power of the Salt.

*** Blessed be to those who serve the Great Mother and the Horned Father.

* Copyright to Coven Rochester