I have found in my own practice that making time to just take care of myself is part of how I prepare to deal with the outside world. Whether you are at the start of a full day or trying to unwind after a stressful one, there are quiet routines you can participate in to build yourself up or return yourself to equilibrium. At the start of a full day, you choose your outfit, your makeup, your hairstyle, your jewelry based on the type of power you want to project to the world. Even the fragrance is important. You are using your body as a form of magic, and the colors and fragrances you choose can help you stay linked to the divine. At the end of one of those busy days, when you want to return to a state of softness and calm, the goal is to remove all sense of performance, all intentions of glammour magic, so it is just you, your loved ones, and time to focus on peace and security. Both routines can look similar but one is for empowerment and the other is for a reset. And both can include intention baths.

Many traditions encourage ritual bathing. In this instance, this bath is meant to completely serve you. You are not trying to feel beautiful or empowered to deal with others. You are focused on the version of yourself nobody else sees, being honest with that version and giving that version the love and respect it needs to continue the work of internal support. This is also the version of yourself closest to the divine.

The most important aspect of this is sensorial. You are going to put your phone on do not disturb and pick favorite music. Light scented candle if you have space to do it. Use your favorite fragrant bath oils, shower gels, bath salts or bubble bath, and don’t be afraid to combine these products in the water or on your skin depending on their use, for an experience that is all about you. This continues after you step out in the form of your favorite lotions and scented hair products. This includes what you used to shave if you do, and pampering skincare like facial masks. This is all about you and nobody else at this time. You are only prioritizing feeling good in your own skin.

The second part of this is how you talk to yourself. Acknowledge different things depending on if this is the start or the end of your day. At the start you are building up your embodiment of divine power within yourself, so this is time to focus on things that you know are your strengths, past successes, and to ask the gods to assist you in your intentions for the day. If this is a reset bath, you are concentrating on coming back to yourself. Acknowledge the good things that have come to you that day, such as moments where you succeeded, moments where you felt at peace, or just how incredible life is. Give yourself and your gods some gratitude. Then focus on mentally turning off everything that intrudes and causes clutter so you can live in a restful space.

The last piece of this takes place when you are actually in the water. You want to charge it. Charge it for peace, for self love, and purification. If you have a couple of ritual oils you use for this purpose this is when you put a couple drops in the tub, so long as they are skin safe.

When I take this bath, if it’s to help me get going, I usually concentrate on acoustic rock type music. If I am doing this to unwind I usually use an instrumental playlist with no vocals intended for relaxation. Either way I like fragrances of Amber, sandalwood, caramel, chocolate, tuberose, orchid, and a few others. Nothing sharp or fruity has ever really been my thing. I want sweet, luxurious, rich, and comforting. I want to fully indulge in self-care. When I can find them wax melts with a lily of the valley or vanilla fragrance are awesome. A fun tip if you don’t have time to take a full bath, and a lot of us don’t, is to use organza pouches to hang a small amount of bath salt over your showerhead and allow it to dissolve in the spray. Just wait until it’s done before you wash your face. Your ritual oils can be added to the shower oil as you put it on your skin, allow it to soak in, and then lightly rinse it off so it doesn’t stay greasy. The two most important things whether you are taking a bath or shower are focus, and not allowing anything to disturb you.