The art of bath magick





The bathroom can be our own personal magickal sanctuary, especially for those of us who must practice their magickal arts out of the sight and the judgment of others.





While the kitchen and the hearth are power places for spellcraft, it is the bath that offers refuge for the weary, cleansing for the embattled, and healing for the ill or downtrodden. For the practitioner of bath magick the process of using the energy of water to completely submerge the body and head to clear the mind, energy field, and spirit, the tub becomes a sacred place to unwind and revitalize.





In the art of bath magick the energy of salts, herbs, flowers, leaves, and oils are used to work a whole array of spells and one of the easiest ways to employ them is through the use of essential oils.



Of all the senses, the sense of smell is often the sense considered least important. Yet it is scent that has the power to invoke a memory that sets the mind reeling. Scent can affect mood and shape your entire sense of well-being. Scent can even affect the way others respond to you.


Fragrances have been casting their spells for thousands of years. As early as 7000 BC, man used fragrant ointments from oils and plants. The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese all used essential oils not only for bathing and perfume, but for healing as well. The olfactory nerves are connected directly with your brain, where scent impulses create instant memories and reaction. A single scent has the power to revitalize or trigger feelings of peace, joy, fondness, and even a good night's sleep.


Many scents are associated with memories and summon certain emotional responses. We react to specific aromas with a specific response. We are comforted by the savory scent of baking bread. We feel festive when breathing in the scent of apple-cinnamon pie. The invigorating scent of lemon, lime, or tangerine works to lighten our mood and lift our spirit. While the scents of rose and vanilla evoke memories of romance.





The complicated world of scent is all around us casting its spell. With a bit of practice you can harness the power of scent and incorporate it into your every day life. For example: Essential lavender oil has been traditionally used in France as a topical application to heal minor burns and reduce scarring. It is also used to counteract insomnia, anxiety, rheumatism, headaches, pains, and is used as a regenerative and anti-aging treatment. When you are feeling frazzled and need a mood lift, try adding several drops of essential lavender oil to a hot bath. Not only will this relax your mind, studies show that lavender oil helps reduce joint and muscle pain.





Even if you're too busy to think of scent as a daily necessity, there are effortless ways to integrate their powers into your practice. The simplest is to end your day with a fragrant soak. Add a couple of drops of essential oil to your bathwater or make up a batch of bath salts. Salt is a fantastic carrier for essential oils, not only does it draw impurities out from your body, it works to heal and deodorize it too. Salt also keeps the oil from beading on the surface where it might irritate your more sensitive parts.


Below are a few make-ahead recipes that can last up to 6 months. For best results, use a wide-mouth quart-size jar and store in a cool place. Salt is corrosive which means it can cause metal to rust. When making your bath salts avoid using metal lids. Not only will the lid corrode, your mixture will become gooey. And remember, because we each create our own response to scent based on our past experiences you may want to experiment to find the exact ratios that speaks to or invokes a response in you.


Note: To avoid skin irritation use 9 or less drops of essential oil in a single bath.


Basic Bath Salts

1 cup Epsom salts

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup sea salt

Measure salts into a jar. Secure lid and shake until thoroughly blended.


Psychic Bath

10 drops neroli oil

5 drops cedarwood oil

5 drops orange oil

5 drops vanilla

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Enchanted Dreams

Use this relaxing bath to recall your dreams.

9 drops vanilla

7 drops sandalwood

5 drops jasmine oil

3 drops lavender oil

3 drops ginger oil

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Chest Opener

Use this salt blend when you need to recover or deepen your breath.

9 drops eucalyptus

7 drops lemon

5 drops peppermint

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Ward Yourself or Your Space

Use this protection bath to ward yourself or your space.

10 drops lemon oil

5 drops clove oil

3 drops peppermint oil

3 drops eucalyptus oil

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Wake the Spirit

Use to awaken your spirituality, deepen meditation, or make a space feel more sacred.

10 drops frankincense

7 drops sandalwood

2 drop clary sage

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Glowing Smile Mix

up this when you want to lighten your mood. 15 drops vanilla 5 drops bergamot 3 drops cardamom Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Super Simple Relaxer

Fill the tub and breathe the scent deep for a deep relaxation that will will quite your body, mind, and spirit.

20 drops of lavender oil

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Wake Up and Revive

Relax and breathe the scent deep as you focus on the moment to fill up your senses and open your mind.

15 drops lavender oil

9 drops tangerine

Add to basic salt recipe.

Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Walk in the Woods

9 drops pine

7 drops cedarwood

5 drops chamomile

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Attraction Bath Soak

in this bath to supercharge your charisma.

10 drops orange

5 drops patchouli

5 drops cedarwood

2 drops rose

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Healing Bath

10 drops neroli

7 drops sandalwood

2 drops eucalyptus

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath.


Soothing Fizzing Bath Salts

3 tbsp Sea Salt

3 tbsp Baking Soda

1 tbsp Citric Acid

8 drops of the essential oil of your choice.

Add sea salt, baking soda, citric acid and oils to jar. Gently shake to mix and add to warm running water.


Joy to be Me Buttermilk Bath Salts

Pour into bath to create a bath to soothe and moisturize

1 cup buttermilk powder

1 cup sea salt

Add up to 20 drops of essential oils.

Add to basic salt recipe. Shake to blend. Store in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath. Check out this article in Scientific American for more on the power of scent.