Our daily ritual of bathing has changed a lot over the years, from a time when bathing was scorned and labeled unnecessary to the era of the bath as a simple act of personal hygiene, and eventually to the art of bathing crated by public bathhouses.  Modern bathrooms have little in common with the privies of the past.  Bathrooms today, in some homes, are like miniature spas.  And even small bathrooms that don't have whirlpool tubs or fancy decor are still thought of as a private retreat. The bathroom is no longer purely functional; it has become a place to relax. 

Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to have a luxurious bathroom.  Happily, little is required for bathing magic.  Don't worry if you don't have a tub or if you prefer showering; any spell can be adapted for a shower, and some may even work better that way.  No matter how your bathroom is set up, whether it's large or small, you can make it a magical experience.  You can create a spell that involves the act of bathing or showering, use the bath as a preparation or cleansing before a ritual, or get creative: just about any spell can be transformed into bath magic.  And for the modern Witch, who may have little private time for magical practice, the bath is the perfect place to do some magical multitasking.  

Bathing by the Elements

For the earth element, think crystals and herbs.  Part of crystal magic involves playing with your stones and getting to know them, so take them into the tub with you.  It's a good way to cleanse the stones (literally) and a good way for you to attune with them.  Use guided meditation or visualization techniques.  Place stones that are part of your spell around the tub or elsewhere in the room, or put the stone into the water with you and literally float in an elixir.  But be careful in your selection:  don't use stones that are particularly soft or shouldn't be exposed to water.  Also consider the healing properties of plants and oils.;  use  your favorites to make a bath "tea" by putting them in tea bags or cheesecloth and then steeping the "tea" in the bath.  Bath salts are another earthy way to enjoy a magical bath, and you can purchase these or make your own.  Handmade herbal soaps add an earthy touch to the bath or shower.  Melt-and-pour soaps can be made easily with supplies sold at most craft stores.  Add herbs to the mixture and you can have your own handmade magical soap in just a few hours.  You can even create a bar of soap with a small stone inside.  

For the element of air, incense can be great in the bathroom ---just make sure you have good ventilation or you could end up in a fog.  Certain sounds and music are associated with the air element, so don't forget to bring music into the bathroom with you.  Unwinding in the tub or shower with your favorite tunes can change your mood and create a magical experience or prepare you for a ritual.  Add perfumed essential oils to your bath water or use an aromatherapy burner in the bathroom while you shower.  Use scented soaps and shower gels with an aroma appropriate to your spell.  

Naturally, candles are the best way to incorporate the element of fire to any spell.  Many people bring candles into the bathroom for the relaxing mood they create -- so any spell involving candles can be performed in the bathroom.  Place candles around the edge of the tub or on a safe shelf or the sink.  Fill the sink with water and use floating candles if you have a shower instead of a tub.  

The water element is almost too obvious.  Wells or mineral springs thought to be magical led to the belief in the healing properties of water, and in turn led to the development of the first spas.  Water spells are good for cleansing and clearing, healing, or any spell involving emotion or intuitive abilities.  Focus on the action of the water on your skin;  consider its properties and sacred quality.  The easiest technique is simply to make the bath or shower itself the spell.  This would pertain especially to spells for healing, purification, and cleansing.  The water element rules intuition and emotion, so you can do any spell tailored with this goal in mind.  In addition, any visualization involving water or rain is perfect for the bath or shower.  In a shower, the water can rinse away unwanted emotions, while a soak in a tub of healing salts and herbs is therapeutic. 

Other Bath Spells

Moon Bathing:  Create a spell for a waning or New Moon bath for banishing, renewal, or purification.  For the waxing or Full Moon, create spells for abundance and attraction.  If you're lucky enough to have moonlight to bathe by, perhaps through a window or skylight, take advantage of it.  If you can get outside and take a moonlight swim in a river, lake, or pond, that's the ultimate bath magic!!

Banishing or Dissolving: To banish debt, wash it down the drain.  This works especially well in the shower.  You can visualize anything you'd like to be rid of being washed away --negativity, bad habits, or attachments.  you can dissolve bath salts in the bath or shower and visualize unwanted things in your life dissolving with them.  

Attracting:   For protection, prosperity, and to attract luck or love or other qualities you desire, add stones and herbs to the water and allow it to infuse you with energy.  In a shower, wash with an appropriate herbal soap.  Baths are sensual by nature.  Use this to your advantage in a romantic love spell with your partner.  Or, to draw love into your life, envision the bath or shower as preparation for finding love.  Write a chant of your own, or a poem, and recite it while visualizing the water making you receptive.  And don't forget about beauty spells, or simply pampering yourself once in awhile.  

Purification:  To purify yourself before a spell or ritual, use a soap of rosemary and sage or make a "tea" for the bath water.  For cleansing negativity, use a special body scrub.  Make it yourself and use the appropriate herbs, ground nuts, or grains.  This can be both a literal and spiritual cleansing.  

Ancient Rites and Rituals:   Cultures around the world used or continue to use water in rituals and ceremonies. In many cultures rain is considered a figt from the gods, and rituals have been developed to thank and encourage the sacred water that falls from the sky.  

The washing away of sins or impurities was associated with Eleusis in ancient Greece and is most widely used today in the rite of Christian baptism, which also has roots in the rituals of Egypt, Greece, India, and many other ancient traditions, and is a form of purification.  On the other side of the world, Aztec midwives used water to bathe and purify infants and believed this act would wash away evil.  The Christians also adopted the traditional Midsummer Day bathing rituals and dedicated the day to Saint John the Baptist.  Midsummer's Day is a good time to wash away worries and focus on new beginnings.  Germanic and Celtic tribes once celebrated May Day by bathing in a spring or a tub filled with herbs and flowers, rejoicing at the return of spring.  Try creating your own May Bath tradition.  

Bathe with intent, and don't forget -- conserve water.  Use wisely.  Earth's resources are limited.  Have a wonderful --magical-- bathing experience.  

Bath Spell for Stress Relief

Do this spell before bedtime to wash away anxiety and stress.  You can perform it at any time of the month, but it works best during a waning Moon.  Use tepid rather than hot water, since hot water will raise your body temperature.  

You will need a white tea light in a clear glass or crystal candle holder, and two pieces or clusters of amethyst.  

Place the lighted candle in it's container on the edge of the tub or in a place where you can see it.  Place one amethyst next to the candle and the other in the water with you.  Recite the entire chant three times:  right after you get into the tub, next as you are washing or rinsing, and finally while draining the water.  

Healing water wash away

anxiety I feel each day. 

Calm and soothe body and mind, 

keep me strong, let me shine.  

Water flowing down the drain

heal me like a gentle rain.  

Take the stress away with you, 

my good spirits to renew.  

Cleansed of troubles I can rest

and start my day feeling refreshed.  

Nothing more will worry me --

for good of all so mote it be. 

Keep the amethyst that was in the water with you near your bedside, either on a table, under the bed, under the mattress, or inside the pillowcase.  This way the energy of the spell will follow  you as you fall asleep.  

In addition to these pieces of amethyst, you can wear an amethyst pendant during the ritual, and then put it on whenever you need to relieve stress and anxiety.