I begin the creation of my purification mixtures by asking for God’s blessings upon what I am about to do.  I also ask for the help of my spirit guides, angels, teachers, and passed-on loved ones.  Then I begin to gather up my materials & herbs.

After I gather up my purifying herbs, I drop them one-by-one into a mixing bowl, preferably a bowl that is ceramic, glass, or china.   This is a magical act, and as I drop each herb into the bowl, I say its name out-loud, to help awaken its dormant psychic energies. 

Once I have deposited all of the herbs into the bowl, I first stir them clockwise to further activate their energies, and then I stir them counterclockwise to awaken their purification abilities.  As I stir, I say some kind of chant, mantra, or affirmation to set the intention for what I am hoping to receive from working with the herbs.  For example, I might say, “By the powers of earth, sun, moon, and sky, help me purify!”

I continue stirring and softly chanting until I feel that the herbs have been sufficiently “charged” with energy, and that their innate power has been awakened.  Then, I stop stirring, and place my hands upon the mixture for a moment or two.  What I am doing here is attuning myself with the energies of the combined plants.  In other words, I am psychically & physically connecting with the plants.  I am also adding some of my own energy into the mixture.  I complete the “charging” by running my fingers through the combined herbs several times.

After I have created the magical mixture, I put about 1 cup of water in a pot on the stove to boil.  (Magical tradition holds that your pot should not be made of metal, however, if that’s all you have, it will do….just set the intention beforehand that the metal will *not* interfere with the energies of the herbs.)

Once the water begins to boil, I add about 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons of the herbal mixture to the pan.  To make this step easier, I usually place them inside a cheesecloth, tea bag, or tea ball.  (However, if you don’t have a tea ball, the herbs can be added directly to the water, and strained out later, or just left in the infusion).  Then, I let the herbs boil in the water until it turns into an infusion or tea, usually about 3-5 minutes, or less.

Once the infusion has been created, I pour it into a glass jar or bowl.  If I am using it right away, then I will take it immediately to my bathroom, where it will soon be added to my bathwater.  However, if I’m not using it right away, I will simply put the infusion in the refrigerator for several hours, or even up to a day or two.

When I’m ready to take the purification bath, I begin by “setting the stage”.  First, I make sure that the bathroom is at least relatively clean (what’s the purpose in trying to cleanse in a dirty bathroom?).  Then, I create the most relaxing, ambient environment possible for my purification by placing candles, incense, crystals, or seashells in the bathroom.  I like to do the bath when every one else is sleeping or not around.  This allows me to cleanse & purify without anyone else interfering in the experience.

After I have set the bathroom up how I want it, I run the bath, and pour the herbal purification infusion into the bathwater.  It is always a cool water bath, or if it is cold outside, warm water, but never hot.  This is because cool water has a naturally cleansing & psychically invigorating effect.  However, hot water does the opposite and creates a “sluggish” effect upon the aura.

Finally, I get into the bathtub and submerge myself in the water.  I say a little prayer to Spirit & to my spirit teachers, angels, guides and helpers, asking for their protection and to ensure that the cleansing process is as gentle & yet effective as possible.  Then, I set the intention that I am willing to *release* whatever no longer serves me or my highest good.  Finally, I mentally communicate to the herbs and the water that I am now ready to cleanse.