Spiritual Bathing: Healing Rituals and Traditions from Around the World

by Arvigo, Rosita

• ISBN13: 9781587611704
• ISBN10: 1587611708
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-01
• Publisher: RANDOM HOUSE

Summary

Since ancient times, people have engaged in spiritual bathing--a soothing and restorative practice that rejuvenates the body, mind, and soul. Spiritual baths promote health and have been proven to aid in the treatment of anxiety, grief, insomnia, and depression. In SPIRITUAL BATHING, best-selling authors Rosita Arvigo and Nadine Epstein explore this lost art and its fascinating history, with information on where sacred baths are currently offered and easy recipes to create bathing rituals in your home. Derived from various regions and philosophies--Shinto, Buddhist, Wiccan, Mayan, and others--most of these baths require only water, a simple ritual, accessible plants and herbs, and the desire to nurture your spirit. Rich with luxurious rituals as well as simple, practical remedies, SPIRITUAL BATHING will help you discover a sense of balance, vitality, and pleasure in your daily routine.An exploration of the lost art of spiritual bathing for promoting healing, rejuvenation, and well-being.Filled with prescriptive recipes for preparing sacred baths at home using water, plants, and ritual.Includes more than 75 stunning photographs from 15 cultures around the world.

Author Biography

ROSITA ARVIGO is a naprapathic and holistic physician who has been using spiritual bathing techniques in her healing work for more than 20 years. She resides in San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize.
NADINE EPSTEIN is a writer and artist whose articles have appeared in the New York Times, Smithsonian, and Ms. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Table of Contents

Author's Note	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
The Components of Spiritual Bathing: Divine Water and Life on Earth	p. 7
The Jews: Living Tradition, Living Waters	p. 17
Immersion Ritual from the Torah
Mikvah Meditations
A Yom Kippur Bath
The Sumerians, Mandaeans, and Egyptians: Ancient River People	p. 33
Sumerian-Style New Moon Bath Ritual
The Christian World: Of Water and the Spirit	p. 39
How to Use Holy Water from the Church in Your Home
Aqua Vitae (Living Water) Bath Ritual
The Ancient Romans and Greeks: A Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit	p. 51
The Muslims: Bathing for Allah	p. 59
The Home Hammam for Friends or Couples
The Celts, Druids, and Wiccans: Wells and the Womb of Life	p. 69
A Bath To Block Negative Influences and Energy
Eclipse Meditation and Bath
The Finns and Russians: Warmth in Frozen Lands	p. 81
Where to take a Russian Bath
Midsummer Night Magical Finnish Cure with Dew Water
The Native Americans: Great Spirit and Shining Water	p. 89
Sacred Ceremony
Where to Experience a Sweat
The Maya: In Search of Spiritual Healing	p. 99
A Summer Bath with Fresh Plants
Citrus Blossom Baths for Full Moon
The Aztecs: Communing with Gods	p. 111
A Full Moon Bath from the Aztecs
Aztec Baptism/Baby Bathing and Namin Ritual
The Inca: Enhancing the Spiritual Power of Water	p. 117
A Flower Bath at Home
The Hindus: Rivers of the Goddess	p. 125
A Rose Water Aspersion for your Home
Turmeric House Bathing Ritual
Swimming Rituals
The Buddhists: Bathing Others for the Next Reincarnation	p. 135
Clearing Ritual for the Healing Space or Home
Charity Baths
A Friend's Ritual for Overcoming a Broken Heart
Bath for a Woman in Labor
Post-Partum Bath for Mother
The Thais, Chinese, and Cambodians: Splashing with the Gods	p. 147
The Africans: Balancing the Inner and Outer Worlds	p. 153
Water Bowl Ritual
Libation Ritual
Community Baptism
Flower Baths	p. 167
Afterword	p. 175
Endnotes	p. 177
Bibliography	p. 180
Text and Image Credits	p. 182
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