Humans have had a spiritual connection to water for generations, she adds, “and creating ritual around that connection is one of the many universal practices that most of us carry within our lineages dating back to ancient times.” Whether it’s visiting a spring for healing, submerging yourself in water as a dedication to faith, or drawing a bath with salts and stones, Hanekamp says, these would all qualify as spiritual baths. From Ancient Greece to Ancient India, Egypt to Israel, to modern-day baptisms, and more, bathing has had a long-standing place throughout human history1. And the nice thing about spiritual baths is that you can make them your own. Infusing your bath with intention, and whatever spiritual tools you like to work with, is not a closed practice but rather something accessible and soul-nourishing that anyone can do. And therein lies the benefit. “Cleansing is healing, grounding, and inspiring; all of life intuitively knows this; maybe this is one of the reasons why all of life needs water,” Hanekamp explains.
