A Cleansing Bath After a Hard Season

Spiritual baths are a widespread tradition in New Orleans and across the South. The idea: wash off what you have been carrying.

You will need

• A handful of sea salt
• A sprig of rosemary and a few basil leaves
• A pot of hot water
• A white candle

The bath

1. Steep the herbs in hot water for 15 minutes, then strain and add the salt.
2. Light the candle in the bathroom.
3. Shower as usual, then pour the cooled herbal water over yourself from the neck down.
4. As it runs off, say: “What is not mine, go.”
5. Air-dry if you can, and wear clean, light clothes.

Do a patch test first if you have sensitive skin.

When you want Celeste to do the work

Everything above is yours to practise at home. If you would rather have Celeste prepare the work for you, Celeste can prepare cleansing and protection work for you — composed by hand at her table in New Orleans and delivered privately as a PDF to your email. Visit Celeste's shop.