How to Take a Spiritual Bath

All the ingredients you need for a rejuvenating ritual

Co-authored by Luke Smith, MFA Reviewed by Leza Labrador

Last Updated: January 27, 2026 References

• Taking a Spiritual Bath
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• Purpose & History of Spiritual Baths
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• Tips

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Spiritual baths are all over TikTok, Instagram, and other social media. They’re a sort of elevated bath meant to promote deep relaxation and reboot your energies and your spirit using candles, crystals, and other holistic items. We’ll tell you all about them, as well as how to take your own spiritual bath, so you can heal your soul while you soak.

How to Benefit from a Spiritual Bath

According to manifestation expert Leza Labrador, spiritual baths can remove negative energy or help you cleanse yourself before or after a ritual. If you want, add essential oils or herbs to the water, but the most important part is setting a clear intention for your bath. Soak for 20-30 minutes while you meditate.

Steps

Section 1 of 2:

Taking a Spiritual Bath

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   Tidy up your bathroom and tub to cleanse the vibe. Did you know clutter and grime disrupt your mental health? It’s true—we identify personally with our home environments, so when things around us aren’t tidy, chances are that our minds aren’t, either. That won’t do for a spiritual bath, so start by cleaning your bathroom, and pay special attention to your tub, where you’ll be relaxing.

   • Take this opportunity to throw out or consolidate any empty or almost-empty bath products, organize your bathroom counter, and wipe down that mirror, too.
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   Set the mood with candles, crystals, and other spiritual objects. Light a candle (or seven) of your favorite scent and place it on the edge of the tub, where you won’t accidentally knock it over. Also arrange any energy crystals you might have on the tub’s edge. Keep your crystals within reach if you’re using them to heal energies or unblock your chakras, to let them connect with you. You might also arrange an oil diffuser, worry beads, or other relaxing objects nearby to help calm your mind.

   • Amber is said to have a close connection to natural forces and offer vitality.
   • Amethyst is thought to offer strength and courage.
   • Moonstones are said to bring balance to your mind and energies.
   • Rose quartz is thought to have a soothing energy.
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   Add bubbles, essential oils, or music to elevate the experience. This spiritual bath is all about taking care of yourself, so don’t hesitate to make it a bit luxurious. Before you turn on the tap, add 0.5  c (120 mL) of bubble bath to the bottom of the tub, or 0.5  c (120 mL) of bath salts. Also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, if you like. And don’t forget the music! Boot up a playlist of relaxing, chill tunes, or even ambient noises like a forest stream or ocean waves to really put you in a relaxed headspace.

   • Lavender oil is our go-to, and is known to help relieve stress and promote sleep.
   • Peppermint oil eases headaches, fights fatigue, and boosts your mood.
   • Lemon oil can reduce anxiety and depression.
   • Rosemary oil reduces pain and stress, boosts your mood, and promotes brain function.
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   Set your intention while filling your bath. Turn on the tap and listen to the rush of water. Let it enter your mind and start washing away your worries and negative thoughts, even before you’re in the tub. Then, set and focus on your intention for this spiritual bath. Ask yourself: how are you trying to feel afterward? What troubles do you want to get off your mind? Do you want to be more firm in your boundaries? Think of what you want this bath to help you with and focus on it in your mind.

   • For example, if you want to work on letting go of your past, you might repeatedly think to yourself, “I’m using this bath to cleanse myself of my past and prepare myself for my future.”
   • Other intentions might include: “I’m taking this spiritual bath to reset my negative thoughts,” or, “This spiritual bath is help me feel safer and happier,” or even, “This bath will renew my energy and determination.”
   • Also, visualize the future you want for yourself by imagining yourself living that life—working a successful career, finding a life partner, etc.
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   Say a prayer or mantra and soak for 20-30 minutes. While you’re in the bath, put some energy out into the universe with a prayer. It can be anything you want—gratitude for the person you are today, asking for help becoming who you want to be, or even just a calming thought that sets you at ease. Then, soak and enjoy your bath for 10-15 minutes—any longer and you might start to prune! This allows you to really immerse yourself in the energies and let your spirit be cleansed.

   • For example, you might say a prayer of gratitude like, “Thank you for this rejuvenating and healing bath, and for all the wonderful things in my life.” Take a minute to think of a list of things you’re grateful for while you bathe.
   • You might say a mantra like, “I am cleansing my body and spirit,” or, “My energies are restored and renewed,” or, “This bath makes me happier and healthier.”
   • You may also call upon your spirit guide to intensify the spirit bath’s energy and guide you through the ritual.
   • Reader Poll: We asked 374 wikiHow readers if they think baths help them relax, and 86% said yes. [Take Poll]
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   Climb out and air dry for 30 minutes while you close the ritual. After your bath, it’s best to air dry to really let the oils and energies work their way into your body. Lay a towel or two on your bed, lie down, and relax by breathing in for 10 seconds, then out for 10 seconds, repeatedly. Focus on letting your muscles relax one at a time, starting with your toes, then feet, and working your way up to your head for the best soothing effect.

   • If you like, close the ritual with a final mantra, like, “I am renewed and recharged after my bath,” or a prayer like, “Thank you for the healing energy brought by the water,” to help you take the positive energies into your daily life.
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Section 2 of 2:

Purpose & History of Spiritual Baths

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   Spiritual baths are baths meant to help you relax and meditate. A bath on its own is a great way to relax while washing up, but a spiritual bath takes it to the next level. During a spiritual bath, you set a meditative intention (something you want to reflect on or work toward) and focus on self-care, self-improvement, and cleansing your energies as well as your body. Spiritual bathers enjoy customizing their own experience by adding flower petals, essential oils, crystals, and other spiritual objects to their session.

   • Spiritual baths are often performed on the new or full moon as a way of harnessing lunar energies to aid your own spiritual goals.
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   Spiritual baths are rooted in a deep history of bathing. While spiritual baths as we know them were recently popularized on TikTok and other social media platforms, they come from some old traditions. Water as a spiritual signifier is an idea that’s been around since Ancient Greece. Christianity and other religions use them to baptize or anoint their followers. A spiritual bath is a way of participating in that history in a more personalized and customized way.

   • Many cultures both ancient and modern have gods or spiritual beings tied to water, like the Egyptian god of the Nile, Sobek, or the Aztec goddess Chalchiuhtlicue who represented every natural form of water.
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Tips

• Your spiritual bath is whatever you make of it. Customize your own experience with things that make you feel happy, like flower petals, stuffed animals, or whatever else.
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