Mermaid Bath for Stress Relief

Dear Watery Ones,

Times are strange and very stressful. Many of us are concerned about our loved ones, our elders, and how we are going to pay our bills next month. Right now, is a time of stillness, of pause and of contemplation. We can not act, other than to retreat into our homes and occupy our time the best we can. I know many of you are being overwhelmed with anxiety and stress right now. Perhaps it is the worries of the mundane world, perhaps you are feeling intense energies from the otherworld or annoyed with the state of your home. No matter the reason, I wanted to share a Mermaid Bath for Stress Relief with you. I hope this helps you calm the waters in your own body, mind, and soul. I have picked ingredients most should already have on hand, but if you find you are missing one, use your intuition to substitute.

You will need:

• sea salt
• seaweed (any kind)
• rosemary
• three of your favorite shells (be sure to pick 1 spiral, 1 scallop and 1 of your choosing)
• a bathtub (If you don’t have a tub you can modify this by placing the ingredients in a cotton bag and using it as a scrubby)
• Blue Candles – optional

Begin by filling your tub with water to your desired amount and temperature. When you are ready, take your ingredients and place them near your tub. Kneel next to your tub and place your hands in the water. Focus your intent on grounding and removing that electric buzz feeling that is often felt during high-stress times. If you can’t focus, say the words aloud, say them loud and proud. Get close to the water and let it vibrate under your breath.

Next, take your sea salt and hold it in your hands. Try to focus on purifying your energies and removing all the stress and anxiety you are feeling. Then sprinkle it into the water. Now take your seaweed and hold it in your hands. This time focus on the nourishment that seaweed and the ocean can bring. If you don’t have seaweed in your stash of magical herbs, consider raiding your vitamin cabinet. Alge and Seaweed are often sold in veggie caps for internal use. If you have some of these, grab a bowl and start pulling the veggie caps apart, gathering the green goodness in a bowl.

Finally, take your rosemary and hold it to your nose, deeply inhale the scent and as you do visualize a rosemary bush growing near the ocean, listen to the waves in your mind and see the waves crashing. After a few moments place the rosemary in the water as well. If you don’t have rosemary in your herbal stash, consider raiding your spice cabinet, you might have some in there.

Now climb into your bath then take your three shells and place them on the side of the path. Sit back, relax and enjoy the water. After some time, take the spiral shell and hold it to your ear, listen to the ocean, listen to the whispers from the water, listen for as long as you can. Get lost in the sound of the waves and the warmness of the water you are in. When you are done place it on your belly and take the shell that can scoop water and begin to scoop the warm water onto your body. As you do this visualize the waters of the bath calming your internal waters. When you are done with this take your final shell and hold it in your hands over your heart. Call upon your ancestors, mermaid, water spirit or deity to commune with them at this time. As you commune ask them to help remove the stress and bring calmness into your energetic space. You will place this shell on your altar or shrine after you are done. Then just sit back and enjoy the bath.

When you are ready to finish, step out of the bath, place your shells safely on the side, pull the plug and watch the water begin to swirl down the drain. As you do this, do a quick body scan and see how you are feeling. If you have any residual stress or chaotic energy close your eyes and visualize it sweating from your body and joining the bathwater down the drain. When the water is all gone, stand up and use your hands to wipe the water off your body and into the bath. You want as many drops as possible to flow down the drain before you step out and dry yourself. Be sure to give appropriate offerings and place your shell on your altar or special place. You can hold this shell and breathe deeply if you feel the anxiety creeping up again.

I hope you enjoy this bath and that it helps you stay calm and grounded in these troubling times. Stay safe, stay home and be well.