Baño Blanco or White Bath, is a specific ritual bath used to call in protection, healing, to balance energies, for banishing and to connect to the divine.

Ritual or spiritual bathing is a practice that has been used for 100s of years by various cultures around the world. This specific baño combines Mesoamerican Practices with Afro-Caribbean Traditions - baño de limpieza and baño de flores are a practice also used in Peru.

Baño de limpiezaa or ritual herbal baths are used to aid in rites of passages and to mark life transitions as well. They are often used by curanderas to prepare the body for sacred ceremony and for soul retrievals. To learn more about the history and other types of baños you can read my journal entry Spiritual Bathing Practices.

Baño Blanco can be a powerful ritual for cleansing, and purifying one’s energy. There are times in ones life when there is this heaviness present in and around the body, and there is this knowing that a spiritual reset may be needed, this ritual is for those times.

“Water can act as a gateway to other realms, and can serve as an offering to the Divine”

The white bath, specifically, is associated with purification and spiritual clarity. It typically involves using a mixture of herbs, flowers, and water to cleanse negative energies and promote spiritual well-being.

This baño can evoke :

A sense of ease and lightness within the body.
An open and trusting heart.
Deeper connection to the Divine.
Feeling more grounded and protected.
Relaxation and a sense of calmness.
Assistance with manifestations.
Closure/ clarity of a situation.
Connection with ancestors.
Replenishment, restoration and nourishment for the body.

My Prayer to Chalchiuhtlicue, Goddess of the waters and rivers.

“We call on you goddess of the waters, rivers and steams. We ask that you purify our bodies, minds and hearts. Thank you for holding us in your warm womb of creation, nurturing us back to life - again and again. Please protect us, and bless us with your beauty, grace and power. We thank you for the blessings you continue to provide for us. May we remember you and invoke your presence each time we bathe or play in your waters. May we take your teachings and continue to be like your waters, over rocks, smoothly and powerfully creating change with patience and trust. We honor you and your presence in our inner waters. Tlazocamati”

— Amanda

There are two ways to partake in this ritual: One is the traditional pour over method, the other is a soak. This recipe is for the soak. If you are interested in the pour over method, you can follow the instructions below, and fill a large bowl instead of a bath. Stand in the bath and pour the mixture over your body. You can sit or stand while being with the medicine of the mixture. Ask your intuition, it is your choice to shower off with cold water or step out and air dry, leaving the mixture on your body until you next shower or bathe.

Preparing for the white bath is just as important as the bath itself. You are now creating a sacred space for this work. You will need to purify the area you will be bathing in, creating a sacred space for healing to take place. A prayer, intention or invocation can be said as you cleanse the space. With your charcoal and resin, incense or other method of clearing (clapping, singing, chanting ringing bells) you will state your intention out loud for the bath.

Call in any support from the spiritual realm: exalted ancestors, angels, animal guides, fairies, dragons, and ask them to be with you. Command the space to be yours for healing and banish any negative energies present, through the channel of the Divine.

It is recommended to take this bath for either 3,6, or 9 days in a row, so if it’s helpful you can prepare a large jar of this bath to use each day. If you aren’t sure how many days to work with it, ask your intuition or guides. You can always start with 3 days and watch for shifts, after the third day if you still feel a bit of residual add in 3 more days. It is more potent to plan this bath with a specific cosmic alignment like a full moon.

Light your candle/s and set up the bath.

Baño Blanco Recipe:

To prepare for your Baño Blanco you will need:

White Flowers
1 Cup Coconut Milk
1/2 Cup Goats Milk (traditional can be substituted)
Cascarilla Powder (Traditional)
Blessed Water-Holy Water, Moon Water, Flower Water, Florida Water, Blessed Water that you have prayed over and energetically charged, Dew Water, Creek Water.
1/2 Cup of honey or whatever you have on hand.
Herbs-Herbs can be hard on the plumbing, so it is recommended to place in a mesh bag or prepare an infusion beforehand. Read the list below for suggestions.
Fruit-Orange, Lime, Lemon Slices (optional)
Candle
Journal (optional)
Resin & Coal or Incense
Traditionally it is recommended to dry off with white towels and change into light colored clothes, connecting with purity and softness.

Note: If at all possible it is suggested to use organic and non-pesticide ingredients for this bath. If that is not accessible for you in the moment, you will still receive the benefits of this bath using what you have on hand.

As you prepare your bath, before working with your plant allies make sure to honor the spirit of each. Close your eyes and breathe in an intention to awaken the magic and medicine of the plant. Thank it for its presence and work you will do together. Thank all the other ingredients, each at a time, infusing them with your original intention for the bath.

Do the same for the water, call on the water spirits and thank them for working with you during this part of your healing journey.

As you enter the bath repeat your affirmations or intentions/prayers.
Plan to stay in the bath for at least 30 min.
Relax and spend some time visualizing any negative energies being washed away by the cleansing bath.
If it feels right, you can journal any thoughts that come through.
Before you exit the bath, allow all of the water to drain, again visualizing all of the energies draining with it.
Clean out the bath, storing any flowers or fruit/herbs to return to nature at a later time.
Dry off with the towels you set aside and get dressed in the clothes you picked out beforehand.
If at all possible, spend as much time in a mediative state for the remaining part of the day/night. Stay as present with your ritual as possible, limit any distractions. Listen to soft music or watch lighthearted tv. Eat nourishing, easy to digest foods that will fill your body with replenishment.

Here are some suggested herbs to add to your bath or to burn on a charcoal during your ritual. Each is listed with their healing essence:

Rose-Encourages healing and forgiveness in the heart. Can promote self-love and offers protection and purification. A beautulful herb to work with if you have experienced any trauma.
Rosemary- Encourages a fresh start, helping to break any habits, starting on a new path, helping to open new doors.
Yerba Santa- Heals broken hearts and encourages self-love, supports the release of emotional pain. Traditionally used as a smudge or incense for protection and setting boundaries. Inspires love, purification, growth, empowerment and beauty.
Basil-Fertility and love. Protector of family, releases negative energy from the home when burned. It creates a sympathetic vibration. It stimulates the conscious mind to invoke happiness. Opens the heart. It also calls in prosperity and protection over blessings.
Lavender-Dispels depression and negative emotion. It soothes and relaxes the nervous system encouraging rest.
Vetiver-Cleanes and purifies the human energy field. It is grounding and stabilizing.
Calendula- Stimulates a sunnier outlook on situations. Draws in a glow that magnetizes admiration and respect form your community.
Rue-Protection and cleansing. When burned it cleanses and purifies the environment and wards off negative energy. Helps strengthen existing relationship. Can attract love and passion. Attracts good luck and prosperity.
Penny Royal-Offers protection from the evil eye (jealousy and envy), it wards off evil, breaks hexes, and brings tranquility into the home. Draws in good luck. Good for resolving issues in relationships. Purifys energy field.

My prayer for you, is that you receive the healing and clarification your heart is in search of, while using this beautiful ritual. May you be guided, nurtured, protected and loved on your journey.

Con Amor,

Amanda