The air is crisp, the days are growing shorter, and the world outside seems to be urging us to slow down. Autumn is a season of release, a time to draw inward and honor the need for rest. We believe that self-care isn't a luxury—it's a necessary ritual.
Before we dive in, know this: You do not need a fancy bathroom or a massive, claw-foot tub to take a ritual bath. All you need is a space that feels comfortable and a willingness to incorporate elements that feel good to you. You can choose colors, products, scents, or candles that you're drawn to. I'll be sharing the seasonal products that I felt drawn to, but you can also keep it simple and use what you have. Also, if it helps you relax into the ritual, do a little cleaning or tidying beforehand. This bath is about making a personal sanctuary where you can relax, release, and let go.
A bath isn't just about cleansing the body; it's about making space for peace, release, and deep gratitude. It’s your own private retreat where you can relax, let go, and come back to yourself.
🕯️The Ritual Begins: Preparing Your Sacred Space
Before the water even starts to run, the ritual begins. This is your moment to set the mood and signal to your mind and body that it's time to transition:
- Light the Way: I started by lighting a candle. I chose our unscented Beeswax candle (so I can experience the scent of the bath salts). The soft, dancing flame instantly shifts the atmosphere, casting a warm, gentle glow. Think about your intention, is there something you need to acknowledge to bring in or let go?
- Sip and Settle: Brew your favorite tea—and perhaps bring a journal—something to scribble notes, ideas or write a letter as softly as you soak.
- Infuse the Water: As the tub filled with the perfect temperature of hot water, I dissolved our seasonal Amber Glow herbal bath salts. The warm, spiced, herby, and earthy aroma filled the air, immediately grounding me. I added extra roses and calendula petals, watching them swirl—a visual cue of the abundant beauty in slowing down. They reminded me of the falling and twirling autumn leaves.
🌊 In the Water: Floating and Letting Go
Stepping into the bath slowly, the sensation of the hot water embracing your body is the first moment of true release. Lie back, let yourself float, and tune into the subtle details:
- Listen and Observe: I love to listen to the gentle swishing water, notice the candlelight reflecting on the surface, and feel the water level rising and falling with each deep breath I take.
- Acknowledge and Release: Take a moment to feel gratitude for your lungs and the breath of life. If your ears go just beneath the surface, you can really tune out the world and hear your breath and inner thoughts. Acknowledge the thoughts, worries, and memories that surface, but let them go—allow them to rise and float away with the steam. Do not judge the way your body looks; simply enjoy the feeling of floating and letting go of any physical or mental heaviness.
- This moment is all for you.
🍊 Physical cleanse & Emotional release
When you notice the water begin to cool, transition to the next stage of the ritual—a physical cleanse that mirrors the emotional release.
- Scrub Away Worry: I reached for our invigorating Citrus and Ginger Sugar Scrub. The scent is both grounding and absolutely delicious— I realized that it reminded me of a beloved treat: Orange Cardamom Sticky Buns from Heritage Bread Co. in Canton, Ohio! I slowly massaged the scrub down my legs and arms, loving how the sugar crystals felt before dissolving and becoming creamy. As I rinsed it off, I imagined rinsing away any lingering worries along with it.
- Letting it swirl away: When you're finished, make sure your strainer is in place to catch any botanicals. Pull the drain plug and watch the water move. This is the final act of letting go. As the water swirls, imagine it carrying away every worry or bad thought, every piece of fatigue, all residual stress. Allow all of that negative energy to swirl down the drain and disappear completely. Once the tub is empty, you can take a quick rinse or shower, clean the tub, and wash your hair if needed, ready to step out refreshed and renewed.
🌀 The Finishing Touches: Body Oil Anointing
- An Act of Nourishing Gratitude: After patting myself dry, I sealed in the moisture and continued the ritual with our Amber Glow body oil—a perfect seasonal blend of sweet and warming spices. The act of body oiling is a powerful moment of self-care. As I massaged the oil in—from fingertips up my arms toward my heart, from toes to soft thighs and belly—I gave thanks to all of myself, acknowledging everything my body does for me each day.
- Targeted Relief: Finally, I applied our Sore Muscle Massage Oil (with tension-relieving herbs like arnica, capsaicin, and white willow bark) to my neck and shoulders—the places where we often hold so much tension. A few more deep breaths and a gentle stretch, and I felt relief and renewal.
- Thank yourself for showing up and making time and space for your bath ritual.
Embrace yourself
A bath ritual is far more than a soak; it's a powerful tool for mental and physical relief. It helps us work through different emotions and experiences, offering a soft space to land.
We encourage you to tailor your next bath to exactly what you need in the moment—whether it's energy, grounding, or deep peace.
What essential element will you add to your own self-care ritual this week? What are you needing right now?
