cleansing

My adventures in Hellenic Polytheism have taken me deeper and deeper into the aspects of creating ritual and relationships with the Hellenic gods. Most of what I am reading states that in Ancient Greece one must purify him or herself before approaching the gods. I am also finding sources that state one must purify before prayer to the gods as well.

I do enjoy the ritual bath before ritual. I like cleansing myself before approaching the gods. I like feeling clean and looking nice when approaching my gods.

However, where does personal prayer fit in? I like to pray and speak to my gods informally before I go to bed. It makes me feel good inside and also it helps me keep the connection to my gods. I don't think you need to cleanse and purify yourself before these quick and informal prayers, but I do think you should keep to ritual cleansing before offerings are made and ritual is performed.

I like the balance of the two.

I cleanse and purify using salt that I have consecrated for ritual use. I have a bowl used solely for cleansing and I use spring water, or any water collected from a natural source. I pray over the water and cleanse my hands and arms up to my elbows and sprinkle some over my body and head. I also like to brush my teeth and wear some nice smelling oil.

The salt I use is natural coarse sea salt from Sicily which I've purchased at a supermarket. I have tucked a bay leaf into the jar and have prayed over it.

I do this sort of cleansing before offering rites if I don't have time for a bath or shower.

A cleansing/purifying bath is made using dried Hyssop or Bay. I like to do a cleansing bath before major rituals and when I have time before offering rites. I also like to do this every once and a while because it feels good.

A book that has helped me tremendously in cleansing and purifying is "Spiritual Cleansing" by Draja Mickaharic. In this book you'll find many easy to do cleansing baths, rituals, and ideas. The items called for in the book can be found at your local supermarket. That's what I love most about this book. The ease of the work and the simple ingredients.

May we all be cleansed in body, mind, and soul!