Water Rituals
“Li minuit tous monne a l’eau” [said Marie Laveau]—it’s twelve o’clock, all hands in the water—and everybody went into the lake, remaining in the bath about half an hour.
—Buffalo Evening Post 1872
The belief in the sanctity of water is common throughout Africa, and among the Yoruba it plays a central role in the creation stories. It is believed the world was originally covered in water and that the first man was created from water and clay. So central to the cosmology is water that it is considered to be the most vital and sacred element of life.
Given the geographical location of New Orleans, it is no surprise that Marie Laveau held many of her rituals near several bodies of water. The swamps, bayous, Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John were frequently reported as places where she held her ceremonies. There, she performed baptisms and cleansings for healings and initiations.
The most popular of water rites in New Orleans Voudou is the spiritual bath. Spiritual baths and cleansings in particular are a primary tool in New Orleans Voudou. Most practitioners will prescribe a spiritual bath or a series of spiritual baths prior to or after a conjure working. They are also effective as stand-alone workings for removing obstacles, illness, crossings, and more.
Additionally, they can prime you for receiving all things good in life, and attracting positive energies, love, good health, and rewarding employment. Spiritual baths are typically made by the gallon from fresh herbs and botanicals at the time of need. Use spring water or distilled water for these baths.
Given the geographical location of New Orleans, it is no surprise that Marie Laveau held many of her rituals near several bodies of water. The swamps, bayous, Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John were frequently reported as places where she held her ceremonies. There, she performed baptisms and cleansings for healings and initiations.
The most popular of water rites in New Orleans Voudou is the spiritual bath. Spiritual baths and cleansings in particular are a primary tool in New Orleans Voudou. Most practitioners will prescribe a spiritual bath or a series of spiritual baths prior to or after a conjure working. They are also effective as stand-alone workings for removing obstacles, illness, crossings, and more.
Additionally, they can prime you for receiving all things good in life, and attracting positive energies, love, good health, and rewarding employment. Spiritual baths are typically made by the gallon from fresh herbs and botanicals at the time of need. Use spring water or distilled water for these baths.
Marie Laveau Cleansing Ritual
To observe the Holy Day of Voodoo Ritual as an individual practitioner, perform the following Marie Laveau Cleansing ritual on St. John’s Eve (June 23rd) or St. John's Day (June 24th). This ritual may well bring on significant dreams that evening, perhaps ones that foretell the future, so pay attention to the dreamtime after administering the bath.
Take a soap bath or shower to get your body as clean as possible prior to performing this ritual. For this ritual you will need:
Set up a mini altar to Marie Laveau on the edge of your bathtub using the aforementioned items. Line the three white candles along the edge of the tub. Light the incense. Set up the images where you can see them and place the offerings accordingly. Fill up your tub with warm water and pour an entire bottle of Florida Water in the tub. Pick off some of the white flower petals and throw them in the tub as well.
Stand naked in front of the tub and put your hands together in prayer. Say a heartfelt prayer to the Voudou Queen for what you need. Get in the middle of the tub and, while still standing, scoop up some water in the cup and pour it over your head seven times. If you want, you can lay in the tub for no more than thirty minutes and meditate or pray. Do not use soap. When you get out of the tub, wrap your head with a white headscarf and allow yourself to air dry. Dress in clean white clothes and sleep in clean white sheets. When you wake up in the morning, you should feel rested and renewed. As a gesture of gratitude for her help, donate to charity in Marie Laveau’s name.
Take a soap bath or shower to get your body as clean as possible prior to performing this ritual. For this ritual you will need:
- 3 white candles
- Incense
- White flowers
- Florida Water
- Coconut rum
Set up a mini altar to Marie Laveau on the edge of your bathtub using the aforementioned items. Line the three white candles along the edge of the tub. Light the incense. Set up the images where you can see them and place the offerings accordingly. Fill up your tub with warm water and pour an entire bottle of Florida Water in the tub. Pick off some of the white flower petals and throw them in the tub as well.
Stand naked in front of the tub and put your hands together in prayer. Say a heartfelt prayer to the Voudou Queen for what you need. Get in the middle of the tub and, while still standing, scoop up some water in the cup and pour it over your head seven times. If you want, you can lay in the tub for no more than thirty minutes and meditate or pray. Do not use soap. When you get out of the tub, wrap your head with a white headscarf and allow yourself to air dry. Dress in clean white clothes and sleep in clean white sheets. When you wake up in the morning, you should feel rested and renewed. As a gesture of gratitude for her help, donate to charity in Marie Laveau’s name.
Calinda Unhexing Bath
This working is from The Life and Works of Marie Laveau by Raul Canizares. This is a fine bath that is to be taken on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for best results. As with so many other spellbooks, Canizares leaves out some important details, so I have filled in the blanks. For this bath you need the following ingredients:
Combine the garlic, sage, basil, parsley, and saltpeter with a gallon of spring water and work the leaves with your fingers until the water starts to turn green. Add the entire gallon to a warm bath. Do not use soap when taking a spiritual bath. When you are done bathing, allow the water to drain, saving a cup to throw to the west at sunset. Rub your body down with bay rum, then vervain oil and honeysuckle oil. According to Canizares, “No evil thing can penetrate one who has bathed in the Calinda Unhexing Bath” (Canizares 2001, 33).
- 1 head garlic
- 3 sage leaves
- Geranium water
- Dried basil
- 1 bunch parsley
- 1 teaspoon saltpeter
- Bay rum
- Vervain oil
- Honeysuckle oil
Combine the garlic, sage, basil, parsley, and saltpeter with a gallon of spring water and work the leaves with your fingers until the water starts to turn green. Add the entire gallon to a warm bath. Do not use soap when taking a spiritual bath. When you are done bathing, allow the water to drain, saving a cup to throw to the west at sunset. Rub your body down with bay rum, then vervain oil and honeysuckle oil. According to Canizares, “No evil thing can penetrate one who has bathed in the Calinda Unhexing Bath” (Canizares 2001, 33).
Washing the Feet
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Download instructions for performing a foot washing service below.
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Foot washing is a special service that is practiced in Eastern Orthodox churches, Anglican churches, Roman Catholic churches, and all major Protestant denominations. It is also practiced by many folk healers in the South, including Spiritualists and rootworkers. It is an act of humility and love for our fellow human beings.
Spiritual baths combine the healing power of water with the qualities of various herbs and minerals to shift spiritual energy in your favor. Rootworkers, Hoodoos, and conjurers of all varieties have long used Spiritual baths to help them get what they want and need in life. The Crossroads Mamas bring you 105 of their favorite spiritual baths drawn from the Santeria, New Orleans Voodoo and Hoodoo traditions that are guaranteed to enchant and remedy any life condition.