How to Cleanse Your Spirit

Co-authored by Jennifer McVey, Cht and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: November 9, 2022 References Approved

You might do a spiritual cleanse when you’re feeling burdened by worries or negativity or when you feel spiritually blocked. However, you may also choose to cleanse your spirit on a regular basis to help your spiritual growth. Doing a cleansing ritual or taking a ritual bath both allow you to cleanse your spirit. Additionally, you can also meditate or pray to relieve your burdens.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Taking a Spiritual Bath

1
Shower before you take your ritual bath so you’re clean. You don’t want any dirt or other impurities in your ritual bath water, so always shower first. Use soap or body wash to wash your skin and prepare for your ritual bath. During this time, focus your thoughts on your intentions to cleanse your spirit.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- For instance, you could repeat a mantra in your head as you bathe. You might think, “I release negativity so my spirit will be lifted,” or “I’m washing away my worries and cares.”
Tip: The best time to take a ritual bath is the Friday closest to a full moon. However, you can do it anytime and get a spiritual cleansing.
2
Run a bath that’s comfortably hot. Fill your tub with slightly hot water that doesn’t burn your skin. Before you get in, test your water with the back of your hand to make sure it’s not too hot.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If it feels too hot, wait a few minutes for the water to cool down.
- If your water is too cold for comfort, drain a little water out of the tub, then add more hot water to warm it up.
Advertisement
3
Add 1 cup (273 g) of bath salts to the water to help purify your energy. Salt is commonly used as a purifier, so it’s perfect for a ritual bath. You can use plain salt or a bath salt blend that’s made for a spiritual bath. Pour your salt into the water, then use your hand to slosh the water to help it dissolve. Here are some options for salt:^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Himalayan sea salt
- Unrefined sea salt
- Epsom salt
Warning: Don’t use table salt because the anti-caking agents add unnecessary ingredients to your bath. Additionally, its minerals have been removed.
4
Include cleansing herbs or essential oils for added benefits. If you’re using plain salt, adding herbs or essential oil is a great idea. The aroma can help you cleanse your spirit. Additionally, some herbs have cleansing properties. You can use 1 oil or herb or you can create a blend. To use an oil, add 3-5 drops of essential oil directly to your bath. If you’re using herbs, sprinkle them over your bath water.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Lavender essential oil or dried herbs
- Rosemary essential oil or dried herbs (not appropriate for pregnant women)
- Vetiver essential oil
- Cedar wood essential oil
- Rose essential oil
- Rose petals
- Dried sage
Tip: If you use crystals in your practice, consider adding quartz, rose quartz, black tourmaline, or amethyst to your bath to help with your cleansing.
5
Soak in the water for 20-30 minutes. Get into your bath water and relax. Submerge as much of your body under the water as possible. Then, close your eyes and focus on your intention to cleanse your spirit.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Focus on your breath to gently bring your awareness to your body and what you’re doing. This will help you reflect on your intention.
6
Meditate on the energies you want to cleanse. Take slow, deep breaths as you reflect on your intention. Think about the reasons why you feel like your spirit needs to be cleansed. Then, imagine your worries, negativity, or spiritual blocks dissolving into the water.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you like, pray or ask for spiritual support to help you cleanse yourself.
7
Let your body air dry after your spiritual bath. When you feel ready, get out of your spiritual bath to end the ritual. Instead of drying off with a towel, let the water naturally air dry so that it evaporates off of your skin. This helps complete the cleansing process.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- It’s okay to put on your robe, but don’t towel off first.
8
Take your cleansing bath as often as once a week. Don’t take cleansing baths too often. If you feel like you need a regular cleansing, take a spiritual bath once a month or as often as once a week. Otherwise, you might deplete your spirit from over-cleansing.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Try different cleansing schedules for yourself to find what works for you.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing a Cleansing Ritual

1
Choose a quiet place where you won’t be distracted. Pick a place where you can sit or lie down comfortably. It doesn’t have to be a big space, and it’s okay to use a corner of the room. If there’s any clutter, try to remove it so it won’t distract you.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If you’re having trouble finding a good spot, consider going outside for your ritual. This also allows you to connect with nature, which might help you boost your positive energy.
2
Smudge yourself and your ritual space for cleansing. Place your smudging herbs in a heatproof bowl or abalone shell and light them. Then, use a feather or your hand to spread the smoke over your body from your head down to your feet. Next, use your feather or hand to waft the smoke around the space. Try the following smudging herbs:^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Sage for purification
- Cedar for positive energy
- Sweetgrass for cleansing
- Palo santo for clarity and grounding
Variation: You might prefer to use a smudge stick, which you can buy at a spiritual store or online. You can use this alone or with an abalone shell to rest it in.
3
Arrange your supplies in your ritual space. Place your supplies on the floor, a table, or a blanket. You can arrange them any way you like. One way is to put your candle to the south, your incense or smudge stick to the east, your salt to the north, and your bowl of water to the west. Light your incense or smudge stick so the smoke fills the area. Any other supplies, like your empty bowl, will go in the center. Here are some supplies you may use:^{[11]
X
Research source}
- A white candle
- Incense
- A bowl or cup of water
- Salt
- An empty bowl
- Paper
- Pen
4
Sit in a comfortable position and focus on your intention. Sit on the floor, on a pillow, or in a chair. Then, close your eyes and center yourself. Focus your thoughts on your intention to cleanse yourself of negative energies or blockages in your life.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- It helps to focus on your breath. For instance, you might count your breaths to clear your mind.
- State your intention, such as, “I am releasing all negativity,” or “With this ritual, I will be cleansed of all negativity and blockages.”
5
Light your white candle and leave it burning until it goes out. Use a lighter, match, or the end of your incense to light your candle. Then, reflect on your desire to get rid of negative energy or blockages. Leave your candle burning throughout your ritual. For best results, let it extinguish itself.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- A white candle is a great option because it represents positive energy. However, you can also use a black candle to represent the negative energy you’re removing.
6
Make a list of the negative energies or blockages you want to remove. Use a pen and paper to write down the things you want to remove from your life. This can be something general, such as “negativity” or “heartache,” or more concrete, such as “fear of failure” or “envy of my friend.”^{[14]
X
Research source}
- You can also list your negative energies and blockages in your mind or out loud, as another option.
Variation: Instead of paper, try using a raw egg to purge your energies. Hold the egg up to your forehead and imagine that your negative energy is transferring to the egg. Then, smash the egg in your bowl to destroy it.^{[15]
X
Research source}
7
Envision the negative energies dissolving. Hold your list or set it down next to the empty bowl. Then, close your eyes and imagine the things on your list evaporating or fading away. Then, picture a weight being lifted off of you.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- You might also state your intention to let these things go. You could say, “I’m letting go of my fear, envy, and negativity,” or “I banish all negativity from my life.”
8
Burn your list to release the energy from your life. Open your eyes, then hold the corner of your piece of paper in the flame of the candle. Immediately drop the paper into the empty heatproof bowl. Watch the paper burn down to ashes. As you do this, picture your negative energies and blockages floating away in the smoke.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- If your fire keeps burning, dowse it with the water you placed in your ritual area.
9
Meditate until you feel ready to get up and end the ritual. Close your eyes again and focus on your breath to center you. Then, sit in meditation to complete the ritual. Finish your meditation when you feel ready to return to your normal activities.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Leave your candle to burn out, if possible. If you need to blow out the candle, do so when you feel ready to end your ritual.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Prayer or Meditation

1
Meditate for 30 minutes to release your worries. Meditation helps you center yourself and release your stress, so it’s great for cleansing your spirit. For a simple meditation, sit in a comfortable position. Then, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Take slow, deep breaths as you relax. When your mind wanders, bring it back to your breath.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- If you like, you can repeat a mantra to yourself as you meditate. You might say, “I am free of negativity” or “I release my worry.”
- You might enjoy lighting incense or candles as you meditate.
- If you want a guided meditation, try a free app like Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer. Alternatively, look online for a video meditation.
2
Repeat a mantra to help you let go of negative energy. Mantras help you set your intention and remind you of what you’re trying to achieve. Choose a mantra that reflects your intention to release negative energy from your spirit. Then, repeat it when you’re feeling burdened.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- You might say, “My spirit is unburdened,” “May my spirit be clean,” or “With loving kindness, I release what holds me back.”
3
Say a prayer if you’re a religious person. Pray according to your personal convictions to help cleanse your spirit. Ask your god or goddess for guidance and to be unburdened by what’s bothering you. Then, thank them for their help in cleansing your spirit.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- You could say, “God, I pray to you today to take this burden from my spirit. I’ve been feeling very negative and blocked lately, and I need to let that go. Please help me find relief from my worries so that I can be free. Thank you for your blessings. Amen.”

Community Q&A

Question

What incense should I use?

Community Answer

The kind of incense is up to you. Choose one that you think smells good and makes you feel relaxed when you smell it.
Question

What would be a good way to keep my mind on God?

Community Answer

I would focus on prayer and being mindful of the blessings in your life that God has given you. These are things you can do at any point during the day to keep your mind on God.
Question

Can eggs be used for spiritual protection, and if so, what are the specific instructions to perform such a ritual?

Asghar Malik

Community Answer

For spiritual protection, you need not eggs, but a strong soul, which can lead you to freedom and peace.