A head too hot to think is a hearth too fierce to cook upon; wisdom asks first for a cooling.
This bath reaches toward a clear and level judgment by washing away the fever of worry, anger, and hurry that clouds all counsel. What is decided in the heat is regretted in the cool — so cool first, and only then decide.
The Working
- At dusk draw a warm bath, and while it fills, bruise vervain and lavender between your hands to wake their scent.
- Scatter the herbs upon the water with a handful of salt, and let three drops of a cooling oil — mint or lavender — fall after.
- Stir the water sunwise with your hand until the herbs turn slowly upon it.
- Step in, sink to the shoulders, and feel the heat leave your brow and pass into the water.
- Speak the incantation slowly — once as you settle, and once again as you rise.
- When you drain the bath, let the water carry the fever and the herbs away, down and out and gone.
The Incantation
Vervain, lavender, cool water, salt,
take the fever from my brow.
Quench the anger, still the haste,
lay the hot thought down to rest.
Level as a pond at dusk,
let me judge with a cool clear head.
Rise unhurried, and settle nothing until you are dry and dressed; the choice made by the cool head is the one you will keep.