Rituals with Nature, Plants & Mushrooms
Tea Journeys
Ritual Baths
Herbal Dietas​​
Here in this body are the sacred rivers: here are the sun and moon, as well as the pilgrimage places. I have not encountered another temple as blissful as my own body. ~Saraha
Tea Journey
A tea journey is one of the simplest plant spirit medicine rituals. You can journey with any plant, tree or mushroom that is safe to consume and if you are interested in connecting with a toxic plant or mushroom, there are options such as drop doses or flower essences. Burning dried leaves or roots is another option in lieu of drinking a tea. A tea journey can be enhanced in many ways, however this guide offers an easy and time sensitive option for getting started.
​
With intention and presence, brew your tea. Before you start this ritual, turn off distractions, put your devices away and make adjustments to your environment that will support your process. You may also want to engage in a mindfulness or grounding practice before you get started.
​
Once you have brewed your tea, take a few moments to sit with your brew. Slow down and just be for a few moments. You may want to journal an intention or request (something you are asking this plant to help you with or support you through). As you sip your tea, stay present and curious.
This ritual may invoke a feeling or sense (such as feeling calm or more spacious) or it may induce memories, images, unexpected emotions, ideas or intuitive messages. Avoid trying to make something happen or figure anything out. Your experience may be subtle or intense, simple or profound. Trust the wisdom of the plant.
​
After finishing your cup of tea, many people like to close their eyes for 10-20 minutes and open themselves up to ideas, visions, insights, messages and other forms of communication and connection. Sometimes our plant connects us with someone else (such as an ancestor or part of ourselves) and sometimes we sense that we are communing directly with the plant spirit.
​
Many people think that to "journey" with a plant or mushroom, we must choose a psychoactive or psychedelic. This is far from the truth. Every plant, mushroom and tree holds wisdom, spirit and the capacity to connect with you. While cacao, kava kava and mugwort are somewhat well-known as non-psychedelic journey plants, we have had group journeys with rose, lemon balm, motherwort, lavender, dandelion and reishi - all resulting in deep and meaningful experiences.
Ritual Bath
A ritual bath can be a form of blessing, purification or self-anointing. Soaking in a sacred bath can be a powerful ceremony and considering things such as the moon cycle and season can enhance this ritual. A foot bath, shower steam or face wash offer modified versions of this ritual if you are unable to take a bath.
​
Start by choosing your plants and decide how you will incorporate them. You can make a strong tea and pour the tea into the bath. You can put dried or fresh herbs into a filter bag or tea diffuser and soak with them. You can even add the plants or flowers directly to the water (just be careful to strain them out before draining the tub).
​
You may want to bathe in silence and darkness or you may want to light candles, burn incense, play music or add another practice to your ritual. Your intention will help guide these decisions.
​
Below are five sample ritual bath blends based on the properties and spirit medicine of the plants. Use your imagination, follow your curiosity and trust your intuition to make your own!
​
Blessing Bath
Tulsi (Holy Basil) and Rose
​
Purification Bath
Cedar, Lavender and Rosemary
​
Dream Bath
Mugwort, Lavender and Rosemary
​
Protection Bath
Rosemary, Thyme and Pine Needles
​
Rest and Reset Bath
Chamomile, Lavender and Passionflower​
Herbal Dieta
A dieta is an intentional and ceremonial process of purification and connection with a plant or herb. This ritual is far more extensive than a tea journey or bath. A traditional dieta would be guided by a shaman or medicine guide, however there are a few ways that you can engage in a dieta-inspired practice to deepen your connection with a plant ally or to prepare for a sacred medicine journey. In most cases, regardless of the type of dieta, a person eliminates sugar, strong flavors, caffeine, recreational drugs, red meat and even activities that could distract from deep connection and presence. These restrictions are a way of honoring the plant and keeping our bodies free of anything that could interfere with our ability to connect with our sacred plant teacher. Your dieta may last 24 hours, 3 days, a week, a lunar cycle or longer. These details depend on your intention, the plant you are dieting and if you are working with a guide who follows a specific protocol.
​
A Secluded Dieta
During a secluded dieta, we refrain from interacting with the outside world. We restrict social interactions, avoid social media, spend a lot of time in silence and may choose to fast (only consuming the plant we're dieting). In most cases, we would not work and we would pause all social engagements. If possible, a secluded dieta could include an extended period of time solo camping, staying in a cabin or retreating at a spiritual center.
​
A Social Dieta​​
During a social dieta, we weave our dieta into our everyday lives. This can be challenging so it is important to put supports and boundaries in place to help you stay committed. During a social dieta, we still limit our intake of certain foods, media and interactions with others to the extent that we can. If we have a family, we may choose to sleep in another room for the duration of our dieta or we may preschedule increments of time for solitude and reflection.
​
Sacred Disruptions
It is very common for something unexpected to happen during the days leading up to your dieta. Often, the sacred plants are already at work within your life and disruptions are likely part of the journey. However, if we aren't mindful of this, we will allow disruptions, inconveniences or a breakdown to distract us and pull us away from our dieta plans. Trust the path and know that there is often something sacred or purposeful unfolding.
​
Trust the Path
It is important to be open to a large range of emotions, insights, questions and experiences. Purification rituals are a time of releasing and surrendering. You may have a hard time sleeping or cry more than usual. You may feel triggered constantly or have memories resurface that need your intention. Working with a guide can be a great way to support your dieta journey. They can offer perspective, encouragement and insight if things become confusing or overwhelming. ​
​
Choosing a Plant
The plant or plants that we bring into a dieta depends on our intention. If your intention is to deepen your relationship with a specific plant or herb, then you probably already know what plant you want to work with. If you are preparing for a sacred medicine journey, your ceremony guide or an herbalist may be able to suggest specific plants or even create a custom preparation tonic or tea for you.
The information on this page is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The substances mentioned have not been approved to prevent, treat or cure any disease. The Cavewoman Way does not offer medical or legal advice nor do we support illegal activity of any kind.