Steam ritual for pandemic times

We are in a pandemic. This is a strange time for all of us.

Upon request, I’m sharing a simple ritual for anyone and everyone. It can be used to process personal or collective grief and/or anxiety, to anchor yourself back into your body, or to send your prayers for healing and comfort out into the world. This is for you, so make it your own and practice it as many times a day/week as you need to.

I intuitively started this practice when I was symptomatic with covid-19 and have since used it whenever I can’t sleep due to anxious, racing thoughts. Here’s the formula: intention + creating sacred space + steam inhalation + ground & close sacred space.

Steam inhalation, the core of this ritual, has been a home remedy for respiratory illnesses for centuries. However, its use in the context of this ritual is not so much about the physiological effect as it is about the energetic and elemental properties of steam. Covid-19 is energetically cold and dry. The moisture and heat of steam, paired with volatile plant oils, are an energetic foil to the virus. 

Additionally, inhaling steam loosens what is ‘stuck’ inside of you. Again, this is both physically and metaphorically true. Think of it like a sauna - if you’ve ever been to one, you know that the heat actively detoxifies your body (through sweat) while also creating a mentally and spiritually cleansing/therapeutic experience. Fire transforms; water cleanses. Steam is a powerful ally.

One last but important reason why I’ve found this ritual to be effective - it takes me to the hearth of my home - the stove. This is the source of heat that I use to cook the nourishment that I take into my body. This practice can bring us closer into relationship with the fire element of our own homes (or wherever we have found sanctuary). In the simple act of boiling water, we invoke vitality, warmth, and comfort.

Without further ado, the ritual:

Step 1: Choose an intention or hone in on what’s weighing on you. First thought, best thought. I’ll give you an example: mine is usually something like “quiet mind, strong lungs” or “I need comfort.” Or even “I’m scared that I’m sick again and I want to trust that my immune system will take care of me.” You may not need any words, just acknowledge whatever comes up for you. 

Step 2: Create a sacred space and time for your ritual. You can do this by ringing a bell, lighting a candle, or burning incense. You can also imaginatively draw a circle of white light around you or invoke any of your guides and gods. If there’s a prayer or chant you like, that works beautifully too. It doesn’t have to be fancy. This is humble hearth magic.

Step 3: Set a good amount of water to boil, enough to fill a medium bowl. 

Step 4: Raid your fridge or pantry for plant material high in volatile oils. Dry or fresh thyme, mint, rosemary, clove, citrus peel, eucalyptus, lavender, or chamomile are great. Powders, tea bags, fresh herbs from your container garden - it’s all good. Use what you’ve got. Evergreen leaves or needles are wonderful. If you have essential oils, you can use those (but only one or two drops). 

Step 5: Add plant material to a heat proof bowl and pour boiling water over it. Amounts don’t really matter, just go with your gut.

Step 6: Sit comfortably in front of your bowl and carefully lower your face over the steam. Drape a towel over your head to trap the steam and create your own little temple of transformation. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth slowly for 5-10 minutes or however long you like. While you breathe, allow space for whatever comes up. You may feel grief arise, you may enter a meditative state. Whatever happens here is ok. Let it all loosen up and flow out how it wants to.

Step 7: When you feel complete, it is important to ground back into your body and ordinary time. You can do this by feeling your feet on the floor and imagining roots growing out of them, going all the way down to the earth’s core. Or simply put your hands over your heart or on your lower chest and say to yourself “I’m here” or some other form of acknowledgement. I admit I’m cheesy af and typically say “I love you.” You can also hold onto something like a stone or crystal, or even just take a sip of water or have a bite of food. 

Step 8: Close out your sacred space. You can do this by repeating or finishing how you opened the space in Step 2. For example, extinguish your candle, ring the bell again, thank your guides. If you drew a circle around you to begin, draw it again in the opposite direction. Use your intuition, you know what to do.

Step 9: As a final touch, before cleaning up and moving on with your day, you can place your palms down on the ground and/or literally shake out your body, like a wet dog would. Or dance it out. If you’re like me and you’re doing this in the middle of the night, grab a cup of tea and wrap yourself up in a warm blanket. 

That’s it, my friends. I plan on doing this tonight before bed, with the intention of sending each of you my love. Please take exquisite care of yourselves and give yourselves this space to process whatever you need to in your own way, in your own time.