The ritual bath to open paths is one of the most sought after rituals when life seems stuck: the job that doesn't come, the money that doesn't circulate, the feeling of being stuck in the same place. Unlike the cleansing bath (banho de descarrego), which cleanses what is heavy, the ritual bath to open paths has the function of attracting, of calling movement and opportunities close to you.
This guide shows what this bath is for, which herbs to use, how to prepare it step by step, and the best moment to take it. And, with the honesty that the theme deserves, it also explains what it is not: a magic formula that solves everything alone.
What the ritual bath to open paths is for
The ritual bath to open paths serves to energize and prepare your spiritual field to receive good things. People seek it in specific moments:
- When they are unemployed or want to change jobs
- When money does not flow and prosperity seems distant
- When they feel stagnant, trapped in a phase that does not move
- Before an interview, an exam, an important decision
- At the beginning of a cycle, such as a new month or a new year
The keyword here is attraction. While a cleansing ritual bath removes what is hindering you, an opening paths bath calls in what is good. They are different and complementary functions, and understanding this changes everything.
Clean first, open later
This is the point that separates those who understand ritual baths from those who just repeat internet recipes. Many houses instruct: before opening paths, perform a descarrego.
The logic is simple. It is no use attracting good things to a field that is charged, heavy, and dirty with dense energies. It is like trying to fill a cup that is still dirty with water. Therefore, the custom is to first perform a cleansing ritual bath, with herbs and elements of descarrego, and only then the attraction bath.
For the cleansing stage, the blog already has dedicated guides, such as the coarse salt ritual bath for descarrego and the descarrego smoke cleansing for the environment. Once the cleaning is done, the ground is free for the opening paths bath to act.
Important: performing a descarrego first is a good practice, not an iron rule. Each house has its own fundamento, and your dirigente is the one who gives the final word on the order and combination of the baths.
The herbs that open paths
The opening paths herbs are, in general, warm and attractive, linked to prosperity and solar energy. Unlike the hot herbs of descarrego, such as arruda and guiné, they do not cut: they call. See the main ones:
- Rosemary: one of the most powerful for attracting prosperity and warding off sadness. Learn more about alecrim.
- Basil: an herb of attraction and abundance, linked to plenty. See manjericão.
- Bay leaf: the leaf that "calls money," associated with success and victory.
- Alfazema or lavender: harmonizes the field and attracts peace along with prosperity. Learn about lavender.
- Colônia (levante): brings lightness and makes the energy of the environment flow.
- Canela em pau: a classic for financial attraction, present in many recipes. See the canela.
A simple and safe combination, widely used, joins alecrim, manjericão and louro. You can add cinnamon or colônia if you want to reinforce it. The important thing is not to mix, without guidance, the herbs of attraction with the hot herbs of cleansing, as they work in different directions.
How to do the ritual bath: step by step
The preparation of a good banho de ervas follows a simple sequence, but one that makes a difference:
- Take the hygiene bath first. The herbal bath comes after, over the already clean body.
- Boil one to two liters of water. As soon as it reaches a boil, turn off the heat and only then add the herbs. This preserves their properties.
- Cover and let infuse for ten to twenty minutes.
- Strain the liquid and wait for it to cool to a comfortable temperature, never hot.
- Pour from the neck down, on the front and on the back, calmly. The head does not receive this bath: the crown, your ori, has its own treatment, with specific herbs.
- Do not rinse. Let it dry naturally or dry it with light taps on a soft towel.
- Put on light clothing and rest for a few minutes, concentrating on your intention.
Remember that the herbs are for ritual and external use. They should not be ingested, and those with sensitive skin should test them first to avoid allergies.
The best day and the moon
Tradition associates certain moments with the opening of paths, always remembering that this varies according to the house:
- Day of the week: Monday is the most linked to opening, as it is the day of Exu (Eshu) and Bará, the guardians of the paths. Tuesday, of Ogum, is strong for overcoming obstacles and demands.
- Moon: the waxing moon is the preferred one for attraction and prosperity, as it carries the energy of growth and expansion.
- Moment: the beginning of the week or month, and the eve of important decisions, are opportune occasions.
Regarding frequency, the ritual bath to open paths should not be daily. It is common to repeat it once a week or every fifteen days, always with moderation.
The orixás (orishas) who open the paths
Two orixás are especially linked to the opening of paths. The first is Exu, or Bará, the guardian of crossroads and doors. He is always the first to be greeted in any ritual work, because he is the one who opens the paths and makes the axé circulate. Treating him with respect is fundamental: he moves and unlocks, and has nothing to do with the image of the "devil" that prejudice attributed to him. Learn who Exu is and who Bará is.
The second is Ogum, the warrior orixá, lord of the roads and of iron. He opens paths by breaking obstacles, overcoming demands and stuck situations. That is why Tuesday, his day, is so associated with this type of ritual work.
When taking your ritual bath, it is worth to set the intention with a simple prayer, remembering that it is a gesture of faith and firmeza, not a guarantee:
May my paths open with axé. May stagnation give way to movement, and may that which is good and just reach me. I count on my own effort and ask for the strength of the guardians of the paths.
What to avoid in the path-opening ritual bath
For the ritual to be safe and respectful, some precautions are worth more than any miracle recipe:
- Do not expect a magic formula. Be wary of those who promise guaranteed results in a few days. The bath is firmness and connection, not a button that solves life.
- Do not mix with spiritual cleansing (descarrego) herbs without guidance. Hot cleansing herbs, such as arruda and guiné, work in a different sense. Combining them on your own can nullify the desired effect.
- Be careful with your skin. alecrim and other plants have recognized properties, but they are for external and ritual use. Those with sensitive skin should test first, and no one should ingest the bath water.
- Do not use the bath to harm anyone. Opening your paths has nothing to do with closing those of another person. The intention must always be of construction, never of a curse.
Above all, remember that serious foundation lives in the terreiro. For specific combinations and ritual work, speak with your pai or mãe de santo.
Frequently asked questions
How to make a bath to open the paths?
Boil one to two liters of water, turn off the heat, and add attraction herbs such as alecrim, manjericão, and louro. Let it infuse, strain, and wait for it to cool down. After your hygiene bath, pour from the neck down, do not rinse, and put on light-colored clothes, firming your intention.
What is the best day for the path-opening bath?
Monday, the day of Exu and Bará, and Tuesday, the day of Ogum, are the most associated with opening paths. The crescent moon also favors attraction and prosperity. More than the exact date, what matters is your faith and the guidance of your house.
Do you need to perform a spiritual cleansing before opening paths?
Many houses advise that yes. The idea is to first clear what is heavy, with a cleansing bath (banho de descarrego), and only then perform the attraction bath. It is no use calling for good things into a charged field. Still, this varies according to the fundamento of each terreiro.
Can you take an opening paths bath every day?
It is not recommended. The opening paths bath should be done with moderation, generally once a week or every fifteen days. Taking it every day does not accelerate the result and can cause imbalance. The constancy of faith counts more than the quantity.
Does the opening paths bath work alone?
No. The bath is a preparation, a firmeza, and a spiritual connection, but it does not replace your action in the world. Opening paths is also about sending the resume, going to the interview, taking care of your health, and making the necessary decisions. The ritual goes hand in hand with attitude.
Where to find herbs for your bath
At Joia Mística Laroyê, you find everything for your opening paths bath:
- Fresh and dry herbs: rosemary, basil, bay leaf, lavender, and more
- Ready-made opening paths baths: prepared with the right herbs
- Cinnamon and cologne: to reinforce attraction
- White and yellow candles: to consecrate the intention
Visit our shop in Extrema, Minas Gerais or talk to us via WhatsApp and we ship all over Brazil.
References
- Umbanda Diary: Ritual baths in Umbanda, meaning and preparation
- Ganesha's Corner: Herbal bath from the neck down or starting from the head
- Wikipedia: Rosmarinus officinalis (alecrim)
