Sabbats Almanac: Samhain to Mabon - Kristoffer Hughes 2018
Crafty Crafts by Natalie Zaman
Imbolc
I DON’T SPEND NEARLY enough time in the tub as I should, especially in the winter when the cold seeps into your bones. In February (which I personally consider winter’s coldest month here in the Northeast), we celebrate the many talents of Brigid, goddess of fire, blesser of wells, and forger of metals (among other things). Brigid’s annual visit is a reminder that Goddess season and warmer weather is on its way.
Brigid’s Glittering Milk Bath Melts
This milk bath (milk being a nod to the lady-sheep who are, according to tradition, making milk for their impending lambies) will sooth and relax the body like a hug from Mama Brigid. It will also help to nourish, moisturize, and exfoliate your skin as only milk can.
Time Lavished: You’ll fritter away less than an hour mixing up these bath melts, but it’s a good idea to let them cure for at least twenty-four hours to fully infuse all the ingredients. Resulting tub time is not counted in this estimate, nor should it be. Stay there for as long as you like.
Coinage Required: $20—$25 will buy you enough ingredients to make about fifteen bath melts with ingredients left over. Given in sets of three, that’s five gifts (or a half a month of bath nights for you!).
Supplies
1 cup of cocoa or shea butter. (Different butters will yield different scents. Shea butter has a nuttier, earthier scent, while cocoa butter is warmer and creamier.)
1 cup of base oil (sweet almond or jojoba work nicely)
¾ of a cup of honey (milk and honey was a favorite bathing combination of wonder-woman, Cleopatra!)
Vanilla bean
Knife
Bowl
Spoon
Measuring cups
Sifter
Whisk
Ice cream scoop
3 cups of powdered milk
¼ cup of powdered cinnamon.
Gold and/or copper powdered glitter—I suppose this can be optional, but who doesn’t love emerging from a luxurious bath shimmering and glistening? Note: if you have any skin sensitivities, be safe and omit the glitter.
8 × 8 inch squares of cheesecloth
White ribbon
Cinnamon will give the mixture a brown hue. You can use more or less if you like, or you can add cinnamon essential oil for a stronger scent. Use any essential oil with caution. Even though the oil will be diluted with the other ingredients, it’s always a good idea to make sure you have no sensitivities or allergic reactions. Visit https://www.aromaweb.com/articles/essential-oil-skin-patch-test.asp to learn how to conduct an essential oil patch test. The cheesecloth and ribbon are optional, but very useful to have on hand just in case things fall apart, literally—read on.
Begin by sifting the powdered milk and cinnamon together so that they’re thoroughly combined.
Melt the shea or cocoa butter. You can do this on the stove top or pop it in a microwave safe bowl (preferably glass) for 1½—2 minutes. Split the vanilla bean open and scrape the contents into the butter, then add the oil and honey and blend everything thoroughly with the whisk.
Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients a little at a time. Stir it with the spoon first, then work it with your hands. The resulting dough may be a bit crumbly. You’ll know that you have the right consistency when you can form a ball of it in your hand and it doesn’t fall apart.
Use the ice cream scoop to measure out the bath melts. A regular sized ice cream scoop should hold enough of the mixture to form a two-inch ball.
Dust your palms liberally with more powdered milk (and glitter if you choose to use it) and shape the dough into spheres. Press the dough firmly as you work with it. If you’re not confident in the consistency of your mixture, wrap each ball in two squares of cheesecloth, then tie it up with a white ribbon to form a little pouch. Toss the pouch into the bath when you’re ready to use it, and the contents will melt out.
Brigid’s Milk Bath—
The Less Messier Jar Version (but just as sparkly!)
For a quick, easy, and powdery version of Brigid’s milk bath, place a vanilla bean in a mason jar or recycled jar and add:
2 cups powdered milk
1 cup baking soda
1 cup corn starch
10 drops cinnamon oil. (Remember to dilute and test any essential oils before using them for skin sensitivity and allergies!)
¼ cup of white, silver and/or gold powder glitters (Fun and optional—again, if you have any skin sensitivities, omit.)
Cap the jar, shake it up, and pop it in the fridge for a day so the scents will infuse into the dry ingredients. Use at least one cup (or more, if you’re feeling particularly decadent) in your bath.
Milk baths aren’t just for Imbolc, you know. Switch up the herbs and essential oils to create bath treats for every season: try lavender buds and essential oil for a spring milk bath, rosemary and mint for a refreshing summer bath, and cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, and vanilla bean for a spicy winter warmer.