The word radical is from the Latin radix meaning “root” and by extension radicalis meaning “of or having roots, from the PIE root *wrād- meaning “root” or “branch”. And yet in modern context the word radical is used to denote something so deviating from the norm as to be alarming. This may have begun with the British Liberal Party’s “reform from the roots” movement, i.e. radical reform in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Thus supporters of parliamentary reform in Britain were known as Radicals, until they were supplanted by the Labour Party in the early 20th century. The word radical entered American slang in the 1920s and hit it hard in the surfer slang of the ’70s and ’80s when it was used to denote a wave that challenged your ability to maintain control. I’ve only been surfing a few times, long ago and I wasn’t any good at it, but I think I know what they mean. When you feel like you’ve lost all control and you’re completely at the mercy of the wave. It’s terrifying and beautiful and primal.
And then radical entered the lexicon of the average person and came to mean pushing the limits of what is normal and acceptable. The word that was once used in political discourse to talk about “foundational” issues and the “root” of the problem got flipped in a profound way. It almost seems intentional.
As witches, it behooves us to pay attention to the meaning of words in context and throughout history. Dare I say, at a radical level. Word have meaning. Words are magick. That’s why they call it a spell.
Our Own radical truth stems from both ignoring what is normal and getting to our very root.
Ask yourself the question: who would I be if “normal” and “polite” and “respectable” wasn’t an issue for me. I know that some of you reading this are going to say “I have never been normal. I have never cared about that.” and maybe that is true. I’m the most not normal person I know. I don’t believe in money or time, I talk to animals and shun humans and my phone is full of pictures of plants and that’s without even getting too personal. But I have secrets. I tell myself lies. I worry about other peoples reactions to me. I tolerate nonsense that erodes my spirit. I have a hard time saying no. The name you know me by isn’t my real name but one I chose to hide this part of me from people who aren’t even still alive (But I’m gonna keep it because it’s just been that long). I need to think about my own radical truth and I think you should too.
Aquarius is an air sign, but also the water bearer. As an air sign, Aquarius is about information, messaging. But the water bearer brings fresh, cleansing water to wash away the nonsense to get to your radical truth.
Water Bearer Cleansing Meditation
First, we’re going to prepare a bath tea. You can feel free to soak in this as you mediate or just soak your feet or wash your hands and splash your face. Whichever feels best for you. You can also put this in a spray bottle and spray it around your area or put it in wash water to wash floors and walls to cleanse the area of limiting beliefs.
Before You Begin
Spend some time with your Journal. Make two-sided chart and write down some limiting statements that you say to yourself. Some examples might be.
Self Limiting “Truth” Statements
“I wish I could do something to make them proud.” “One day, I’ll do the thing.” “It is important to behave properly so that people will like me.” “If I were thinner, I would find love.” “No one will want to hire me if I don’t conform.”
It doesn’t have to be you, either. You could write down the nonsense people say about the world.
“Women need to be careful not to tempt men to violence.” “There’s nothing ordinary people can do about it.” “There will always be poor people, there’s just not enough to go around.”
After you’ve spent some time with that. You can start mixing up your magick brew.
You will need
1 c. Epsom Salt – Epsom salt is magnesium salt. It helps relax your muscles and draws out impurities. It also holds onto whatever smelly stuff you put into it quite well and dissolves well in water. If you do not have Epsom salt, any sea salt will also do. Sea salt is a bit rougher on the skin and not as soothing to the muscles but it is powerfully cleansing and also dissolves well. You can also combine equal parts of both types of salt if you like.
1/2 c. Mugwort – Is a dream herb that helps prepare us to receive truths from the universe without the illusion of social conditioning.
If you have hay fever you may be allergic to mugwort, so take care here and leave it out if you need to. You can replace it with Damiana or leave it out altogether.
1/4 c. Peppermint or Spearmint- Is refreshing and stimulating. This will make your body tingle and help clear mental static.
3 star anise pods
1 piece of clear quartz (Optional) Just as an amplifier.
A water-soluble marker, like Crayola kids markers. Whatever color you like or mix it up.
The Process
Mix up the herbs with with all the ritual and ceremony appropriate to your tradition. Keep it sealed in a jar until you are ready to use it. You can label it “Radical Cleansing Bath”.
When you are ready to steep, you’ve got some options:
You can place the mix in a cotton or muslin bag, or a bandana, or whatever you’ve got. Make sure it’s loose because you want the water to flow through and around it and pick up all the goodness. Place this in your tub so that as it fills, the water flows over the bag. Use very hot water to start and adjust the temperature as needed or wait a bit before you get in.
Or. Place the mixture in a heat proof container and pour boiling or near-boiling water over it and let it steep for 5-10 minutes, then strain it into your tub or foot bath or whatever you are using. (If you’ve got one of those big ole colanders spans across the sink just bring it on up to the bathroom, I won’t tell.)
If you’ve got a better way, use that. I’m not the boss of you.
But don’t do it yet. Set everything up in your ritual area. Bathroom. Whatever. You might also want to put some candles around, put on some music. Something punk, I would say, but you know best.
Next, write on your body, wherever you like. You are going to write some of those safe truths and limiting beliefs that are getting in the way of your radical truth. Have fun. Draw emojis. When I was a teen, I used to doodle and write on my body all the time. It was a sort of self-regulating activity. When I noticed my kids doing it, I didn’t put up a fuss because I remembered. We wrote on our arms mostly, making crazy sleeves of doodles and song lyrics and lovers’ names. In this spell, we’re really going to go over the top writing all over our bodies. (It’s okay, it’s water soluble markers, not like that actual ink we used as kids.) I just want us to get into that head space of just bringing all that stuff from the inside, outside. You can take some time to admire your work, or don’t.
When your water is ready and you are satisfactorily graffitied, begin your bath. As you are bathing, soaking, splashing, spritzing- whatever suits you best- wash away those limiting words. Do this intentionally. Say something out loud about it like “I wash away the nonsense that blocks me from my truth”.
When you feel like you are done, drain that tub, dump that wash water down the toilet, or whatever it is you need to do to get rid of it. As you watch it swirling away, know that all that limiting nonsense is going with it. Goodbye nonsense.
Finish Up
Now go back to that journal. You’re probably feeling all languid now. That’s fine. Lay down with it and relax. Cross out each of those limiting statements you wrote down and write a radical statement next to it. You might not think of anything now, but you’ve just opened yourself up to new energies so they may come to you over the next few days, in your dreams or as waking flashes of inspiration.
Here are some things I might write. You don’t have to write any of this. This is YOUR radical truth, not mine.
Your fundamental, root truth that absolutely disregards the norm.
“I am proud. How they feel isn’t my responsibility.” “Now is the time to do the thing” “If I live my truth loudly, my tribe will find me.” “I love myself and that means being doing my best for my body without worrying about size.” ” I have a unique perspective. I just need to find that niche.”
“Everyone is responsible for their own behavior.” “I can make a difference.” “The class system is an intentional construct. It can be intentionally deconstructed.”
Now take a nap. You did good. Let the energy of the sun and the moon do the rest.
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