HISTORY OF SACRED BATHS
As the renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell noted, the Goddess/God physical appearance differs in each culture. However, the Divine's essence, spirit, and soul are more similar than different.
Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge, holds similar characteristics to the Yoruba Goddess Oshun and Haitian Goddess Ezili Freda. The three goddesses are associated with knowledge, beauty, and wealth.
The three goddesses also share another commonality, water.
Mythological stories, folklore, and personal accounts attest to the miraculous healings associated with the rivers/lake named after these goddesses. The Ghaggar-Hakra River (Saraswati), Oshun River, and Lake Alada in Benin (Ezili Freda Alada Dahomey) are physical and spiritual representations of the power of the feminine to heal through water.
One of the many ways we connect to this higher being is through nature, more importantly, water.
Sacred bathing is an ancient practice honored in different cultures. Russians refer to their baths as banyas. Greco-Romans refer to their baths as tepidariums and Japanese sentos. The Judaic baths for spiritual purification were referred to as Mikvahsm, serving as a metaphor for restoration or birth.
During the morning ritual, some Hindus recite a mantra while pouring water back to the river. In many African Traditional Religions, water is a libation, or offering, poured to connect to spirit and honor ancestors. The Native Americans also practiced sacred water rituals. The Mayans practice sacred bathing rituals to treat spiritual diseases and use prayers and plants to heal.
Again, different cultures, different people, but one commonality.
Respect for the feminine.
Respect for the power of water.