A Passion Ritual
by Donna Maria

It's February and winter's in full swing. Maybe cabin fever hasn't quite set in yet but you're still restless and growing kind of tired of wearing the baggy clothes of cooler climes. If you're on the east coast like me, you can look forward to warmer weather but not before at least one or two blizzards pass through. No matter where you are though, you can use the increased time at home to create a healing spa ritual to help you feel your best, even while in the midst of a state of semi-hibernation. Before getting started, note that this ritual includes going into the bathroom and locking the door. Get away from kids, husband, business, boyfriends, the mail and anything else that can district you. Now, put your hair up and gather the necessary supplies.

• one bar of freshly made handmade soap (get some from a member of the Handmade Beauty Network!)
• a loofah or textured bathing cloth
• one large plastic bowl inside of which is 1/2 cup of sugar, 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil (use what you have), 2 tablespoons of real whipping cream and a drop of rose essential oil (or fragrance oil if you don't have the real thing) -- don't mix anything together yet, just put it all in the bowl
• some bubble bath

Take all of this to the bathroom and hook up some of your favorite relaxing music.

Draw a warm bubble bath and slink in. Place the bowl between your knees and close your eyes. Slide your hands into the bowl and stir the ingredients together. Feel the sugar as it exfoliates your hands. Enjoy the aroma of rose oil. Smile as you sense the vegetable oil treating your cuticles. Relax to the feeling of whipping cream softening your skin. Massage the mixture over your hands, then move up your arms to your shoulders. Gradually cover all areas of skin, save for those which are sensitive or broken. You can even gently rub it lightly across your face and neck if you don't use too much pressure and skip your eye and immediate mouth area. Get your feet, knees, ankles, heels, elbows, thighs, rear -- get it all.

Do as much of this as you can with your eyes closed. Feel the stress and tension ebb from your mind, body and spirit. Enjoy the sensuous curves of your body, the strength of your calves, the power of your biceps and the force of your feet. Appreciate yourself through this Passion Ritual. When you're done, use your handmade soap and loofah to gently wash yourself clean of everything but the delicious aroma of the flower of love.

Feel beautiful and then share yourself with someone you love.