Since you've read, how a spiritual alter can be a vessel of communication with angels, ancestors and other divinities. And, having established a strong link to your unique grace, it is now time to put it to work. See previous hubs to follow along to this point...

Through prayers, burning incense, lighting candles, placing food/libation to the forces we nourish them. And, something else happens, they are satisfied. By satisfying the forces or energies around us, the negative ones are appeased, and leave us alone. The positive ones are appeased and help us acquire blessings or maintain the blessing we already have. Negative energies, not only do they obstruct progress they multiply, and hang around until they are removed. Yes, a person can have a negative traumatic event in their lives. And, carry the negative spirituality of it, for many years. it's because, it has not been ever specifically addressed or treated, at a spiritual level. Re-occurrences, even in a different style, is proof of what I'm mentioning here. These negativities hang around, waiting for an opportunity to hurt again. Some examples of them are depression, animosity, curse, betrayal, envy, jealousy, bigotry, gossip, aggression, assault, loss, misery, necessity, hunger, pain, suffering, justice situation, divorce, bad debts, bad luck, and heart break, just to name a few. Notice, how I have not even gotten to witchcraft yet. To Ifa (the religion I practice), if a word denotes or describes an energy that can affect you, then it is a spirit/energy. Of course, when negative. It is a spiritual force of affliction, an illness, decomposition or disease, you are not well.

          When lighting a candle, and burning incense, please ask the angel or divinity that you are lighting a candle to. Too, please help you overcome, and vanquish depression, anxiety, illness, or what ever ails you. When placing an offering of fruit or food. Ask that the negative energies pain, suffering, loss, illness, which ever you believe is robbing or stealing your energy, to be satisfied with your free will offering, and leave your body and environment. This is what is meant by applying a spiritual healing therapy solution utilizing you’re alter/shrine.

Good health (a divine treasure), obtaining a better paying job, a raise in your current one, falling in love, getting married, buying a house, having a child, not being indebted, being able to afford the finer things of life. Ah, whom does not like the good stuff, blessings umm, I can savor them wish them, and can’t wait for them. And, how come they don’t last? Obstructions that’s why. Obstacles and intruders, they come and you have to make them go. Negative influences too, are like a roulette wheel spinning until it lands on someone. Some are channeled towards you as is witchcraft, evil spells, or curse. Yet, others are just attributed to conditions set by the way we choose live. So you think and live, so you are. Then, there are the automatics. Stuff that is just picked up, like a cold, virus or flu that's in the air.

What has been pointed out is/or can be identified by way of a system of divination. It takes practice in being good at it. It’s not an overnight, take a course and I’m a diviner (specialty acquired) that’s it. It takes, time, dedication, practice, devotion, or sacrifice. You may want to obtain divination from a professional shaman, Ifa/Orisha priest, medium, psychic, tarot reader, and guru, someone trustworthy at first. This trust can only come by way of experience and proof. Proof is obtained through results. All spiritual work has to have a positive end result. A change for the better, in some form, way or fashion. There is no way of measuring how much of a blessing is to be obtained from spiritual work. There are times where we make leaps and bounds, and other times when we just scratch surfaces. Never the less, we have too, notice a change. And, it always begins with a feeling of having some weight taken off our shoulders. We are relieved or a leaved from something. Maybe, from one of the negative influences, I fore mentioned above. Do note, that depending on how much injury is in a persons’ karma, one treatment alone is sometimes inadequate. Various sessions will be needed, one should not give up, change will occur.

Expulsion or expunging by way of incense is very common. Sage, bay leaf, garlic skins are but a few agents that can be used to burn away negative energies. This is because of their known spiritual properties, as has been past down from generation to generation. Another form of cleansing is via a spiritual bath, herbal, or none herbal. A non-herbal is one where we use different types of waters mixed. For example a combination including church holy water, rose water, orange blossom water, gardenia, and Florida water cologne; poured over your body, saying a prayer for purification. Another can be done in nature or outdoors by in going to the beach. You start by first making an offering to the spirituality, divinity, or angel in charge of the Ocean. A humble offering of dried fruit, mixed nuts, and some coins. Then while in the water, you pour honey or molasses all over your body, then wash or rinse off with the ocean water. Then, continue with having a regular day at the beach. The same can be done at the river, lake, or waterfall. All angels or divinities have roles in nature, and serve or protect a position in nature. When praying to them in their outdoor environment, bring a humble offering (without littering of course), acknowledge them share with them, and show respect. They will acknowledge you as well, and separate those that know, from those that don’t too.

The spiritual herbal bath, can be generated knowing the spiritual significance or property of a plant or herb. Plants or herbs are of most importance because of their medicinal and nutritional values. Most people think that they are to be ingested only, for a divine internal experience.  What happened too, spiritual? Can you feel astringent, sour, repugnant, sweet, salty, hot, refreshed, aromatic, sick and cured? Herbs can influence all of these effects on us, as they can  change our feelings in these or other ways.

How to use Herbs & Spices for a Divine Spiritual Experience:

There is no special number of combinations of herbs or spices to use. A list of plants/herbs and spices, have been include in this article, in order to give a wide range to choose from. Also, the herbs and spices listed can mostly be bought at the supermarket. Some at the fresh herbs section, others in the food seasoning section. Other specialized herbs would have to be ordered or bought at a plant nursery store. Always check your local area.

Some Spiritual Baths:

When herbs are fresh, run through the blender or food processor with plenty of water. When herbs are dry, boil along with seeds and stems or added spices. After having created the tea like substance let cool, and pour into a bucket or large bowl; add more water, honey and fragrance. Make enough to fill a gallon. Store gallon in refrigerator, and use everyday until finished. Another way, is too, split the Bath into 3 parts for 3 day use. When ready to use. Pour the bath water into a large enough container, so as to add warm water from the shower. Or, pour to soak in the bath tub. After normal shower, pour bath water over body; after soaking and finished bathing just towel dry.

Always remember to pray over your bath, while taking the bath, in the manner accustomed. This means, according to your religious denomination and language. You can light a candle, and burn some incense in the bathroom too.

Love & Money Attraction Bath:

The following herbs, seeds or spices; Anise, Basil, Cinnamon, Cilantro, Ginger, Hyssop, Kola, Marjoram, all sweet Mints, Rosemary, and Saffron. Other ingredients to add; Honey, Cologne or personal fragrance preferred.

Cast Away Evil or Jinx Removal Bath:

The Following Herbs; Angelica, Bay, Chaparral, Echinacea, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Garlic, Myrrh, Oregano, Parsley, and Sage. No fragrance. Just add; white rum, and palm oil.

Health or Wellness Bath:

The following Herbs: Allspice, Aloe, Angelica, Basil, Chamomile, Cocoa, Dandelion, Garlic, Pennyroyal, Red Clover, Sage, Thyme, & Valerian. Can be used with a fragrance or with just white rum.

Teas for ingesting can be made from some of these herbs, yet I’m not recommending any. That is for an individual to decide with their spirituality. Always check bottles, and packages for what ailments can occur from using any type of herb, external or internal.

Note: please be mindful of what not use that can cause an allergic reaction to you. The list of herbs mentioned here are found in most grocery stores, or herbal specialty stores. They should not pose a threat. Yet, like all things know your body. Like with all herbal medicines, please consult your physician before ingesting; do your homework. Not all on this list have to be used at the same time... any combination that works with your system & taste.