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Hygeia is the Greek Goddess of Hygiene and Health. Her father is the God of Medicine Asklepios. Hygeia is also a companion to the Goddess Aphrodite.
She is said to surround herself with deep royal blue light as well as wearing deep blue long draping robes. She carries a pet snake around her arm representing the soul, deep wisdom, healing, and resurrection. She also carries a bowl representing medicine and healing. Although she is primarily thought of at the Goddess of Physical Health, she is also looked to as the Goddess of Mental Health as well.
Throughout history, it has always been recognized that cleanliness and proper hygiene go hand in hand with health, wellness, and healing. Internal and external hygiene are of equal importance in addition to physical and mental health. Proper hygiene, a healthy diet, active lifestyle can often clear up many diseases and illnesses. It is necessary to give the body what it needs in order to support its own natural healing ability.
In ancient Greece, Hygeia was not only called upon to aid in personal health, healing, and curing disease, she was called upon to aid in cleaning one's household.
"In his book, Spontaneous Healing, Dr. Andrew Weil categorizes various approaches to the art of medicine as being either predominantly Asclepian or Hygeian. Most natural, holistic, alternative medical systems are in the Hygeian camp, whereas modern medicine is overwhelmingly Asclepian. The Hygeian approach, he maintains, is ultimately the most positive and empowering." - Greek medicine.net http://www.greekmedicine.net/mythology/hygeia.html
Hygeia is celebrated on October 13. Offerings to Hygeia include a clean house, white wine, fruit, and incense.
Her colors are white, red, and silver. Her energy resonates to healing quartz crystals, amazonite, and amethyst. Her healing herbs are chamomile, eucalyptus, and echinacea.
The Goddess Hygeia by Brian MacGregor
http://www.brian-macgregor.com/News.html
Supplies Needed:
This should be done on a weekend or during a time that you are not working, have the day off, and can take it easy.
˜Start this ritual in the evening with a ceremonial bath before you go to bed.
˜While the tub is filling, smudge the room and the water with sage invoking Hygeia.
Dearest Goddess Hygeia
Bless these waters that I am not only cleansed without but infused to my core being with your
blessing of great health and wellness
˜Light as many blue candles as you have and place them around your tub.
˜Fill the bowl or cup with filtered drinking water to drink while you soak.
˜Dissolve 2 cups of epsom salts into you bath. If you would like to add essential oils, I would suggest a combination of 5 drops of lavender + 1 drop of blue tansy. {I get my essential oils here - http://anandaapothecary.com}
˜Get into the bath and soak for a good 10 minutes as least. It is beneficial if the water is warm enough that you break a good sweat while you are in the bath. Drink plenty of water while you are in the bath as well.
˜While you are in the bath you can just sit and meditate or read the topics on "cleansing" from the book Goddess 365. Is there an additional cleansing ritual you might like to do? Perhaps the self blessing? Ask Hygeia what you need to do for your greatest health right now.
˜When you are finished and dried off, slather yourself in your favorite lotion or oil.
˜Go straight to bed and sleep soundly.
˜The following day, upon rising, drink 12oz of water with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Drink another 12 ounce glass of plain water one hour later. Breakfast should be fruit and tea. If you need something more substantial, have oatmeal with nuts or a veggie omelet. Drink one glass of water every hour throughout the day and completely eliminate all processed foods for this day.
Spend a few hours cleaning and tidying up your home. Also at some point, get outside and go for a long walk in nature.
At the end of this day, you can choose to take another ceremonial bath. Before going to bed, journal about your experience with the bath and with your food for the day.
Copyright Kay Steventon
Resources:
http://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/AsklepiasHygeia.html
https://broomcloset.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/hygeia-greek-goddess-of-health/
http://www.greekmedicine.net/mythology/hygeia.html
http://loveofthegoddess.blogspot.com/2012/01/hygeia-greek-goddess-of-good-health.html