A ritual of grief, rage, and sacred transformation
Materials for home immersion:
1. A bathtub, large basin, or shower
2. A vessel for pouring water (if immersion is not possible)
3. Optional: candle, mirror, towel, essential oil, Shekhinah image or stone
4. Time and space to be unrushed
5. Reference the home-based mikveh ritual for preparation and accommodation suggestions
Opening the Sacred Space
Light a candle (optional) and say:
“I call Shekhinah to dwell with me in this place. Be present in this water, this body, this truth.”
Blessing Over Living Water
“Barukh atah Shekhinah, mikor mayim hayim, asher kidshani b’tokh gufi, u’vrakha li et hadma’ot.”
“Blessed are You, Shekhinah, Source of Living Waters, who makes me holy within my body, and blesses my tears.”
Naming What Is
Before the first immersion, speak these words aloud or to yourself:
“I arrive today, with pain filling my body, my heart, my soul.
I arrive exhausted.
I arrive scared.
I arrive angry.
I arrive in the truth that my condition is progressing and I cannot change that fact.
I cannot stop it.
I cannot fix it.
I arrive today holding the ashes of what I believed my future would look like.
I am here in the unknown.
I allow the water to wash away the ashes, so I may see what I now have.”
Grief Prayer (adapted from Psalm 6:7):
“Amalti b’anakhati askheh v’khol-laylah mitati b’dima’ot.”
“I am weary with my groaning; every night I drench my bed with weeping.”
Chant for Grief (repeat 3x):
“Ana El na, refa na li
Holy One, please, heal me.”
First Immersion
Take a full immersion, or pour water slowly over your head and shoulders.
“I enter the water bearing the truth of my pain and fear.
I release the ashes of my expectations.
I let the water carry what I can no longer hold.
I am here. And I am still whole.”
Immersion Blessing:
“Barukh atah Shekhinah, asher kidshanu b’tokh hamayim.”
“Blessed are You, Shekhinah, who makes me holy within the water.”
Second Immersion
“I immerse today to begin releasing the future I planned that I am unable to see become reality.
I immerse today to begin releasing the health and strength I expected to have.
I immerse today to begin releasing expectations that no longer serve me.
I send them all into the water, to be carried away and transmuted into energy that will serve me.”
Take your second immersion or pour again with intention.
“I let go of what no longer belongs to me.
I honor what was.
I bless what may yet be.”
Immersion Blessing:
“Barukh atah Shekhinah, zo hamakhzirah tikvah l’nefesh.”
“Blessed are You, Shekhinah, who restores hope to the soul.”
Third Immersion
“I am here today inside of the unknown
Without what I once had.
Without a plan for where I’m going.
I am here to begin the process of becoming the next version of myself.”
“Today I allow myself to feel my rage.
Today I allow myself to feel my pain.
Today I allow myself to feel my broken heart.
I allow myself to be held in the water just as I am.
I allow myself to be in this moment of grief.
And I allow myself to feel it completely so that I may begin moving forward.”
Take your third immersion or final pouring.
“I am here.
I am sacred.
I am held in the womb of Shekhinah.
I am becoming.”
Final Immersion Blessing:
“Barukh atah Shekhinah, mikor rakhamim v’emet, hamkabelet oti b’khol zman.”
“Blessed are You, Shekhinah, source of compassion and truth, who receives me in every season.”
Aftercare & Closing
Wrap yourself gently in a towel or robe. Sit or lie down if needed.
“My body is not a failure.
My grief does not need to be hidden.
My life is ever-changing like flowing water.
I am always in the making
I am never made.”
