13 Sacred Rituals to Help You Slow Down and Live a More Nourished Life

Welcome back to She Thrives with Stef Barti, an empowering podcast helping women step into their fullest expression, live their best lives, and thrive unapologetically.

Hello, gorgeous. Today’s episode is a little different—more of an intimate, heart-to-heart style chat where I share some of my favorite things that have been lighting up my life lately.

Inspired by the “monthly favorites” content I used to love watching on YouTube way back in the days, I’m bringing a similar energy here, but with a soulful twist.

After the intensity of this recent eclipse season (which, let’s be honest, was a lot 🤭), I’ve been riding a new creative wave—and with that comes the desire to share more of what’s been nourishing me.

This episode is all about sacred simplicity, slowing down, and elevating your everyday life through small but powerful rituals.

I also pulled a card for the collective at the end, so stay tuned for that soulful message.

Exploring the Shift Toward Natural Living

Let me just say—I never thought I’d be the DIY natural product girlie. Ever. I’ve always leaned toward convenience.

But here I am, slowly (and curiously) entering that world.

What’s prompted this shift?

My journey with endometriosis.

There’s no cure for it, but what can help is reducing your toxic load—what you eat, what you put on your body, and what you’re exposed to daily.

That realization started a deep dive into wellness, and I’ve uncovered so much that feels not only aligned with healing but also empowering.

Your Skin Is An Organ—Let That Sink In

One of the biggest wake-up calls came through my experience with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after having a hysterectomy.

At just 35, I found myself in perimenopause, and one form of HRT was a gel applied to the skin.

Let me tell you, I could feel the effects within 30 minutes. 😳

That moment hit me like lightning—our skin absorbs.

It’s not just a passive layer. It’s an organ.

That means everything we slather on ourselves—from lotion to soap to deodorant—is entering our system.

So I started reading labels.

Have you ever looked at the back of a body lotion bottle?

The stuff you will see there will have you scared for days.

I kid you not the ingredients read like a chemistry textbook.

Even products marketed as “gentle” or “nourishing” are often packed with parabens, petroleum derivatives, and other questionable chemicals.

It’s wild.

And it got me thinking: How did we end up here? What have we normalized for the sake of convenience?

Learning From the Wisdom of Our Grandmothers

I can’t help but think of my grandmother—she’s 98 – 99, healthy, vibrant, and fully present.

She’s part of a generation ( probably the last few ones) that ate real food, walked everywhere, and lived a life without synthetic products and genetically modified food.

Similarly, my grandma’s sister lived until 95.

I just can’t stop wondering, what did they have that we don’t? 🧐

What’s the missing puzzle?

It’s Simplicity.

Real food.

Less toxic load exposure.

Connection to nature.

A life that wasn’t constantly rushing.

We’ve drifted so far from that. And our bodies and health are paying the price.

Yes many of us are craving to return but things are much more complex with out modern lifestyle.

Reclaiming Ritual Through Herbalism and Natural Beauty

As part of this return to sacred simplicity, I’ve been diving into herbalism.

I’ve even started making my own natural body lotions and body washes using guidance from the book Herbs for Natural Beauty by Rosemary Gladstar.

Highly recommend if you’re curious about making your own self-care products in a way that feels both fun and grounded.

This isn’t about perfection or going full crunchy overnight. It’s about reducing your toxic load in a way that feels accessible and joyful.

I’ve started treating these moments of care—applying body oil, washing my face and oil cleansing, taking a herbal bath—as rituals.

Instead of chores, they’ve become sacred containers of slowness and presence.

A Glorious Bath Ritual Inspired by “Moon Bath”

One of the highlights of my recent journey was the most luxurious bath I’ve ever had—created from herbs I had lying around the house. (Yes, my home is starting to resemble a mini apothecary. ) 🤭

I was inspired by the book Moon Bath (by Dakota Hills and Sierra Brashear), which is full of seasonal rituals, herbal blends, and practices that connect you to the moon, your body, and your spirit.

If you’re into slowing down and living with intention, the book is so whimsical.

For this bath, I used:

• Passionflower – calming and beautiful for emotional balance
• Calendula – soothing for irritated skin (a godsend for my perimenopausal symptoms)
• Comfrey – known for heart-opening properties and deep grounding

I brewed them old-school on the stove, simmering gently to extract their essence. I’ll be honest—I forgot to strain the herbs, which turned clean-up into a bit of a mission (lesson learned!).

But that wild, raw, plant-filled bath felt so deeply connected to something primal. It reminded me of the power of the Earth to hold and heal us.

Slowing Down Is a Sacred Act

This whole process—from label-reading to herbal baths—isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming present.

It’s about coming home to your body, your intuition, your inner rhythms.

Whether it’s replacing one product with a natural alternative or taking five extra minutes in the bath to breathe deeply and say a prayer, every little act matters.

This journey has also reminded me of the importance of being intentional. About not just what we consume, but how we live.

A Bath Ritual to Melt Into

I’ve been loving herbal baths so much lately. I made one with nettle, rose, and chamomile—and oh my goodness.

I stayed in the bath for 40 minutes and added a couple drops of vitamin E and lavender essential oil.

I also lit a candle, burned some Palo Santo, sipped chamomile tea, turned off the lights, and just let myself melt.

My nervous system was in heaven.

I do recommend straining your herbs before adding them to the tub to avoid clogging. It’s a little annoying to clean up, but the experience is so worth it.

I also had some calming music in the background, and I truly believe these little touches elevate the experience and connect you back to yourself. Try it— I promise, you’ll feel the shift.

Slowing Down & Living in Flow

Another thing I’ve really been embracing is slowing down—removing things from the calendar, saying no, and just allowing myself to flow.

Eclipse season really forced this on me (including some unexpected ER visits), but it’s brought a deeper level of surrender into my life.

Even now that I’m feeling better, I’m still leaning into letting go of control. There’s so much power in just letting things unfold. Life feels easier this way.

Daily Rituals to Regulate & Reconnect

I use Palo Santo in the shower every single day. Just running the water, turning off the lights, lighting a candle, and letting the steam and scent wash over me.

It’s simple, but it really helps reduce stress. It’s not about expensive treatments; it’s about enhancing the everyday.

I’ve also been doing moon journaling with a cute little moon cycle journal. Aligning my life with the phases of the moon, astrology, and numerology has made life feel less like swimming upstream.

It’s like finding your rhythm again.

Tarot & Akashic Records: Tools for Alignment

My calendar is now open for tarot and Akashic Records readings. If you’re not familiar, the Akashic Records are like a universal library filled with the wisdom of your soul and your path.

Whether you’re looking for clarity on your purpose, your next steps, or simply want guidance, these tools are incredibly supportive.

This work helps you align with the current of life, and when you’re in alignment, everything flows easier.

You can book a session using the link in the show notes. I offer standalone tarot readings or combo sessions with both tarot and Akashic Records.

Therapy, Tarot & Honoring All Sides of You

Lately, I’ve been going deeper into my tarot practice.

And honestly, it’s such a match made in heaven that It’s starting to make me question whether I should still attend my talk therapy sessions. 🤭

But I love my therapist—and I believe both can coexist.

We’re multifaceted beings.

We have a soul, a spirit, an ego, and physical needs. Tarot is a great tool to keep us grounded and find guidance, while therapy can help satisfy and support the human ego. We need both sometimes.

Subliminals & Rewiring the Subconscious

Another thing I’ve been loving is subliminals. I listen to them while I work, shower, and especially while I sleep. They’ve become a huge part of my life.

Experts say the subconscious runs the show 95% of the time, yet we rarely pay attention to it.

Subliminals are a powerful way to rewire limiting beliefs and support real transformation.

I’ve also been diving into hypnotherapy (more on that soon in another episode). 🤭

Digital Minimalism & Reclaiming Your Energy

Digital minimalism has also been part of my practice—removing distractions and reclaiming my mind and attention.

It’s about choosing presence over overstimulation.

I talk more about this in another episode called Psychic Hygiene for Business—definitely check that out if you haven’t yet.

A Magical Book & Hibiscus Latte

I recently got a new French book called Le Petit Chaudron by Arlette Grimm.

It’s filled with “wellness rituals”, and moon-based elixirs. I tried one of the recipes, a hibiscus latte, and it was delicious.

I used almond milk, dried hibiscus flowers, maple syrup (instead of honey), cinnamon, and lit a purple candle.

It brought back so many memories from growing up in the Caribbean and plucking hibiscus flowers in my dad’s garden.

There’s something about these little rituals that bring so much joy and intention to everyday life.

Message from the Universe: The “Clarity” Card

At the end of the episode, I pulled a card from The Priestess of Light oracle deck by Sandra Ann Taylor.

The card that came through was Clarity – Planning, Releasing Illusion.

“This eagle priestess heralds a time of productivity and clarity for you. This card is telling you to sharpen your focus on your own goals right now. You have the vision now—make your plans and set them in motion…”

It’s a call to release illusion, drop the fantasies, and get clear about what you want and how you’ll get there.

It also reminds us to be honest—with ourselves and with others—about what’s real and what’s just fear or false belief.

The affirmation that came with the card is:

“I release illusion and confusion. I think clearly, focus on my plans, and let my life shine.”

This felt so timely, especially after eclipse season. We’re in Taurus season now—it’s time to set our sights on what matters and move forward with grounded clarity.

This is your reminder that you don’t have to hustle your way to wholeness.

Sometimes, true healing happens when you soften, when you pause, when you light a candle and soak your body in herbs. 🥰

On that Note

Thank you so much for joining me today. I absolutely love doing this podcast, and I’m so grateful to share this space with you.

Remember, my love, that you are a beautiful, unique creation—a masterpiece, one of a kind, and can never be duplicated. Take care of yourself. Trust the flow. And keep making magic out of the mundane.

If this message resonated with you and you’re looking for honest, supportive guidance, I offer Tarot Readings, Soul Readings, and Akashic Records sessions.

These one-on-one sessions are a space to explore what’s present in your life, gain clarity, and receive grounded insight for your next steps. You’re welcome to book a session whenever you’re ready.

With love,
Stef Barti
Host of She Thrives with Stef Barti Podcast

Feel free to share this post with anyone who might benefit from it. And remember, you are a unique, beautiful creation, worthy of love and joy every day of the year.

P.S. If you’re looking for a community of like-minded women who are passionate about wellness, somatic healing, spirituality, and adventure, I’d love for you to join the Thriving Girlies Newsletter below. My goal is to create a safe space for women who want to grow together in these areas.

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Additional Resource to help you slow down

Feminine embodiment & Self Love Practice

I created my “Unleash your Feminine Power” to help you really start diving into your own unique power.

In this course, you will learn to connect with your body through some very sensual movements.

There is no fancy choreography to worry about. I really wanted to make this as simple as possible.

The goal is to give you a somatic practice that you can implement into your daily routine in order to start embodying your authentic self.

It is high time we start prioritizing our relationship with our own body too.

Because in order to be truly happy and content in life, I really believe you need to strike for a balance.

That means feeding your soul, your heart, your body.

And this is the goal of my ” Unleash your Feminine Power“.

The beautiful thing is that once you start getting in touch with that fire within, it only grows from there.

This energy will go on to light up your path, simultaneously guiding you through life.

So in a way, it is your own inner guiding compass. 💕

Get in Touch with your feminine today through the self love embodiment practice

ps. Don’t forget to join the conversation over on the podcast and the girlies club so you don’t miss anything 🫶🏾

More Feminine Energy Resource

What is Feminine Energy and How to Activate it?

More ways to activate your feminine energy

Women Self Love Wellness Retreat

I am so passionate about women empowerment. Everything I do is based on this. I want to see more women embrace their authentic selves. Trust me life gets so much better.

That’s the main focus of my self love women retreat. In this Wellness retreat, we go deep. I really love to connect with my fellow sisters.

That’s why I only do small groups of 10-12 women.

This retreat is an invitation to embody your feminine and to dive into radical self love. Growth and shedding past limiting beliefs is the focal point.

We do this through various workshops, wellness practices such as breath work and lots of somatic movement.

As a dance teacher, of course we will also be using the power of dance and music to process, release and shed things that are holding us back so we can be born again.

Welcome to our transformational retreat where the focus is all on YOU.

Not only that, but we do it in style and comfort.

Our next retreat is in a breathtaking villa on the beautiful island of Gozo Malta. We will be staying in our own private villa.

And did I mention our own private chef? with our own private pool 🤭.

It is the perfect time to slow down and prioritize yourself.

Also, don’t forget to stay in touch for my Bali self love women wellness retreat, for pure feminine embodiment and lots of dancing also.