Thank you to Netgallery for the information on this book, as other reviewers mentioned, when I tried to download my review copy it wouldn’t work. However the blurb sounded fantastic to me, I was convinced after reading it that ‘this is one for the bookshelf.’  I pre-ordered a copy and waited patiently. It arrived, I read, had a lovely bath last Sunday during this month’s new Moon in Virgo! But… and there is a but, I found that this book could be improved slightly in my honest opinion, but I do like it. And would still recommend it.

About the Book:

 Moon Bath a luxurious guide that invites readers to immerse themselves in the healing powers of nature.

This transformative book features 16 bath and shower rituals aligned with the lunar cycles and the natural rhythms of the cosmos.

Organized by moon cycle –New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full Moon, and Waning Moon – each ritual includes a bath recipe featuring healing natural ingredients.

– Includes affirmations and meditations
– Journaling prompts promote reflection and self-discovery.
– Filled with lush, nature-inspired photography

Brimming with Ayurvedic wisdom and plant-based medicine, Moon Bath is a lovely companion for modern mystics, wellness enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to wash away the stresses of daily life.

3 Lovely, But Room For Improvement Stars

First thing to say is, this is a visually stunning book, it screams luxury the pages, hardback, colours, everything about it. I really love all of this. I also love how the book is organised into seasons. So each month we have a new, waxing, full, and then waning moon– the moon’s natural cycle. Within the book there is a special bath tea ( tea to add to your bath water), with herbs and lovely essential oils for each moon during the spring, summer, winter and autumn months– love this! I also really love the pictures the authors used, and the writing prompts for each moon/season and bath.

On the other hand, while I expected all of this wonderful stuff to read, and loved all the information what I found was that:

1. A lot of the herbs used to make your ‘tea’ to add for your bath can’t be sourced very easily at the local supermarket, or herb store. Just by reading them I could see that, without even heading out.  Now if you are someone that knows or has an interest in herbs ( like me) you can reach for other resources, and use alternatives. But, really this should not be the case. This is where I feel the book has room for improvement, it’s not very suitable for everyone in that respect. And some may even feel they need to search the internet, import these herbs/flowers etc and go through a lot of expense. I feel that overall the herbs should be easily accessible– all of them. In each of the sixteen rituals I could pick out herbs that would not be in the food aisle, sadly.
2. The authors really do explain well how the different moon phases can cause us to feel, as people Eg reflective, creative, etc. However, here is room for improvement too. How about explain the moon’s phases in more detail, for those who don’t know the difference between a waxing and waning moon for example. Some readers ( myself included) do, but  some or even many may not. There’s major room for improvement here to educate readers further.
3. The herbs themselves– why are we using them? Again if you’re not someone who is familiar with all of them that the authors recommend to use in your bath, where is the extra education for readers? I would have love to know WHY the authors settled on the herbs they recommended for a waxing moon in the summer for example, compared to a waxing moon in the winter? Clearly there’s a difference what is it? As I don’t know and would love to!

As mentioned, last weekend I did look at the bath tea recommended for an autumn new Moon, and take a lovely bath. However, I did replace the raspberry leaves for raspberry herbal tea  I had at home LOL. So, you can see that in some months you may need to use alternatives. It  would have been lovely if the authors recommended herbs that allow ease of use, for more people. Generally, this is a beautiful book, and a stunning concept simply boiling herbs, water, flowers and in some cases fruit with hot water on a stove, tip it into your bath water, have a nice relaxing bath with it with candles and music etc, then reflect in your journal at key points in the month, based on the moon’s phase. However, there is a lot of room for improvement to enhance the average reader’s experience, learning, and connection with WHY they are using what they are using, and WHAT the moon’s actual energy is! I realise the latter is moving into the astrology realm, but it’s not hard to explain the differences between the moon’s phases for those who may not know. For me, it was worth the buy straight away without the free review copy, as I do like the book and can fill in the gaps. Readers who can’t may not get as much out of the book as they hoped, especially if the herbs for the bath teas are hard to find, which is the main concept of the box ‘tea baths’. Three stars from me, but I do love it and recommend it even to have on the shelf and look at it’s stunning. I will take more baths using the recipes  as in all honesty my house smelt amazing!  I felt like some kind of Goddess when I got out the bath, so thanks! Give it a try if you like the concept of a relaxing bath, some you time and relaxation.