Soap may not seem like a ritual tool, but washing the body has long been considered a spiritual act. Many religions include some form of ritual cleansing. In Judaism, full-body immersion occurs in a bath or small pool called a mikveh. Misogi is a Shinto purification ritual. This ritual takes place in running water, especially waterfalls. Cleansing plays a role in Western Esotericism, particularly Wicca, as well. Salt is part of casting a circle because it purifies the ritual space. Similarly, soap can clean the physical body as an act of spellwork. With all ritual cleansing, the practitioner's intention is most important.
