The Secret History Of English Spas

English spas have a long and steamy history, from the thermal baths of Aquae Sulis in Bath to the stews of Southwark, the elegant pump rooms of Cheltenham and Buxton to the Victorian mania for hydrotherapy and Turkish hammams. 'The Secret History of English Spas' is an informative but light-hearted social and cultural history of our obsession with drinking and bathing in spa waters. It tells the stories of the rich, the famous, the poor and the sick, all of whom visited spas in hopes of curing everything from infertility to leprosy and gonorrhoea. It depicts the entrepreneurs who promoted these resorts - often on the basis of the most dubious scientific evidence - and the riotous and salacious social life enjoyed in spa towns, where moral health might suffer even as bodies were cleansed and purged. And yet English spas also offered an ideal of civility and politeness, providing a place where social classes and sexes could mingle and enjoy refined entertainments such as music and dance - all part of the fashionable pastime referred to as 'taking the waters'.

Beginning in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, members of the English nobility and gentry made a practice of taking relaxation at the country's inland spas. This account shows the spas to have been not only centers of healing and recreating but also venues of intrigue extending to political, religious, economic, and social issues.

Phyllis Hembry, author of The English Spa 1560 to 1815, wrote about the origins and development of the spas and their flowering in the eighteenth century. Her book deals not only with their healing and recreational aspects, but also with their status as political, religious, social, and economic gathering places. Hembry had intended to produce a second volume, taking the story further, but died before being able to do so. She had gathered a considerable amount of material and written several draft chapters for this volume. Dr. and Mrs. Cowie have made use of this, revising and supplementing Hembry's text to create a study that continues to the present time and is extended to include Welsh, Scottish, and Irish spas as well.

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The British spa came into its own in the Georgian period, with thousands flocking to take the waters at Bath, Cheltenham and Tunbridge Wells as well as numerous other towns. As these towns grew, their reputation as fashionable destinations became as or more important than the benefits of bathing, which in any case often involved immersion in water tainted by dirt and diseases from fellow bathers. Ian D. Rotherham here traces the story of the British spa back to Roman and medieval times, through their heyday in Georgian and Victorian Britain and right up to their decline in the twentieth century and recent revival. With a wealth of colourful illustrations, this book is a perfect introduction to changing attitudes to public bathing and health, and describes the rise of some of Britain's most famous towns.

“Infused with sacred practices, meditations, and rituals, Celtic Goddess Grimoire is a must read for anyone seeking to cultivate a meaningful relationship with the divine feminine across the Celtic landscape.” —Danielle Blackwood, author of The Twelve Faces of the Goddess Welcome to the world of the Celtic feminine divine! Within these pages, you will meet great goddesses such as Brigid, the Morrigan, Sulis, Rhiannon, Rosmerta, and Elen of the Ways, as well as faery women like Melusine and Morgan Le Fae. Celtic Goddess Grimoire introduces you to goddesses of magic like Cerridwen, Arianrhod, and Blodeuwedd, as well as goddesses of justice, healing, and sovereignty. This book also explores the Ladies of the Lake, including the original Lake Lady from The Mabinogi. It shines a spotlight on the most prominent Celtic female divinities but also includes a section devoted to lesser-known goddesses of the Celtic world, such as the mysterious Nehalennia, who was nearly lost before her shrine was recovered from the depths of the North Sea. A practical guide to working with these sacred beings, this book includes exercises for celebrating, honoring, and serving them. Author Annwyn Avalon provides chants, rituals, spells, and meditations. Learn how to build altars, craft charms, and actively invoke these Celtic goddesses so that they become a living, vital presence in your spiritual life. Annwyn also provides information about the meanings of the names of these sacred beings, their sacred symbols and creatures, as well as their personal powers, realms of strongest influence, and historical context. Annwyn Avalon, a water priestess and Celtic witch, is the founder of Water Priestess Training, the Water Priestess Confluence, and Triskele Rose Witchcraft, an Avalonian witchcraft tradition. She has devoted her life to the study of esoteric water mysteries, art, witchcraft, and magic. The author of Water Witchcraft and The Way of the Water Priestess, she has written for The Magical Times magazine and Witchology Magazine and has contributed to other publications, such as Brigid’s Light and The New Aradia. Annwyn writes the Patheos blog, The Water Witch. She lives in Glastonbury, as the sacred steward of Chalice Orchard, the former home of acclaimed occultist Dion Fortune. Annwyn serves as a keeper at the White Spring, one of Glastonbury’s sacred springs. Find her at annwynavalon.com. Follow her on Instagram @annwynavalon

Introducing a new series of clever little boxes with tops that slide off to reveal a deck of 52 cards inside. Each card features a recipe and detailed instructions on one side, and a rich, full-color photograph on the other. Sumptuous spa treatments don't have to cost a fortune when you follow these simple recipes for revitalizing, deep cleaning, moisturizing and relaxing your body and mind--all illustrated and packaged in a convenient pack of individual cards.