A reflection on sacred land, inherited healing, and the unseen forces that reveal spa as a lived philosophy—one rooted in water, ritual, and connection.
On a cold, overcast fall day—one day after a final big, bright supermoon—I find myself standing in a sacred circle of twenty people gathered on the resplendent banks of Ti’lomikh Falls on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon. The waterfalls here are a source of great power: not just hydropower that once ran a nearby power plant, but the unseen power of the people who gathered here each spring for over thousands of years for a Native American Salmon Ceremony. My husband found this land while kayaking decades ago and made it his home before he met the late Grandma Agnes Baker Pilgrim, the oldest living Takelma Native American and keeper of the ancient ceremony that began here at the beginning of Takelma time. We continue to live on this land and have learned that quiet magic happens here all the time.
The Fire, the Water, and the Unseen Currents
In the center of our circle glows a small fire, a gentle heartbeat of warmth and light, next to a crystal bowl filled with blessed water, shimmering like captured starlight. The day feels imbued with both the visible beauty of the landscape and the unseen energy that binds it all together. We have come together for a water blessing, an honoring of the Osprey’s Path—a mystical alignment connecting four sacred sites in a geographical and spiritual thread.
Ospreys, with their impressive five-to-six-foot wingspans, cut through the sky with both grace and authority. Their white bellies and striking dark eye stripes give them a noble air, and their uncanny ability to spot fish from dizzying heights is nothing short of a superpower. Across various cultures, the osprey embodies vision, focus, and strength. In Native American spirituality, it stands as a symbol of harmony with water and nature—a spirit guide reminding us of life’s deep, interconnected web.
Signs in the Sky: When Spirit Reveals Itself
As we gather for this blessing, Echo—a Native American woman with a kind and welcoming presence—leads us in ceremony. The weather, unexpectedly tranquil despite forecasts of heavy rain, feels like an unseen blessing in itself. We look up and see an osprey glide above us, a celestial messenger acknowledging our gathering. Its presence, as it circles the ceremony, becomes a moment of affirmation, connecting the physical and spiritual worlds in a way we can both see and feel.
A few moments later, the air becomes electric as a golden eagle soars overhead, filling our hearts with awe. These moments reveal a beauty that cannot always be articulated but can certainly be felt—an invisible current of meaning and grace.
The water blessing is a call to recognize the sacredness of water and its vital role in sustaining life, reminding us that we are all bound—people, river, creatures—by an invisible but undeniable thread of life.
A Life of Spa
These unseen forces—at the heart and soul of spa—have always been woven into the tapestry of my personal life—offering living proof of connection and healing against even the most formidable afflictions. My mother, struck by polio at a young age, was given the gift of daily spa rituals: warm olive oil massages administered by my grandmother, hydrotherapy, swimming lessons to strengthen her muscles, and the healing waters of the ocean. And, of course, only fresh, real food nourished her.
Her orthopedic doctor—a tall, serious young man—was astonished and could not understand why she didn’t suffer the muscle loss characteristic of polio victims. As it turns out, my mother was the only child to walk out of her hospital ward without a brace on her leg. These unseen yet powerful forces of care, connection, and healing had done what scientific medicine alone could not. This is why spa—the spa lifestyle—is personal to me—because spa meant my mother could walk.
The deeper truth of spa, often unseen and unacknowledged, became my passion and my mission.
The Moment Spa Became My Life’s Work
It wasn’t until I wrote my first spa article for a fitness magazine in the late 1980s that I fully grasped the gravity of what I had lived. Spa is not a place. Spa is salus per aquam, which translates as “health through water.” More than massage, nutrition, fitness and beauty, spa is the confluence of what we now call “wellness.” The flow of the best life. I had taken these gifts for granted, like a fish unaware of the water it swims in. But the deeper truth of spa, often unseen and unacknowledged, became my passion and my mission. For nearly 30 years, I’ve dedicated myself to spreading awareness, uniting the industry, and showing people that spa is a pathway to healing—a sanctuary that fosters human connection and possibility.
Why do I share this with you? Because spa has a transformative power—an unseen yet palpable energy that reconnects us to our bodies, calms our minds, and opens the door to self-awareness. Spas are reminders of our humble beginnings, of the waters and springs where people once laid down their weapons to embrace the earth’s healing gifts—and rivers where sweat lodges were built and salmon shared so that no one went hungry. Far from trivial, spas remind us of our humanity. They teach us to cherish the beauty of both the seen and unseen, to explore our senses, to breathe deeply, and to reflect on our place in the world with greater clarity and compassion.
In essence, spas are places of refuge and renewal—sanctuaries of gratitude and forgiveness—where we are invited to pause, heal, and become better versions of ourselves for the world at large. Spas encourage us to rediscover the subtle rhythms of our own being.
The Timeless Truths of Spa
Spas have served as sanctuaries of healing and rejuvenation since ancient times, drawing on traditions that connect mind, body, and spirit. Today, this ancient wisdom is continually enriched by modern advancements in science and medicine, creating ever more profound pathways to wellbeing. As I reflect on the enduring essence of spa culture, I’ve defined what I call the Timeless Truths of Spa: principles that honor our heritage of healing while embracing contemporary innovations, reminding us of the enduring power of self-care, balance, and holistic living.
Beauty—Experiencing and appreciating beauty, whether through self-care, the arts, or the simple wonders of life, uplifts the spirit and nurtures self-esteem. Engaging with beautiful works of art and the splendor of the world around us fosters joy, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation of life’s gifts. Beauty rituals today remind us to value self-love and find joy in the world around us.
Community—Meaningful connections with others foster a sense of belonging, emotional support, and shared experiences. As social isolation becomes more prevalent, nurturing community is essential for emotional health.
Food—Nourishing the body with healthy, whole foods supports overall wellness, boosts immunity, and enhances energy. Mindful, nutritious eating combats modern challenges like fast food culture and processed diets.
Movement—Regular movement, whether through exercise or gentle activities like yoga, helps maintain a healthy body, reduces stress, and uplifts the spirit. In our sedentary world, staying active is crucial for physical and mental health.
Nature—Spending time in nature rejuvenates the senses, reduces stress, and enhances wellbeing. Reconnecting with the natural world helps offset the effects of urban living and technology overload.
Quiet—Moments of silence and stillness allow for mental clarity, inner peace, and reduced anxiety. In today’s noisy, always-connected world, quiet spaces are more important than ever for mental wellbeing.
Sleep—Restful sleep is essential for physical and mental wellbeing, promoting cellular repair, memory consolidation, and emotional stability. Today, prioritizing quality sleep is more important than ever due to the rise of stress and digital distractions.
Water—From water blessings to water therapy, whether through hydrotherapy or simple hydration, water is vital for physical detoxification and mental rejuvenation. With increasing pollution and dehydration issues, water rituals offer restorative benefits.
These Timeless Truths of Spa guide us to live more intentionally, weaving ancient wisdom with modern insights to nurture a fulfilling and balanced life. By embracing these principles, we reconnect with our innate capacity for healing and cultivate a deeper sense of harmony with ourselves and the world around us.
Editor’s Note: A version of this essay first appeared in January of this year in the inaugural Kintsugi Almanac, a Dubai-published, arts-and-culture focused annual book produced by Kintsugi Space.
Mary Bemis
Mary Bemis is Founder & Editorial Director of InsidersGuidetoSpas.com. An advocate for all things spa, Mary forged a vocabulary for spa reportage that is widely used by those who cover the issues today. Recently honored as a Top 30 Influential Voice Transforming Wellness by Medika Life, Mary is an inaugural honoree of Folio’s Top Women in Media Award. Her spa media roots run deep—in 1997, she launched American Spa magazine, in 2007, she co-founded Organic Spa magazine, and in between serving on the ISPA and NYSPA Board of Directors, she was on the launch teams of Luxury SpaFinder and New Beauty magazines. Named a "Wonder Woman of Wellness" by American Spa magazine, Mary was honored by the International Spa Association with the distinguished ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award. She is a special advisor to the non-profit Global Wellness Day.
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