Milk Bath Goddess

The original milk bath Goddess was Cleopatra. The story goes that she would bathe in sour Donkey milk and honey in order to maintain her youth and beauty. Of course, she was a queen rather than a deity but, well, you know… Cleopatra wasn’t alone in her bathing rituals, and Donkey milk has been popular throughout history to help ladies avoid the aging process! (1)

Well, when Stutographer and I were planning our shoot we didn’t quite have that in mind. We had a whole bunch of ideas we wished to test out, and at the bottom of the list was the milk bath. Goddess didn’t even feature, I just hoped we could take some nice pictures.

I can’t believe the magic moment he captured.

There I was, enjoying some time self-tying in the relaxing warmth of my tub. I’d tied the chest harness and one thigh while he prepared the waters. Laying back I melted into my bubble of rope. I’d never tied myself in the water before, this was as good a time as any… So I bound my right leg tight in a quick and dirty futomomo before twisting and pulling myself into the most uncomfortable shape I could think of. At the time I felt like a human pretzel, all angles and edges.

But what I see is a milk bath goddess.

OK, I’m not a thing like Cleopatra, but if there’s more than one way to skin a rabbit then there must be multiple ways to be a queen? And after the eruption last week I’m pleased to find balance once more. Softening back into my flesh again, smooth and sensual. Regaining some semblance of control over my emotions. The gentle, warm and forgiving characteristics that I find so beautiful in myself have returned, and embraced the fire and ice left behind by the rage.

Milk Bath Goddess is my latest link up for Sinful Sunday. Click the lips to see what everyone else is up to this week.

I’m also really excited to add Stu to the photographers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. If you’re a photographer and would like to work with me please do get in touch.

(1) If you want to learn more about the history of milk baths as an anti aging product and make your own, follow this link to Herb and Hedgerow’s post Milk- Natural Beauty Through History.