What is a Blessingway
A Blessingway (also known as a Mother Blessing or Birth Blessing) is a ceremony inspired by sacred Navajo Indian fertility rites.
A Blessingway creates a sacred and safe environment where a mother-to-be can explore the challenges and joys that lie before her as she approaches birthing and mothering. Surrounded by the most important women in her life, a Blessingway gives the woman energy, strength, confidence and support that will stay with her on her journey of birth.
This
beautiful and personal ceremony can help a woman to prepare mentally,
emotionally and spiritually for the work of birthing. A
circle of
support and strength is formed, tapping into the vibrant energy and
wisdom of the collective feminine spirit. Positive stories
are
shared, encouragement and good wishes are bestowed, and the
mother-to-be is honoured and nurtured with gentle uplifting rituals,
allowing her to embrace the transformative process of birth.
Birth is a key life passage for a woman and an experience she will remember for the rest of her life. A Blessingway offers a space for the birthing woman to release her fears and approach birth in a positive frame of mind.
Each ceremony is as unique and special as the people involved. A guest might brush and adorn the woman’s hair with fresh flowers, a birthing necklace may be created using beads chosen by guests, symbolic bathing of the woman’s feet may take place to signify the journey she will soon embark upon.
Belly-casts, gifts, art, henna body painting, massage, the sharing of home-made food, beautiful verse, singing, chanting, group relaxation and visualisation, drumming, belly-dancing...the possibilities are endless! It can be as simple or elaborate as you wish.
Baby Welcomings and Baby Namings
A
meaningful and intimate ceremony designed especially for your
family. With rituals shared such as gifts and blessings for
the
baby, poetry, music, reading of the birth story, commitments by parents
and guardians, sharing of food. Many parents also combine
this
ceremony with a tree-planting in the baby’s honour, under which they
‘plant’ the baby’s placenta - nourishing the earth as the baby was
nourished so perfectly for so many months. A lovely way to
celebrate the baby’s ‘coming to earth’.
Like Blessingways, Baby Welcomings create a circle of community in which the baby and parents can feel nurtured and supported.
To Arrange Your Ceremony..
Please contact Rachel to discuss your requirements and preferences, and together we can create a ceremony that is warm and memorable. I am happy to facilitate the ceremony on the day, or you may have a close friend or family member who is keen to fulfill this role with some ideas and guidance. I can also assist with creating unique invitations, and record the event with photographs if you wish.