This is exactly what i would love to have for my shower! The practice of celebrating pregnancy and the birth of a new mother transcends almost all human cultures. Unlike the traditional American baby shower which is usually focused on the baby, the Mother Blessing's focus is positive energy to prepare the mother [and her birth partner] for labor and childbirth.
There are many ways to celebrate a Mother Blessing and we will include the following "rituals" in our Mother Blessing: the creation of a birthing necklace (to be worn during labor), the creation of a set of meditation stones for use during labor as well as sharing thoughts, poetry, songs, personal stories, prayers, best wishes and gifts with the expecting parents. http://www.snowboardmommy.com/content/mother-blessing/
Blessingway ceremonies create 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, she gains a sense of power, confidence, and support that will help her rise to motherhood.
Birth is a key life passage for women. But modern culture has become preoccupied with the arrival of the baby-to-be and has lost touch with birth's profound impact on the expectant mother. While our most common birth preparations focus on getting women physically ready to give birth, the blessingway ceremony helps a woman to prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the work of birthing, and it opens her to her instinctive abilities, which will guide her as she steps into the role of mother.
http://www.blessingwaybook.com/
Birth is a key life passage for women. But modern culture has become preoccupied with the arrival of the baby-to-be and has lost touch with birth's profound impact on the expectant mother. While our most common birth preparations focus on getting women physically ready to give birth, the blessingway ceremony helps a woman to prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the work of birthing, and it opens her to her instinctive abilities, which will guide her as she steps into the role of mother.
http://www.blessingwaybook.com/
Blessingways are very beautiful and I believe that they can help the woman make the transformation into motherhood. It also involves her family and friends in her pregnancy and birth in an intimate way that seems to carry on to the baby and postpartum time.
Here are a few things that are common at blessingways in this area.
Calling in the spirits from the 4 directions, asking for their strength and protection. Usually done by the closest friends.
Have each person bring a special bead or charm to make a birthing necklace. Each woman presents her gift to the mom with a wish or hope for her labor and birth. Have extra small beads to string in between the larger ones. These necklaces are always very beautiful and special to the mom. They are often worn in early labor and then used as a calming focal point as labor progresses.
The woman has her hair brushed and braided with flowers by her mother or mother figure in her life. If it is her mom it is nice if she talks about how she felt when the woman was born.
The pregnant woman's feet are washed and massaged in warm, flower filled water then dried and rubbed with corn meal. This is traditionally done by the woman's midwife. (and it feels heavenly!)
Usually a blessing way is just women but we always have a potluck afterwards and sometimes the men are invited to that. During the potluck we send around a sign-up sheet for postpartum help.
Here are a few things that are common at blessingways in this area.
Calling in the spirits from the 4 directions, asking for their strength and protection. Usually done by the closest friends.
Have each person bring a special bead or charm to make a birthing necklace. Each woman presents her gift to the mom with a wish or hope for her labor and birth. Have extra small beads to string in between the larger ones. These necklaces are always very beautiful and special to the mom. They are often worn in early labor and then used as a calming focal point as labor progresses.
The woman has her hair brushed and braided with flowers by her mother or mother figure in her life. If it is her mom it is nice if she talks about how she felt when the woman was born.
The pregnant woman's feet are washed and massaged in warm, flower filled water then dried and rubbed with corn meal. This is traditionally done by the woman's midwife. (and it feels heavenly!)
Usually a blessing way is just women but we always have a potluck afterwards and sometimes the men are invited to that. During the potluck we send around a sign-up sheet for postpartum help.
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