Birth With Dignity, Joy and Peace of Mind

 

Imagine being surrounded by women who love you, who nurture and support you—they adorn your head with flowers, massage and soothe your feet with a warm, herbal foot bath, speak words of wisdom and honor you with a candle blessing, or bead a necklace for you the symbolizes the wisdom and power of the circle.

 

These are just a few of the things that may happen at a Blessingway, a traditional American Indian ceremony marking the transition from one stage of life to another. Holding a blessingway ceremony for a pregnant woman is a unique way to celebrate her passage through the childbearing year and provide her with spiritual encouragement as she prepares for her transition into motherhood.

 

It is important not to forget ancient ceremonies like the Blessingway and to respect and honor where and why they began. A woman's rite of passage into motherhood is the foundation for new life. Friends and family come together to give their love, wisdom and support that will empower the mother for when the time comes to face the important work of labor and birth she has ahead of her.

 

The ceremony can include such rituals such as: smudging (the burning of sage, a Native American sacred herb, to clear energy), floral hair weaving, dry/wet foot bath, beaded keepsake necklace, candle light blessings, poetry readings, birth art, bellycasting, or a food train. Other rituals can be added. Each ritual carries a symbolic message to guide the mother through the challenge of birth ahead.