Blessingways and Baby Showers
Becoming pregnant
- especially for the first time - is exciting and nerve-wracking. It brings to a natural close one part of a woman’s life and it opens into another. It is a journey into the unknown, and it may well be the greatest and most profound transition of your life. In addition to the bodily changes occurring over 9 months which span your emotional, physical and spiritual experience, you also have two huge events coming up: the birth itself and the ensuing days, months and years of motherhood. It is a lot to take in! No wonder in nearly every ancient or native culture across the world this gateway is marked by ritual and by a gathering of (usually female) friends and family, to empower the mother-to-be.
Depending on your preferences you will choose to mark the coming of motherhood in a variety of ways: you will be planning the actual birth (who will be with you, will you try for a home birth etc), you might be buying clothes, equipment for the baby, sounding out possible names, looking at your intake of caffeine or other substances, maybe decorating the baby’s bedroom. All of these common activities are your way of processing your change. With each passing day you become more acquainted with your transition and the small person growing inside you.
A Blessingway
is an event where your people come together to celebrate and help prepare the rising mother in you. The term ‘Blessingway’ has been taken from the Navajo culture where a ceremony would last several days and honour ‘The Changing Woman’. An adapted version can consist of many elements and could include things like:
- Food
- Drinks
- Gifts
- Incense/smudging/cleansing
- Singing or chanting
- Readings, prayers or blessings
- Meditation
- Belly painting
- Gathering and presentation of sacred/symbolic objects
- Massage/foot bath
- Bead or ribbon ritual
- Dedications and evocations
And of course, lots of laughter and hugs and usually some happy tears as you allow yourself to truly feel the significance of your experience and the love and support you have around you.
A baby shower
is usually a less structured event which is more like a social gathering without such emphasis on your transition. While baby showers might be more suited to those who would feel uncomfortable ‘being made a fuss of’ it is also common that women are not sure they are ‘spiritual enough’ for a Blessingway. In fact all women are spiritual enough in their own way. It is your birthright that your transition is acknowledged and supported by the close women/people in your community at this powerful time.
A Baby Shower may look a little more like this:
- Guest list to include friends of any gender, their partners and children
- A buffet meal and drinks
- Music and decorations
- Baby-related games
- Gift-giving and receiving
When designing your event you, or your family/friends will pick the elements which most resonate and fit with your objectives. Thus all Blessingways and Baby Showers are unique, co-created according to the energy and character of each mother-to-be. Even if you feel unsure, you are still very welcome to get in touch or ask a friend to get in touch with me to discuss ideas.