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Mother Blessing Ceremony

 

A Mother Blessing typically involves a gathering of the mother-to-be’s most trusted friends and family, who sit in the power of a circle and share amongst one another. Traditionally it is a woman-only gathering and may include her mother, sisters, aunts, daughters, best of friends, mentors – anyone she respects, looks up to or values. It helps the woman to prepare herself for the birth, emotionally, spiritually and mentally, for the all important role of a new mother. She feels ‘held’ and supported by those she loves and respects – a great way to help her release any blockages she may be feeling and to allow her to embrace what’s to come. Hearing other women’s birth stories as you share around the circle can be surprising, exciting and heartwarming to hear. A Mother Blessing can be very affirming, empowering and uplifting.

What type of Ceremony appeals to you?

 

1. Bead Ceremony

This is a nice way to get EVERYONE, not just those who can actually make it to the event, involved. All attendees and some that maybe could not make it will bring a bead to the ceremony. It can be any type of bead that they feel either represents birth, motherhood, or anything else but that has positive energy with it. In the circle each person will pray over their bead or say a few words about it before it is presented to the mother. Those who sent a bead but could not physically be present may send a note with the bead. It gives a really nice feeling for the mother to be to feel that she’s surrounded by so much love from those around her, with a physical reminder of their presence to have with them at their birth. These beads can then be made into a necklace or bracelet for the mother-to-be to wear during labor.

2. Cord Ceremony

In this ceremony, all attendees will be binded together at the wrists with a single cord of red wool or some other yarn. Before each cord is cut for the indvidual, a few words of encouragement are spoken by the women to the mother-to-be. Everyone then keeps the string around their wrists until they hear that birth is underway – then they all cut the cord as a symbol of unity. Plus the cord is a nice way to remind others to be thinking of the prospective mother.

3. Flowers and/or Henna Ceremony

A crown of flowers made for the mother with flowers brought by the attendees, always makes her feel special, and henna [body art, typically on the belly and/or hands] (if a henna artist is available) is always good fun for the mother and other guests. There are loads of traditions associated with “mother” henna.

4. Massage and Mothering the Mother Ceremony

Always bliss for a pregnant mama. Attendees will simultaneously give the mother-to-be a head, shoulder, hand and foot massage (maybe not hand if she’s getting henna done!). All these things are done to make the mother feel nurtured, protected, surrounded by love, and supported. Additionally brushing her hair, washing her feet in warm water with aromatic herbs  (essential oils are a nice touch – but first check they are safe for late pregnancy) or painting her toenails is a lovely way to nurture her.

5. Candle Ceremony

Some women make an agreement to the mother at Mother Blessings to light a candle (even say a prayer as well) in the mother’s honor, as soon as they hear that labor has begun. Candles will be provided and during the ceremony each woman will light their candle and say a few words of encouragement for the mother-to-be. 

 

Other ideas that could be incorporated include:

 

  • Traditionally, a blessing is done in the form of a prayer or poem. It’s a lovely idea for the guests to bring a poem or prayer they have found or personally written, to share with the mother-to-be. Someone could be in charge of collecting the blessings and collating them in a book/journal/scrapbook or other special place.

  • Bellydancing! Contrary to what most of us may understandably assume – bellydancing was originally done by women, for women. It is a beautifully feminine art and perfect for your Mother Blessing.

  • Something else to mention that isn’t so much a blessingway tradition but is a popular idea to incorporate: the meal roster! If you can have everyone commit to a meal or two, it can be such a wonderful gesture. The idea is to try to cover at least two weeks, where the new parents won’t have to worry about at least one meal of the day!

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