Holistic Birth & Parenting Consultants
Inspiring Today's Evolving Women & Family
earthmother
"A blessingway is a nurturing celebration which honours the transition from maiden to mother. While a baby shower focuses on material items for the baby, the blessingway concentrates on pampering and preparing the mother-to-be for the journey to motherhood. During a blessingway ceremony, there are many rituals and activities which are tailored specifically to the mother. While every celebration is unique, many begin with a short meditation and a ritual smudging with a sage bundle. This helps create sacred space, and pays homage to the Navajo tradition from which the ritual has its roots. This is often followed by an herbal footbath, and a cornmeal scrub and oil massage. This washing of the feet is traditionally done by the mother's midwife, doula or mother and symbolizes the washing away of fear during birth. The mother may have her hair brushed and combed, perhaps braided and topped with a flower crown - the change in appearance represents her changing status. Guests will often be asked to bring a special bead for each child they have, or one for their own birth, and these are strung upon a birthing necklace which the mother will wear during labour. This reminds her that she is not alone on her journey, that her friends surround her in spirit with their love and strength. It can be a powerful focal point during active labour and transition. Whatever will most pamper and empower the mother-to-be. Blessings and affirmations for birth and mothering are bestowed upon the mother, and symbolic gifts or gifts which pamper the mother during labour or postpartum are given. The celebration often concludes with the making of simple bracelets, which the guests will wear until the baby is born. Together with a gift of votive candles, which are lit when the mother goes into labour, the guests can send their energy or prayers for the mother's birth journey. After the formal ceremony is over - and it doesn't have to be formal at all - everyone can share birth stories and share the common feature of all celebrations: friendship and food! Every pregnant mother deserves to be honoured in this special way."
Coming soon!
Resources for MotherBlessings
Downloadable Motherblessing Songs and Lyrics
Feb 28th, 2010
May 23rd, 2010
Aug 22nd, 2010
Nov 28th, 2010
Quarterly Motherblessing
earthmother is facilitating a red tent for celebrating, honouring and nurturing motherhood!
Whether you want to become pregant, are pregnanct or have already given birth, we welcome you to join in a sisterhood of women to celebrate and embrace your feminity!
We will gather in circle and share our journeys through conception, birth and motherhood. We will learn songs for blessing birth and the earth!
Come be nurtured by our holistic doulas! We will be honouring motherhood by providing the following nurturing practices (optional!):
Pre-conception mommas can receive uterine massage.
Pregnant mommas can receive relaxation massage.
Mother's who have already given birth can receive uterine massage and moxibustion.
e-mail Sherry to register your interest!
VOLUNTEER DOULAS NEEDED
We are looking for holistically minded doulas in the Edmonton community to co-facilitate this blessing of motherhood with us! Training in nurturing practices will be provided. Only those who are allowing of all birthing choices, including FREEBIRTH are encouraged to contact us about this special opportunity. This is a safe place for women to expand into their potential and we seek to place no limitations on a woman's right to choose how and with whom she births.
e-mail Sherry to register your interest!
