Blessing Way

On saturday my aunt Marty hostessed a Blessing Way for me as i prepare for babe's arrival. A Blessing Way is a native american tradition of helping a woman to mark a transition in her life by gathering with other women and celebrating. it includes natural elements and plenty of time of nurturing the mother. in some ways it is like a shower for the mother rather than the baby but i feel that a blessing way has a real depth to it that a baby shower... or even a pamper the mother shower... doesn't have. this is more about gathering together with your clan and feeling supported by the women in your life and they know this will be difficult for you but you can do it. one woman shared that as she was birthing, the images and words from her own blessing way continued in her head and helped her through. they all brought thoughts or quotes to share with me to help me prepare for the birth or for motherhood.

i was lucky to have four women of my mom's generation there who ALL had homebirths with Nancy. and then two additional women who are dear friends but haven't been pregnant yet. and what was so remarkable was that the women who had had the home births talked about being in the moment, about being connected to Source/the universe, about being empowered, about being powerful all of those things. not a one spoke about the pain being unbearable. and at the end my aunt said 'i would do it again'

Below are some photo highlights:
Natural Element of Fire is added by all women lighting a candle, sara is pictured












Nurturing the Mother and Natural Element. Katie gives me a foot massage using cornmeal. (i'm super lucky because she's in massage school) The beautiful garland was made for me by Robyn.

















Nurturing the Mother and Natural Element. Candy washes my feet after the corn meal massage


We took a break to eat wonderous food provided by marty with mom's help. YUM!

Then came back to do some beading to create a focal point for me to use during labor or just as a memento after the experience.
Marty helps me choose beads.



















Mom and Marty choose beads



















Robyn chooses beads


















The final hanging






i wish every woman could have such a wonderful and empowering experience. as Robyn said: it's like this is the moment to pause and just gather in and be with the experience away from all there is to do. and from here from this moment on you are moving forward to the birth.