Blessingway was originally a Navajo Native American ceremony held to bring 'good luck, good health and blessings' to a person embarking upon any particular rite of passage during life. Held during the 8th month of pregnancy, it is a powerful way of honouring the mother and baby before birth and gathering spiritual support in preparation for the life-changing event soon to take place.
Each ceremony is different according to the mother's wishes and the dynamics of the women attending. You can plan your Blessingway just exactly as you would like. Traditionally, a peaceful candlelit space is prepared for the gathering where rituals such as circle dancing, singing/chanting, meditation or weaving a web of yarn can take place, as well as pampering the mother with, for example, henna paints for her belly, oils to massage her hands, hairbrush to brush out her hair, herbs soaked in warm water to bathe her feet and cornflour to dust them. Each guest offers a symbolic gift, such as music, poems, songs or images to be placed around the birth space, and one bead. The mother threads the beads into a bracelet or necklace to wear during her labour reminding her of all the positive support from her women friends and family. The ceremony may close with a reading or blessing before the feast - which all the women prepare and contribute to!
If you would like to hold a Blessingway for you and your baby, I can help you to prepare for the event, or lead the ceremony if you wish. Cost £50 (plus mileage if further afield). Please contact me for further information.