Elizabeth's Mother Blessing Ceremony

A mother blessing ceremony is one of my favorite things. Women coming together to encourage and love on each other, talk about birth, eat wonderful food, and soak up the special feeling of a sacred event...it's wonderful. I'm only doing ceremonies in the mother's own home now because of the incredible energy they leave behind...that's hers to enjoy after the guests have gone home. We made some sweet memories at Elizabeth's ceremony last weekend...

One of the best things about a mother blessing ceremony is the way it can be guided to support the mother's needs in a personalized way. Rather than some of the typical blessingway-style activities like beaded jewelry or quilting, I chose to have the guests bring an item from nature with some significance to Elizabeth or their relationship with her, to contribute to a beautiful centerpiece. Each item was so meaningful and reflective of its bringer, from an anchor to remind her to keep God as her anchor during the hard times, to an otter figurine to remind her to keep laughing. As each guest contributed their item, they were invited to share their wish for Elizabeth's upcoming birth.

After telling and re-telling birth stories, each guest contributed a reading of their choice. We enjoyed hearing favorite scriptures, funny and wise birth quotes and more. With Elizabeth's history of long labors, I chose to read excerpts of midwife Gloria Lemay's article on slow birthing.

We closed the ceremony by laying hands on Elizabeth and praying for a safe, healthy, peaceful and beautiful birth for her and her new baby. Then it was time to enjoy the sumptuous feast we all had prepared together!