Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Blessing the Baby

Practiced in many Native American cultures, the Blessingway Ceremony was traditionally held to honor major life transitions. During late pregnancy and to prepare for birth, an important rite of passage for women, a woman's close female friends would host a Blessingway Ceremony to honor her transition into motherhood. This initiation helps to prepare a woman physically, mentally and spiritually for her journey through birth and into motherhood. It allows her to strengthen her social support, which she will need to nourish her postpartum, and to deepen the bonds that she has with her community of support.
Do your own Blessingway Ceremony: Invite a group of women friends/relatives for a relaxing time to share food, pamper mom-to-be and honor the new baby who is making the way to join the circle.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Blessingway

From the heart of Earth, by means of yellow pollen
Blessing is extended.
Blessing is extended.
On top of a pollen floor may I there in blessing give birth!
With long life-happiness surrounding me
May I in blessing give birth!
May I quickly give birth!
In blessing may I arise again, in blessing may I recover,
As one who is long life-happiness may I live on!
-Navajo chant from the Blessingway Ceremony