We've all been to a baby shower. The expectant mother gets showered with gifts for her and her baby. But have you ever been to a blessingway? Those of you who have, will never forget it. The energy, intention, and emotion is something that is truly never forgotten. A blessingway is a time for a mother-to-be to gather with a group of women closest to her, toward the end of her pregnancy, to cultivate positive energy for her upcoming birth. The blessingway or "belly blessing" helps the mother-to-be feel more confident and supported as she goes into the powerful experience of giving birth, and welcoming a new baby earthside, into her family.
Our blessingway last night was nothing short of amazing. It was for my dear friend, Brittany, weeks away from welcoming her third babe, their first sweet little girl. In the midst of a big move, I knew Brittany needed an evening to focus on herself, her baby, and feel supported by friends.
We started our ceremony lighting a candle to honor the women before us. We went around the circle of women, sharing our name, our mother's name, as well as the name of our grandmothers and great grandmothers. With sage burning, the sun setting, and the smell of fresh henna circulating through the room, we were all definitely feeling the blessingway energy. We all chose a colored string that we wrapped around our wrist to wear until the day the baby is born. We tied the same colored string around the candle burning, for Britt to take home. On the birth day of the baby, we are all to cut the bracelets from our wrist, hang them on trees for a bird to use in her nest making. Britt had her candle, wrapped in all the colors that had also been wrapped around her friends' wrists, to light on the birth day of her sweet babe.
We then went around the circle, offering a handful of beads that we selected to make a nursing necklace for Brittany. As we went around, we presented our beads, the reason we chose them, and offered a blessing for Brittany. The beads serve as a physical reminder of the support of trusted women in her life, so that she may call upon this strength during labor and afterward when needed. There were lava beads shared, so Brittany could have her favorite essential oils on her necklace. There were blue beads, representing Wyatt and Nash, the big brothers that will be welcoming this baby into their home. Some were beads representing sweet little memories between friends. All the beads were strung together to create a beautiful necklace for mama to cherish.
Next, we brought out the nature wreath. We had all brought meaningful nature items to include on a wreath that is to be hung in the new baby's room. Special stones, flowers from backyards, peacock feathers, and one dear friend even included a vessel containing pieces of nature from all the different parks that they enjoy taking their older children to. A blessingway wreath serves as a daily reminder of the support and friendships that surround a mama and her family.
After we arranged the wreath, we moved on to our individual offerings for Brittany. Through tears, I shared one of my favorite readings with Brittany, entitled Fleeting. I made a bracelet with this title as well, reminding Brittany that these days with our children are so, so precious and sacred and even on the days that feel harder than others, we need to take a step back and realize how amazingly precious ever single moment is and not to squander a moment.
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Others shared their favorite baby books, wood carvings, a special penny and even a tiny cup of Starbucks, as a reminder to Brittany of the cherished coffee dates she has shared with this dear friend.
During the blessing, Brittany wore a flower crown (as a true pregnant goddess should) and had her belly decorated with henna art. The henna is used to adorn the mama's belly, helping her feel celebrated and beautiful. Our incredible henna artist, Aneeta, also did henna on all of our hands as well. A beautiful reminder for days to come of the energy and joy that was shared that night.
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We ended off the night standing around, eating, laughing, talking, and admiring the beautiful henna the covered the belly we were all there to bless. We cried, we laughed, and we truly blessed Britt with all the love we have for her and this new babe.
