A Blessing Way (Native American term) is a special ceremony that celebrates a woman's rite of passage into motherhood.  It is very different from a baby shower.  Baby showers are typically focused on the baby, and is an opportunity to provide the couple with many items necessary to care for a newborn.  Blessingways offer women a chance to get together within a spiritual setting and share in a sacred time of reflection, support, and celebration that is focused on the mother-to-be.  Gifts brought to the expectant mother are offered to raise her energy for labor, provide her with comfort and support, and help her welcome her new baby.  The blessingway ceremony's main goals are to honor the mother-to-be and to create a circle of support that will cradle her as she prepares to give birth and mother her child.

Ritual is what happens when we gather together, with a certain frame of mind and heart, to focus our attention on a specific goal or moment.  The main purpose of any ritual is to create conscious connection-with ourselves, others, the Earth, Spirit, or God.  Rituals have been historically used to bring meaning to the passages between different stages in life.  They make it possible for us to approach any life change or transition with clarity, respect, and awareness by raising our level of attention and participation.

Blessingway rituals may vary dramatically.  It can differ depending on the mother's spiritual beliefs, number of people attending and theme.  All rituals and meditations are created on the an individual basis, no two are the same.  Prices may vary depending on how extravagant you'd like it to be.  Price starts at $150. The price listed pays for the writing and organizing of the ritual and meditation, flowers, aromatherapy massage oils for the pampering section, and a choice of medicinal or flavored herbal tea.  All other supplies have to be bought by the purchaser of the ceremony package.  This should give you an idea of what the planning and the ritual itself might include:

SERVICES:

• Home or Office Meeting - 2 meetings to brainstorm and confirm ritual plans.  Additional communication is by phone or e-mail.
• Choosing a Theme (Bonding, First Boy/Girl, Achieving a successful VBAC, Creating family unity, waterbirth)
• Invitations/Guest List
  
• Choosing a location

RITUAL OUTLINE:

• Altar Setup - Items that remind or empower the mother.
  
• Casting the Circle - Opening Prayer
• Stating the Purpose of the Ritual - Brief overview of what we're doing, introductions.
  
• Meditation - Changes according to theme.
  
• Calling the Four Directions - Strength, Unity, Trust, Intuition
• Releasing Fears - Discussion among women, create a worry jar.
  
• Honoring and Pampering - Hair brushing, foot bath, shoulder massage & adorning.
  
• Presenting Gifts - All guests present a gift relating to the theme that uplifts and supports the mother during labor & motherhood.
• Blessings & Wishes - Laying of hands, inspirational stories, and well wishes for the mother-to-be.
  
• Creative Postpartum Gift - Crafting a Mother necklace, Candle Blessing, Notebook full of birth stories or uplifting advice for the mother, postpartum help sign-up sheet.
  
• Closing Prayer / Giving Thanks
  
• Feast - Potluck or Cater
  

For more sample ritual outlines, go to Mother Rising. 

All Add-ons are an additional charge for materials or hiring (such as henna artist, photographer or musician).

• Floral Headpieces - Crowns
• Belly Casting
• Henna
  
• Body Painting
  
• Bindis - Hindu jewels for your forehead.
• Blessingway Jewelry
• Weaving a Web - Creates bracelets by weaving yarn around the circle.
• Gift Baskets or Bags
• Birth Art   
  
• Dancing
• Drumming
• Hair Braiding and/or Beading

Please contact me with any further questions.