A traditional Blessingway Ceremony is an ancient Navajo
(Indigenous American) ceremony honouring a pregnant women, however ceremonies
of this type can be found all over the world in many different cultures. As
with all rites of passage ceremonies, Blessingway Ceremonies are a time to give
thanks and pay reverence to a higher energy source, honour nature and the gift of life.
What is the difference between a Blessingway Ceremony and
a Baby Shower?
There are certain elements that distinguish a Blessingway
Ceremony from its distant cousin, the conventional Baby Shower. Recently the
two have been blended to form a modern day Blessingway Shower.
Blessingways are more spiritual and focus less on the baby
and more on the mum-to-be’s imminent transition into motherhood. These
ceremonies are personable events. This is a time for close friends and
relatives of the mum-to-be to give good wishes (not negative birthing
stories) and positive advice for new parenthood. The transition into new parenthood
often means new sacrifices.Blessingways include some sort of pampering of the mother.
Female guests gather and participate in several uplifting rituals that bring
much love, laughter and positive energy to the mum to be.
Why a Modern Blessingway Shower?
A Blessingway helps the mum-to-be with her preparation for
birth by surrounding her with positive support, calming energy and
encouragement in perhaps the most challenging time of her life. We all agree
that pregnancy is a time where physical, emotional and mental strength and
preparation is needed. However, spiritual preparation for transition into
parenthood is often needed, yet neglected in western society.
Thankfully, the modern Blessingway ceremony can now bring a
spiritual more down to earth approach to the conventional baby shower.
Instead, a Blessingway celebrates the journey the new mother is undertaking and
provides her with physical and symbolic support from family and friends.
Ofcourse gifts can still be given to the baby, but the focus remains with the
mother to be and her place in the circle of life.
When should the Blessingway Ceremony take place?
I recommend holding the ceremony between the 6th and 8th
month of the pregnancy, when the baby’s arrival is close, but giving the
mother-to-be enough time to absorb and enjoy this time comfortably, before
delivery.
For more information and pricing, please contact me via
email.
