On the weekend some of my womenfolk gathered to throw me a blessingway. It was a divinely soul-nourishing afternoon during which I wore a crown made from flowers given to me by each of my guests. I received an herbal foot bath, followed by a foot rub, hand massages and a henna tattoo upon my belly. One guest made us all an exquisitely delicious blessingway punch, another made matryoshka cake toppers for chocolate cupcakes, and I sculpted multi-coloured yoni's for the top of my own cupcakes out of fondant. My guests each gave me a candle and some beads, the beads were then transformed into a stunning necklace for me to wear during labour, and the candles will light my birth space.
During the women's circle my guests and I created a bond with blue bamboo yarn, which we will cut from our wrists and ankles once my baby is born. There was lots of wisdom and blessings verbally bestowed upon my baby and I, and my BirthKeeper taught us all a song given to her by another BirthKeeper who was given the song by its creator, the late great Jeannine Parvati Baker. I was moved to tears while the women sang. We closed the women's circle by chanting the feminine "Ma."
My guests also hand made me a collection of multi-coloured felt yonis which will become bunting to be hung in the birth space. And one friend made a matryoshka notebook for everyone to write affirmations inside, for me to read in the future.
The blessingway was a perfect way to celebrate this pregnancy with my friends, and to start the winding-down process as I move back into that parallel, birthing universe. Thank-you to all the dear ones who made the day so complete xoxo
My guests also hand made me a collection of multi-coloured felt yonis which will become bunting to be hung in the birth space. And one friend made a matryoshka notebook for everyone to write affirmations inside, for me to read in the future.
The blessingway was a perfect way to celebrate this pregnancy with my friends, and to start the winding-down process as I move back into that parallel, birthing universe. Thank-you to all the dear ones who made the day so complete xoxo
6 comments:
How very lovely, Sarah. Blessingways are unforgettable. You look absolutely radiant in the photos and all this love will show up when the day comes to release your little one. Sending you blessings and love from Canada
Gloria Lemay, Vancouver BC
That looks so wonderful and full of great women!!! What fun!
Hi, I've started following your blog and am adoring it! :) The photos of your Blessingway are just wonderful. Does the person who did your henna do it as a job? I'd love to get my belly done when I get pregnant! It's such a perfect design! :D
Hi Tanya,
No the women who did my bellyart don't do it for a job. One artistic friend drew the design on my belly in pen and then two others traced over her drawing with henna :)
I found that particular image of a matryoshka online, from a tutorial for making felt christmas decorations, we printed it off and used it for inspiration. The freind who drew in pen added to it too.
Thanks for the reply! I think it's more special that it was a friend! :)
I was also going to ask if you will be working as a birth helper/ doula late next year? I'm ttc starting this cycle and want a doula! I'm probably going to use a family birthing centre.
I really can't say yet, Tanya. It will depend on the needs of this not-yet born baby and my daughter at the time :)
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