Rituals to honor motherhood
Since the cradle of humanity, one of the things that distinguished the species of Homo from other mammals was the need to engage in rituals. The entry into motherhood- whether as an original or recurring initiation - is such a powerful reorganization of the entire Universe that it needs to be celebrated and honored.
Celebration of the 120th Day
after Conception
The woman is given a special privilege - to give a part of her soul to receive a soul. This is a blessing and a huge responsibility. According to the yogic tradition, a woman has the power to completely cleanse and transform the child she carries. For the first 120 days after conception, she is a vehicle of the soul to incarnate. On the 120th day, she becomes a mother. The soul is granted full incarnation and “enters” the body of the baby. This day is celebrated. Friends and family gather to bless the new mother and her child, to rejoice, sing, dance, to meditate together on the new Life, and to express their readiness to support and protect the mother.
If you seek guidance in the organization of the celebration of this sacred moment, get in touch.
Mother’s Blessing
A Mother’s Blessing is an intimate celebration inspired by an ancient Navajo ceremony. The mother-to-be is in the center and is showered with love and attention. Participants pledge their support for her new role and offer prayers, poems, songs, pampering. A plethora of activities can be organized; that would depend on the wishes of the mother.
If you feel inspired to organize a Mother’s Blessing for your self or for a dear to your heart mother, get in touch to see if and how I accompany you.
Lotus Birth
After a baby is born, it is absolutely crucial to allow the umbilical cord to finish pulsating before clamping or cutting it. Close to one third of the baby’s blood is still in the placenta and it needs to reach the baby. The pulsating cord provides the newborn with oxygen as well until the baby has fully settled in her new air environment.
Some families choose not to cut the umbilical cord at all. The baby then remains attached to her placenta until the cord naturally falls off a few days after birth. We call this a Lotus Birth. If you are interested in exploring this route, I will be happy to accompany you with practical advice how to take care of the placenta.
Baby Blessing
Your baby has arrived and you two are soon to emerge from the Sacred Window of your first 40 days together. In a number of cultures around the world, the 40th Day after birth is replete with ritual welcoming the new human to society. As an Anthropologist, I’ve taken the time to explore different rituals and will be happy to guide in choosing the right way for you to organize a ritual of blessing your newborn. Get in touch.
Rebozo: Closing Ritual
The Rebozo Closing Ritual is a profound experience to celebrate the transition into motherhood. It is usually done at 40 days after birth but it can be performed at any moment from about a month after birth onwards, including years after birth.
To bring a new human to Earth, the mother needs to open her spirit and her body enormously. This openness will be extremely helpful over the first days and weeks of the baby’s life to connect with her/ his subtle energy and to learn to listen. After a moment, however, being that open becomes challenging in our world, as the newborn mother will tend to perceive everything around her acutely. At some point, a time comes to start closing, while keeping the connection with her child. The Rebozo ritual marks this moment and accompanies the mother. It can be deeply healing and helping in her transformation.
The Rebozo ritual takes around four hours and includes four times - massage with 4 hands, sweat lodge/ yoni steam, rest, closing with the 7 rebozo scarfs. I often perform it with my doula sister and colleague Gérémia.
