What a blessing it was to Celebrate and Officiate a Mother Blessing Ceremony this week.  This event was a combination Mother Blessing and Baby Shower…with food in between.

It is usually all about the baby, but this day was a great balance of focus on the baby and mother-to-be. 

The power of the circle was used as it brings out the very best in us.  It was acknowledged that women were more connected in years gone by especially with raising families.  Today, when we say women are connected, that may mean with Facebook, email and twitter.  We simply miss having ceremony to have a human connection and connection to deep traditions.  The Mother Blessing Ceremony sends a strong message of love support, and togetherness.  (Really for everyone in attendance) 

The women created a bracelet by passing a spool of red yarn around the circle.  When the yarn was passed to them they wrapped it around their wrist several times as they offered a wish, hope or advice  for the mother-to-be.  The Godmother cut the gaps and the remnants were tied off.  The guests can wear the bracelet until the baby is born and it will prompt them to think of the expectant mother often.  For the expectant mother, it is a daily reminder of everyone’s love and good wishes for her and her baby and the strength of her circle of support.

A necklace was made for the mother-to-be prior to the ceremony.  The guests were invited to bring a bead, pendant or charm.  The parents had a lot of baby collectables too, such as her baby ring and crosses.  As the brief ceremony closed, the Mother presented the necklace to her daughter along with very loving thoughts and wishes.

The shower was great too.  Many of the guests were adults; friends of her parents and women she knew as a child.  It was amazing how many hand-made gifts there were. 

As it turned out, the most important item I brought was the box of tissue.  This was a ‘pass the box’ around affair!

Ceremonies like this are strengthening as they remind us all that we are not alone in our struggles and victories.  There is a community there for us.

What is your vision for creating a ritual or ceremony in your life?