BLESSINGWAY. — annie hauser

A blessingway is one of the most magical and sacred things I’ve been introduced to in the last few years. It comes from honoring the Dine (Navajo) ritual of women joining together to bless, offer strength, support and encouragement to women preparing for birth or motherhood.

It blesses the way for the children soon to come and helps the mothers clear the way and open to the magic of birth or adoption and motherhood.

I’ve had a blessingway for Mila and now again for baby boy (who will be coming earthside soon!)

A blessingway is different than a traditional baby shower. It is your nearest and dearest friends, and it is more about offerings of nature or words, rather than gifts.

There are so many different ways to honor a mother, and these are some of the traditions in our blessingways.

Everyone brings a token symbolizing your blessing for the mama – this could be something you’ve found, made, or something from one of your babes, home or land, etc.

A reading (poem, quote, story) to share in the circle - this can be something you wrote or found. (“Fleeting” by rachel wolf will bring you to your knees.) Watch the most beautiful video of it here!

A birth affirmation poster or card. these will be surrounding the mama during her labor and birth, giving her strength, positive energy, and confidence.

A small stone or crystal you chose with the mama in mind. they are put them in a pretty bowl for her. during labor, or after the baby is born, or whenever she may need the reminder of the group of women who support and love her, she can have them to hold onto.

A source of nature that will be included in a wreath, reminding the mama of our positive energy during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. this could be your favorite dried flowers to remind her how beautiful she is, acorns to give her strength, feathers to remind her to relax, or maybe a leaf from your favorite tree in your backyard.

A pillar candle and string - each woman wraps and ties a piece of string around her own wrist, and around a candle. the candle goes home with the mama to light during labor, and to remind her she is connected with the strength of her friends and the women who have come before her. after the baby is born, we all cut the strings off and put them in a tree to offer to a mama bird to make a nest.

Henna! the mama gets her belly henna-ed and blessed, and then the other women get their hands done. Aneeta Nashad is the QUEEN. Contact her for henna!