Blessing Way Ceremony
A Blessing Way is a sacred pre-birth ceremony that celebrates a woman’s rite of passage into motherhood. Those attending celebrate sisterhood, the welcoming of a new baby and honor a women’s journey into motherhood.
What is a Blessing Way or Mother Blessing?
The idea of a Blessing Way (also known as a Mother Blessing Ceremony) is to celebrate a new mother rising. A Blessing Way can be done in place of or in addition to a “Baby Shower”. A Blessing Way is less focused on the baby and more a gathering of loved one to honor a woman’s rite of passage into motherhood. The intention of a Blessing Way is to support a mama in gathering strength and confidence in her upcoming labor and support in her unfold into her journey through mothering her new baby.
This rite of passage ceremony has a similar vibe & soul to Wild Roots New Moon Circles. You can learn more about these circles here.
Each Mother Blessing is uniquely co-created for the mama. Often the ceremony will include: a hand-made flower crown for the mama-to-be, beaded necklace or mobile ritual, red thread ritual and nature mandala specially created to bless the center of the circle we gather around. Read more about each of these offerings and rituals below.
Blessing Ways are are guided by Alie Rich, Experienced Ceremonialist, Earth Artist, Herbalist, Wild Woman Project Facilitator and Founder of Wild Roots Studio. Alie is committed to creating a special and sacred place for all who attend. She comes with an open-heart and mind. The Blessing Way is not associated with a singular path or religion, but rather, an inclusive, co-created space that is aimed to allow all to feel comfortable and safe. Learn more about Alie here.
Flower Crowns
A hand-made Willow Flower Crown is provided for the Mama.
For an additional fee of $5 per attendee a Flower Crown Making Table can be provided so each woman can create their own flower crown to wear during the circle. Wild Roots will supply willow bows, flowers and floral tape.
Bead Ritual
Each woman is asked to bring or pick a bead from a bowl provided that will be given to the mother. The beads can be strung onto a bracelet, necklace or hanging mobile. As beads are added by each attendee, they are asked to share a silent or aloud prayer, thought of encouragement or motherly wisdom.
The mother can then keep the beads close – during pregnancy, labor, and beyond – to remind her of the circle of support and love that surrounds her always.
Red Thread Ritual
We close the circle with a red thread ritual. This ritual consists of passing thread around the circle of woman. Each woman wraps the thread around her wrist and the passes it to the woman next to her who does the same. The thread joins all the women in a circle, when separated each woman stands alone in her own power, yet knowing the support of her family and friends as she begins the journey of motherhood and beyond. All attendees are asked to continue wearing the read thread and every so often send the mama-to-be positive, loving thoughts. Each woman wears the thread until we hear the news that the new mother has birthed her baby, only then is the thread removed with a sweet intention and loving prayer.
The red thread symbolizes our lineage of ancestors, our matriarchal line that extends beyond and in front of us for thousands of years. It reminds us of the many women who have come before us. Remembering we can call on this powerful line of grandmothers behind us for to support and guidance as we move forward on our journey while also celebrating those children & grandchild we are yet to meet.
“Walking. I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”― Linda Hogan
Nature Mandala for Circle Center
A hand-crafted nature mandala is build in the center of the circle to help create a sacred space and celebrate the beautiful day. It will also include tarot cards placed around the circle for each attendee to pick from and gather some special wisdom or guidance for them. (The tarot deck will be gifted to the mother to use as an oracle and guide through motherhood and beyond.)
Creative Ritual (Additional Fee)
Art Ritual Projects maybe added to the gathering. Crafts can be a fun way to connect with each other, share stories while working with our hands and offer a gift back to all attendees who came to support the mama-to-be.
Ritual craft ideas may include: nature mobiles, feather fans (smudging fans) elemental painted stones, intuitive painting, leather crafts, herbal salves, clay crafts, dream boxes, vision boards, garden goddesses, medicine bags, herbal tea blends or anything you might wish to create.
Prices will vary between $15-40 per attendee, depending on craft and supply cost. If you wish to add this to your Blessing Way. Alie is happy to discuss craft options and ideas to find the ideal craft for your Blessing Way celebration.
Items you May wish to bring
Bead for Bead Blessing Ritual
Bring a bead for the bead blessing ritual. You might consider choosing it with the mama-to-be in mind. Maybe the color, shape, pattern has a symbolic meaning or inspiration. Wild Roots will also provide a bowl of beads that you may choose from for the ritual.
Blessing Item for the Circle Center or Birthing Altar
You may choose to bring an item to place in the circle center or on a birthing altar to hold a prayer or blessing for all. It may be a stone, feather, jewelry, quote, leaf, seed, picture of ancestor or loved one, art, jewelry or any item you wish to place mindfully within the to honor the day and collect the wisdom from our circle gathering. This is item may or may not be an offering given to the mama (unless you wish it to be) it can just bless the altar for the day and go home with you after.
HiRE Wild Roots To host your blessing Way ceremony
Email Alie Rich HERE to schedule a meeting to discuss co-creating your Blessing way ceremony.
Pricing varies for each event depending on time spent preparing, ritual and crafts chosen for the gathering and supply fees.
An additional fee might be added for events 25 miles outside of the Fort Collins area. For appropriate compensation, I am happy to travel outside of Colorado.
“These circles of women around us weave invisible nets of love that carry us when we feel weak and sing with us when we are strong”