Mother Blessing Ceremonies

"Mother Blessing Ceremonies create a sacred environment through rituals and traditions that

bring women together to honour and pamper a mother to be and enable her to prepare mentally,

emotionally and spiritually for the birth of her baby and the steps she will take into motherhood"

(Mother Rising, 2004).

What is a Blessingway Ceremony?

A Blessingway is an old Navajo (native American) ceremony, which celebrates 

a woman’s rite of passage into motherhood.  Traditionally it is a woman-only 

gathering and it brings together the mother to be’s most trusted female family 

members and friends (her mother, sisters, aunts, daughters, friends etc).  

Those present sit together in the power of a circle to honour the mother to be 

through different rituals that enable her to prepare herself physically, 

emotionally and spiritually for her baby's birth and her new role as a mother.  

Why have a Mother Blessing Ceremony?

Birth is a key rite of passage but sadly such spiritual importance has become lost in 

our modernised, western society, with birth being viewed largely from a medical 

viewpoint as opposed to a celebration of a women as she transitions to 

motherhood.  Unlike a popular "Baby Shower" with its primary focus and gifts being 

for the baby, a Mother Blessing Ceremony provides the opportunity for women to 

come together for positive reflection, support and celebration that is focussed on 

the mother to be.   The mother to be  is honoured, pampered and cherished, she is 

able to safely release any fears she may have about her birth or motherhood, to 

replace any fears with positive thoughts and beliefs and to have her strengths as a 

birthing woman and mother affirmed.  The gifts that are offered bestow the mother 

to be with energy for her forthcoming birth and provide her with comfort and 

support as she prepares to transition into motherhood.   

What happens at a Mother Blessing Ceremony?

The rituals offered within a Mother Blessing Ceremony are drawn from the traditions of many cultures and the life experiences of 

women. There is no one way to carry out a Blessing and each ceremony is tailored to meet the individual belief system of the 

mother to be so that it is meaningful and of course beautiful!   Ceremonies can last from few hours to a whole day depending on 

the number of women present and the number of rituals included.   There are many rituals that can be included in a Mother 

Blessing Ceremony including: 

* Smudging

* Rose water or salt water purification

* Prayer

* Chanting

* Creating an altar

* Meditation

* Music and singing

* Birth story visualisation

* Birth Affirmations

* Birth blessings and poetry

* Story telling

* Releasing fears

* Belly casting

* Creating a flower head crown

* Hair brushing, braiding and beading

* Massage

* Foot bathing

* Mehndi belly art

* Making jewellery

* Sharing of food

If you would like to chat more about having a Mother Blessing Ceremony or would like support in planning or carrying out a

ceremony, please do not hesitate to get in touch.  You will find lots of information about Mother Blessing Ceremonies and how to

plan one in this book Mother Rising