Mother Rising: Table of Contents
















	Sample Blessingway Outlines A Blessingway for Shawna *Shawna's ritual is a good introductory blessingway. Her gathering followed a simple format and took about three hours to complete with a circle of ten women.* Casting the Circle A Clarity Prayer Purpose of Blessingways Meditation "Waves: A Birth Visualization" by Carl Jones Evocation of the Four Directions Invocation of the Goddess About Goddesses Summon the Goddess Demeter Sharing of Altar Items Releasing of Fears Honoring and Pampering Shawna Hair Brushing Herbal Foot Bath Massage Presentation of Gifts A gift symbolizing relaxation, strength, or healing One bead for Shawna's birth bracelet One bead for her baby's bracelet One bead for Iris to honor her new role as big sister A "creative" postpartum gift Candle Blessing for Shawna Weaving the Web Release the Four Directions Release the Goddess Demeter Closing An African Prayer Open the Circle Feast A Blessingway Honoring Yana and Jennifer This blessingway was created for two close friends who were due to have their second babies within a week of one another. It was a bit more elaborate, and took about five hours to complete with a circle of twenty-four women. History and Purpose of Blessingways Casting the Circle A Clarity Prayer Sage Smudge and Hand Washing Formation of Circle with a Chant Tea Ceremony Evocation of the Four Directions Invocation of the Goddess Isis Evocation of Siblings Jennifer's son Shane Yana's daughter Claire Releasing of Fears Chant Honoring and Pampering of the Mothers Guided Meditation Herbal Foot Bath Mehndi Brushing and Braiding of Hair Presentation of Gifts One bead for each mother's hair along with an attribute or prayer One nursing box item for Shane and for Claire Two small symbolic trinkets with an attribute or prayer to be placed in a sibling pouch and an infant pouch Birth Art Chant Mother's Commitment to Siblings Weaving the Web Release the Four Directions Release the Goddess Isis Closing An African Prayer Open the Circle Feast A Blessingway for Tanya *Tanya's blessingway was a more adventurous, earth-based ritual that started out with a myth and a crowning ceremony. This blessingway took about seven hours to complete with a circle of nine women.* Gathering and Brunch Casting the Circle Welcome Four Direction Stations Central Altar Building Personal Introductions Statement of Purpose Myth: The Birth of Ea Crowning Tanya and Guests Chant: Mother I Feel You Release of Fears Ten-Minute Break Meditation: Place of Power Sharing: Homebirth Experiences Honoring and Pampering Tanya Shoulder and Hand Massage Herbal Foot Bath Mehndi Sharing and Storytelling Presentation of Gifts Symbolic Gift for Birth Necklace Gift of Service Honoring Older Sibling Blessing and Gift for Friend's Cape Connecting to the New Baby Laying-on-of-Hands Presentation of Symbolic Gifts for the Baby's Mobile Raising Energy Weaving the Web Closing Open the Circle Labor Candles Feast A Celebration of Motherhood Honoring Kristie We did not design Kristie's ceremony, but we have included it because it is a great example of how the blessingway ritual can be used as a base and then modified in order to honor the mother-to-be's belief system. This celebration lasted approximately two hours with eight women present and was followed by brunch. Processional "Circle of Friends - A Blessingway Song" by Shawna Becene Casting the Circle A Clarity Prayer Purpose of the Celebration About St. Anne Invocation of St. Anne Sibling Ceremony Kristie will say a few words about her son Releasing of Fears Honoring and Pampering of Kristie Hair Brushing Herbal Foot Bath Massage and Fingernail Painting Presentation of Gifts Bracelet beads for Kristie and her two children A gift symbolizing the power of relaxation, strength, or healing during labor and/or after the baby's birth A creative postpartum gift Weaving the Web Release of St. Anne Closing Prayer O God, Make us children of quietness And heirs of peace Amen Open the Circle Brunch