|
The Navajos have a tradition to honor the new mother to be that is very beautiful. It is usually done about one or two months before the expected birth on the new or full moon. It is usually done with other women, although men can have a separate ceremony at the same time, and then everyone can come together later for food and songs.
The women gather in a circle, where a special altar is built in the middle. On this altar are articles that symbolize fertility and reproduction such as statues or figurines, flowers, ripe fruits, seashells, eggs, and beautiful crystals. Gifts that are brought for the mother and the baby can be placed there as well, or beside the altar.
A special place of honor is created for the mother-to-be in the circle. Then everyone is cleansed with the smoke of incense or sage, or a special essential oil, like lavender, sprinkled on the hearts of each participant. Four women chosen beforehand then come into the center of the circle and honor the four directions by lighting candles there, and/or saying prayers.
After the 4 directions are honored, the women all form a birth canal in two lines with two women at the end making an arch with their arms. As each of the women pass through the arch, she is kissed by the two women and then they form an arch with another woman on the otherside of the first arch, until there is a long row of women making arches with their arms. The mother-to-be goes through last. While the women pass through the canal, they chant, “By a woman you were born into this circle, by a woman you were born into this world.”
Next, the midwife or the best friend of the mother washes her feet. This symbolizes that she is there to help the mother. While this is happening, another woman, preferably the new grandmother, brushes the mother’s hair and arranges it in a new way, which is symbolic of the changes she will encounter in motherhood. Then she bathes and massages the feet of the new mother. The footbath can be full of flowers or oils that are sweet-smelling and nurturing.
Now it is time for the sharing when each woman presents a gift and makes a blessing. If you want, each woman can be asked to bring a bead, so as they step forward they present their beads to be strung into a necklace or a crib-ornament for the baby. As the bead is presented, the woman tells the mother where it came from and what blessing it contains from her heart for the baby. Women can present poems, songs, and other sharings. Often women will give the mother clothes to wear during her birthing, or music for the birth, or objects for the birth altar.
After the presentation of gifts, the midwife or mother’s best friend takes out a long string, and goes to each woman, cutting a piece for her to wear around her wrist so she will be connected to the mother and the circle while the mother-to-be is giving birth. The string should not be cut until after the baby is born, as it serves as an important thread to connect the women to the mother.
When all this is done, food can be shared, or songs sung, or any other closing the mother asks for.
This ritual contains suggestions that can be altered to suit your preferences and desires. Personalize it so that it is truly yours. It can be done indoors or outdoors. Feel free to play around with the format. If you are religious you might consider reading from your sacred text, or if you want to include other spiritual elements not mentioned here, feel free. The intention of the ceremony is for the moth-to-be to feel supported. Unlike a baby shower, this ceremony is more about the mother’s transition into motherhood than the baby. It is a rite-of-passage. Enjoy it.
Jai Ma!
|
|
