The blessing way: what ceremony to celebrate the mother-to-be?
We knew about the Baby Shower and the Gender Reveal Party, here is the Blessing Way ! If these festivals have the common point of taking place during pregnancy, the resemblance ends there: the Blessing Way is a spiritual ceremony, with ancestral origins, centered on the woman who is preparing to become a mother. Focus on this still little-known celebration which is arriving in France to honor pregnant women: today we explain how to organize this unforgettable ritual celebration while expecting a baby.
What is the Blessing Way?
The Blessing Way – which could be translated as “path of blessing” – is a ceremony that comes straight from Indian traditions. It was the Navajo Indians of North America who established this rite of passage.
It is celebrated during the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy, just before the final stretch and the birth of the child.
Unlike the Gender Reveal Party (which aims to reveal the baby's sex surrounded by family and friends) and the Baby Shower, which is centered on the child and which is accompanied by fun games and often an avalanche of gifts, the Blessingway has a spiritual dimension and it is organized around the mother-to-be. It is a fairly intimate event, which takes place between women: the number of participants is limited and only people very close to the mother-to-be are invited, regardless of their age (mother, grandmother, best friend, sister, etc.).
This ritual is generally organized by relatives of the future mother, a midwife or a doula, who will place this day under the sign of kindness and relaxation, the idea being to celebrate the pregnant woman, to give her courage, so that she feels surrounded and supported until giving birth.
What activities for a successful Blessing Way?
The Native American people worship nature, with which they live in harmony. This is why the Blessing Way gives pride of place to the elements of nature, which can be found as a common thread in the decoration, in the activities offered and in the small gifts offered to the pregnant woman: flower petals, stones, feathers…
There are multiple ways to celebrate the mother-to-be and different activities can be organized throughout the day.
Here are some inspirations, to be adapted of course according to the tastes and desires of your future mother.
- The Link is a classic of the Blessingway ceremony. The women surround their wrist with a link then cut it to make a bracelet, which they will wear until giving birth, thus symbolizing their attachment to the future mother.
- The making of a flower crown is also emblematic of the event. Each guest chooses a flower, natural or artificial, and the crown is made by several hands. It is then given to the pregnant woman who will have to wear it throughout the ritual.
- To let go and go into cocooning mode, you can style the mother-to-be's hair, or offer her a relaxing massage. And why not with our Huile Sensorielle, ideal during pregnancy. Its pleasant texture and delicately feminine scent will contribute to this well-deserved moment of relaxation. This delicate blend of 5 vegetable oils deeply nourishes the skin.
- The mother-to-be's belly is the center of all attention and you can make a belly cast to keep an unforgettable memory, or create a painting with several hands.
- Another possibility to magnify these pretty shapes: create an ephemeral tattoo in the style of henna. For all decorations made directly on the skin, remember to choose products compatible with pregnancy and to avoid all allergens.
- Songs, dances, soft music, reading of caring texts or poems are an integral part of Blessingway. Meditation and yoga are perfect activities during this ritual.
- A snack - prepared by the guests - generally closes the party, men and children can then join the ceremony.
Good to know: the Blessing Way is a timeless moment, during which the mother-to-be must be able to reconnect with herself by moving away from everyday concerns. It is not uncommon for guests to take care of household chores and meals beforehand, to free her mind, pamper her and allow her to make the most of her day.
The Blessing Way is the opposite of the Baby Shower and its avalanche of gifts for mom and baby. Here, the gifts offered have a symbolic value and are focused on spirituality : for example, pebbles on which quotes or encouragement will be inscribed, pearls or stones, which assembled into a necklace can be worn during childbirth, or a golden notebook in which each guest can leave a little note. Enough to make this moment rich in emotions definitely unforgettable!
