Today was a blessingway circle for my dear friend Beth. She is expecting her third child in a few short weeks, and this beautiful gathering of women was a powerful experience. This will be her first homebirth. I had never participated in a blessingway before, and was honored and emotional throughout. The journey of mothering is such a personal path, yet this special ceremony connected each of the women in the circle, as well as reminded us of our connection to our own maternal lineages and that of our ancestors throughout time.
During the ceremony, we adorned Beth's belly with Henna and created a birth necklace for her to wear during her labor. Each woman contributed a bead and shared a piece of wisdom as she strung it on the necklace. There were other special elements, each with its own power. It was a beautiful experience and one that I hope to share again in the future. Isn't it a gift to be a mother...what a blessing!