Has anybody here had a Blessingway in anticipation of becoming a mama? Or, for that matter, a blessingway for any other transition?
I just hosted a Blessingway for a dear friend of mine whose baby is due next month. I'd never been to a RL blessingway, but had participated in several virtual b'ways online, mostly for pregnant women, but also hosted one online for a woman who'd been recently widowed and then turned 50 (what a birthday present, eh?).
So I was at a bit of a loss, having so little firsthand experience. I drafted a script for my friend's 'way based on a handful of websites I found with suggestions, and also some general ritual stuff I've known about for awhile. It was really important to me to make the ritual to be very inclusive of people from varied religious/spiritual traditions, not to scare conservative people (like my friend's mother, for example, or her CNMidwife, who I suspect to be pretty "normal"!). So my script included a bit of history about Navajo b'ways, plus bits of yogic tradition, Christian references, etc. I didn't realize one of the attendees was Jewish or I would have tried to include something from that tradition, as well.
After it was all over, I didn't want it to be over! I want to host more, and attend more, and I want to create rituals for younger and older women, for different transitions, too! I want to write a book, kind of a workbook, perhaps. I mean, there are dozens of books on making rituals, but I think I've got a hook to make it different, worthwhile, and publishable. I want women to be able to use this book easily to create a customized event that suits their individual desires.
To that end, I'm asking you for your stories about Blessingways (or whatever you may call a ritual that marks a woman's transition). Tell me about ones you have attended, been the recipient of, or hosted. If you have websites about your own experiences, I'd love to have the links. If you'd prefer to interact with me privately about this, please e-mail me at luci(at)OneHotMama.zzn.com and if you would prefer talking rather than typing, if you e-mail me a phone number and a good time to call you, I'll call you on my phone bill.
I hope some of you on this board will be able to be resources for me. If I can use your stories, I'll give you a copy of the book when it's finished, okay?
Luci
I just hosted a Blessingway for a dear friend of mine whose baby is due next month. I'd never been to a RL blessingway, but had participated in several virtual b'ways online, mostly for pregnant women, but also hosted one online for a woman who'd been recently widowed and then turned 50 (what a birthday present, eh?).
So I was at a bit of a loss, having so little firsthand experience. I drafted a script for my friend's 'way based on a handful of websites I found with suggestions, and also some general ritual stuff I've known about for awhile. It was really important to me to make the ritual to be very inclusive of people from varied religious/spiritual traditions, not to scare conservative people (like my friend's mother, for example, or her CNMidwife, who I suspect to be pretty "normal"!). So my script included a bit of history about Navajo b'ways, plus bits of yogic tradition, Christian references, etc. I didn't realize one of the attendees was Jewish or I would have tried to include something from that tradition, as well.
After it was all over, I didn't want it to be over! I want to host more, and attend more, and I want to create rituals for younger and older women, for different transitions, too! I want to write a book, kind of a workbook, perhaps. I mean, there are dozens of books on making rituals, but I think I've got a hook to make it different, worthwhile, and publishable. I want women to be able to use this book easily to create a customized event that suits their individual desires.
To that end, I'm asking you for your stories about Blessingways (or whatever you may call a ritual that marks a woman's transition). Tell me about ones you have attended, been the recipient of, or hosted. If you have websites about your own experiences, I'd love to have the links. If you'd prefer to interact with me privately about this, please e-mail me at luci(at)OneHotMama.zzn.com and if you would prefer talking rather than typing, if you e-mail me a phone number and a good time to call you, I'll call you on my phone bill.
I hope some of you on this board will be able to be resources for me. If I can use your stories, I'll give you a copy of the book when it's finished, okay?
Luci
Follow Mothering