I wanted to celebrate the transition into motherhood with something less traditional and more magical. I wanted to focus on my motherhood intentions and creating a supportive energy for the birth process. Thankfully, my friends are all on the same wavelength. The amazing Jessica Steward created a virtual Blessingway Ceremony that included all of those elements.

The Blessingway is an old Navajo (Native American) ceremony, which celebrates a woman’s rite of passage into motherhood, and it was a perfect way for me to celebrate and prepare for giving birth and becoming a mother. It had just the right mix of connection, magical intentions, candles, prayer, and poetry. It illuminated the motherhood threshold and helped me walk forward with a sense of support and companionship. All the members of my Blessingway Ceremony wore a piece of red yarn around their wrists to symbolize safety, support, and connection. 

When I went into labor, I sent a quick announcement text to the Blessingway members and lit my Saint Bridgette candle. I felt the energy of everyone’s support as I embarked on the birthing process journey. Even though we were spread all over the United States, I could sense our solidarity in that moment, and it gave me strength as I rode the waves of contractions and gave birth to Aela. As soon as she was welcomed into the world, everyone cut the red yarn in celebration. I can’t imagine going through the birth process without the loving connection of all those kind souls.

In the coaching world, we often focus on self-coaching and how we can work through difficult transitions with great coaching tools. Sometimes, self-coaching means reaching out to a community of individuals who can support you in times of great change. The power of ritual and ceremony during major life transitions is incredibly helpful. Since many ancient traditional ceremonies and rituals like the Blessingway have ceased to be a part of our cultural norm, Jessica Steward and I thought it would be fun and helpful to create a class for anyone interested in re-igniting these traditions to support major transitions.

The Blessingway is only one example of a ceremony, and giving birth is only one example of a major life transition. We’ve put together a class that incorporates various other rituals, ceremonies, and supportive practices for a large variety of life transitions. So if you or a loved one are facing a major or even small life transition, we’d love to have you join us for the Mother, Maiden, Crone: Tools to Celebrate and Support Major Transitions in Women’s Lives Tele-course  that kicks off on Oct 17.

Here’s a simple ritual to prepare for class!

1. Buy a candle. (Every good ritual requires a candle! White is a purifying color & great for every ritual or celebration.) (Abigail and Jessica adore Zena Moon.

2. Buy a special journal (Abigail and Jessica love Paperblanks,
   
   but you can use any journal that feels special to you.

3. Find a space in your home where you can create a mini-sanctuaryl put a sacred symbol that resonates or calls to you (e.g. a beautiful rock or gemstone, a small statue of an angel, saint or kuan yin)

4. Say a small prayer or blessing to come prepare the space. (e.g. “May God/Goddess bring love, health, happiness, and abundance into this space. With gratitude, I thank you.”)

5. Sit quietly for five minutes, paying attention to your breath. Imagine your breath coming in through your nose and leaving out through the bottoms of your feet.

Now you are ready for class!

To learn more and register, click here.