Rites OF PAssage
Do you want to make the most and honour your transition to motherhood? I offer different kinds of ceremonies to create beautiful memories and deep and profound experiences.
Mother Blessings
An alternative to the traditional 'baby shower', a mother blessing honours the transition you are making as a woman as you become a mother for the first time, or welcome another new baby into your family.
The aim of the ceremony is to gather all the important women in your life to nourish you physically and spiritually and mentally prepare you for your birth and this new phase in your life.
Even if I am not your birth doula, I am thrilled to offer the service of facilitating your special day. The pressure of organising should not be on the mother at this time, and having somebody there to facilitate and hold space can allow you to really engage and get the most from this amazing ceremony.
Holding space for your sacred transition
What is unique about your baby and your birth? Maybe you would like to dedicate the space where you are birthing your baby.. maybe you would like to be emotionally ready and feel the love of women around you? We will meet and discuss what is important to you and what you are hoping to get from the day.
Unlike a baby shower, the focus is not on gifts and games but giving you a meaningful experience that will strengthen and nourish you for the journey ahead..
Positive birth stories
Hands, back and feet massage and hair brushing
Symbolic gift giving, the stringing of beads on a necklace infused with good wishes
Belly casting
Meditation
The red yarn 'web' to keep you connected even after the day is over
Tea and cake
I offer belly casting as part of mother blessings or as a standalone service for mothers to capture this precious and fleeting time.
My newborn daughter sleeping in the belly cast.
Closing the Bones
Closing the Bones is a postnatal ceremony that can be done on anybody who has given birth to a baby and wants healing and closure, as well as enjoy a gentle massage using scarves to encourage total body relaxation. Women would have done this for each other in community after their babies were born to seal the energy centres and honour the rite of passage their sister had just experienced.
Women after birth may deeply desire to be held physically and emotionally in loving presence.
Firstly we will sit together and talk about your birth and motherhood journey. Then I will use scarves to gently rock and wrap your body from head to toe to give that feeling of being held and safe in a cocoon. Using essential oils I will perform a gentle massage of the womb and stomach.
You will then relax and contemplate, resting between the important and life-changing tasks of birthing and caring for your baby, taking time for yourself to just be.
This is a really profound and emotional experience for a woman, whether your birth was six weeks ago or 20 years ago.
“Jenny is one of the kindest souls I’ve crossed paths with. Her calming nature instantly puts you at ease and makes you feel like you’ve known her for a lifetime. Jenny carried out the closing of the bones ceremony for me to help with closure and healing after several losses. I’ve taken so much from this and continue to feel lighter and more at peace as time goes by. So much thanks to give to Jenny and the safe space she gave me.”
Rebirthing/Birth Reclaiming
Sometimes our birth does not go to plan. Sometimes we are left full of regrets and sometimes trauma from the way our child came into the world. This does not mean that we are not grateful for a healthy baby - far from it. But the longing to have had a different experience can linger and affect our ability to move forward as empowered mothers.
I can facilitate a ceremony where you "meet" your baby again, exactly as you wished you had.
Your baby will be placed on you and allowed to 'crawl' up to you like a newborn and have a feed.
This can be a hugely healing experience for both mum and baby.
Use this form to request a phone call to discuss any of my Rites of Passage
Some ideas...
Bath/Pool at home
Relaxing music
Flowers in the water
Poem/blessing
Official naming