There is no transformation on this physical plane that one can make -and survive- that is greater than the transformation of childbirth. Worthy of REVERENCE & CELEBRATION!!

-Pansay Tayo 

What is a Mother Blessing?

In Navajo Indian tradition, a Mother Blessing is called a Blessingway, which the intention is to nurture and mother the mother to be. Family and friends (typically women) sit together in ceremony to honor and celebrate the spiritual experience of childbirth and motherhood. The ceremony reminds us that childbirth is a sacred experience that transforms us as women. Through this experience a mother to be can connect with herself, the mothers before her, and the women present in her life open to giving her the love and support she needs through childbirth and motherhood. 

What can be expected during preparation for a Mother Blessing Ceremony?

The mother to be will appoint a family/friend assistant who will be the ceremony facilitators point of contact during the preparation process. This assistant will gather items for the ceremony requested by the facilitator such as (flowers, candles, ect.) A detailed list of items will be provided and the facilitator can share ideas as to where to gather these items in the most cost effective way. 

The facilitator will arrive at the designated space before the ceremony to set up and cleanse the sacred space. Cleansing the energy of the space takes place by using sage, love, and thoughtful intentions. The facilitator will supply and create a sacred cocoon and alter using beautiful fabrics, twinkle lights, essential oils, incense, flowers, ect.  

What can be expected during the Mother Blessing Ceremony?

Opening circle to express gratitude, attune with one another, acknowledge ancestral connections, introductions, and to set intentions. 

Motherhood Connection Ritual    

  • Sets the tone of connection and attunement with one another and the mother to be.

  • Provides the mother to be a tangible reminder of her support and the nurturing she has received in ceremony through a symbolic bracelet to wear until labor starts.

  • Recognizes and honors ancestral connection while tapping into the strength and wisdom of our loved ones before us and after us. 

  • Guest have the opportunity to place a meaningful item for the ceremony at the alter.

  • Mother to be taps into the sacred center of self and explores/shares hopes, dreams, and fears while receiving love and support as she moves towards childbirth.

Release Ritual

  • Guests and the mother to be have the opportunity to reflect and acknowledge fears, things that they are ready to let go of that no longer serve them.

  • Together the circle moves outside to burn the written down fears while intentionally letting go with the support and strength of the energy surrounding them.

Fruit Ceremony

  • Ceremony is moved back into the sacred place where a warm foot bath is drawn for the mother to be.

  • In preparation for the Mother Blessing Ceremony, each guest is asked to bring a piece of fruit that reminds them of the mother to be.

  • During the Fruit Ceremony each guest approaches the mother to be with the fruit and shares how they met and why the fruit reminds them of her.

  • Mother to be collects the blessed fruit filled with love and intentionally eats the fruit in weeks following to take in the love and support of that loved one. 

7 Day Candle Ritual

  • Mother to be presents a 7 day candle to guest and shares a characteristic or trait of the guest she would like her unborn child to immulate.

  • These candles will be sent home with each guest and when the mother goes into labor each guest will light their candle while sending a blessing into the universe in support of the mother to be as she begins her childbirth experience.

Bead or Crystal Ritual

  • Guests will be asked before the ceremony to pick and bring with her a bead, crystal, or stone (mother to be will decide which she prefers) and bless it before the ceremony.

  • Each woman will present their bead or crystal/stone to the mother to be sharing why they picked that bead or crystal/stone.

  • The beads can be then strung into a necklace or bracelet or the crystals/stones brought to the birth for support and positive energy.

Belly Art and Rose Petal Foot Bath

  • Together all guests will place a blessed flower crown on the mother to be.

  • Each guest will get the opportunity to add art to the mother to be’s belly and then wash her feet while sharing loving, nurturing words.

Closing Salt Ritual 

  • In the center of the circle a salt bowl will be placed and each woman will go around and and add a petal or drop of essential oil for each intention they want for the mother to be and themselves.

  • At the end of the ceremony the salt will be divided into bags for each guest to take home. 

  • When the mother to be goes into labor the women will be notified and they can use the salt to take a warm bath or wash their hands in support and a show of spiritual unity. 

Sacred Cocoon 

  • To close the ceremony, guests will cocoon the mother to be and embrace them with love and gratitude while taking in the presence and support of their loved ones. 


Please note that this is a mother centered ceremony and as the mother to be we want to honor you and your needs. You have the choice to exclude any ritual presented above or add any element that is important to you. The above is just a guide to give mothers to be a glimpse inside a sacred Mother Blessing Ceremony.