Each box contains the blessing oil in a beautiful bottle, two gemstone beads, a braided cord, and a scroll with a sample blessing and the spiritual significance of each of the oils, and a nice piece of handmade rag paper to write your own blessing, in a beautifully adorned box. This is a beautiful and unique gift for a Blessing Way Ceremony or for any expecting mother who wants to mark this momentous time.
Unfortunately, you can't choose the bottle type. That would become problematic for me. They are all beautiful.
The beads are Amethyst and Carnelian. Amethyst is thought to protect both the mother and the unborn child. It is said to help calm anxiety, and reduce fears related to birth. Amethyst is associated with the crown chakra, which is responsible for intuition, wisdom, and spiritual awareness. Carnelian is a gemstone that is believed to aid in labor and delivery by providing confidence and endurance, and helping to calm anxiety. It is also known for supporting courage and self esteem and for increasing physical energy.
The oils were chosen for their spiritual meaning as well as their effect on the body and their beautiful scent. They include Sacred Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Cardamon, Clary Sage, Jasmine and Vetiver in Jojoba oil. This can be used for anointing the feet, the belly, the forehead or even poured over her head.
The provided blessing is quite beautiful, and can be altered to accommodate any religion, or none. Just rewrite it to your preference. The one shown in the box has the personalized blessing written on the rag paper. This gives the mother a nice keepsake as well.
A Blessing Way Ceremony is a gathering of (usually just) women around the end of a pregnancy. These are some things I do when I host a Blessing
- We sit in a circle. With one central candle we each light our own candle and name/invoke our female line saying "My name is Ellen, Daughter of Jane, Granddaughter of Thelma and Debra, we offer you our blessings. The mother lights hers last and says the same but ends with I accept your blessing.
- We smudge each other with sage around the circle. I explain the purpose of the ceremony is to honor the birthing mother and show her our love and support.
- Anoint the mother with oil
- Pass around a red ribbon spool or skein of red yarn creating a circle. We read in turn the invocation below. Then we cut the ribbon or yarn and tie it around our wrists or ankles to wear until the baby is born.
- Then everyone gives her a gift of love; something home made and tells her about it. Some examples are a decorated candle, a poem, handmade or decorated socks or slippers, a decorated frame for a baby picture, protein balls for the labor...
- Then we offer a gift of service, best written on a card. I will bring a meal, do newborn photos, foot massage, clean the kitchen, do the laundry, take siblings away for the day...
- Often each attendee brings a bead or charm with special meaning and the mother can create a necklace or bracelet to wear or keep near in labor. (Hence the beads in this gift set)
As women have always woven
so we weave this yarn into the circle of our lives.As women have always woven time and the fates,
so let us weave this yarn into the circle of our lives.As woman have always woven the seeds with the earth,
so let us weave this yarn into the circle of our lives.As women have always woven baskets and tools.
so let us weave this yarn into the circle of our lives.As women have always woven threads into clothing and shelter,
so let us weave this yarn into the circle of our lives.As woman have always woven words into poetry and song,
so let us weave this yarn into the circle of our lives.As women have always woven, so we weave this yarn
with the Goddess who is with us. The Goddess is with us. May we feel her presence in our daily lives.
We call on the Goddess whose body we see and feel reflected in our bodies. We call on the Goddess whose blood, like our blood, flows with the cycle of the universe
We call on the goddess whose circle is never broken, whose circle we are a part of wherever we go.Today we do not break this circle but each of us carries a part of it into the world.
The circle is never broken.
I usually number the verses, adjusting them to the number of attendees, then cut the page apart into that many strips. The numbers assure it is said in sequence. After each verse is read by one person, the group says "The circle is never broken". The last, "today we do not break the circle" should be the host, so she can tell about cutting the ribbon or yarn. If you do not want to say Goddess, that word is easily replaced with God, or Jesus, or Mary, or the deity of your choice. Or even we call upon the Universal Love.
THE OILS Sacred Frankincense: For thousands of years Frankincense has been used in religious and spiritual rituals as a symbol of holiness and righteousness. It is considered to be a powerful communication link between humans and God/s.
Ylang Ylang: This oil is used to dispel fear, anxiety and negativity, essential in preparing for birth. The soothing fragrance invokes a calm, meditative state.
Clary Sage: This is often used as a birth oil to enhance contractions. It is said to balance emotions, centering the mind creating emotional equilibrium. It is associated with wisdom and insight.
Cardamom: This is an oil used as a protective charm. It is used to repel negativity and invite positivity. It is used to stimulate and arouse the root chakra, which builds strength and confidence for the birthing.
Jasmine: This lovely scent symbolize Divine Love and spiritual awakening. Used in meditation or prayer, it creates a sacred space for self discovery. Your birth can be transformative.
Vetiver: This grassy, earthy scent will help keep you grounded, keeping you present with your baby as you work through the birth process. It has calming and soothing properties and is said to bring luck.
