blessing way

n. a spiritual ceremony or gathering celebrating a woman’s pregnancy. Also blessingway. Subjects: English, Native American, Religion

Editorial Note: The tone, content, and intent of a blessing way can vary greatly, but generally, the event involves songs, food, and the giving of gifts and good wishes to the mother. In less spiritual practice, a blessing way is similar to a baby shower and is held for a pregnancy other than a woman’s first. Etymological Note: As described in the citations dated 1932 and 1970, and in the second 1993 citation, this specific and specialized use of the term “blessing way” probably comes from the Navajo, who also use the Blessing Way ritual for other purposes: for those who are going away, for those who have returned, for those about to undertake an important task, etc.

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Citations: [1932 O.F.M. Father Berard American Anthropologist (Oct.-Dec.) “Social Life of the Navajo Indians” vol. 34, no. 4, p. 713: The informant of the xójợ-djí, or blessing way…had little to say of additional peoples beyond the curt remark that the four clans would meet some relatives iợn the Navaho country.…Their sacred names in the xójợ-djí or blessing way.] [1970 Tony Hillerman The Blessing Way p. 102 @ (Feb. 15, 1990): He remembered the Blessing Way held when he and his cousins had left after their last furlough for Camp Pendleton and then for Saigon and Okinawa. He remembered the sweat bath and the Singer, even older than Sandoval, sprinkling his shoulders with the sacred pollen, and the old, cracked voice rising over the rhythm of the pot drum.] 1993 Anne L. Wright, Mark Bauer, Clarina Clark, Frank Morgan, Kenneth Begishe American Ethnologist (Nov.) “Cultural Interpretations and Intracultural Variability in Navajo Beliefs about Breastfeeding” vol. 20, no. 4, p. 784: During pregnancy, one cares for the child by eating right and, to appease the supernaturals, by avoiding prohibited behavior such as tying knots. In addition, one participates in proper rituals, including the Blessing Way, to assure an easy delivery, promote healing, and hasten the return to harmony. 1993 [Heather Madrone] Usenet: misc.kids (Nov. 11) “Re: Sweet Homebirth Story - 1 Year Later”: A Blessing Way is a ritual for the expectant mother. It is based on a Hopi tradition. A Blessing Way is a gathering of women who get together, tell birth stories, give the expectant mother emotional support and pamper her a bit (brush her hair, wash her feet, massage her). 1994 [Clare Bates Congdon] Usenet: alt.pagan (Mar. 30) “Re: Birthing Rituals”: A “blessing way.” While there was some talk about women only blessings, being a man, I’ve never been to one, and cannot comment. But the onout women only blessings, being a man, I’ve never been to one, and cannot comment. But the ones” that I have been too involve gathering the community around the pregnant woman, or newborn child and parents and everyone wishing (working a spell for) the child and mother what they want for the child, or wish for the child. It is wonderful, and I highly recommend it. It can be accompanied by hands on or other methods to direct the energy. You might want to create a sacred space first (however your tradition does this) and to raise energy after to seal the wishes or otherwise bind and release them. 1995 Adina Lebowitz Usenet: shamash.bridges (Nov. 16) “Re:Israel, new subscribers, etc.”: Anyway, I’m into doing/creating women’s ritual. I led my first Jewish “Blessing Way” ceremony on Sunday (a ritual for preparing a woman for birth popular among homebirthers and traditional cultures). 1996 [Colette] Usenet: misc.kids.pregnancy (July 1) “Re: Natural Childbirth was GREAT!!!”: My midwife does a blessing-way in which she rubs sacred blue cornmeal on my feet as a sign of supplication to the mother-to-be. 2001 Robin Lim After the Baby’s Birth: A Woman’s Way to Wellness p. 7: After the arrival of the new baby, the mother’s friends and family can activate this postpartum meal tree. It is simple to ask people to sign up at the blessingway or baby shower, before the actual birth. 2002 [Jennifer Rosenberg] Usenet: misc.kids.pregnancy (May 22) “Re: baby showers”: Consider a blessing-way type ceremony in lieu of a traditional shower. This can be adapted to just about every religion I can think of, as well as to people who are not religious. This gets away from the whole material gift thing and moves into more of a “generousity of spirit” realm. Especially when it is focused on positive thoughts and wishes for the coming birth and new baby, it is so special to treat a mom to something like this. 2003 [Nichol] Usenet: misc.kids.pregnancy (Jan. 27) “Re: Second pregnancy blues”: As for the gifts and things, I am feeling bit down that no one has mentioned a baby shower or blessing way or anything for this little one. I know we are having another boy which I think makes people assume we have everything we need. 2005 Kristin Madden, Liz Roberts Magickal Crafts (Oct. 30) p. 181: The Blessing Way has been adapted as an alternative baby shower for spiritual moms in recent years. This is much less commercial and much more personal, intimate way to honor the blessed event of a birth. During Blessing Way celebrations for moms-to-be, the expectant mother is really pampered by her loved ones. They may brush her hair or give her a foot massage. Poems are read and promises of aid during delivery and after the baby is borned are voiced. Candles are lit and symbolic gifts are presented. 2006 Google Groups: Friends of Valley Birthplace (Dec. 6) “You are Invited to A Blessing Way at Valley Birthplace”: On Thursday December 14th at 12:00 pm we will be holding a Blessing Way for our friend and midwife Lauren Hodges whose baby is due December 29th. A Blessing Way is a ceremony honoring change in a woman’s life. We would like to invite you to join us in sending Lauren well wishes as she prepares for the birth of her son.

Posted 17 Sep 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

This is actually is a great thing to do, though I’ve also heard it called a Mother Blessing. I found out about it from :

http://pregnancy.about .com/cs/blessingway/a/aa1 02202a.htm

I’ve had two of them and they were just really positive experiences to lighten my spirit in pregnancy. Now I’ve lead a couple for friends.

by Leah Trabue 17 Sep 07, 0901 GMT