SACRED pregnancy the magazine
baby butt balm baby name blessings
feng shui birth Christy Turlington Burns
herbal vaginal steams
baby : spring 2013
d e t i lim EW I V E PR
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Welcome to the Spring 2013 issue of SACRED
pregnancy : the magazine
Awe..Spring has sprung and Sacred Pregnancy is blossoming like a garden of wild flowers, free flowin’, untamed and so very beautiful! As I watch the movement grow, I am struck by the radical essence of who we are becoming and the fearless glory we are experiencing after jumping off cliffs without a net. As we enter into spring and let butterflies float on the back of our hands, watch our children gush their tiny toes in the fresh green grass, giggle, start mud pie season and plant the strawberry seedlings for summer, I am reminded of the beauty of transformation. This issue dedicated to BABY is about how we grow ourselves, our littles and our lives through every season and every challenge. Its about waking up to who we want to be in the world, how we want to raise our babies in this new enlightened era and MOSTLY its about gifting ourselves the permission to just BE. BE with ourselves as we hold our babies, our projects, our visions and our grass roots movement dear. BE strong in our knowing that who we are is enough for each other and our children. BE with our sisterhood, at every turn, holding her hand long after we go home from gathering together. BE with our partners, standing with them naked and true without barriers or walls between us. BE present with our lives as we PRACTICE mindfulness. This Spring we are growing...no denying that. We are STANDING UP, stretching, BECOMING, aching, laughing, crying, eating, TOUCHING, floating, birthing, and singing our heart song... In coming months...”I WILL see YOUR face” somewhere on the Sacred Road we are all on together...I am so giddy with excitement and passion...and all I can say is “We ARE On Fire!” Welcome to the Spring issue... In reverence + sisterhood,
Anni Daulter
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photography : Mae Burke
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the baby issue
number three 5
Sacred Pregnancy Magazine is: Anni Daulter - Editor + Creative Director Gretchen Sowers - Content Editor Amanda Hearn - Designer www.theecofriendlyfamily.com Mae Burke - Cover Photography
A Special Thank You
Dedicated Interns Crytsa Parkinson- For being willing + ABLE to do everything needed Myrriah Raimbault - For your constant dedication to Sacred Pregnancy Brandy Lewis- For being willing to create with your heart Sare Merrigan- For all of your hard work Media + Advertising Contact advertising@sacredpregnancy.com Editorial Contact info@sacredpregnancy.com
Tim Daulter : For your endless support + love Krista Miracle: For creating + inspiring Sacred Postpartum Crysta Parkinson : For trusting + all of your consistent hard work Hayley Lane : For creating Australia SP + being my soul sis Julie Colby : For jumping into the fertile waters of SF + bring your brilliance Myrriah Raimbault : For helping to create Sacred Fertility and bring that into the universe Mary Oscategui : For believing in Sacred Pregnancy + creating Sacred Biz! Amanda Hearn : For keeping us BEAUTY-filled To all my babies : For inspiring this whole movement!
Sacred Pregnancy Magazine was created and founded in 2012 by Anni Daulter. All material herein is copyright 2012 by Sacred Pregnancy Magazine and respective contributors / writers. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. 6
SACRED pregnancy the magazine
10 18 24 26 30 38
conscious conception by Eden Clark
feng shui birth by Faye Read
gratitude banner to welcome baby by Corinne Laan
the he(art) of naming by Ruth Blanding
vagina steams
by Cathy Lipsky, RN, ANP
a special thank you to our amazing photographers: Mae Burke
maeburkephotography.com
Eden Clark
EdenClark.com
Shawna Wentz
sacredwombartistry.com
Brandy Lewis
Victoria Karalun
canarylanephotography.com
Elena Rego
foodpractice.com
Baliy Mize
mizetribe.com
CHAR
serenitymamaearth.com
charphotography.com
Melissa Jean
Elif Aydogan
melissajean.com.au
Katelyn Demidow katelyndemidow.com
Melissa Taylor
melissataylorphotography.com
focusoflife.nl
Tricia Krefetz
clickcapturecreate.com
Jade Beal
jadebeall.com
global doulas
by Ana Paula Markel 7
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4 sweet little bum cream recipe 44 divine preparation 4 no passing trend : c.t.burns 4 feeding baby, feeding family 4 pretty + poetic
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8 5 6 66 70 72 76 78
by Corinne Laan by Anna Getty
by Avital Norman Nathman by Anni Daulter by Baily Mize
9 ways to increase fertility
by Cara Bergman M.Ad. L.Ac. Dipl.Ac.
herbal bath time for baby by Amy Paolinelli
honoring the protector within by Darren Mattock
journal this
by Amy Jones, RPP
when does mothering begin?
by Laurel Wilson + Tracy Wilson Peters
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i double dare you to... mama’s medicine kitchen by Christy Funk
rock your birth business by Karen Rachel Brody
redefining super mom by Mary Oscategui
in love : gifting for baby by Anni Daulter
stepping up into fatherhood by Tim Daulter
taking care of mom + baby by Valerie Lynn
welcoming baby stellar by Melissa Snyder
placenta smoothies by Krista Miracle
hatteras highlights
by the Amazing SP Instructors
spring 2013 baby issue 9
a spiritual walk AWAKENING : 10
conscious conception Opening to Spiritual Parenting
by Eden Clark
Rites of passage are definitive points in a person’s life that serve to honor the transition from one stage of life to another. They often require us to prepare physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for the ritual. They can test a person’s inner strength and readiness for the transition, but ultimately, serve to prepare us for the tremendous changes to come. Yet sadly, in western culture, we rarely stop to honor life’s numerous transitions in a meaningful, lasting way, especially when it comes to pregnancy and birthing. We may get thrown a baby shower, but it’s a far cry from a formal rite of passage that honors the deeply sacred, spiritual, and mystical process of conception, pregnancy, birthing and connection with the soul who has chosen us. For all three souls--the baby, the mother, and the father--there is a tremendous gift to connecting with your child before conception and throughout the pregnancy process. Babies enter this rite of passage just as we do, and the new generation of children being birthed are eager to bring us tremendous spiritual awakenings and lessons, if we allow it. But how? As I often say to people, if you believe we go somewhere after we
die, well, then, don’t we come from somewhere, too? Just as death is a tremendous rite of passage for a soul, so too is birth. When couples choose to honor this sacred rite of passage they can connect with their child long before the actual conception. To recognize your child as a spiritual being, a soul who has chosen you, paves the way for a beautiful, sacred transition and sets the stage for profound bonding, trust, and love. It’s recognizing your child’s full essence beyond the innocent and tiny being you will come to birth. As a shamanic energy medicine practitioner, or shaman, I’ve had the gift of working with clients who were struggling to conceive. I’ve been able to take them on a beautiful journey to connect with their child-to-be. Often the child, or children, can be front and center ready to step forth. At other times, they can bring forth messages of healing or lessons the mother or father need to embrace before conception can occur. My own experience of this process was birthed long before I conceived my child, and in fact, before I ever met my husband. Three years ago, I found myself in the middle of the Amazon jungle sitting
with indigenous medicine men, known as Curanderos, deep in ceremony. I was there to heal from a divorce, from old wounds, and find my direction in life after an extremely tumultuous few years. This intense nighttime ritual in the middle of the jungle took our souls between worlds, and on this particular evening I set my intention to understand the meaning of unconditional love. I had no thought nor desire at that time for children or pregnancy; I just wanted to heal. At some point during the ritual, however, I received a profoundly lucid and detailed vision of a little girl being brought to me by an angelic being. She was about 4 years old with long brown hair and big brown eyes. As the two beings drew close, the angel motioned to the little girl, who looked up at me with her arms outstretched. I bent down to lift her into my arms and, in that very moment, I felt my heart explode with the most profound love I had ever felt in my life. She reached up and caressed my face, clearing away the tears that were now streaming down my cheeks as I wept in joy. I was overcome with emotion and a sense of connection I had never before felt. She whispered, “It’s ok, Mommy, don’t cry, I’ll be with you soon.” The feeling of unconditional love was overwhelming. My heart ached and I never wanted to let her go.
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Although this was just a vision, I knew exactly who she was: my daughter, to whom I would someday give birth. I returned to the USA and destiny called for me to meet my husband five months later. We eventually began dating exclusively. At that point, we never discussed children or marriage, and yet, one night as we went to bed, he looked at me inquisitively as if contemplating a deep thought. I gave him the “what?” look, and he proceeded cautiously to say, “I’ve been having the oddest but very strong feeling of a little girl that keeps coming to me every time we make love. It’s like she’s hovering, wanting to come in. I didn’t want to say anything, but it’s hard to ignore. It’s like she’s meant to be our daughter.”
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both received powerful and often detailed messages from her in our dreams and in meditations. We developed an incredible bond and a beautiful sense of connection to this soul. We learned who she was, why she chose us, and the lessons she would be coming to learn. She even gave us her name.
My heart leapt as I realized it was likely the same soul who had come to me months prior. We realized in that moment we had a beautiful gift of connecting with the being who was choosing us as her parents.
Much to our surprise, we found out we were pregnant this past July. Although we had planned on conceiving eventually, we became nervous if our visions had been right. Our hearts leapt at the possibility this could in fact be the soul we had been communicating with. At 21 weeks pregnant, the ultrasound showed us what we had hoped: our little girl was indeed here! On the video screen we saw her little fingers open and close several times, as if she was waving to us saying “Hi Mom & Dad! I told you I was coming!” Throughout the pregnancy we have continued to communicate with her as a conscious and wise being who would be born as a baby, yet bring tremendous gifts to our family and to this planet.
Later that year, we married. We chose to consciously connect with our child-tobe and would speak with her out loud, buy her presents during our travels, and honor her presence when we felt her. We
I have since been able to lead many mothers-to-be on a conscious guided journey to connect with their child. Or in some cases, children. What I have learned is their child, this conscious
being, is often eager to connect and welcomes the opportunity to create the bridge between the worlds. It prepares the mother and her womb to receive, and establishes a conscious path for the child to enter. All it takes is an openness and willingness to receive, and a belief in the messages, images or visions that come through. 1. Create a space for ritual: find a quiet location, light candles, and surround yourself in a space of love – be it with crystals, sacred objects, or other meaningful items. Ask for your guides or angels to be present. 2. Take a few deep breaths and come in to a place of stillness, focusing on your heart space. Envision opening your heart to receive. Feel the gratitude you have for being able to birth life. 3. Clearly state your intention, such as “it is my desire and choice to connect with whatever soul is wanting to come in as my child. Please help me receive.” 4. Relaxing and using your imagination, envision yourself standing in a beautiful
conscious growth
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field of flowers. Smell, sense, and see the beauty all around you, the blue sky and radiant sun. As you look off into the distance, notice a beautiful big tree with branches that reach way up in the clouds, as far as your eyes can see. Feeling a deep connection to this tree, walk towards it and reach its base, touching the bark and feeling its strength and size. As you lean against the tree, gently imagine and feel yourself being absorbed into it, as if your very essence becomes the sap within the tree. Be absorbed fully. Feel yourself being carried up the tree, flowing with the water and nutrients, up to the very tips of the branches way above the clouds. Keep going higher and higher, until you come to the very tips of the uppermost branches. Feel yourself step out from the limbs, on to a beautiful soft cloud. As you look around in this beautiful sea of white mist, ask your child to come forward. You can say, “If there is a soul here who is meant to be my child, can you please make yourself known?” Pay attention to any thoughts, images, or symbols you receive. It could be an infant, a grown adult, or even an animal messenger that comes forth. Or you may hear a thought or word, or feel an emotion. Surrender to whatever you receive, even if it does not yet make sense.
5. Once you feel complete, give your thanks and state it is your desire to continue this connection. Feel yourself once again be re-absorbed into the limbs of the tree, and imagine yourself descending down the branches, into the trunk of the tree, then once again stepping out at its base back into the field. 6. Take a few deep breaths and come back to present consciousness. 7. Close your journey by giving thanks and honoring the process. In the days and weeks to come, you can do this journey several times. You can also continue asking for signs and messages from your child-to-be and what you need to do to prepare. If you’re already pregnant, you can do this same exercise by simply asking the child in your womb to step forth as they truly are, in their full essence. One of the keys to this process is your intention and, more importantly, surrendering to what is--not what you want it to be. For some, this could mean that you really want a baby girl. But what if the soul agreement you have is with
a boy, a beautiful being who will bring incredible gifts or lessons to your family? Or what if there is a situation, wound or emotion they are asking you to release before they will make themselves known? Trust this sacred process and what comes forth. If you feel you aren’t connecting or receiving any messages, instead try asking for what it is you need to heal before the connection can be made. Feel the answer in your heart. Is it a trust in your own body’s ability to birth? Is there a fear of not being able to conceive? Are you holding on to only one scenario for pregnancy and birth? Trust that everything is in perfect divine alignment for you to receive the messages as they are meant. Bringing consciousness to the conception process is about surrendering to all of the lessons meant to come forth as part of this profound rite of passage. Our greatest gift to our children, and to ourselves, is to surrender and open to our greatest act of creation. All is possible when we trust there is a beautiful soul you have agreed to birth into existence. Know they are there, ready and waiting – all it takes is your conscious choice to connect, receive, and open the pathway to this sacred mystery of life.
SACRED
fertility
learn more at
www.sacredpregnancy.com
for details on various Postpartum Retreats around the world 15
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HONORING BABY :
the miracle
we honor...
Aquiline Love Leto Born: 3-11-13 at 10:03am Mom & Dad: Eden Clark + John Germain Leto
with one mind we call to thee... with one heart we long for thee... child of earth, wind, fire + sea... into our lives we welcome thee...
author unknown ~
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top trends EDGY :
for birth
photography : Naomi Solomon for The Journey of Birth of Photography
Feng Shui By Faye Read
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Mother of four, Midwife, Childbirth Educator, Feng Shui Consultant, energy Intuitive & Natural Therapist
Giving birth is an incredibly significant & sacred event. As parents we are given the great honour of nourishing the body, heart & soul of our unborn child, as they make their way earth-side. It is our duty to safeguard them on all levels and to create a safe & loving environment in which they can emerge from their watery womb space. Their experience of birth will influence them for the rest of their life. I dreamed a dream, of a world where all babies are born into a space of love; into the arms of loving parents, surrounded only by those who truly honour the birth process, the incoming soul and the birthing mother. Birth is viewed by all as one of the most sacred events that life has to offer. In my dream ALL birthing women are in complete control of their own birth, in tune with their baby and their needs and in complete harmony with the environment around them. The birthing space supports the mother, father and child on all levels, enabling a smooth transition earth-side for the new child. The reality is that these dreams of mine are all very real possibilities and many of us already choose to bring our babies in this way and have done so for time immemorial. We recognise the importance that a healthy pregnancy and positive birth experience has on us and our child...helping to set the blueprint for our child’s life. If we truly desire world peace, then surely it has to begin in the womb and be imprinted on us at birth. If our birth is one of peace, joy, serenity and love, then surely this energy will imprint on us and pave the way for a peaceful and loving life? So I ask you, the reader...to reflect on your own birth and those of your children... what energy did these experiences carry for you and your children and how has that energy then played out in your life? What if anything, could have been different? I know that when I entered the world it was just after the time of ‘twilight sleep’ for birthing women. Being the birth activist that I am, I obviously chose to be born second in the family to escape this twilight sleep and slip into the world quickly, before interventions could be administered...among the many other benefits of being number 2 in the family! From a very young age I knew I wanted to be a Midwife...it’s all I ever
wanted to be. I chose a very health conscious family to be born into, one that would nurture my spirituality...which has always been my ‘gift’ in this life. I have always sensed energy and ‘seen’ things that other people don’t see, which was to come in very handy later in life when I was called down another path to work with the energies of Feng Shui. Back then I never imagined that I would one day be a mother to four beautiful children. I guess I needed that many births to really know my stuff. As we know; all births are different and all equally as unpredictable! I am thankful that I was already a Midwife when I began my journey into parenthood, so pregnancy and birth were all about new lessons for me...lessons in really opening up to my spirituality, learning to trust my intuition and learning to trust my body and stand up for what I believed in. Each of my four births were completely different, though all were very positive, amazing experiences. I created the births that I wanted for each of them. I tried hospital birth, birth centre birth and 2 homebirths...water birth and lotus birth...every one a different combination. The thing that I remember most about each of my births was that I felt in complete control of the process. I chose who I wanted to be there, I chose the environment I wanted, my own natural comfort measures, where I wanted to be, how I wanted to be, who was to touch the baby first and to discover them in my own time when I was ready. I did it my way! Now, on my journey through each pregnancy I became more and more in tune with the energies surrounding me, even before conception. I would have visits from the little soul who was waiting to come in next. They would tell me what they wanted, what kind of birth experience they needed and even who they wanted at the birth. They would let me know what date they would make an appearance and also how they wanted the environment to be when they arrived. I had formally learned my Feng Shui practise after my 3rd child was born, but had been working with the same energies for a lifetime before that. So it was nothing new to me to space clear the house, remove any negative energies from the birthing room and to create a sacred space for the birth to take place. I was able to create a space that totally supported me to give birth in and also the ideal environment for each child to be 19
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welcomed into. They all wanted something different, but essentially they all wanted an energetically clear space, supportive people around who would sit back and allow the process to unfold as they wanted and to be welcomed into the world in joy, peace and love. Once I had learned the art of Feng Shui, I was able to implement even more tools to harmonise the space and create a balance of all the energies in the room so that my baby and I were fully supported. It’s amazing what a big impact a few small subtle changes can make. Once we start paying attention to the world around us and picking up on all the subtleties we realise that we are given everything that we need. The universe supports us in amazing ways...sometimes we call it synchronicity; sometimes we call it a miracle! Birth is a miracle...just think about how we are each created and then born into the world. I am still awestruck after 25 years as a Midwife, how perfect each newborn baby is...each one started out as one tiny, single cell! So miracles are part of my everyday life. By utilising the energies of Feng Shui, we can improve our chances of reaching our highest potential, releasing those seen and unseen blocks that may be preventing things from moving forward in the way we would like. Feng Shui helps to harmonise us with our environment, support us with the correct elements according to our birthdate and strengthen our position by aligning us with our more empowering directions and those that support our back. It also helps to boost our health, wealth and happiness, our creativity, partnerships, career, fame and fortunes and send us lots of helpful people to support our endeavours...whatever they may be. During our childbearing years, Feng Shui can also do all of these things! We can work within the particular sectors of a building, a room or any space...creating harmony for conception, a peaceful pregnancy, harmonious birth and joyful parenting. In the birthing room...wherever that may be; we can create a beautiful sacred space in which to welcome our baby. Some of the ways we can achieve this are: • Space Clearing: Begin by clearing out old, stuck energy.
Imagine birthing in a hospital room that has had hundreds of
births in there before you. The energy from those births becomes absorbed into the walls of the room, later affecting others who also birth in there. Do you know the stories of all the births that went on before you? Do you want those stories to become yours? Most probably not! Therefore, space clearing the birthing room is vitally important if you wish your experience to be uniquely yours. • Create the ideal environment: The birthing environment is
hugely important, not only for you to feel relaxed and supported, but also for the baby to arrive in, as I discovered from my four babies! The environment needs to be less sterile and more relaxing, to get all those juicy love hormones flowing. These hormones as we know are most important for labour to progress, to keep us in the moment, going with the flow and birthing our baby in love. Think of when you conceived this child...what was the energy of the environment? A warm, loving environment is usually what most babies prefer. Rooms can be modified...you do NOT have to leave it the way it has been set up for you. Surround yourself with the people and things that help you relax most.
• Maintain a Position of Power: Make sure that your back is well
supported and you feel as though you are in the ‘position of power’ in the birth room...not your care provider. This is YOUR birth, not theirs. You need to feel supported and in control. Have full view of the door and who comes in and out. Place a sign on your door to only allow those in who need to be there and who support your wishes. Remember to keep some flexibility though, because remember birth doesn’t always go the way WE plan it! The baby has ultimate control over the birth. Quite often they have a different plan to ours, so just keep an open mind and a flexible attitude. As long as you are well supported, the outcome can still be a positive one, no matter how it ends up.
• Use Elemental cures: While birth is a very spiritual event, it is
also very grounding and ‘earthy’. You can use nature’s elements to support you at the birth. Feng Shui is based on the Chinese 5 Element theory, so going by your birthdate, you will have a number and element corresponding to your birth year. You can use these energies and knowledge of the 5 element cycle to strengthen and 21
support you while giving birth. Find your element and take it to your birth in the form of an object, shape or colour as your strength talisman. You can draw strength from it whenever you need. • Overlay the Bagua: In Feng Shui, we also use the ‘bagua’ to overlay a room
or building in order to get more information about that space. We can also use it to enhance or strengthen the qualities within a certain sector. Using ‘form school’ Feng Shui, we can align the bagua with the door of the birthing room and immediately have access to the energies that can support us better, for the birth process and everything connected to it, to flow more efficiently.
• Face your empowering directions: From your birthdate we are able to work
out your number and element. You also have a set of directions that are more empowering for you to face. You can use this knowledge by trying to face your most empowering directions wherever possible in the birth room, so that you feel supported and at ease. Have the element of the sector supporting you where it is most beneficial.
• Set the energy of the room: We can infuse the room with the energy that
we want it to hold. Where thought goes, energy flows. Use the power of your intent to call in whichever energies you want to be present. This is completely personal. The mind is a powerful organ and we create anything that we really put our mind to. So imagine or visualise whatever you need to be present in the room with you and breathe it into your being. See it in the room and all around you. Use this energy to birth your baby with grace and ease.
You can reclaim your power in the birthing space...whether you are the birthing woman or one of her caregivers. We each have within us, the power to create our own reality. If we can dream it, we can achieve it. For more information on ‘Feng Shui for Birth’, or to claim your FREE eBook ‘Top Ten Feng Shui Tips for Birth’, visit: www.fengshuiforbirth.com 22
photography : Shawna Wentz
There are so many uses for Feng Shui in the birthing space. The mother and baby can benefit greatly and if her support team are also aware of it, they can also ensure that the woman and her child are well supported and given the space to birth in love.
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Our goal at EarthBorn Mothers, Inc. is to provide education and support for women to enhance their pregnancy and birth outcomes. We offer products to assist women on their journey into motherhood and encourage them to discover an alternative, holistic and healthy approach to birthing and beyond. We offer a pure, natural line of aromatherapy products for pregnancy, birth and beyond.
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DIY :
crafty creations
Gratitude Banner
to Welcome Baby
Making a gratitude banner is a great way to celebrate your baby’s safe arrival into this world and your rite of passage. It is another way to show the world how grateful you are for this new life you are about to welcome in your arms. Gathering everything you need to make your banner brings your intention out into the Universe. It focuses your mind and soul on what lies ahead not only the birth but your role as a mother.
by Art by: Brandy Lewis Soc BA, DONA Trained Birth Doula, Certified Sacred Pregnancy Instructor
Corinne Laan
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gathering groups CIRCLE ROUND : 26
The He(Art) Of Naming
By Ruth Blanding
In many cultures, here and around the world, the naming of a new baby is seen as a most special and sacred event. For some, it is the time to pass down a familial name (paternal or maternal) to a first-born grandchild. For some, it is the time to take part in ritual and ceremony. For some, it is a call for family to join together in celebration. What is in a name? As the famous Shakespearean quote goes, “…that which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.” It seems to be such a simple question, really, but one that causes you to stop and wonder about names--your own and those of others. What is any given name trying to portray or share with the world? We will all wear so many different names throughout our lives, but the first name, for most of us, is the most precious, the one with the strongest ties and the greatest power within us connecting us to our origin, our family, our first breaths of life.
photograph : Melissa Jean
There is so much power in a name that is deeply and lovingly given. A name can hold the essence of the hopes and dreams, desires, and truest love of the parent to their child. Names are a powerful aspect of our sense of self. They can speak of strength, of tradition, of ideals, of love, and of the changing world around us. When you finally hold your sweet baby in your arms, they will be far more than a Christopher, or a Jillian, or a Petra. They will bear the glory or the weight of that name. They will become part of its sacred meaning or its infamous history. The name will play a unique part in shaping the child in ways that are minor and infinite. Such is the gift and the power of a name. Our bellies take us on a journey of ultimate transformation when we are pregnant. They are the safe haven, the loving embrace, the slice of heaven that cradles our little one as they grow within. These transforming bellies are also our intercom, our two-way line of communicating with the precious bundle we carry. And because this belly is, and does, so much, we offer up special names to it and our baby within. These sweet appellations are known, to some, as Belly Names. Even if you have never heard the term Belly Name before, you have probably used one on a loved one when they were pregnant. To some, a belly name is one of the names given to a child after the birth when the umbilical cord is being cut. To others, a belly name is the nickname given to a baby when they are in the womb; a name which is not necessarily intended to be the baby’s
true name. An endearment between the loved one and the baby within the belly world. When we speak to a baby still tucked soundly in the womb, many of us give the baby (or belly) a special name that only we use which is a bond that connects us powerfully to the baby. It is amazing how much more we bind to someone once we have named them. All three times that I have been pregnant, my belly received many precious dubbings. I was home to the Buddha belly, carrier of lovey, doodle bug, bubba, Gemini child, and many more that I can no longer remember. When my little ones hear someone special speaking their belly name, the belly action would become wild. Suddenly my belly would be a roiling, dancing, undulating ball of excitement. My baby saying, “Hello, I’m glad you are here.” While not every belly name received this reaction, it was an amazing sight to behold when one did. Not only are belly names sweet nicknames, belly names can also be a great opportunity to test out what you wish to call your little one. Enjoy playing with these names. Who knows, one of these names may be a cherished nickname for years to come. To pick a name...to pick a name is a joyous event indeed! But how people decide to choose this name can be as varied as the berries on a bush or the clouds in the sky. While it has become common practice to go to the internet or baby name books or the Who’s Who list of celebrity baby names for advice and guidance on choosing that most perfect of names, it can be a much more satisfying and deeply meaningful experience to bring the sacredness of ceremony into the occasion. Since the very earliest days of our history, there has been loving ritual connected to the act of naming our babes. And though the old rituals and ceremonies might have fallen by the wayside in our fast-paced, modern lives, there is no better time than now to slow down and create new ceremonies to share with those nearest and dearest to our hearts. There are two special ceremonies that I have created that I believe helps to guide me when choosing a name for, and helps after having chosen the name of, my children. The first is “Calling in the Name” and the second is the “Revealing and Blessing of the Chosen Name.”
The “Calling in the Name” is a sweet and beautiful ceremony which can be done in a variety of ways to best meet every family’s religious, spiritual, and emotional needs. The most important part to me is
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Ideciding who I would like to have with me to help me create the circle. For me, having my partner present is all I need. For some, a dear friend, close relatives, or a spiritual teacher (such as a pastor, shaman, or other guides) might be invited to take part in the ceremony. For others, this might be a solitary quest. Though I suggest keeping the group small (5-6 people maximum) the most important factor is that the focus and the intention of everyone present is in harmony and balance with one another. Choosing the location to hold the ceremony is the next step in this journey. Since I have such a deep love, connection, and visceral need to be near nature, I always seek outdoor venues. My optimal places in nature tend to be wooded areas near bright clearings and small flowing bodies of water. Local camping areas or State Parks are perfect places to seek out such natural locations, but if you don’t have nature like this available, the community park or your own back yard can be the perfect choice. If you would rather be inside, your home is a great place to create your sacred ritual. You can also take this time to combine this ceremony with a baby-moon and find a place with lovely little cottages and lots of nature surrounding. When indoors, bringing in items from nature, that reflect the season and the feelings of this special time, can help to create the grounding energy, which is an integral part of this ceremony.
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natural fiber broom to sweep out any debris that might cause injury or discomfort (such as pointy rocks, sticks, or trash left behind). I lay out a blanket and set up small pillows in a circle for each person to sit upon. In the center, I create a nest of blankets and pillows for mama to lay upon; a way of holding her gently to reflect the way she holds the baby within. On a small wooden tray (bamboo, ceramic, or any natural material will work just fine), I place “binding string,� a tea pot and small tea cups (with a gentle herbal tea), sage for smudging, scissors, enough beads for each person to have on, and a small gong or chime to help bring attention and focus together. While the items I bring are simple and few, each of them has been chosen for a specific duty. You should pick the items that feel right to you for use during this ceremony. Some suggestions on what to bring to use during the ceremony are essentials oils, precious stones or crystals, mala necklaces, or any item that would be easily carried and not detract or distract from the ceremony. I do suggest refraining from playing music until the end of the ceremony. Having natural background noise and your unified breathing as the only sounds can really deepen the energy connection being created. To allow for highest comfort, mom and the guests should wear loose fitting clothing in natural fibers, making sure that the clothes help keep everyone warm or cool as the weather requires.
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As I prepare to set up my space I like to clear the old energy out by doing a prayer and a blessing and smudging the area while moving around the circle to create a sort of energetic boundary. I also do a physical cleansing of the space. Indoors this means removing items that will not serve me during the ceremony and clearing away 28 dirt, dust, and debris from everyday living. When in nature, I use a
On the day of the ceremony, everyone lines up behind the mama outside of the circle and the person chosen to run the ceremony (or the partner or mama if the ceremony is of one or two only) smudges each person as they move into the circle. Mama steps into the circle and lays down upon her nest, like a fairy in a bower, and each person (except the ceremony leader) takes a seat around mama on their cushions. The ceremony leader moves around the circle wrapping the binding string
twice around each person’s left wrist, binding their own wrist last, to unite the circle in physical connection. The bound hands are placed on the knee of the person to the left and the unbound hands are gently placed on mama and child. Here, a gentle toning or Om-ing is begun that will help bring everyone into the same space. As the ceremony leader sounds the chimes/gongs the toning fades into silence and each person closes their eyes and clears their minds of all but the here and now. A welcoming is spoken by mama, the partner, or the ceremony leader, “Welcome and thank you and blessings to you all. Today we sit together in love, holding space as we call in the true name of this soon to be born babe, the newest member of our family and community. We sit without judgment or opinion, open to all that will be.” For 5-10 minutes everyone sits in connected communion letting baby now that they are happy to meet this baby as baby’s most authentic self, embracing their name, its meaning, and how it will connect baby to them and to the Universe. As the gong/ chimes ring gently, it signals everyone to begin to come back to the space around them and as eyes begin to open, toning or singing a song of joyful welcome are a beautiful way to acknowledge the love and gratitude of the experience and precious moment just shared. As the group is singing, the ceremony leader walks the circle cutting the connecting points of the binding string and offering each person a special bead or stone to place onto the string around their wrist to create a bracelet signifying the connection shared during the ceremony. Enjoy sipping tea and chatting but do not pressure mama, or anyone, about the name. Though the name might arrive instantaneously, it might be days, weeks, months, or even after baby arrives before the name is clear. It is not a race; be willing to let the name come as it will, honoring the knowledge that this name is a special gift to the baby that will wear it throughout their life’s journey. When the name has been received and accepted, it is time to call for a celebration! It is time to share the name with friends and family in honor of the babe. While some people will choose to celebrate before baby is born, others may wait until after the birth. Know that anytime chosen is the PERFECT time and share the name. A beautiful way to share the chosen name is with a “Revealing and Blessing of the Chosen Name” ceremony. For me, this means
beautiful music, delicious food, and a loving group to be with. I prefer to do food potluck style, encouraging everyone to bring mindfully created, healthy tidbits to share for the meal. If you have friends who play instruments, encourage them to bring them along. Guitars, drums, wooden flutes, and tambourines are some of my favorites to have on hand when I wish to create spontaneous group music. For this ceremony and celebration, ask that each person bring a written blessing, promise, poem, song, quote, or intention of love that they feel best expresses their love for the baby and how they will be as a presence in the baby’s life. Ask that they bring one special thing (stone, herbs, essential oil, flowers, etc) to put into the salt bowl. Also ask that everyone be punctual so that the energy of the ceremony is not broken; have those who cannot make the ceremony on time know they are welcome for the songs and the feast when the ceremony is completed. Set up a table with a glass jar, a ceramic bowl half filled with salt, and special decorations that compliment the ceremony. Rocks, branches, flowers, fruits, and other natural items are always on hand for me as decoration as I love the connection with the divine and nature that these things create. As the ceremony begins each person walks over to the table and speaks out loud their intention of love (or their poem, song, promise, blessing, or quote) then places the paper into the glass jar. This jar is meant to be placed in a special place for the baby, holding physically all of the beautiful words that were spoken for them. Once the intention is spoken, the person places their special item into the salt bowl and goes to sit. This flow is continued until all but mama and papa/partner have gone to the table. When they stand at the table it is finally time to reveal the name! They may say a poem or promise or do whatever feels right. For me these words say it best: “With truest heart and deepest love. With my joy and gratitude. With my promise not of perfection but of authenticity. With my whole being: mind, body, and soul. From the beginning of your life to beyond the end of mine. I welcome you with love…” and then state the baby’s name. Once the name is spoken everyone can say together, “With open hearts, deepest joy, and gratitude we welcome you, (say the baby’s name), to our family and community”. Now the name has been welcomed and the name has been blessed. In honor of the chosen name of your precious baby, it is time to party! 29
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