Labor as Shamanic Initiation

Birth Journey Course segment from Miré about the sacred Initiation of Birth.

From Sha Mama Rising's Birth Journey Course:  http://www.shamamarising.com/birthjourneychildbirtheducation/

Part 1:

Part 2:


From Sha Mama Rising's Birth Journey Course:  http://www.shamamarising.com/birthjourneychildbirtheducation/

One reason you may not have thought of that makes your daughter's First Moon Initiation so important...

First Moon: Energetic Field separation from Mother & introduction to her HERstory

Women are designed to go through several transformations in their lifetimes that radically change their experience of life and how others experience them. 

The first major transformation is when the Maiden enters the realm of the Mother and begins her first blood and her courtship with the moon. 

A very integral component to this transition is the energetic separation between mother and daughter at this time. The daughter will, from this point forward, be responsible for creating HERstory as a fertile woman in the world - a path that only she may walk, and her mother may not join. 

So when coordinating the rite-of-passage / moon ritual for your daughter you may want to include some time devoted to making the distinction between the mother/daughter energy field and what that change means for your daughter and for yourself. 

Creative ways to include this concept into the First Moon initiation might be:

• Have the supporting sisters of your circle symbolically tie one of your and your daughter's hands together (where both wrists are tied off making complete string bracelets for each that are also attached) and as part of your ceremony have a sister cut the string between both bracelets while saying "As love binds you, so love frees you."
• In ceremony bind the mother's eyes with a blindfold and have the daughter do a dance the mother can not see.
• Have the daughter plant a tree alone that is hers to nourish and cultivate. Perhaps she can pour her monthly blood on it as it grows.
• Give the daughter a sacred ring that all the sisters pick out that symbolizes her relationship with herself and the beginning of her path.

This distinction can be helpful for both mother and daughter as the two have been entangled from birth at such a deep level. Bringing awareness to the new paradigm that the First Moon brings may ease some of the pain of the change on both sides.

Why Empowered Birth?

It's no accident that in the U.S. many women don't even know that they can birth without drugs or medical intervention and that the experience can be empowering, a bonding experience with their baby and a spiritual awakening or shaman-like initiation.  Once certain opportunistic men in power caught wind of the potential money to be made off of womens' bodies - birth and breastfeeding were gobbled up by the patriarchal and "professional" organizations of medicine and capitalism.

Due to this history now many women in the U.S. aren't even asking themselves why they might want to consider having an empowered birth. But for those of us who asking here are three reasons I've put together that answer why have an empowered birth:

1. Have an empowered birth because birth is YOURS and if you own the experience you can tap into your innate wisdom:

• Educate yourself about what is going on in your body during birth and you will be in a position of power during the stages of labor or if confronted with an issue. Your body and your baby are rich with deep DNA wisdom that is triggered and will unfold throughout the pregnancy and birth journey. Our brains are the largest obstacles to this natural unfolding. The more you understand and are comfortable with the physical process of birth, the less you will be intimidated by professionals or get caught up in your head. Not knowing what is happening leaves room for fear and a loss of power.  

2. Have an empowered birth to experience the innate intelligence of creation:

• Regardless your faith the birth journey can elevate your connection to Source. Tuning into your own higher power often during pregnancy, connecting spiritually with your baby (while it's in your womb) and meditating (with and without your partner) about your birth will all aid in a calm, connected birth experience. You'll find yourself going to this safe meditative place often in labor so being comfortable with it and knowing how to draw guidance from it will give you a power that no one can take away.

3. Have an empowered birth to enjoy your immense strength:  

• The high that a mountain climber gets at the top of an impressive peak pales in comparison to the joy and elation of birthing a baby. Your strength will astound you and you'll never underestimate yourself again. 

First Blood Moon Initiations...

One fun way to honor your daughter (or a friend's daughter) during her first MAJOR initiation and transformation on her woman journey is to have a First Blood or First Moon Party!

This can be done any number of ways and it's best to discuss it with the girl-of-honor to see what she is comfortable with and what sounds fun for her.

There's a million ways to celebrate this transition and initiation but here's what we did for a friend's daughter to give you some inspiration...

We had a very fancy dinner party with all of the girl-of-honor's mom's close friends. The table was dressed in all pink and reds and we ate a multi-coursed meal (all of her favorite dishes).

Special attention was made at every step. We brought out the fine China and the silver cutlery. We bought nice champagne and she was allowed to have a glass with us at dinner. 

Each place setting had a Tarot card to read and a special question relating to womanhood for each woman to answer and give insight and wisdom to the girl-of-honor.

The mood was lush and mystical. Like she was joining a secret society. We had candles and large photos behind us of a woman giving birth.

We talked freely about womanhood and treated her like another adult woman at the table.

It was also playful and fun. We pretended to be Charlie's Angels for our photo-op and allowed one boy into our secret group who crossed-dressed and played music for us during our "cocktail" hour (where we invited her younger friends from the community over for mocktails).

Our maiden had a great time. She started her moon shortly thereafter - so this was a great way to get her excited (rather than fearful) around her first blood. She knew she could call on any of us after this event and we had broken the ice about some of the nerve wracking parts of our bodies and the path of woman journey transformations and initiations.