Mother Blessing (Mama Blessing): A Sacred Ceremony to Honour the Pregnancy Journey

A Mother’s Blessing Ceremony, or Mama Blessing as I prefer to call it, is a deeply intimate and supportive pre-birth gathering. It brings the mother-to-be together with her closest circle—typically women—to honour and celebrate her sacred transition into motherhood

Over the years, I have had the honour of facilitating Mama Blessing Ceremonies for many women, witnessing their profound magic and the deep sense of empowerment they bring—truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In this blog, I’ll share valuable insights and inspiration about this beautiful ceremony, along with the different ways I guide and facilitate them.

Difference between a Mother’s Blessing and a Baby shower?

Both are pre-birth celebrations, typically held in the final months of pregnancy, whether it’s a woman’s first or fifth baby.

A traditional baby shower focuses on celebrating the baby, with guests gifting the mother (or parents) essential items for the newborn. The event is usually organised by the parents, often the mother, and has a lighthearted, party-like atmosphere.

A Mother’s Blessing or Mama Blessing, on the other hand, is a deeply intimate gathering where the expecting mother is honoured and supported by her closest circle—usually women. Unlike a baby shower, the ceremony is organised for her, allowing her to receive heartfelt blessings, shared birth stories, and empowering rituals that nurture her emotional, spiritual, and mental transition into motherhood. It is a sacred space to honour not just the baby, but the mother’s journey into this new chapter of life.

I see this ceremony as a beautiful opportunity for women to gather in a sacred space, sharing a moment of reflection, support, and celebration of the Divine Feminine and the mother-to-be.

For a Mama Blessing, I highly recommend being intentional about who you invite, ensuring that those present contribute to the sacred and supportive atmosphere. This is a deeply personal and intimate gathering, and there should be no sense of obligation—only those who truly uplift and honour your journey into motherhood.

In contrast, a baby shower often includes a larger circle of family and friends, creating a more casual and social atmosphere where both parents can celebrate together.

At a Mother’s Blessing, I always keep the space alcohol-free, allowing for full presence and connection. Food is shared only after the ceremony, once the sacred circle has been closed, so that everyone can fully immerse in the experience. A nourishing, plant-based feast is then enjoyed, offering a moment to recharge and integrate the energy of the gathering.

Mother’s Blessing or Blessingway?

The term Blessingway originates from the sacred ceremonial traditions of the Navajo people of North America. It is a deeply spiritual rite, performed to invoke positive blessings and ward off misfortune, used in various life transitions—including pregnancy.

As more women seek an alternative to the commercialised baby shower, desiring a more meaningful way to honour their journey into motherhood, elements of the Blessingway have been respectfully adapted into what is now commonly known as a Mother’s Blessing or Mama Blessing.

While inspired by the original tradition, this modern-day gathering is a unique and evolving ceremony, tailored to each mother-to-be, focusing on love, support, and empowerment as she prepares to welcome new life.

Out of respect for the origins of the Blessingway, I encourage using the term Mother’s Blessing or Mama Blessing when referring to modern celebrations, while always acknowledging and honouring its roots.

Many Indigenous cultures around the world have their own earth-based traditions to mark significant transitions in a woman’s life. I invite you to explore the ancestral wisdom of your own heritage and discover the rituals that may have supported women in your lineage during this sacred time.

Creating Sacred Space for a Mother’s Blessing

1. Have a Clear Intention

There is no right or wrong way to create a sacred space, but the most essential aspect of a Mama Blessing is holding deep reverence and respect for the transformative journey of becoming a mother.

With this in mind, setting a clear and heartfelt intention for the gathering is key. This intention should honour the mother-to-be, the space where the ceremony will take place, and the women who will be part of it.

2. Consciously Choose the Participants

It’s important for the expectant mother to take time and reflect on who she truly wants to share this sacred occasion with. The gathering should be made up of those who bring love, support, and positive energy into her life.

3. Choose a Meaningful Location

The ceremony should be held in a safe, comfortable, and familiar space for the mother-to-be. Often, this is in her own home, her mother’s home, or another place of deep personal significance.

4. Keep the Ceremony Free of Technology

To maintain the sacredness of the circle, participants should be asked to leave phones and technology aside during the ceremony. Everyone is invited to enter the space mindfully and barefoot, deepening their connection to the moment.

A designated person can be assigned to take photos, ensuring the spirit of the ceremony is captured, but without interrupting the flow or sacredness of the gathering. Photos can be taken after the ceremony has concluded, and if needed, a close loved one can be included via FaceTime in a way that doesn’t disrupt the experience.

5. Creating an Altar

Set up an altar in the centre of the circle where all the women will gather. The altar can include earth-based elements that hold significance for the mother-to-be and participants, such as crystals, flowers, deities, feathers, oracle cards, candles, and anything else that feels meaningful. To create a comfortable and inviting space, use rugs or a mandala throw for the circle, and provide cushions for everyone to sit on, allowing each participant to feel supported and grounded.

6. Cleanse the Space

Opening and closing the ceremony with a smudging ritual using sage or palo santo is an effective way to cleanse the energy of the space, clearing any stagnant or negative energy. This powerful practice helps to create a sacred, protected space for the Mama Blessing, setting the tone for a magical and transformative experience.

Guiding the Ceremony

Having someone guide the ceremony and hold space is ideal as it allows the mama-to-be and her closest circle of women to fully relax and immerse themselves in the experience. I typically begin the ceremony with an intuitive grounding meditation, tuning into the energy of the group and sensing what is needed in the moment. To deepen the connection, I also use a shamanic drum that I made while pregnant with my son, bringing a deeply personal and spiritual element to the ceremony. From here, I invite the participants to share how they met the mother, and the flow of the circle unfolds organically, providing space for anecdotes, poems, and rituals. Here are a couple of meaningful rituals often included:

Birth Necklace Ritual

Each guest chooses a bead that represents their wish and support for the mama and her baby. These beads are then strung together to create a bracelet or necklace for the mother-to-be to wear during labour and throughout motherhood. The jewellery serves as a beautiful, tangible reminder of the love and support from her community.

The Red Thread Ritual

A long piece of red yarn or twine is passed around the circle, with each person taking a turn to weave it around their left wrist while sharing a wish or blessing for the mama and baby. This ritual creates a strong sense of connection among the participants, symbolising their united support. The thread remains on their wrists until the mama goes into labour, at which point everyone cuts the thread and says a prayer for the mama and baby, sending them love and reaffirming their intentions for a safe and peaceful birth.

There are many other rituals and activities that can be included in this sacred circle—these are just a few of the more common and powerful ones.

Pampering the Mama

This part of the ceremony is all about bringing in a relaxed and fun vibe after the more sacred rituals. It offers the mama-to-be and her tribe a chance to unwind and indulge in self-care while celebrating her journey into motherhood. It’s a beautiful way to pamper the mama, showering her with love and making her feel special and cherished.

One popular option is to set up a bowl of essential oils where the pregnant woman can place her feet for a relaxing aromatherapy foot massage from her friends and family. As she is pampered, the group can enjoy laughs, braiding her hair, or just sharing in moments of joy and connection. It’s a lighthearted yet deeply nurturing way to end the ceremony, allowing the mama-to-be to feel completely supported and surrounded by love.

Creative Activity & Nurturing Feast

Vision Board Creation: I guide all the participants in creating a vision board for the mama-to-be. This creative activity is a beautiful way to share positive wishes, affirmations, and intentions for the mother’s upcoming birth journey. The vision board becomes a daily tool for her to stay connected to her inner wisdom, promoting positive thinking and reassurance. It’s a fun and meaningful process where participants can write heartfelt messages, include inspiring photos, and contribute their love and energy.

Nurturing Feast: After the creative activity, I ask each participant to bring an organic, plant-based dish prepared with love and positive intention. This shared meal is a beautiful way to nurture the mama-to-be and celebrate the supportive community surrounding her. The feast can be set up as casual or formal, depending on the mama’s preference, making it a flexible and intimate way to enjoy each other’s company and offer nourishment — both physical and emotional.

When we women come together with clear intention to share our life experiences and inner wisdom, it creates a powerful force with miraculous effects that benefit everyone involved. By honouring the greatest creative power on Earth — the creation of life — we tap into a profound way to heal ourselves, our ancestral lineage, and Mother Earth.

I hope this post has given you a deeper understanding of the Mama Blessing ceremony and inspired you to either host one for yourself or a loved one. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. If you're based in Sydney or the Central Coast of NSW and would like me to help you plan and guide this magical ceremony for you or someone special, check out Kumali’s Mother’s Blessing Offering for more details.

Love and light,

Ana Flavia