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Mother Blessing Ritual: Birthing Necklace

The birthing necklace is the cornerstone of the Mother Blessing. It is inteded for the mother to wear during labor to bring strength and all of the positive energy the trinkets in the necklace symbolize. If the mom-to-be does not think she will actually use or wear a birthing necklace, you can alternately create a birthing wreath or basket to have near her while she is in labor.

How To Make A Birthing Necklace

On the invitation, ask each guest to bring a small trinket or bead that symbolizes their wish for the mother and baby in labor and birth. Emphasize that it will be used to make a necklace for the mother to wear during labor.

Before the Mother Blessing begins, cut a length of coated beading wire to make a full-length necklace and either tie a knot in one end, or add a crimping bead or necklace clasp to the end. Thread the other end through a beading needle to make it easy to place the beads on it. Place the prepared necklace into a small bowl or basket so it can be passed easily around the room.

At the Mother Blessing, going clockwise around the circle, have each guest explain the signficance of their bead as they place their bead on the necklace. Alternately, you can have everyone present their beads to the mother and place them in a bowl for someone string them on the necklace after the presentations. The result is a necklace full of good wishes for the mother to wear and focus on while she is in labor.

Make sure you finish the necklace with a knot or clasp before you place around the expecting mother's neck.

  

Tips:

• Be prepared for people to bring very small, very large and odd shaped trinkets that may or may not have a hole which you can attach to the necklace with. For this purpose, have some small, keyring style rings to place any small beads or odd-sized trinkets on the necklace. You may also have to get creative with some beading thread, ribbons or craft wire to attach certain beads or trinkets. Just keep in mind that it is supposed to be worn, so make sure that there are no sharp wires sticking out anywhere. Mom will be in enough pain from the labor contractions!
• Emphasize on the invitation that the Birthing Necklace is meant to be worn during labor. I thought I had made that clear on my invitation, but our guests were surprised to learn that, yes, indeed, we were making an actual necklace to wear during labor. Some of them had brought some very well-intentioned pieces that just didn't work on a necklace -- especially one to be worn during the thrashing about of child labor! Emphasis on the "necklace to be worn during labor" may help reduce the number of odd-shaped and cumbersome-sized pieces. If you do receive some odd trinkets, put them on the necklace anyway. You do not want to break the chain of positive energy!