By Sarah Spells for Childbirth and Naming<\/strong><\/p>\n Before my second son was born, I did these spells. At the time, I wanted my husband and son to feel that they were important parts of this journey that I was more obviously taking. When I started the ritual, I repeated the blessing, over and over, and felt moved to decorate my hands with henna. A few days later, my blessed and adorned hands caught my second son as he was birthed in the water. <\/em><\/p>\n The Childbirth Blessing*<\/strong><\/p>\n Supplies:<\/strong> Set Up:<\/strong> Place the grains or grapes in the bowl or cauldron- these, along with the fresh flowers, are your offering for the working. Replenish them as needed. Prop up tall the items on your working altar where they will be visible. Artfully arrange everything else as you like.<\/p>\n Invite your partner and any siblings or other caregivers that will be a primary part of the baby\u2019s life to participate in the working. Explain that the purpose of the ritual is to bless the mother for labor and delivery, bless the new baby, and for them to pledge their support of the mother, the new baby and the new-made family. I included a photo of myself, my husband and my firstborn in the ritual when I was pregnant with my second son. <\/em><\/p>\n The Working:<\/strong> The blessing is spoken by the mother while any other supporters participating are holding her hand or her waist.<\/p>\n (Insert Goddess of choice here, for example: Great Mother of pregnancy and childbirth) Meditate for a bit and feel the closeness of your baby, your family if they are there, and think of childbirth. Think of all the women before and after you that will go through this same rite. Close as your normally do or continue to ask for a name for the child (rite follows).<\/p>\n The Blessing of a Name <\/strong><\/p>\n Many people wait to meet their child before naming them, but still others feel that a name is an anchor for our baby to be brought into the world.<\/p>\n Supplies:<\/strong> Set Up:<\/strong> Leave space on the small piece of paper for the first name and middle name and write the last name on the right-hand side.<\/p>\n For a boy:<\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA green or white candle (a long burning one to relight as you like)
\nThe Empress and\/or Two of Cups cards (or item that reflects and represents creation to you)
\nGrains or Grapes
\nCauldron or bowl (for the grains or grapes)
\nItem of sympathy for the baby (ultrasound photo, booties-especially if you\u2019ve made them)
\nPink and blue ribbon for the candle (optional)
\nItem of sympathy for the mother (hair, photo)
\nItem of sympathy for the co-parent (hair, photo)
\nItems of sympathy for any siblings (hair, photo, freely given gift)
\nFresh seasonal flowers<\/p>\n
\nSet up the spell where it will stay visible as you go about your day. During the pregnancy, repeat this spell once a month. Closer to the due date, repeat it as often as you like whenever you feel you need a bit of encouragement! Earlier in the pregnancy, I felt moved to do this blessing early in the day. Later in the pregnancy, only the middle of the night would do, but my young firstborn son didn\u2019t participate for the late night version.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBegin as you normally do for rituals, if you cast circle, for example, do that. Call on the Goddess that you feel close to during this pregnancy. Many people use Frigga, Freya, Bes, and\/or the Great Mother in this instance.<\/p>\n
\n(Goddess) I do call,\u00a0protect and watch over me today.
\nBless this child that I carry as it grows stronger each day.
\nTokens of fertility are the grains (or grapes) and the flowers.
\nThe cards (or your tool) are symbols of a blooming mother\u2019s power.
\nCandle flames symbolize the baby\u2019s bright spirit.
\nThe new father\u2019s love and support is shown in it.
\nGuard us both during labor and delivery.
\nHelp me to be strong and have a healthy baby.<\/p>\n
\nA pen or other writing implement
\nA small (name sized!) piece of paper in any color
\nA list of names that you\u2019ve thought of (if applicable)<\/p>\n
\nSet up the supplies where they will stay visible throughout your day. You want to be able to catch the moment for a name when it comes. I left mine with a pen with my candle from the Childbirth Blessing.<\/p>\n
\nOur new child will be a son.
\nWe wish his life to be a happy, fulfilled one.
\nBut before this, we would like to find him a name.
\nOne that will suit him throughout his life just the same.
\nAs is our custom, we would like to name him before he is born.
\nGreat Mother and Father, guide us to a name that will gladly be worn.<\/p>\n