Womb Love and Ceremony

Musings on Womb Love and Recognition

Literally the cradle of Life, the womb is the spiritual and physical portal that new life enters this world. There is a need for change on how the womb is seen and celebrated. Not only is there a need, there are already many individuals and re-pioneers that are doing their parts in their communities and countries to bring healing, love, and thoughtfulness to perspectives on wombs, womb health and womb pride. And we at InHeritage Herbs are a recipient of those who have already paved the path and we decided to contribute towards this healing loving energy and efforts by providing resources on how every household and individual can do their part.

WOMB MILESTONES - MOMENTS OF PASSAGE

Every womb milestone should be recognized, acknowledged and revered. These moments are truly remarkable moments of passage if we take a moment to think about it. The womb is literally a Creator of Life. That is no small thing. Not only is the womb for creating human life, it is also the cradle of so much that is known and unknown spiritually and physically.

The commonly known womb milestones are:

*Menarche, the first menstruation

*Pregnancy, the womb that is bringing new life into this world

*Post natal, the womb post pregnancy

*Climacteric, menopause, cessation of menses

For each of these milestones, historically there has been a number of negative of connotations and misperceptions that contributed to many women becoming disconnected with what is best for their womb and not honoring their womb or best said forgetting the power and gift of the womb. And this gift is not just for creating life, the womb is a vital organ spiritually and physically.

Here is a reminder that the truth of the matter is that each of these womb milestones are miracles that we should no longer take for granted and really give some thoughtful reverence to each occurrence. Each is a sunset moment to an old phase of life and the sunrise to the beginning to a new phase of life.

Each milestone deserves to be acknowledged within the individual’s immediate community. And this does not mean an extravagant celebration or financially draining event, no….rather it can be simple. It just needs to be acknowledged with loving intention and something to note the occasion: a nourishing meal with loved ones, a gift, coming together to pray or share loving words of gratitude, etc.

These moments are also opportunities for sharing of knowledge, sharing of heritage and loving traditions, community and communion.

And here is a reminder that pregnancy is a miracle each time, not just the first child.

COMMUNITY CARE & WOMB LOVE POST MISCARRIAGE

Post natal also encompasses those who have experienced loss.

This is an opportunity, in a soft and respectful way, to provide community and comfort to a loved one that is navigating spiritual and physical healing post miscarriage.

Just because this is a moment of grief, it does not mean that the individual should be left to their own devices to heal on their own. It is an opportunity to show and be love, in a respectful way. Grief is a healthy emotion and should be given its space. There are many practitioners that specialize in this area in loving ways to support your loved one during this time and/or provide guidance to the community and the individual during this time on how to navigate the grief in healthy ways.

This is also an opportunity to remind the individual that there is a community that cares about them and is there to support them and will be there to greet them when they are ready to re-enter the community.

Here is a reminder that sitting in silence is ok. Even if it is uncomfortable.  Set an intention to create a loving space and just allow there to be silence if that is what is appropriate. Let go of the urge to fill the silence with talk.

EVERY HOUSEHOLD AND INDIVIDUAL DOING THEIR PART

We all can do our part in honoring each of these womb milestones. Create ceremony for each event. Note, this is not saying doing elaborate expensive events. It simply means, taking time. Taking thoughtful time to acknowledge this moment of passage for the individual.

What are some ways to do this: create or buy and send a thoughtful nourishing care packaging for the individual, set up one on one time with the individual leading up to the milestone moment or days after, organize a small gathering of a handful of women of multi-generations to come together with the individual for tea or a meal or a wellness day.

First and foremost, set a heart-centered intention with the individual on how to honor the moment.

Sometimes the sole purpose could be that this is just an opportunity for creating space and resources for the individual to go to for this phase of their life:

• For example first menstruation/menarche, this can be an opportunity to discuss womb health, understanding your body, embrace self, how to read and understand your menstruation, healthy womb care before during and after menstruation, cycle synching, love, romantic relationships, safe sex, the physical and spiritual aspects of sex, relationships in general, etc. and who in their community they can go talk to whenever questions arise. This is also a great opportunity to discuss developing their own spiritual practice, opportunity to discuss and set intention for what type of woman do they want to evolve into, opportunity to discuss healthy friendships and sisterhood, discuss woman’s important role in society, discuss family history, discuss matriarchs in the family and in history, discuss healthy boundaries, etc.

• For example for post natal, how to navigate the different phases of motherhood and who in their community to go to, sharing traditions and meals unique to their culture, etc.

• For example for menopause, opportunity to discuss what the intention is for this next phase of life and reevaluating relationships and whether your purpose/passion has changed.

Every single human came from a womb – so men can contribute too to this moment by asking the individual what they need or would find supportive.

Other ways to honor these moments and discussion topics:

• Prioritizing spending time with like-intentioned women and like-minded women

• Community with other women through new moon circles, woman healing circles, womb healing circles, girls night in, new moon circles, moon circles

• Discussing and engaging in activities that embrace and celebrate feminine energy, loving self, nurturing self, embracing self

We are gathering and will continue to gather and share womb love stories and ceremonies below. Feel free to share with us your story.