The birth of a baby is miraculous event, worthy of great celebrations whether or not you intend a formal religious ceremony. This gentle blessing is a lovely way to welcome a new soul into the world
Preparation:
Table or cloth, smudge stick, matches, bowl or shell large feather, candle, salt flower petals, crystal (cleansed). Lay out all the ingredients needed for the blessing before you begin.
Instructions
- Set your ingredients on a table or on a cloth on the ground. If the weather is fine, it is lovely to perform the blessing outdoors.
- Light your smudge. Smudge yourself, the people around you. Then smudge the baby, keeping the smoke out of his or her eyes.
- Place the baby on the earth and say:” Mother Earth, love and protect the young one.”
- Pick up the baby and hold or her up in the air and say: ”Father Sky, inspire and invigorate this you one.”
- Lay the baby down or give him/her to someone to hold while you pick up the candle and say: “Grizzly Bear, Spirit of Fire, give the young one determination and courage.”
- Now hold the smudge, saying: “Eagle Spirit of Air, give this young one lofty ideals and imagination.”
- Now hold up the bowl of water, saying: “Coyote Spirit of Water, give this young one love and joy.”
- Finally take a handful of salt, saying: “Buffalo, Spirit of Earth, give this Young one stability and strength.
- Each person should now come forward with a petal and place it on the baby, giving him/her gift-wishes, such as confidence and laughter.
- Finally, smudge the crystal and dedicate it to the baby. Keep it in the baby’s nursery from now on.