An integral part of honouring the rite of passage motherhood.
Rooted in ancestral knowledge from the ancient Mayan tradition, Closing the Bones provides a sacred space for postpartum physical healing, emotional nurturing & spiritual closure. The essence of this ritual reflects the holistic view of health that is central to Mayan Cosmovision & indigenous midwifery practices.
The act of “closing” is highly symbolic.
Through the lens of the Maya, a woman’s body is believed to be energetically “open” after giving birth, and now requires sacred sealing after this rite of passage; helping the mother return to herself, regaining her strength & rebalancing her energies. Monumental emotional & spiritual shifts are experienced in the journey to motherhood. Ultimately, Closing the Bones, supports the mother in resoration & reconnection by guiding the release of any emotional pain, grief, or trauma associated with the birth, while celebrating the new chapter in her life.
THE RITUAL
Closing the Bones is held within a nurturing & grounding container ~ offering silence & spaciousness to foster deep inner listening to the emerging Self; inviting the mother into a sacred holding field of support to reflect, rebalance & reintegrate.
We open by preparing the mother’s body to receive; beginning with a soothing herbal foot bath, using medicinal plants form our garden, chosen for their ability to help energetically cleanse, strengthen & balance the body. During this time, the four directions, ancestors & allies will be called into the space for protection, guidance & support. Cacao or herbal tea will be available to relax & nourish the body as she sinks into the holding field. A grounding foot & lower leg massage follows with essential oils to relax the muscles, stimulate blood circulation, and calm the nervous system.
Multiple rebozos* are then used to wrap different parts of the mother’s body; including her head, shoulders, abdomen, hips & feet, in a gentle binding which helps “close” the body energetically. The rebozo wrapping sequence involved in this ritual symbolises the closing of cycles: from pregnancy, to birth, to the postpartum period; allowing the mother to energetically acknowledge each of the thresholds within their rite of passage to motherhood.
The rebozo massage techniques additionally offer support for the restoration of the physical body; through gentle movements to massage the joints, realign the hips, and the uterus, which are often affected by the birth process. This aspect of the ritual can help alleviate discomfort & provides relief to the muscles & joints.
*A rebozo is a traditional woven shawl, commonly used by women in Mesoamerican healing practices, midwifery & daily life in Mayan communities.
