Breastfeeding Meditation

For my last discovery in the Pagan birthing rituals, I would like to discuss the breastfeeding meditation. In Paganism, breastfeeding is encouraged because it allows for a natural connection between mother and her child. When a baby has latched onto his or her mother and is comfortably nursing, a mother should start to begin practicing deep breaths. While completing this, she is to alleviate all worries and stress from her mind by breathing them out. The next step is to visualize the energy that is wrapped around her and her child. She should practice pushing the healing energy that is present through her body and to her child. This act allows for the good wishes to enter into the infant and not only be nourished by the breast milk, but to also be nourished by the wonderful feelings that are being pushed through by the mother.

Meditation is a popular practice throughout many religions in the world. Even in circumstances where the practice is not religious, people often participate in calming practices such as massage therapy and yoga. Meditation allows for the clearing of one’s mind. To meditate while breastfeeding should result in a phenomenal feeling. Mothers are often overwhelmed and worried about the occurrences throughout the day. However, carrying out this meditation allows for the calming and cleansing of the mother’s soul. In this action, she is allowed to feel her love for her baby and realize that the baby is reliant on her.

Mothers often feel this connection towards their children. It is extremely common to have a deep, almost trance-like situation while feeding a child. This practice allows for the connection between motherhood in general. It is a special action in which one is totally contingent upon another. Letting worries dissipate from one’s spirit can only help in the calming of the child. After viewing this ritual, I may partake in this action when I have my own child. It allows for the passing of love and kindness from one to another, and feel a connection that is stronger than any bond ever felt.

Paganism is not the stereotypical “witchcraft” that is portrayed in the movie theaters and horror stories. It seems they connect with the rest of the world in a way that is very similar to the practices of Hindus and Buddhists. Pagans have a deep connection to nature and feel energy passing from one individual to the next. Parenthood is of vital importance to Pagans. How can a person say that this is a bad thing? Pagans could be considered better parents in some situations because they prepare fully for the birth, and also respect their child as an individual.

ARTHEN, SUE CUREWITZ. "Rites of Passage." Celebration of Birth. Fire Heart, n.d. Web. 6 May 2010. .

Konick, Lisa. "Welcome Your Baby: Pagan Traditions." Belief Net. Digitaria, 2000. Web. 1 Apr 2010.

Blessing a Baby

In further investigation, I have found a ritual in the Pagan Birthing process that is even closer to the connection with the Christian christening. After birth, the parents invite their friends and family to a gathering, not to name the baby, but this time to bless the baby. It is made specifically clear throughout the sources of my research that the blessings are not intended to bind a child within the Pagan religion. Many of the followers of Paganism were affected greatly by their parent’s decisions to force their own religion upon them. The parent’s of the new Pagan child do not intend to force their child into their own religion. This aspect surprised me. I was very impressed with the understanding that the parents’ had for their own child’s future beliefs.

The process of the blessing rituals begins with the baby being presented with the four elements of nature. Then, the godparents of the child pledge that they will protect the child for as long as they live, making sure to guide them in the right direction of life. The child is brought to a natural place of worship, such as a grove or the base of a tree. The baby’s name is spoken to the four sides of the Earth and people present the child with gifts and affection.

A change could definitely result from learning about this process. In seeing the understanding of the parents towards their child’s beliefs, a person may be inspired to remain open. It is a common practice in many religions that whatever religion a parent holds, is passed down to their child. If more people accepted the Pagan way of respected their child’s life and goals, people would not grow up feeling suffocated by the pressures around them. I can personally say that this practice managed to alter my beliefs. I had never thought about my future children growing up to practice a different religion than myself. However, through this discovery, I understood that each individual should be treated with freedom in his or her opinions. What I hadn’t thought of, which the Pagan beliefs changed, was that my future child will be their own person, and will not need to adhere to my personal beliefs.

ARTHEN, SUE CUREWITZ. "Rites of Passage." Celebration of Birth. Fire Heart, n.d. Web. 6 May 2010. .

Konick, Lisa. "Welcome Your Baby: Pagan Traditions." Belief Net. Digitaria, 2000. Web. 1 Apr 2010. .

"Beth's Pagan Stuff." About Paganism and Witchcraft. Beth's World of Wonders, 1997. Web. 6 May 2010. .

Baby Names

One of the most important parts in the birthing rituals is the naming of the baby. The couple is to choose a meaningful date about a month or two after the baby is born. These dates usually include an important Pagan holiday, or the welcoming of a full moon. On this day, the family and friends of the couple and their new baby gather to welcome the new baby into their community. During the ceremony, the family has the opportunity to tell the details of the birthing process, and the events that have happened since the birth of the child. Also, this ceremony serves as a place to name their child. Often the baby is named after a Pagan god or goddess and usually is given two names. One of the names serves as what people will call them from day-to-day. The second name given to the child is the name that is saved for special ceremonies having to do with their religious circle.

In encountering this ritual, my immediate thought was the connection with a christening. In Christian communities, families often gather a few months after their baby is born to welcome the child into their community. These events are very similar because both serve to show support to the family and allow a new member into their circle. Although Christian babies are already named by the time a christening occurs, the family still takes part in telling their birthing stories and has a special communication with their religious society. An individual may change their perspectives from this ritual because they may obtain a better understanding of what it means to welcome a baby into a community. Often, people are judgmental when hearing the word “witch”, but after understanding how the practices do not differ so greatly, it may allow for a better connection with different cultures.

ARTHEN, SUE CUREWITZ. "Rites of Passage." Celebration of Birth. Fire Heart, n.d. Web. 6 May 2010. .

Konick, Lisa. "Welcome Your Baby: Pagan Traditions." Belief Net. Digitaria, 2000. Web. 1 Apr 2010. .

"Beth's Pagan Stuff." About Paganism and Witchcraft. Beth's World of Wonders, 1997. Web. 6 May 2010. .

The Cycle of Life

The next step in the birth process happens after delivery occurs. The couple is to save the placenta that protected and nourished their baby and then bury it underneath a tree. Although this may seem like an unpleasant thing to do, the meaning lies in the symbol of the placenta and the tree. The fertilized egg symbolizes the seed that grows into a beautiful, healthy baby—or a strong tree. The idea of burying the placenta connects with the Pagan belief that trees are sacred. They believe that if their baby’s placenta is buried, it will nourish another tree.

Interestingly enough, this connects with the life cycle that is practiced in Hinduism and Buddhism. Hindus and Buddhists believe that life is constantly recycled, and living objects can reincarnate as other living things. For example, a tree may have been a king in the past. Or, a newborn baby may have been a beautiful tulip in another life. Pagans, Buddhists and Hindus share the idea that life and energy never dies. It seems to encourage the sentiment that living things must care for others, and help that cycle along. Cultural relativism works in this circumstance, because the meaning travels across multiple communities. Life is seen as precious in all of these practices, and therefore it should be treated with delicacy.

In this discovery, one may change their ideas from the conclusion that maybe life does carry on after death. There is a possibility that living things connect in a way that the human mind cannot understand. The Pagan belief that the nourishment of one child can pass onto another thing can create a belief in a person that there is a higher, more powerful being at work. An understanding results from this practice through the belief that life is more than just the actions of one person. Maybe there is a cooperation needed for life to continue on.

ARTHEN, SUE CUREWITZ. "Rites of Passage." Celebration of Birth. Fire Heart, n.d. Web. 6 May 2010. .

Konick, Lisa. "Welcome Your Baby: Pagan Traditions." Belief Net. Digitaria, 2000. Web. 1 Apr 2010. .

Conception

The first topic that I believe is important to discuss is the conception of life. The first step in maintaining a successful pagan pregnancy is to create an altar with objects that are important to yourself which relate to your family. Objects and pictures from the partners’ childhood are strongly encouraged. This, to me, is relatable to the idea that one plans out a certain time to have intercourse in which they think she is most fertile. This is also similar to the idea that certain foods and exercise help to make women and men more potent, thus helping in the production of a fetus. According to Scltneider, a cultural anthropologist, life is but a stage and people simply participate roles in the play of life. Through this, the Pagan woman is simply playing the role of mother than is common to all people of the world. Reminding oneself of what it meant to be an innocent child through photos and artifacts on an altar can remind someone how precious the gift of child-rearing is.

Praying to an altar can be connected similarly to a Christian woman praying to a crucifix, or a Muslim woman praying to Ala. The idea is to get in touch with a higher being and plea for the gift of life. Conception can be argued as one of the most important stages in pregnancy. Life begins there. Creating an altar could be useful for a woman on any religion. It serves as a reminder of the hope that one has to become a mother. The world should take note to think so intimately about creating life.

Konick, Lisa. "Welcome Your Baby: Pagan Traditions." Belief Net. Digitaria, 2000. Web. 1 Apr 2010. .

ARTHEN, SUE CUREWITZ. "Rites of Passage." Celebration of Birth. Fire Heart, n.d. Web. 6 May 2010. .

Candle

When giving birth, the Pagan couple should keep a candle lit beside the bed while in labor. It is said to allow for the direction of the light that is about to be reached. This is a very powerful symbol because it shows that the children are the light. This is an extremely common concept among different cultures. They are innocent, and in many cases considered a miracle. Many different cultures use fire as a symbol. It can represent life, destruction, energy, and remembrance. Candles are lit around the world to mourn, to pray, and to start a new life. In a Christian wedding ceremony, two candles light another to symbolize the connection between two people. A candle is also lit during a Christian baptism ceremony. In the Pagan birthing process, the candle seems to represent the idea that the light is the energy that is being brought into the world. Through all the pain and the waiting, there is something good that will result. The candle is used to remember.

There is memory work being put into play here. Through this candle, the forgotten is the pain experienced through the process of giving birth. The remembered is in the light that has arrived from this trial. Nine months have passed while the anticipation of the baby was experienced. The candle works to be a memory work, because in looking at the candle, the couple and its child can look back and remember the experiences of the pregnancy. This could potentially relate to a photo album that is used in the childhood of many children. Albums serve as a memory work in the same way that the candle does. It captures the happiness in ones life and forgets the hurt that was overcome to get there.

Konick, Lisa. "Welcome Your Baby: Pagan Traditions." Belief Net. Digitaria, 2000. Web. 1 Apr 2010. .

ARTHEN, SUE CUREWITZ. "Rites of Passage." Celebration of Birth. Fire Heart, n.d. Web. 6 May 2010. .

Washing of the Feet

During the middle pregnancy of a Pagan woman, one of the traditions to a good delivery is to plan a Blessing Way. A blessing way is in an interesting ceremony in which the pregnant woman gathers with her close friends on the night of a full moon. During this ceremony, the women brush her hair and wash her feet. The pregnant woman’s feet are washed with specific herbs such as calendula symbolic for a strong heart, rosemary symbolizing remembrance, and lavender symbolizing endurance. After her feet are washed, she is presented with a candle to use during the birth process. When the ceremony concludes, the women enjoy a feast with symbolic foods such as seeds, eggs, and roots. These actions symbolize the purification of a woman before she gives birth. Her feet are washed and her hair is brushed to symbolize the cleansing of her past life and her preparation for her new life. The candle symbolizes the new life that will be lit through her pregnancy.

To me, this tradition seems relatable to a woman’s baby shower. It is a celebration of the life that is about to be brought to life. Women gather to talk and prepare the pregnant woman for her coming offspring. At showers, there are gifts given and food is shared. It is a very common norm to have a party that welcomes the birth of another member of an extended family. There are also other religious ceremonies across the world, which take part in the washing of the feet. It symbolizes the washing away of past mistakes. It relieves a person of the bad they have done in their life. In this case, it seems to wash the past away from the mother so that they can start a new life as a parent. This information was gained through a website explaining how to welcome a pagan child into the world. Looking at this ceremony, it should be clear to see that pregnancy is a celebration through many different cultures and thus the party should be understood by almost anyone.

Konick, Lisa. "Welcome Your Baby: Pagan Traditions." Belief Net. Digitaria, 2000. Web. 1 Apr 2010. .

ARTHEN, SUE CUREWITZ. "Rites of Passage." Celebration of Birth. Fire Heart, n.d. Web. 6 May 2010. .