he transition into motherhood is one of the most profound and transformative experiences a woman can go through. The body, mind, and spirit undergo a journey of tremendous change as they bring a new soul into the world. To honour this journey, I offer the Closing the Bones ceremony, an ancient tradition that acknowledges and supports the postpartum mother. While traditionally performed between 4 to 12 weeks after birth, this ceremony can still be profoundly beneficial even years later. A recent client whose child is now 18 felt huge benefit from receiving it.
The Closing the Bones ceremony is not just about physical recovery; it is an opportunity to celebrate and honour the mother’s body for the incredible work it has done—carrying, birthing, and nurturing a new life. This sacred ritual involves bodywork that relieves overworked muscles in the back, neck, and arms from feeding, holding, and caring for the baby, while also creating space for the mother to feel more grounded and centred within herself. Wrapping the mother’s body, particularly the pelvis, with warm cloths, and applying gentle pressure physically and energetically “closes” what was opened during childbirth.
The process helps to seal any energy leaks left open from the birthing process. It’s more than just a physical practice; it is an emotional and spiritual journey of healing. By incorporating pure oils, personalised affirmations, and gentle bodywork, this ceremony creates a space where the mother feels seen, supported, and truly honoured. I custom-create this experience for each woman, ensuring it is a deeply personal and intimate moment of reflection and self-care.
An Ancient Tradition with New Depths
For many years, I have offered the Closing the Bones ceremony to postpartum mothers. However, after my trip to Ecuador in May 2024, where I learned their traditional ways of caring for new mothers, I have deepened my practice. The knowledge I gained from Martha Arotingo in Ecuador and Dr. Gauri Lowe in South Africa has enriched the way I perform this ceremony, allowing me to offer it to all women, not just new mothers. In addition to my usual offerings, clients can expect, or if required, I can help locate their womb, and if it is not aligned, I use the skills I learned in Ecuador to recenter it. This gentle realignment allows women to feel more present, grounded, and aligned within themselves and their daily lives.
The ceremony may also include drawing cards from a beautifully illustrated Mother’s Wisdom deck, and I provide additional insight through numerology, tailored to the client’s journey. Whether you gave birth recently or many years ago, this sacred practice can help restore balance and offer healing on a profound level.
What to Expect During the Ceremony
The Closing the Bones ceremony is highly customisable. You can choose the herbs for your massage oils or pastes, select the music, and even personalise the mood and atmosphere. Here are some foundational elements you can expect:
- Setting the Mood: I create a peaceful, sacred space adorned with pure essential oils in a diffuser, dim lighting, flowers, and crystals. Ambient music helps to create a serene environment, and herbal tea is prepared with calming herbs like chamomile, lavender, and nettle to soothe the mother’s senses.
- Bodywork and Massage: The ceremony includes gentle bodywork using pure oils that you can personalise. Essential oils can be used to offer relaxation and support for the womb. A full-body Polynesian massage helps relax muscles, release tension, and bring rejuvenation to the mother.
- Herbal Packs: Warm herbal packs filled with rice are placed on different parts of the mother’s body to seal in warmth and energy. These packs are tied in place with cloth, and as each part is wrapped, a blessing or affirmation is offered. For example, “Blessings to my womb, which held and nurtured my baby,” or “Blessings to my feet, which carry me through this new journey of motherhood.”
- Womb Paste and Pure Essential Oils: A special womb paste made from oils and herbs is applied to the womb area, offering warmth and healing energy. The paste can be blended with essential oils like ginger, cinnamon, and lavender to support healing.
- Herbal Bath: If space allows, a bath infused with healing herbs and flowers can be part of the ceremony. This bath is a symbolic cleansing and a time for the mother to soak, relax, and reflect.
Why This Ceremony Matters
The postpartum period is often a time of raw emotions and physical recovery. After the initial attention and joy of pregnancy and birth, a mother may feel overlooked as the focus shifts to the baby. This ceremony creates a sacred moment for the mother, allowing her to feel honoured for the life she has brought into the world. It is a way of showing gratitude to the body for its strength and resilience, sealing the open spaces left by childbirth, and nurturing the spirit as the mother steps into her new role.
The Closing the Bones ceremony is not just a physical practice; it is a way to acknowledge and honour the emotional and spiritual journey of motherhood. It provides a space for the mother to reconnect with her body and feel supported, cherished, and celebrated.
If you feel called to this sacred ritual, I would be honoured to offer you a personalised Closing the Bones ceremony. Together, we will create a space that allows you to reflect, heal, and celebrate your journey into motherhood with grace and love.
Honouring an Ancient Practice
My gratitude extends to Annie Daulter, whose Sacred Postpartum teachings have guided my practice, and to the women who shared their wisdom with me in Ecuador and South Africa. Together, we are transforming how we care for postpartum mothers, honouring them in a way that no one else does.
If you are ready to experience the healing, sealing, and transformative power of the Closing the Bones ceremony, I invite you to join me in this sacred space. It’s time to honour your journey and your body in the most beautiful way possible.