The Closing Ceremony

 

A return to traditional healing

 

Many cultures around the world hold ceremonies to honour a period of transition and healing, the art of traditional postpartum care draws on the community to support the new mother.

In Western countries, most of the focus is on the pregnancy and birth. This ancient wisdom of supporting women after childbirth has largely been forgotten. Women go through a massive shift and change being a new mother, what comes after that creates an opening for a return to these traditional postpartum practices.

Based on a lot of demand from clients for postpartum care and drawing on my Malay ancestral traditions, I would like to offer my clients a Closing Ceremony. A ceremony for new mothers during the fourth trimester and by anyone healing after childbirth as well as those who have experienced stillbirth, miscarriage, abortion, a hysterectomy, fertility treatment or to mark the end of a breastfeeding journey. 

What does it mean to “close”?

When we close, we simply observe “what is”, free from judgement, distraction, transference or projection. It is a safe space to honour an ending, a transition, to process feelings, to make sense of what was, to pause, to celebrate the now and to honour your growth. 

What happens during a Closing Ceremony?

The Closing Ceremony is a powerful way to ritualise a birth and/or loss, prioritises your continual healing process and assist with closure during these transformative moments using a combination of massage, bathing, and rebozo techniques.

Together, we can design a Closing Ceremony to best suit your needs. This can include:

  • 2-3 hours of your time - in your own home is best 

  • 2 professional birth and bodyworkers to guide and support you 

  • A guided meditation and a time to share, process your story

  • A flower bath with essential oils, herbs (if you don’t have a bath, a foot bath)

  • Massage (womb massage or a full body massage)

  • Rocking, swaddling, cocoon wrapping using cloths

  • Sound healing

  • Yoni steaming

  • Bengkung wrapping 

  • Relaxation breaks as often as you need

  • Warm tea and time to discuss the experience

What are the benefits of a Closing Ceremony?

Traditional closing or “sealing” ceremonies can bring about a great sense of peace and closure to those who are recovering from the full spectrum of birth. It doesn’t matter whether you had a positive, challenging or traumatic birthing experience nor how long ago it occurred, what matters is making time to hold space, an essential healing ritual for every type for birth.  

It’s also especially important if you’ve experienced an intense “opening” in the womb area (e.g. Cesarean, miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or sexual assault) as this ceremony will facilitate an emotional and spiritual “closing”, that may have been lacking or removed from this physical process. 

Although the outcome of the ceremony cannot be predicted, my aim is to make it as comfortable and relaxing as possible for my clients.

Together, let’s design a deeply personal Closing Ceremony that nurtures and embodies you and your unique birth story, one that honours you and your individual needs.