"Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen.
You are the result of the love of thousands.”
- Linda Hogan

The journey of pregnancy and birth is a profound initiation, not just for the birthing person, but also for the many layers of loved ones in the family constellation welcoming the arrival of a new precious human soul. Simple ritual and ceremony interwoven throughout the different stages of pregnancy and birth can offer a gentle but profound anchor point for this wild and wonderful experience.

Pre-Birth Blessingway

Growing human life inside our bodies is a miraculous experience and being held in a Blessingway Ceremony by your beloveds in the lead up to your birth can be profoundly supportive.
I’d work alongside you and your chosen darlings to craft a ceremony that nurtures, affirms and supports you as you approach the portal of birth. We often weave in reflections from those who have birthed before, as well as an acknowledgement of ancestors and the lineage of birthing womxn who have led you to this very moment. There’s space for you to name and release any fears you may hold and a chance to affirm the innate wisdom of your body. We ceremonially tie a red thread around the wrist of all those present and send everyone away with a small candle to light when the birthing begins - to activate the layers of support and holding as your body welcomes new life. It can be simple, and it can be deep, but most importantly - it’s a chance to lean into the layers of holding around you in the final weeks of your pregnancy.

Baby Blessing / Naming Ceremony

Once bub has arrived earth side, a Naming Ceremony or Baby Blessing can be a beautiful way to officially welcome your little one to the world. Such ceremonies can vary greatly in formality and cultural traditions, but the underlying sentiment remains universal – to witness and welcome the new life - to call them by their name - and affirm the love they have been born into. 
You may wish to name and celebrate all that a shifts within a family constellation with a new generation - new grandparents, first-time aunts & uncles etc or even the promotion to big brother within siblings. You may wish to dedicate ‘Godparents’ or ‘Guideparents’ who speak vows or promises to be a guiding presence of love in your child’s life.
You may enjoy a ritual planting of a tree or plant which the child can tend to as they grow. There’s endless ways to celebrate this joyous moment within a family and I’d work alongside you every step of the way to craft something effortless and meaningful.

Adoption / Blended Family Blessing

A ceremony to mark the adoption of a child or merging of families can be a profoundly meaningful way to support a family in embracing this significant change. It creates a special moment for the family to come together, recognising and celebrating the new family member's past, their journey to the present, and their promising future. It provides a unique opportunity to honour the child's history, ensuring that their past is witnessed and acknowledged as they are warmly welcomed into their new home and family circle.
Like with any baby or child welcoming ceremony, this celebration can be a wonderful opportunity to involve older siblings. It allows them to participate actively in the ceremony, allowing a sense of inclusion and agency in the evolving family dynamic.
The ceremony, therefore, not only celebrates the arrival of the adopted child but also acknowledges and supports the entire family constellation as they navigate this beautiful transition together.

Testimonial

"Rev. Amy Firth created a beautiful naming ceremony for our first daughter.  We really valued the way she took the time to get to know us and our family values to write a ceremony perfectly tailored to us.  We also loved the delivery.  She spoke passionately and honestly with gravitas; engaging even the very little ones.  The ceremony was received well by all our guests who come from a variety of backgrounds and who have differing beliefs."
Lucy & Toby - London, 2017