Sacred Menarche Ceremony

 

What is a Menarche ceremony?

The initiation of a girl into womanhood is marked biologically by her first menses. In traditional agricultural societies the young woman took her first blood to the fields, symbolising that she was making the earth fertile an could now bring forth life from her womb in the same way the earth brings forth life from its deep dark interior. Honouring this initiation for a young woman allows her to embrace her independence. When we succeed in this initiation we become aware if our stores of power and let go of the false sense entitlement of being supported by others. This is a spiritual rite of passage which ensures that every woman who successfully completes the rite of  womanhood becomes self reliant, empowered and is able to meet any situation that she faces no matter how seemingly impossible it looks.

The ceremony celebrates the young maiden where we come together to honour, nurture and celebrate her in a way that gives her pride and confidence as she moves into a more self-realized person. Preparing her for the red moon journey, helping her discover her woman’s wisdom, holding a safe space and weaving a web of support like a sacred vessel among those wise women she looks up to, values and respects.  Here she is allowed to explore, ask questions that reliving deep in her and release any fears or blockages she may be feeling about her monthly bleeding.

With the acknowledgment and encouragement of the women who love and support her, she can embark on this journey, finding her unique path. This celebration is unique in that it asks us to remember the power of our blood, focusing primarily on nurturing the initiated young girl, honoring her changing body, filling her with confidence and empowering her as the goddess she is.

 

What happens during a Menarche Ceremony?

I offer a bespoke ceremony package as agreed with the initiate and her mother/ caregiver. During the ceremony we

• Ceremonial bathing prior to the ceremony (this is done with the mother/caregiver of the maiden in her own home either the morning of night before the ceremony.
• Cleansing and purification-(smudging with sage or palo santo  to cleanse the space. Vibrational essences are also be used before the guests enter the sacred space).
• Welcome and overview
• Grounding and protection meditation, calling back your energy
• Casting the circle
• The medicine wheel- we call in the four cardinal directions as a means of setting sacred space. each of the directions has a realm of influence to colour, seasons, time of day/life etc. Since each one of us stand at the centre of our own universe within the medicine wheel we send intention out in all directions saying that everything in all directions is sacred.
• Opening to the divine- this is working with our highest good and with the light by calling in and connecting with the divine source- whatever the divine means to you, this can be mother earth to if you have no particular following.
• The Sisterhood manifesto
• Stating purpose/ setting intention
• Introduction– we introduce ourselves firstly as you, mother to and then as the child of the great women before us.
• Honouring– introduction to our monthly bleed and rhythms of the female body, Moon Phases, tracking your cycle, trusting Your Inner Voice and Intuition Body Image- The Shape of a Woman, Nutrition + Food Smoothie and Tea Recipes, self care- Tincture Care, Womb Rub, herbal Bajos* for Cramp
• Creating: group heart art activities, presenting bleed time box, Tracking Bracelet* Empowerment Candle*, Power Flag*
• Adorning the maiden- honouring, cocooning and adorning our maiden through beautiful loving massage floral foot and hand bath, henna, flower crown.
• The 13^th rite of the womb – the initiate will be gifted this.
• Crossing The Threshold Ceremony and ‘umbilical’ cord cutting
• completing– send out group energy, weaving the web, release the four directions, give thanks to the divine, opening the circle (with statement, prayer or sacred music)
• ·Sisterhood “ going to the bowl”- join in with the sisterhood circle to allow deep reflection of the experiences shared together and going forward (going to the salt bowl)
• Feasting– in true sisterhood style we have a shared feast

*indicates additional options that can be added onto the ceremony

How long does the ceremony last

Please allow between 4-5 hours for the ceremony depending on what activities have been selected. This can take place during the day or evening outside under moon light. As this is a bespoke service and you can tailor and adapt the day and event to suit your wishes but rest assured I will be there to ensure it all runs smoothly and your wishes have been fulfilled.

Booking a menarche ceremony

Once you decide this is something you would like, we arrange to meet or speak to discuss your wishes for your special day. I organise everything for you providing you select the venue and if there is specific activity you wish to include- you will just need to provide me with a list of your tribe and contact details. I would need to speak with the maiden to be as well as mother or guardian and the meeting would need to take place with both present.

 

Fee:

Depending on what options you choose to include the fee for the ceremony is £150.  Please note that I charge travel expenses/ mileage if outside of a 5 mile radius from TW12.