Childbirth As A Spiritual Rite Of Passage
Birth is spiritual. 100%. When we conceptualize the Goddess, there are three facets: the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. None are more important than the other. Each role serves as a monumental point in our lives that our ancestors have lived before, too. While the Maiden is sometimes described as a virgin, that is not necessarily the case. The Maiden aspect is characterized by Her freedoms; freedom from social structures, imposed responsibility, expectations, and sexual roles. The Maiden is only responsible for Herself- not a partner, a child, or the pressures of societal roles. Because of this, it is normal to grieve Her when you transition into your role as Mother. Holding space for every emotion that comes up is important. You aren’t a bad Mother for missing the freedoms you had before and having complex emotions about it. Take time to sit with those, and then envision the growth that will come from your transition.
Childbirth is often considered the rite of passage that marks the transition in societal roles. Although you do not have to experience pregnancy or have children to embrace the Mother, it is the perfect symbolization. A rite of passage is made up of three stages, the first being Separation or the preliminal stage. In this stage, a person is uprooted spiritually and the role they play in society is going to change. In the preliminal stage, the Maiden begins to seek knowledge to prepare them for their role as the Mother. In this stage, the Maiden may seek support from the Mother and the Crone, receiving motherly comfort and wisdom. The Maiden determines what it means to be the Mother, and awaits for Her time. The Separation stage begins when you discover that you’re taking this journey with pregnancy and birth.
Following Separation, we have Transformation. This is a liminal state. During this stage She is no longer Maiden but has not fully transitioned to Mother. Pregnancy signifies this liminal state between Maiden and Mother. Finally, the postliminal stage- Reincorporation. In this final stage, the Mother is welcomed into the community within her new role. When you give birth, your inner Goddess is reborn too. In the Western world we often focus on the physical product of labor- the new baby. Birth is of course an important milestone for baby, but the Mother is often overlooked. It is important to embrace the postliminal stage to its fullest and nurture the Mother as she takes on her new role in order to make for a good transition.
The Mother is the creator of life and art, a warrior and protector, and a Queen in the aspect that the Mother is a figure of love and respect, one that cares for her people. The Empress card embodies the concept of the Queen Mother. Birth is the first sacrifice you make as the Mother, forcing you to rebuild yourself. This sacrifice is part of what makes the Mother so courageous. It is the Mother that is empowered knowing She can do anything. She has followed her ancestors, including Her ultimate ancestor and mother, the Goddess.
This transition is beautiful, powerful, and sacred. In the world that we live in, birth has been broken down to a physical act or a medical procedure. We often neglect the spiritual aspect of birth, which can make what could be a transformative experience feel like something is being done to us. We may lose trust in ourselves and our abilities as doctors tell us our babies are too big, too small, and we can’t do it without intervention. This can make the transition to Mother more of a struggle as doubt creeps in. I encourage you to embrace this process as it comes, no matter what birth choices you make, and allow yourself to fully experience this change. Take time to sit with your thoughts, reflect on what this experience means to you spiritually, and don’t be afraid to encompass the Mother aspect and take charge of your birth. A Mother’s intuition is real- if something feels good to you, do it. Surround yourself with a community that will hold space for you and support you as you go through this spiritual journey. When we let go of our fears about birth and accept the process with open arms, it can actually be a positive life-changing experience.
Take a moment to appreciate this liminal state that you’re experiencing. Sometimes we anticipate the end destination so much that we get caught up and lose sight of the now. Pay attention to the way your body works so hard to nourish your baby, and thank it for keeping your baby warm and protected. This is your experience and you deserve to be proud of yourself for the sacrifices you’ve made to create this life.
