“The Sacred Mother knows her truth. She is deeply aware that she is divine. She is aware of the shadows that shade her light and consciously works to be in right relationship with them. She is committed to her own healing. She celebrates her strengths and can tell you without pause what she loves about herself. She fiercely loves her children but she is wise enough to know when to feed the wild lion within so she doesn’t begin to abuse or feed off her young. She knows that creativity, silence, beauty and nature are some of what she needs – her soul food. Like a sorceress, she makes time expand to fit them in.

She also knows that in order to fully embody The Sacred Mother, there is a secret. The secret unlocks her limitlessness. It is this: She is NOT meant to walk the path alone. Too often in modern culture mothers are tucked away in homes longing for the arms and the support of their sister tribe. This is where my work supports her. I invite women into sacred circle space to tap into, turn on, tune up and stoke their fire. The circle is an ancient woman’s rite. It is where dreams are born and intentions are set. Where grief is healed and insights are plentiful. Whether we circle in person, over the phone, a circle of three or three hundred – we are together with the intent to hold safe, sacred space for each other and honor each other as sisters. There is no better magic or medicine I have discovered.

I teach women the ancient art of circle. I help initiate women and activate their inner priestess. I empower mothers to circle with each other and create the tribe they long for. I hold the holy circle for women to birth in. Any women can do this. You can too. There is not a certification. A program. A test. A degree. There simply is YOUR power to say YES to reawaken this part of yourself. The reclaiming is happening. Choose to RISE and you will be guided.
In sisterhood, Marin.”

For more information about Marin’s circles and on-line circle coaching programs, sign up for her newsletter at www.riseupgoddess.com

Here are Marin’s words:

“I am blessed with the opportunity to do amazing work as a woman’s circle facilitator, birth doula and transformational coach. At the core of all I do I am a priestess, guiding women to activate their brilliance within. One thing I know for sure is that there is change happening on the planet. Energy is shifting. Paradigms are expanding. Every day I am meeting more and more women who are “hearing a call”. Women’s souls are stirring. Hearts are opening. Inner fires are being ignited and women are deciding to rise.

Like a wild tribe dancing on the edge, women are having their tops popped off and the most profound miracle is that mothers are in the mix as well- bursting and boldly claiming their space on the spirit-edge too!

In the past, mothers dwelt on a lonely periphery. We existed somewhere in limbo between service to our children and a deep longing for soul fulfillment and limited time for self-care. I intuitively feel this shifting. Our longing is no longer being ignored. Mothers are shattering the myth that mothering and soul-fulfillment are exclusive. There is a new wave. It’s a new time. Women are REMEMBERING. One by one as the inner lights go off deep in the bellies of countless women, the feminine divine energy re-emerges. The dance between masculine and feminine is coming back into balance.

It’s a glorious time as women step into their glory and an ancient archetype is being reclaimed. She is the Sacred Mother. The mother who is deeply connected to her soul first and her children second. It is a wise mother who knows it is neither bad nor wrong to speak her wisdom. She understands that in order to be the best guide and nurturer for her children, she MUST first stoke her inner flames. This is the meeting point between motherhood and spirituality. The holy instant where change is born.

How to weave motherhood and spirituality? Get clear about the difference between your ‘shoulds’ and ‘would love to’. Get clear about what makes you feel alive. Decide that you are worthy and then take bold action and schedule your self-care time like you’d schedule a dentist appointment. Be adaptable. Three minutes outside for three deep breaths might be all you have time for. It is enough when it is done with intention to nourish the deepest part of you. Then, like a committed warrior, be disciplined. Incorporate what I call ‘mom-able’ spirit practices. Pray. Slow down. Be of service. Dwell in gratitude. Be present to the light in yourself and in your children.”

To know more about Marin’s work in birth and with mothers, go to www.earthmotherbirth.com
To sign up for Marin’s newsletter, go to www.riseupgoddess.com

“MOTHERS: You CAN create a world of beauty, harmony and safety, into which you birth your children. It all starts with YOU as a mother, becoming conscious of your authentic self, “cleaning up your own back yard”, so that you can nurture and teach your children in truth and love.”
This is how Buffy Bernhardt, founder of Sacred Motherhood, introduced her deeply moving presentation on “Mothers: Wake Up, Nurture, Teach” at the Spirituality and Motherhood conference, which took place at The Museum of Motherhood in New York City.

Buffy’s specialty is helping women become self aware as mothers as they traverse the prenatal and perinatal journey.
She quoted a Native American teacher who said “when women are not in touch with their own sacredness and spirituality, men are lost; when women are in touch with their sacredness, men can find their way.”

Mature self-awareness is a mother’s primary responsibility as a “keeper of wisdom” and creator of life, and includes developing a harmonious relationship first to her self, then loved ones and the world. By empowering herself from her higher self, she can learn to live out of the treasures that lie within.

Buffy gave us a “Toolbox for Transformation” which included these important topics:
*Self-care
*Self-inquiry, heal the past, forgiveness
*Stay in alignment, positive mind
*Mindfulness, spiritual practices
*Relationship to partner and others

Buffy Bernhardt, LMSW, is a pregnancy therapist, perinatal wellness coach, with a private practice for over 25 years.

When you go to her website, you will be greeted with these words: “This website is dedicated to transforming the earth through birth, one baby at a time. This is a ground breaking website dedicated to supporting motherhood, parenthood and the sacredness of all of life. Through the path of the heart and peaceful mind, we are here to help counsel, coach, educate and inspire you through the wondrous and challenging experiences of this rite of passage. With loving arms we offer emotional and spiritual support to help create a positive and enriching experience.”

This post is the third in an ongoing series on self empowerment and parenting. Please take a look at the two preceding posts: Photos Hint: Babies are Talking in Utero” and “Photographing the Bond between a Mom & Her Child”.

Besides feeling your baby move, have you and your partner ever wondered if your baby is communicating while in the womb?

Ellynne Skove, founder of GoGo Babies, gave a powerful presentation at the “Spirituality & Motherhood” Conference about prenatal and perinatal perception. Babies are CONSCIOUS even in the womb. They feel and hear. Ellynne expressed these findings and her concern to help parents before conception and during pregnancy to give their unborn child nurturing and prenatal bonding. This lays the foundation for a happy and successful life, as it can actually influence the growth mode of the cells of the developing fetus.

This knowledge, based on thiry years of research, gives intended parents, using surrogacy, a chance to connect to their child through spending time with the surrogate or even recording their voices telling stories that the surrogate can play for the unborn child.

No matter how, letting the baby know that he/she is WELCOME and loved is key. Ellynne wrote a wonderful poem to express these thoughts. Here are a few lines:

“You are my mother, my father, my sister, my brother. You may be my surrogate or donor. You may be my intended parent.

I am a baby inside, growing and growing to be WELCOMED to the outside!

I hear our voice singing. I hear you talking.
Sometimes you are happy.
Sometimes you are sad or mad.
Sometimes you are scared.
I feel it.
You can tell me why. I would like to know.”

In addition, Ellynne practices birth trauma resolution with her husband, Roger Gilchrist, a master Biodynamic craniosacral therapist.

My preceding post, “Photographing the Bond Between a Mom and Her Child”, addressed the variety of presentations of the Spirituality and Motherhood conference held at the Museum of Motherhood in New York City. This series, featuring some of the presenters and other experts, concerns the subjects of parenting and of well being for ourselves and for our children. As the series progresses, let me know if you wish more information on these topics. Please let me know your thoughts and comments.

I attended the amazing Motherhood & Spirituality conference this week at the Museum of Motherhood in New York City. The link here gives you the presenters at the conference.
In common each presenter spoke of the love bond between mothers and their children that requires presence. The presence of honoring a child’s emotions, thoughts, & play give a child the love and self esteem for healthy growth.
In answer to this, I am sharing photos of a particular mom and child. These moments are in common with many mothers and children.

I would love to know about the bond you feel with your children. It’s wonderful that dad’s are also involved now with parenting. This post is the first of several where I will highlight the work of presenters at the conference and other experts. These posts will explore the subject of well being for ourselves and for our children.

How important is photography in a proposal?

“Photography is not just important in a proposal, it is critical. There are three things that are musts when proposing: a ring, a proposal plan, and a photographer.”

Why do you consider photography critical in a proposal?

“How did he propose?” That is the question that every single person announcing their engagement will have to answer multiple times. A story is great, but there is a reason they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Also, the world has changed and social media is a part of everyone’s life. People want to post the pictures of their proposal immediately after it happens.”

What are some other tips you have for someone that is about to propose?

“Have a budget for the proposal. Everyone saves up money for the ring but doesn’t think about saving for the proposal. You want to have some money for photography, flowers, a musician, dinner, etc.”

Thank you Michele! I am so excited to work with The Heart Bandits. I specialize in providing Unique & Personal Photography so what better than to partner with someone that provides unique and personalized proposals!
Contact me today for your New York Proposal Photography.

What I care about is producing great photographs, beautiful prints, and gorgeous albums for my wedding, maternity and family clients.