earth spirituality / women's spirituality

GaiaEarthMom12 · April 2012

I was wondering if anyone else out there considers pregnancy, birth, and the miracles of a woman's body part of their spirituality?

I grew up Catholic but have been very interfaith in my outlook from a young age. After college I moved away from organized religion and began to find solace in the earth spirituality, women's spirituality, and Goddess movements. My spirituality now centers on being in tune with the earth and with recognizing the sacred feminine within mainstream religion and outside of it.

I am trying to experience my pregnancy through this lens. So far I've been spending more time worrying about an early miscarriage than feeling full of life and spiritual energy.

Does anyone else have similar beliefs or experiences? I've been wanting to write a post like this for awhile, but wasn't sure the best place to put it. I decided on this board because I view natural childbirth as part of trusting the power of nature and my body, and thought maybe others did too.

AnaKat405 · April 2012

Have you checked out the forums on Mothering.com? They don't tend to be as fast as these boards, but there are forums geared toward your line of thinking.

While I don't practice any rituals of faith, I do consider myself inclined spiritually and did a lot of exploration with different beliefs in my early 20's. Buddism, various forms of meditation, Wicca and ultimately decided they all share the same basic message and simply go about it in different ways. I tend to find myself at my spiritual best when I'm doing things that are creative and help others. Cooking and sharing a good meal, gardening and sharing my bounty, giving a massage (my career), making soaps, balms, salves, etc., for friends and family to enjoy, playing music, singing, hiking. Those things resonate with me as well as provide a way for me to connect with others around me.

At this point DH is more involved with the baby than I am. He talks to it, massages my belly, nearly cried when we heard the heartbeat, all of that. But he also gets to cook and eat yummy spaghetti and pizza while I'm still struggling to keep down a plain baked potato or steamed broccoli and cauliflower dipped in mayo (????!!!!) even though everyone said 2nd trimester would be better. So I haven't quite embraced the little one with my spiritual outlook, but I trust that I'll get there.

pixieprincss · April 2012

I am a follow of Christ (personally and by vocation). I think that the amazing ways our bodies change in pregnancy react specifcally in labor birth is "evidence" that God is the author of science and our bodies (though certainly a birth that requires intervention is no less a spiritual thing). I also reject the "curse of Eve"/ (mis)translation that labor must be painful. The history of that whole thing is quite interesting!

So, yes and no with your question. I don't feel anymore spirit-filled because of the pregnancy, but I do think that pregnancy and being a parent enhances my faith, understanding of unconditional love, etc. Then again, infertility and loss taught me a ton, too: compassion, long-suffering, reliance on God, pervasive joy vs. situational happiness, etc.

jsillyfun · April 2012

I feel that being pregnant has been a very spiritual experience for me. Some things I've done to get in touch with this aspect: putting on music and dancing by candlelight an expression of my feelings about pregnancy, painting pregnant women, DH and I making a cast of my belly, singing to and praying for/about the baby, writing birth poetry. Pregnancy can be a very beautiful time (but yes, there are also lots of moments of just dealing with annoying physical symptoms, etc...).

Bonidiebabe · April 2012

I completely understand where you are coming from. I was raised Roman Catholic. Through my college years though I attended non-denominational churches and really enjoyed it. According to the catholic beliefs, I am a giant naughty sinner. I like to have higher power that I can pray to. Yet, I find that just feeling like an earth child is much better. Trust in mother nature and know that she will take good care of you and your baby.

fryrat · April 2012

You are not alone. You may not meet the people on this board, but they are out there. I am much like you. My birth plan centers around meditation and energy flow, although I am Catholic. I also had a loss at 11 weeks.

Remembering that excessive worry can do very bad things to your body, try very hard not to be concerned about what if you happen to miscarry. Just take one day at a time and remember that God/Mother/Spirit will be there to support you, and provide your body with the tools it needs at the time. Allow yourself to let whatever will happen, happen.

FyreFlyeRush · April 2012

I'm a Christian through and through. However, I believe in the power of women. I don't believe in the curse of Eve. Yes, child birth is painful. For me, it's a right of passage, not a curse. I believe in mediation. In fact, I made it through my first delivery BECAUSE of it, and have used it ever since. It could also be I feel this way because I *know* what it feels like to have an intervention free birth. It could be because I'm a feminist. Spirituality? IDK. I'm not sure what that means me. I just know that THIS pregnancy, I am not in awe of the beauty of life. I spent too much time worshipping the porcelain god. But, the closer I get to delivering, the more empowered (albeit tired and cranky) I feel. Do I feel in touch with life, nature, etc? Maybe, a little. Mostly, I feel the deep humbling of my own mortality as my body prepares to being another life into this world...hmmm maybe I am still in awe of it.

MidwestSeashell · April 2012

i'm with you too sister. absolutely i find pregnancy to be a spiritual experience. i find every breath to be a spiritual experience. as i see it, we are in a constant dance with the cosmos/god/goddess/gaia/alllllleverything all the time.

even the worry is beautiful because it's part of your journey. we're learning from our excitement and our fears. when those lessons are learned, we'll move on.

love and light, sis. what a trippy ride!!

brennarobbie · April 2012

I grew up Catholic too, but have my own version of Catholicism that has adapted through the years with the help of my dear Grandma who is no longer with us. She was a very wise woman who spent years and years devoted to finding her own meaning of life. It was an honor to be a part of her spiritual journey.

During Lent, I didn't give anything up (after alcohol, sushi, deli meats, etc) I felt like I had already given enough up. So I decided to add something to my daily routine. I have a 30 minute drive to/from work, so I set out to pray the rosary every day on my way home.

I have since REALLY felt much more connected with Mary. It has been a very humbling and beautiful experience. My hubby and I go to church every Sunday and say our prayers together at night, and through prayer we connect more with little man.

All of this praying helps me to relax and enjoy my pregnancy. I'm learning to let go of my fears and put it in the hands of God and Mary and everyone else watching down on us. My relaxation music is from my Grandma's collection, so even she will be somewhat a part of my birthing experience.

GaiaEarthMom12 · April 2012

I'm so grateful to all of you for your responses. I wasn't sure how my question would be received. I have gotten so much comfort and confidence from what you've written. I'll be thinking about all of you as we continue on this incredible journey!

Thanks,

Kristen

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