Closing of the Bones Ceremony

Emily the Doula: Closing of the Bones

Closing of the Bones Ceremony

A while back I saw a photo of a woman wrapped up on social media and read further into what it was all about. It was a Closing of the Bones ceremony, a traditional Mexican ceremony using woven cloth massage with the purpose of nurturing the mother after her passage through birth and into motherhood.

I saw Sunni from @thekickinside_ & Tuesday from @tuesdays_child_doula were performing this sealing ceremony and I got in touch.

I asked one of my very best friends Jo to be there, she’s been an amazing and constant support the past few years and has basically been my postpartum doula this time around. She always shows up with treats, cuddles, chats and the kids love her! We’re each others sister in a country where we both have no family. I also asked my wonderful friend Amy who has been there for me this postpartum while we both navigate mum life together. Amy generously took these very special photos too @amypearsonphoto 📸

Emily the Doula Closing of the Bones

So, the ceremony! Sunni lit incense, candles and drew the curtains while Tuesday prepared a soothing foot bath. Tuesday spoke of the meaning behind the Closing of the Bones and reminded me everyone was here for me and it was a safe space. Sunni spoke about how each birth teaches you something and had had me think about this the weeks prior. My pregnancy and birth with Jimmy really showed me how damn powerful I am. And Jack’s has reminded me that I can be soft and feminine… not always pushing. Jo then said some very special words about me and my journey into motherhood. She’s really seen me through all the extremely tough times but also the wonderful times too. I found it quite hard to sit and receive all that love and to be acknowledged.

Emily Closing of the Bones Ceremony
Emily Closing of the Bones Ceremony

I then lay down on the blankets and wraps and Tuesday applied a paste of warming spices to my tummy and massaged it in. Both Sunni and Tuesday then massaged arms, legs, feet and head and then covered my eyes and wrapped my head. They then picked up the wraps, working their way from my upper torso to my hips, legs and feet. They each held a side of the wrap and cradled my body which felt so so comforting. After that they pulled the cloth tight and tied them. I then lay in meditation. Firstly I was focussed on the deep ache in my bones, it really did feel like they were coming back together and my body was being sealed. When they wrapped my hips I felt really emotional, I felt deep reverence for my womb, for growing my babies. I also felt some sadness that this part of my journey was over.

Emily Closing of the Bones
Emily Closing of the Bones

I sunk deep into meditation and all of a sudden I could see this portal opening, and beyond that was the infinite black universe and trillions of stars. My wrapped body was floating in space.

Truly fucking phenomenal.

As I started to come back to the room Tuesday spoke about how for each child we journey to the stars and bring them back down. WOW. So breathtaking.

Ceremony seems to be something so lost in today’s world. I wish all mothers and birthing people could experience this. How wonderful would it be if this was a part of our culture and women gathered to nurture each other. Time for us to bring ceremony back. I truly see the power of women coming together to take care of each other.

Emily the Doula Closing of the Bones
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