“Closing the Bones or El Cerrado de Huesos”, it is a Central and South American Postpartum Ritual, that supports a new mother in completing a cycle, and stepping into a new one. Physically, closing the bones helps to realign the hips, pelvis and spine following the birth of a baby. However, closing the bones also offers an energy healing and provides space for the mother to feel nurtured and to release emotions associated with the birth and motherhood.
Closing the bones, it is not an exclusive postpartum ritual. It has been used in ceremonies to support times of transitions and closing of cycles. From marriage, divorce, end of a relationship, moving home, transitioning between jobs, menopause, this ritual has even been used with combat vets returning home to help them recover. Closing the bones ritual can provide a way to find closure from an experience or cycle of life.
The Closing ~ What to Expect
“Two women from my community held space for me to complete my closing of the bones. They sat quietly with me as I shared my intention for what I was ready to close. When I was ready, I laid back, on a blanket with several long rebozos (shawls) draped across it where that crisscrossed to close and cover my head, midsection, the pelvic area, and feet. As each layer of the wrapping was completed I felt like I was going through a portal, like I was going into my own womb-like space. Once the closing was complete, and I was completely covered from head to toe, I laid quietly, listening, integrating the emotions, visions and energies that I was experiencing.
This gentle cocoon like space gifting me a deep sense of completion and renewal. A space for me to meet a deeper spiritual knowing that needed to be integrated in order to create space to release this cycle and chapter of my life. It also gave me a place to feel nurtured and release emotions associated with the cycle that I was letting go”.
Closing the Bones is a way to support a our transitions, a way to celebrate our amazing abilities; and a way to create moments of stillness, peace and reflection.
This ceremony can be done one on one or in small groups. Are you ready to close a cycle in your life?
Blessings,
Liz