In my Guide to Honoring your Parenting Anniversary I offer journal prompts and ceremony suggestions to give you permission to honor your experience of parenthood in your way and stay deeply connected to your child each year of their development.
“We’ve done two ceremonies with Magdalena’s guidance, a bridal shower and a coming of age birthday. Each ceremony embodied the personality of the honored guest, featured personal items and key participants, yet was accessible to a wide-range circle of trusted guests! Lena has a way of putting people at ease so our first time and our second time were comfortable and soul-filling experiences. We’ll have a third, fourth, fifth and so on because our family believes that everyone should participate in a ritual/ceremony as honored guest or circle of trust often. We need this!”
Bridal Blessings on the Way to Motherhood
“2018 was such a special year. My loving partner and I got a chance to exchange personal vows and make a lifelong commitment to each other in front of our “tribe.” As a special gift from my sister, I had the chance to preface my wedding day with a custom blessing circle alongside all the strong women in my family. Magdalena led us through a journey of life as specially connected women, openly celebrating one milestone (my milestone), together. It was the best gift I could have received. Better than any shower anyone could have thrown. Magdalena is a powerful facilitator of meaningful connection. She is creative and giving of her unique talent to get you to experience the energy around you. I am so grateful to have had that special moment with her and my family.” - Victoria, Chicago
Gathering the Village: Baby Welcomings
“When I was pregnant with my second child, I didn't want to have an ordinary baby shower, I wanted something more sacred and special and I knew, without a doubt, that Magdalena was the perfect person to help bring my vision and intention to life--and she did so in more ways than I could have imagined. She even invited everyone to take a ‘blessing bag’ home with them as being part of the energetic Welcoming Committee for our new baby once they got the call that our baby was born.
When I announced to her that the baby had been born, she sent the message to everyone to open their blessing bag, light their palo santo to create a breath of sweetness for this new being and light the candle to remind us all about the miracle of birth. She is such a blessing and I am forever grateful." - Laura, West Los Angeles, California
Processing Matrescence: Birth Story Processing
“I couldn’t imagine healing my birth story without Magdalena. The experience was so profound, deeply moving, not to mention extremely emotional, and impossible to put into words how truly special it was.
I know it’s an ongoing process and I continue to do my “homework” but have found that things that would have triggered me before, friends talking about upcoming births, are no longer painful and I can be authentically excited for them! I am beyond thankful and happy with all things Magdalena.” Michelle, Southern California
Navigating the Thresholds: Coming of Age
“It was a great reflection and I loved feeling the love and support from my family.”- B.V. (13 year old boy, ceremony honored guest)
“I thought it was great. I would recommend it to someone who wants to celebrate a meaningful transition in a way that feels spiritual but doesn’t want a religious ceremony.” -Rick V. (Father of honored guest)
“I felt happy in the ceremony. I like that it feels like something special and that can be modified to anything you want.”-L. V. (Brother of honored guest)
“Everybody needs this they just don’t know it.”- Mario V. (grandfather of honored guest)
The Care Team: Women’s Circles
“Of all the ceremonies I have participated in with Magdalena, my best memory comes from a session I had with my daughter. To have my teenager be a part of a circle of women ten or twenty years older was a very special experience for both of us. Watching her participate in and helping the ceremony brought me a memory from childhood of working with my aunties and grandma back in the countryside of Japan in the 60s, and it warmed my heart. Her eyes were wide open, as she was welcomed so warmly by all the women there. Having this unique sense of community is so important for her, as she is going through body and identity changes. I am looking forward to having more ceremony experiences with her and my younger daughter in the future.”- Sachiko, Southern California
Honoring Legacy: Milestone Parent Birthdays
I wanted a deep, heartfelt community gathering to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday but given her struggles with dementia, I knew that the usual celebration would not likely result in a meaningful celebration.
Magdalena provided the key to finding my voice and my mother’s voice in the celebration. Before the event, she spent time carefully listening and asking about the themes of my mother’s life as well as my hopes and even worries around the celebration. She then put together a beautiful proposal for a gathering that incorporated the most essential aspects of who my mom is.
She then led our full room of guests with enormous heart, deep understanding, and courage. She guided us through a journey where each person was given the opportunity to share. As my mom is no longer able to share these memories herself, it was a tremendous gift to me and my young children to hear everyone’s reflections. Throughout the process she supported everyone in focusing on my mom, speaking to her, even when she was not able to speak back. I will always be grateful for Lena's commitment to us and the very meaningful celebration we accomplished together.
Chris L. , Davis, California son, husband, father of two, psychotherapist