🥁 New Course Alert 🥁 Join me on ‘The Women Drum Keepers Collective’ Learn More

Sophie Messager

Author: Sophie Messager

  • Forbidden trance: why medicine hijacks altered consciousness during birth

    Forbidden trance: why medicine hijacks altered consciousness during birth

    Imagine a woman in labour, her eyes closed, swaying rhythmically to an internal beat. The room is dim, quiet, save for her deep, primal moans. Suddenly, she says: “I can see my baby. She’s coming down” This isn’t a scene from a mystical novel. This is Sarah, a first-time mother, experiencing what scientists are now calling the “birth trance” – a profound altered state of consciousness that modern medicine has been suppressing for decades.

    In hospitals across the world, 80% of labouring women are subjected to interventions that disrupt this natural altered state. But what if I told you that this suppressed “birth trance” holds the key not only to easier, more empowering births, but to unlocking the untapped potential of the human mind?

    As a former biologist turned birth & life transitions guide, I’ve witnessed first hand the transformative power of this altered state. I’ve seen women transcend pain, communicate with their unborn children, and tap into strength they never knew they had. And now, cutting-edge research is finally catching up to what midwives and doulas have known for millennia.

    Welcome to the forbidden world of birth consciousness – a realm where science meets spirituality, and where the act of bringing life into the world can quite literally alter the fabric of reality. What you’re about to read will forever change the way you think about the human capacity for transcendence. 

    Introduction

    When you hear “altered states of consciousness,” what pops into your mind? Psychedelic trips, mushrooms, ayahuasca? But what if I told you we’re all walking pharmacies, carrying within us the very tools – birth hormones – to alter our consciousness without any external substances? What if I told you that birth is one of the most powerful times when these hormones work together to facilitate one of the deepest shifts in consciousness during a woman’s life?

    I’ve just finished writing a book about drumming as a catalyst for women’s growth. One chapter delves into how drumming stacks up against psychedelics in inducing trance-like states. Spoiler alert: drumming is not only safer and easier, but it’s every bit as powerful. 

    When I first introduced drumming as a birth support tool, it was pure intuition that guided me. But as I dove into writing, interviewing women I’d drummed for during birth, and poring over research on how drumming shifts our consciousness, a startling reality emerged: birth itself IS an altered state of consciousness. Modern maternity care actively disrupts this natural high, because it’s impossible to control women in this state. 

    Birth as a naturally altered state

    During labour and birth, a cocktail of hormones floods the mother’s brain and body, particularly oxytocin, endorphins, and prolactin. These neurochemicals not only facilitate the physical process of birth but also induce a dreamlike state of mind. Many women report feeling disconnected from their usual thought patterns, experiencing time distortion, and accessing a deep, primal, instinctual part of themselves. 

    Anybody who has supported births knows when this happens, because the woman stops engaging in conversation and goes inwards. This usually happens when labour becomes established.

    This shift in consciousness serves a biological purpose, allowing the birthing woman to focus intensely on the task at hand. It is described as “labourland” or being “in the birth zone.” The altered state contributes to pain management, as endorphins act as natural painkillers, as well as changing the perception of time and space. This heightened state of awareness can also lead to spiritual or transcendent experiences, with some women describing a sense of connection to a greater power or to generations of birthing women before them. 

    Understanding birth as an altered state emphasises the importance of creating a supportive, undisturbed environment that allows this natural process to unfold, leading to more positive birth experiences and outcomes.

    The physiology of birth-induced altered consciousness

    Hormonal changes during labour and birth

    When a woman goes into labour, her body is a living, breathing symphony of hormones. As the first contractions begin, oxytocin takes centre stage. Also known as the love hormone, it’s the conductor of this miraculous orchestra. It sends powerful waves through her uterus, gently but persistently encouraging her baby to begin its journey. But oxytocin isn’t just about physical labour – it’s weaving a web of love and connection, preparing the mother’s heart to fall in love with her baby.

    As the labour intensity builds, endorphins build up. These natural pain-relievers sweep through the mother’s body like a soothing tide. They don’t just dull the pain; they bring with them a sense of euphoria, a feeling of “I can do this!” It’s these endorphins that help guide the mother into the famous “labourland” – a state of altered consciousness where time seems to bend and the outside world fades away.

    As labour progresses, a new player enters – catecholamines, the stress hormones. Early in labour, they’re like cautious gatekeepers. If the mother feels threatened or unsafe, these hormones pump the brakes on labour. But as birth approaches, they transform into enthusiastic cheerleaders, delivering a surge of energy just when the mother needs it most. It’s nature’s way of giving her that final push (pun intended!) to bring her baby earthside.

    All the while, prolactin is working its magic behind the scenes. This mothering hormone begins to peak as labour starts naturally, whispering to every cell in the mother’s body, “Get ready” It’s laying the groundwork for breastfeeding and nudging the mother’s brain towards instinctive nurturing behaviours.

    Together, these hormones alter the mother’s state of consciousness, helping her turn inward and find strength she never knew she had. They change how she perceives pain, sometimes transforming it into intense sensation or even pleasure. They forge the beginnings of an unbreakable bond between mother and child.

    But this dance is delicate. It thrives in calm, dark, private environments where the mother feels safe and is supported by familiar people. It prefers to begin on its own terms, free from unnecessary interventions. It loves intuitive movement and positions that let gravity lend a helping hand.

    Labour is an intricate hormonal ballet, a dance as old as humanity itself, guiding a new life into the world and a woman into motherhood. 

    Brain waves changes

    Besides the hormones, there are also changes in brain waves. There is an increase in alpha and theta waves – the same patterns we see in deep meditation or hypnosis. The brain is tuning out the external world and tuning into the body’s innate wisdom.

    This altered state isn’t unique to birth. It’s fascinatingly similar to other naturally occurring altered states. Think about the calm, focused state of a seasoned meditator, or the state of someone under deep hypnosis. Labour taps into these same neural pathways.

    Going into labourland is not just a turn of phrase. It’s a real, physiologically measurable altered state of consciousness. 

    The Experience of Altered Consciousness During Birth

    Published research on the topic

    When I started looking into this I quickly realised that, unsurprisingly given the focus of modern maternity culture, there is almost no published research on the subject of the change of consciousness during birth. There are various people who have written about this state in books and online articles, including Ina May Gaskin, Sarah Buckley, and Hazel Tree in her book A birth path. Jane Hardwicke Collings has written about it in her blog. Jane also mentioned to me that studies done in Russia (we were not able to find this available online), have included measuring brain waves during labour.

    • The pain of labour is a gateway to an altered state of consciousness and ecstatic birth. Jane Hardwicke Collings
    • Brain waves slow even more, she may reach the deepest place of delta waves, the oneness of ecstatic bliss and complete unity. Hazel Tree

    There is also a blog article by midwife Whapio Diane Bartlett which describes the stages of birth from a holistic/consciousness point of view. 

    • This may be the pinnacle of the altered state. Brainwaves may shift to Delta, the slowest and deepest of our known patterns, which allows us access to the realms of the unconscious…the realms of profound knowing, meditative understanding and peak experiences. This is the realm of transformation. Whapio Diane Bartlett

    I found a handful of articles mentioning altered states of consciousness during birth. A review paper from 2018 called Women’s psychological experiences of physiological childbirth: a metasynthesis, mentions altered states of consciousness and differences in time perception: “The peaks of endogenous oxytocin during labour, together with the progressive release of endorphins in the maternal brain, are likely to cause the altered state of consciousness most typical of unmedicated labour that midwives and mothers easily recognise or describe as ‘labour land’, but this phenomenon has received little attention from neuropsychology.”

    Another paper from 2020, Birth as a neuro-psycho-social event: An integrative model of maternal experiences and their relation to neurohormonal events during childbirth, states that “The spontaneous altered state of consciousness, that some women experience, may well be a hallmark of physiological childbirth in humans. “ and “This description of women´s experiences during labor and birth and its potential for transformation resembles descriptions of mystical states of consciousness. Classically these states have been achieved through meditation and religious practices (including dancing, praying and fasting) or through intake of substances with hallucinogenic properties such as psilocybin or LSD“

    Until very recently, the scientific community had largely overlooked the unique state of consciousness experienced by women during labour. The first person to publish a paper specifically about birth consciousness was Israeli researcher Dr Orli Dahan, in 2021. Dr Danan has published 11 papers on the subject since. I published an article about how drumming supports birth and altered states of consciousness in the International of birth and parenting education in 2023. This was the first time that an article was published about drumming and birth in a scientific journal.

    The emergence of these papers is no coincidence; they are a reflection of our evolving understanding and readiness to explore new depths of human experience. It’s as if humanity has reached a tipping point, finally prepared to embrace truths that were previously ignored. This convergence of expanded awareness and scientific inquiry signals a new era in our understanding of birth, consciousness, and the nature of humanity.

    According to Dahan’s theory of “birthing consciousness,” the mother’s brain enters an extraordinary state, unlike anything she’s experienced before. It’s as if nature has designed a special mindset just for this moment, one that will support her through the intensity of birth and lead to better outcomes.

    Dahan’s research paints an intriguing picture. The usually chatty prefrontal cortex – the part of our brain responsible for complex thinking and self-control – takes a back seat. Blood flow to this area decreases, its activity diminishes. It’s like the logical, inhibited part of the brain is stepping aside, allowing something more primal and instinctive to take the wheel.

    This shift isn’t just about getting through labour; it’s about thriving. Dahan argues that this altered state not only helps the mother navigate the physical challenges of birth but also opens the door to profound positive emotional experiences. It’s as if the brain is creating the perfect conditions for not just survival, but for a transformative journey.

    These changes might not be a fleeting phenomenon. Dahan points to studies in rats showing that the experience of birth leaves a lasting imprint. Mother rats who’ve given birth show increased resilience to stress, an effect that persists well into their twilight years. Could human mothers experience similar long-term benefits?

    Dahan’s work doesn’t stop at theory. She’s also explored practical factors that might influence birthing consciousness. Something as simple as softer lighting in hospital rooms, for instance, has been linked to fewer medical interventions. It’s a reminder that the environment we create for birthing women can have profound effects on their experiences.

    For all these insights, Dahan is the first to admit we’re just scratching the surface. She points out a glaring gap in our knowledge – to date, no one has conducted direct research on the neuropsychological state of women during natural or medicated birth. It’s a call to action for the scientific community.

    The potential implications of this research are vast. Understanding birthing consciousness could revolutionise how we approach birth, leading to better outcomes for women and their families.  One thing is clear: the journey to understand birthing consciousness is just beginning. 

    Benefits of allowing this natural state to unfold 

    Supporting birth consciousness during labour and birth can have several important benefits:

    Enhanced coping with labour pain and stress:

    • High endorphin levels during labour can produce an altered state of consciousness that helps women deal with the process of giving birth, even if it is long and challenging .
    • The “birthing consciousness” state is described as a healthy dissociative state that can reduce pain perception as labour progresses .

    Promotion of physiological birth processes:

    • Allowing women to enter an altered state of consciousness during labour may be a hallmark of physiological childbirth in humans .
    • It can help optimise the release and effects of beneficial hormones like oxytocin that facilitate labour progress .

    Improved maternal experience and satisfaction:

    • Women who experience physiological natural childbirth often describe it as a transcendent experience .
    • It can lead to feelings of euphoria and empowerment after birth .

    Enhanced bonding and postpartum adaptation:

    • The altered state may strengthen the mother-infant relationship in the early postpartum period .
    • High endorphin levels can make mothers feel alert and attentive as they begin to care for their newborn .

    Reduced need for medical interventions:

    • Supporting natural hormonal processes and altered consciousness may reduce the need for interventions that can interfere with labour progress .

    Long-term psychological benefits:

    • The birthing experience can generate feelings of joy and awe that may be life-altering, enhancing self-esteem and boosting energy .

    Potential for personal growth:

    • Experiencing birth consciousness may offer an opportunity for immense personal growth.

    Note: The transformative power of trance states extends far beyond the birthing room, offering women a profound tool for growth and healing throughout their lives. Altered states of consciousness serve as gateways to deep inner wisdom, facilitating smoother transitions during pivotal life changes such as puberty, menopause, career shifts, and other endings and beginnings. Moreover, trance states have shown remarkable potential in healing trauma. By accessing these heightened states of awareness, women can safely revisit and reprocess traumatic experiences, allowing for deep emotional release and restructuring of neural pathways. Whether induced through meditation, breathwork, or rhythmic activities like drumming, trance experiences create a sacred space where women can shed old identities, embrace new aspects of themselves, and emerge renewed. In essence, trance states offer a powerful, natural method for women to navigate life’s challenges, foster personal growth, and reclaim their innate power and wisdom.

    My experience of birth trance

    When I gave birth to my first child at home (something which was unexpected, as a short few months before I was extremely scared of birth. Hiring a doula helped change this society imposed belief), I plunged into the depths of an altered state of consciousness. It wasn’t just during the birth itself – it was afterwards that its transformative effects truly became obvious. I was on a high from the experience, feeling euphoric, like I could achieve anything. This feeling lasted for weeks, and even now, over 18 years later, I can still tap into this experience as one of the empowering experiences of my life.

    Not only did I feel amazing, but there was a distinct feeling that the world around me had shifted; everything looked and felt different, brighter, more vibrant. This altered state lingered for days, as if my brain had been completely rewired by the experience.

    This shift sparked a complete change in my career trajectory. When my son was just 4 months old, I found myself at a Birthlight birth conference, rubbing shoulders with birth legends like Ina May Gaskin, Michel Odent, and Frederic Leboyer. It was there that a woman said something to me that still echoes in my mind: “Our society doesn’t want women to have transformative experiences like yours – because look at you now.”

    Her words really hit me. I knew exactly what she meant. Women who’ve experienced births like mine no longer fit neatly into society’s mould. We’ve glimpsed something powerful, something primal, and it changes us. We become harder to control, less likely to blindly follow the status quo. It’s as if the birth experience awakens an untamed part of ourselves that society would rather keep dormant.

    My journey from that homebirth to the conference and my leaving my scientific job behind to support women in achieving positive birth experiences was more than just a change in career – it was a radical shift in consciousness, a rebirth of my own. And I realised that this transformation, this awakening, is precisely what makes such birth experiences so potent – and perhaps, so threatening.

    Stories from women about this altered state during birth

    In the middle phase of my labour I was very much in an altered state of consciousness, the closest experience I could connect it to was doing ayahuasca in the Peruvian jungle years before, I was very grateful for that actually because it gave me the confidence to be able to surrender into it and trust that state which is so unlike our waking life. When I was in the birth pool in the dark lit only by our fire and fairy lights I felt like I literally became a mermaid submerged in the dark waters. It was so sensual and my mind completely fell away. I had this strong sense of making love to pain, literally like it was this sensual union with discomfort and the opening of my body! Amelia

    A nice element of my birth for me is completely losing the sense of time. My birth, as beautiful as it was, had quite the intensity too, so not having the sense of time was glorious….and after I gave birth to my baby, I honestly don’t know what day of the week it was or whether it was night or day. Somebody could have told me we are in a different month or year and I honestly wouldn’t know if they’re telling the truth or not. Magdalena

    I actively spoke with and received answers from the divine/God/universe, while birthing my third child. Sophia

    I had an out of body experience too . I met with my deceased best friend and twins and landed in my body as my daughter was born. Alice

    As my doula arrived and rubbed my lower back it was like I levitated above the scene. Husband behind in the doorway to the left, nervously watching. Two midwives preparing tools and equipment, listening to my guttural birth noise.  Then lightness and lift as I was just watching myself do the thing. I have no recollection of the crowning. Baby cried before the shoulders were out. No feelings in the body but just watching it all occur around like a scene in a film. It was like there was something I could not be present in my body for. Like I had to go and get her soul before I could ground again. Spiritually it moved me to a new level of understanding of source and connection that wouldn’t be fully understood until years later. When I reflect on the experience now it’s clear to me that what I experienced was a leaving of the human body and into the soul space. What needed to happen through this birth was a disconnection from all that was to carve a new path. Lorna

    Most of my 6h labour was at home with no midwife, just my doula. I put on headphones with relaxing music and it went like that until the delivery. Midwife got there 10-15min before my baby was born. He was my second and this was a planned home birth. I was totally in the zone with my headphones, no interruptions. Just completely present with the sensations in my body and I’ve embraced the overwhelm of each wave of contraction with my deep breaths. Having the headphones, being at home, no interruptions was essential to be in my bubble.. almost as if I were by myself in a dark cave but very safe.  Cristina

    I was pleased in a way the midwife didn’t arrive because I got to have my journey in peace but at the same time, having worked with midwives that actively support this, having seen the difference it makes for a woman in labour, I felt sad I didn’t have one there to hold the space and very very grateful I went with my instinct and against COVID regulations and got my doula to be there for me. I had visions, time elapsed. I was both very much in my body, in the room, and at the same time somewhere else. I was everything and everywhere at the same time that I was nothing but flesh and blood and bones. I was absolutely eternal and inescapably mortal. Laura

    Part of my birth trance was becoming love, an overwhelming feeling of being a portal of love. It flowed out. I grew to 10 foot high and was the goddess of my world. I remember thinking ‘I AM love’. It was f#*kING awesome. Rosie

    Time is different. Looking back at video footage of my homebirth, I remember what was happening but I felt I was in a different “place/time”. It’s hard to describe. Lynsey

    From breaking my waters and walking in a field full of damselflies, I became quickly held in a space of becoming and transition. I could feel there was a total coming together of my voice as I toned out sounds, and found my ebb and flow. The connection with my body and my baby and the powerful rite of passage in my own home, with our beautiful doula and two respectful, tuned-in midwives enabled me, in our tiny living room, to create safety and a net of power. My body, at age 40, found an inner strength and there was no room for anything other than what I can only describe as being in a different realm of consciousness and dreaming, where the space I held was one of protectors and the one being initiated, truly sacred space. It is the greatest honour and biggest achievement of my life to have brought my boys (my oldest one 7 years before) into the world in this way, and joy. Angie

    I blended with the universe . I found a focal point which was a painting . It became my force . Anything else just became part of me as my baby was born and came into the world seamlessly. Hayet.

    My consciousness was circling upwards at the top of my head and I met and merged with my son’s consciousness and brought him into the physical reality. Ailsa

    What fascinates me in the collection of stories above, is that several women describe experiencing an out of body experience. This state is also known to be associated with death, or near death experiences. In the book DMT: The Spirit Molecule, author Rick Strassman hypotheses that the release of the natural psychedelic DMT by our brain may play a role in these, and other mystical experiences. There is also emerging evidence that the endocannabinoid systems plays a role in labour and birth at uterine level, and whilst effects on the brain haven’t yet been studies, I would not be surprised if they played a role too.

    How and why medicine interrupts the birth Trance

    Common practices that disrupt the natural state

    • Being cared for by people you have not met before:  It’s challenging to relax and enter that birth zone state when you’re constantly meeting new people.
    • Having a constant, familiar presence – like a doula or midwife you already know before the first – can make a world of difference. It’s like having your personal coach throughout your entire marathon, cheering you on every step of the way.
    • Change of support person during shifts/ lack of continuity of care: Just as you’ve built a rapport with one care provider, their shift ends. It’s like changing coaches mid-game – disruptive and potentially unsettling.
    • Having to travel to an unfamiliar environment during labour: Trading your cosy home nest for a clinical environment can be jarring. It’s like trying to meditate in an airport – possible, but not ideal for entering that altered state of consciousness.
    • Bright lights and loud noises: Bright lights, beeping machines, unfamiliar smells and noises – it’s a far cry from the calm, dimly lit environment that supports birth consciousness. It’s like trying to sleep with a spotlight in your face and a rock concert next door.
    • Frequent interventions and examinations : Frequent examinations and interventions can disrupt the natural flow of labour. It’s like constantly checking your watch during meditation – it breaks your concentration.
    • Time pressure and expectations of progress : Labour doesn’t always follow a schedule, but hospital protocols often expect it to. It’s like having a countdown clock on your marathon – not exactly relaxing.
    • Use of pain medication and epidurals : Often offered as a first resort rather than part of a range of coping strategies, pain medication can interfere with the natural hormonal process of labour. It’s like taking a shortcut in your marathon – it might make things easier, but you might miss out on the full experience.
    • [Note: Pain relief can be necessary and beneficial for some women. The issue is not its existence, but how it’s presented and used.] 
    • Not being able to make informed decisions: Many women aren’t fully informed about their options or the potential impacts of various interventions. It’s like running a race without knowing the course – you can do it, but you’re at a disadvantage.
    • Restrictive guidelines and one size fits all approach: Women are often pressured to consent to interventions based on an average population instead of their own unique circumstances. Recognising that every birth, like every woman, is unique. It’s about tailoring the experience to support individual needs and preferences, not following a one-size-fits-all protocol.

    Why modern maternity care actively disrupt the birth trance

    The idea that our culture unconsciously interrupts the “birth trance” to exert control is rooted in the larger context of how power dynamics and social norms influence birth. It can be broken down into several aspects:

    • Medicalisation of birth: Modern cultures, particularly in the West, have increasingly medicalised birth, shifting it from a natural process to a highly managed, clinical event. This medicalisation is often framed as being for safety, but it also transfers power and authority away from the birthing person to medical professionals. The “birth trance”—a deeply instinctual, altered state of consciousness many women enter during labour—can be disrupted by interventions like bright lights, frequent monitoring, and verbal instructions. These actions interrupt the natural rhythm of labour, reducing the birthing woman’s autonomy and reliance on their own bodily wisdom, effectively placing control in the hands of others.
    • Cultural anxiety around surrender and vulnerability: Birth is a profoundly vulnerable and intense process that requires a certain surrender to one’s body and instincts. Our culture tends to be uncomfortable with states of surrender, especially when it comes to women’s bodies. Society often encourages control, predictability, and structure. Medical protocols, constant monitoring, and interventions—though presented as necessary—also reflect a cultural bias toward controlling a process that might otherwise appear chaotic or unpredictable.
    • Fear of female power: The birth trance represents a powerful state where women can experience immense physiological and psychological transformation. Patriarchal structures have often sought to suppress expressions of female power, particularly in relation to childbirth, which is an inherently female, and thus potentially threatening, experience to male-dominated systems of power. By interrupting this trance, cultural norms may unconsciously aim to suppress the power women hold in this deeply primal moment, reinforcing existing hierarchies where medical professionals or institutions hold authority over women’s bodies.
    • Disconnection from nature and instinct: Modern society places high value on intellect and technology, at the expense of intuition and nature. The birth trance is an instinctual, bodily experience that connects a woman deeply to her natural rhythms and ancestral wisdom. By interrupting this process, society reinforces a cultural disconnection from the body and nature. This serves to maintain control over birth by privileging external, scientific authority over internal, intuitive knowledge.
    • Economics and efficiency: Hospitals and medical systems are structured around efficiency and managing large volumes of patients, often within tight timeframes. Allowing women to enter a natural birth trance, which can slow labour down and make it less predictable, conflicts with these priorities. As a result, interventions like labour induction, c-sections, and other forms of control are encouraged to keep the process on a manageable timetable. This commodification of birth serves institutional needs at the expense of the woman’s natural process, further reinforcing a culture of control.

    Towards a more conscious approach to maternity care

    To support birth consciousness, we need to

    • Provide a calm, comfortable, homely, dimly light, quiet, and private birthing environment 
    • Minimise disturbances and unnecessary interventions 
    • Offer continuity of care and one-on-one support from caregivers familiar to the mother, whose presence she finds soothing.
    • Recognise and promote homebirth as a valid, normal and empowering choice
    • Foster a supportive emotional atmosphere that promotes feelings of safety and trust
    • Encourage and respect the mother’s intuition and bodily wisdom
    • Offer non-pharmacological pain management techniques that work with the altered state (relaxation, hypnobirthing, breathwork, massage, music, scents, drumming…)
    • Educate birth professionals and women about the states of consciousness during birth and how to support them
    • Minimise cognitive stimulation and questions during labour, allowing the mother to stay in her trance state
    • Train birth partners to support and enhance the birth trance state
    • Implement policies that allow for flexibility in birth plans and timelines, respecting the unique rhythm of each labour
    • Create a culture of reverence for the transformative nature of the birth experience

    These are unlikely to happen in the current model of care. The practices that support birth consciousness are at odds with many aspects of the current model of care. Today’s maternity services prioritise efficiency, standardisation, and risk management over individualised, woman-centred care.  Hospital environments are typically clinical rather than homely, care is often fragmented rather than continuous, and interventions are frequently routine rather than minimised. The medicalisation of birth has overshadowed the profound psycho-emotional and spiritual aspects of the birthing process.

    Supporting birth trance: a practical guide for birth workers

    In our modern culture, the deep altered state of consciousness that occurs during birth remains largely unrecognised. Maternity care protocols often actively disrupt this natural phenomenon, unaware of its significance. As birth workers, our primary responsibility is twofold:

    1. Self-education: Immerse yourself in the research and writings of pioneers in birth consciousness (as referenced in the scientific section of this article). Develop a deep understanding of how to facilitate and protect this altered state.
    2. Client education: This is crucial, and it must go beyond mere information sharing, as experiential learning is key.

    For clients unfamiliar with altered states, providing multiple hands-on experiences during pregnancy is paramount. Theoretical knowledge alone is insufficient; lived experiences are essential for true comprehension.

    Offer regular opportunities to experience trance-like states, depending on what appeals most to your clients and what you feel comfortable offering:

    • Guided meditation/relaxation
    • Hypnobirthing scripts
    • Conscious movement (such as 5rhythms dancing or pregnancy specific dance)
    • Drum-assisted journeys (recorded or live)

    Drum-facilitated meditations are particularly effective. Research shows that rhythmic auditory entrainment significantly eases access to deep trance states compared to meditation alone. (See my published paper on drumming and birth for scientific backing). You can find pregnancy and birth focused drum journeys on both my Youtube Channel, and on Jane Hardwicke Collings ‘s Youtube channel.

    Guide clients in creating optimal birthing environments that support the trance state:

    • Emphasise the importance of dim lighting, privacy, and a quiet and cosy atmosphere, in the context of protecting the birth trance
    • Help develop strategies to maintain this environment in various birth settings (some of my client chose to wear noise cancelling headphones and eye masks)
    • Assist in articulating these preferences in birth plan documents

    Educate partners on their critical role as guardians of the birth trance, emphasising their importance in minimising disruptions and maintaining a protective space.

    While challenging, attempt to educate medical professionals about birth consciousness. Be prepared for resistance, but remember that even small shifts in understanding can lead to significant changes over time.

    During the birth: your role as a gatekeeper is crucial. Every action and decision should be made with awareness of its potential impact on the birthing woman’s altered state.

    Flexibility is key: Remember that each birth and mother is unique. Remain adaptable and acutely attuned to the individual needs of each woman. Your ultimate goal is to create and fiercely protect the sacred space where the birth trance can naturally unfold, empowering the mother to access her innate birthing wisdom.

    By embracing this approach, we not only support individual births but also contribute to a broader shift in birth culture, honouring the profound psychological and spiritual dimensions of this transformative life event.

    A vision for the future

    However, there is reason for hope. There is a growing awareness and a gradual shift in understanding birth as more than just a medical event. This shift is happening on multiple fronts:

    • Consumer demand: More women are becoming informed about their birth options and are advocating for more supportive, individualised, less interventionist care.
    • Education: Childbirth educators,  doulas and conscious midwives are playing a crucial role in informing women about the importance of the birth environment and their own innate capabilities.
    • Research: More studies are exploring the psychological and physiological benefits of supportive birth practices, and the change of consciousness during birth
    • Policy changes: Some healthcare systems are beginning to implement policies that support more woman-centred care, including continuity of care models.
    • Integration of complementary therapies: Many maternity units are now more open to incorporating complementary therapies that can support birth consciousness, such as hypnobirthing techniques, aromatherapy, and the use of music or rhythmic sounds.

    I know this may sound naive in the face of a severely underfunded and understaffed maternity care system, with closure of home birth teams and birth centres, and the ever increasing rate of interventions, and tightening of regulations. We should never underestimate the power of a few determined individuals to affect change. Also remember that, when you push the pendulum too far one way, it also eventually swings back the other way.

    While systemic change may be slow, every small step towards supporting birth consciousness is valuable. Each woman who experiences a birth where her consciousness is honoured and supported becomes an advocate for change. Each healthcare provider who learns about and respects birth consciousness can influence their colleagues and institution.

    The concept of a tipping point – that moment when a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change – is particularly relevant to the revolution in birth consciousness. Research shows that, for a new idea to be embraced exponentially, we only need about 17% of the population to know about it. We may be approaching such a tipping point in maternity care. As more women experience and share their stories of conscious births, as more healthcare providers witness the profound benefits of supporting the birth trance, and as research continues to validate the importance of honouring this altered state, we inch closer to a paradigm shift. 

    Each positive birth experience, each converted practitioner, each published study acts like a pebble on a scale. Once reached, the tipping point could trigger a rapid transformation in how society views and supports birth. We might see a swift transition from birth as a medical event to birth as a holistic, consciousness-altering rite of passage. This tipping point holds the potential not just to revolutionise maternity care, but to profoundly impact how we understand human consciousness, the power of women’s bodies, and the nature of the transition into motherhood. Every effort to support and promote birth consciousness becomes vital, for it may be the pebble that finally tips the scale towards a new era of enlightened, woman-centred birth practices.

    The journey towards fully supporting birth consciousness in mainstream maternity care may be long, but it has begun. This shift not only has the power to improve birth experiences and outcomes but also to catalyse a broader societal rise in consciousness.

    A story of hope for the future

    A quiet revolution is taking place in birth rooms across the country. Gone are the days of stark, clinical environments and a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, a new paradigm is emerging, one that honours the unique, altered state of consciousness that women can enter during labour. 

    Picture Sarah, a first time mother, and her partner, Alex. To support her through the journey, she hires a doula, Zoe. Zoe enters the picture long before the birth itself. In the weeks leading up to Sarah’s due date, Zoe meets with Sarah and Alex regularly. She helps them understand the concept of birth-trance, explaining how this altered state of consciousness can profoundly affect Sarah’s birth experience. Together, they practise techniques that will help Sarah tap into this state more easily when labour begins.

    On the big day, Zoe arrives at Sarah’s home in the early stages of labour. She immediately sets about creating a soothing environment – dimming lights, playing soft music, and using aromatherapy to engage Sarah’s senses in a way that promotes relaxation and inward focus. She plays repetitive, trance inducing beats on her drum to further support Sarah’s entrance into labourland.

    As contractions intensify and Sarah begins to slip into her birth-trance, Zoe and Alex recognise the signs immediately. Her voice drops to a whisper, her movements become slower and more deliberate. Zoe gently guides Alex in supporting Sarah, showing him how to provide touch and verbal encouragement without disrupting Sarah’s focus.

    When the midwife, Maria, arrives at Sarah’s home, she’s also a familiar face, as Sarah has also been seeing throughout her pregnancy. Zoe works seamlessly with Maria. She shares Sarah’s progress and preferences with Maria, without Sarah having to break her concentration, ensuring that the environment remains conducive to the birth-trance state.

    Maria herself is very aware of Sarah’s needs for quiet support, and she blends into the quiet and dimly lit space, addressing Sarah with gentle, reassuring whispers.

    During a particularly intense phase of labour, when Sarah begins to doubt herself, Zoe steps in. She reminds Sarah of her strength, using visualisations they had practised together. She resumes her intuitive drum beats to support Sarah’s brain waves in slowing down. Her calm, steady presence helps Sarah re-center and sink deeper into her altered state.

    In the pushing stage, Zoe and Maria work with Alex to physically support Sarah in her chosen birthing positions. They whisper encouragement, reminding Sarah to trust her body and her instincts. 

    After the birth, Zoe and Maria remain present, maintaining the quiet, sacred atmosphere as Sarah and Alex bond with their newborn. They ensure Sarah is comfortable, and undisturbed during this precious golden hour.

    In the weeks following the birth, Zoe and Maria both visit Sarah at home. They process the birth experience together, helping Sarah understand and integrate the powerful altered state she experienced during labour.

    This collaborative model – a continuity of care one, where doulas work alongside midwives to support birthing women’s altered states of consciousness – is now the norm in maternity care. It’s an approach that recognises the profound psychological and physiological benefits of the birth-trance state, and actively works to create environments where this state can unfold.

    Weeks later, as Sarah reflects on her experience, she feels a sense of empowerment and awe. The birth wasn’t just about bringing her child into the world; it was a transformative journey, made possible by an environment that recognised and supported her ability to enter a unique state of consciousness.

    Home birth is also now considered the norm, as research shows that it is easier to enter the birth trance state in one’s own environment, and therefore safer for both mother and baby. For the rare cases where a more medicalised setting is needed, hospitals and birth centres have trained their staff in recognising and supporting altered states. They have redesigned their spaces to be more conducive to supporting them. And perhaps most importantly, they’re empowering women like Sarah to understand, anticipate, and advocate for birth experiences that honour this incredible capacity of the human mind and body. The revolution is quiet, but its impact is profound. 

    Conclusion

    The journey through birth consciousness is a testament to the innate wisdom of the body and the transformative power of birth. The birth trance is not merely a biological curiosity, but a vital component of the birthing process with far-reaching implications for maternal and infant well-being.

    The stark contrast between the natural altered state of consciousness during birth and the practices of modern maternity care highlights a critical need for change. By understanding and honouring this unique state, we have the opportunity to revolutionise birth experiences, empowering women and potentially improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.

    The stories shared by mothers who have experienced this altered state underscore its significance. These accounts of transcendence, out of body experiences, connection, and empowerment reveal the deeply personal and often spiritual nature of birth when allowed to unfold naturally.

    As we move forward, it’s crucial that we continue to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and holistic practices. The work of researchers like Dr. Orli Dahan provides a foundation, and there is still much to explore and understand about the neuropsychological state of women during birth.

    Ultimately, recognising and supporting the birth trance is about more than just improving birth experiences. It’s about acknowledging the power and wisdom of women’s bodies, challenging societal norms that seek to control this uniquely female experience, and reclaiming birth as a transformative rite of passage.

    As we continue to unravel the mysteries of birth consciousness, we open doors to a more empowering, respectful, and holistic approach to birth. In doing so, we not only honour the journey of each birthing woman but also contribute to the evolution of human consciousness.

    Do you resonate? Did you have an experience of the birth trance? I’d love to hear what you think.

  • The Midlife Breakthrough: How I Tamed Overwhelm and Found My Calm (And How You Can Too)

    The Midlife Breakthrough: How I Tamed Overwhelm and Found My Calm (And How You Can Too)

    As a midlife holistic practitioner and mother, I’ve spent the last 6-7 years on a transformative journey from constant overwhelm to inner peace. Through my recent research interviews and personal experiences, I’ve uncovered valuable insights into the challenges faced by women struggling with overwhelm. In this blog post, I’ll share my story, the lessons I’ve learned, and practical strategies for regaining balance in our hectic lives.

    The Research: Common Threads of Overwhelm

    Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been carrying out research interviews in order to gather knowledge about what women need when experiencing overwhelm.

    I offered these interviews to prepare for my upcoming group programme to help mid life holistic practitioners who feel they never have enough time to regain a sense of peace inside.

    There have been very interesting themes emerging from these interviews. Some that I expected, like undiagnosed or suspected neurodivergence, perfectionism, unkind judgement of oneself,  trying to “work harder” out of overwhelm, guilt, a deep resistance to rest.  Some have been more surprising, like loneliness., which of course makes sense because we cannot regulate in isolation.

    The overarching theme is one of being unable to see a way forward (not surprising because overwhelm equal nervous system dysregulation, a state in which we have no access to rational thinking and creativity), and trying to “fix” the problem from the outside in (for example buying many “magic diaries” which promise to fix all your problems-except they don’t work and contribute to deeper feelings of inadequacy).

    I decided to offer this program because overcoming overwhelm has been the biggest journey I’ve been on over the last 6 to 7 years. If you want to read examples of how overwhelmed I used to be, read this article. I’m in a different place now, and feel such deep compassion for these women, as they are where I was, and cannot see a way out. I remember this well, because when in this state there is a sense of desperation to try and get out of the state (which leads to searching for helpful quick fixes).

    A Day in the Life: Navigating Unexpected Disruptions

    The last few months I have experienced a sense of deep spaciousness inside I had never experienced before in my life. But I noticed that it’s easy to become complacent and think you’ve sorted all your shit for good. It does not work this way-maintaining this balance, especially with a very sensitive nervous system like mine, requires constant attention. 

    Because I’ve felt so much better, I dropped some of the support practises I’ve given myself. But my body has been reminding me in loud ways that I need to care for it and be gentle, and not ask for too much all the time.

    This morning there was a stark reminder of the fragility of the balance I’ve built. I went for my morning run with my dog, and when I came back I realised that my daughter hadn’t woken up. She gets picked up by a taxi earlier than before the summer because her school has moved to a new location further away. So I had to gently wake her up, and remind her to try and be quick without stressing her, a delicate balancing act. 

    As we were getting washed in the same bathroom, I realised that my son hadn’t gotten up either. Both of my teenage children are autistic and easily dysregulated too. My son was having a hard time getting up so I spent some time listening to him-sharing feelings of burnout, so early in the school year. This took a while, as the best way to help him re-regulate is to just listen. 

    When he finally got up I went to the kitchen, fed the dog and made myself a cup of coffee. By then I realised that the doubly unexpected disruption to my morning routine had resulted in my feeling dysregulated, leading to the tell-tale signs of feeling mild overwhelm as I busied myself in the kitchen. 

    Knowing that both kids were also off centre, I made them smoothies because small acts of kindness like this make them feel cared for and supported. As I finally sat down to drink my coffee, looking forward to a few minutes of quiet, my son came down, and needed me to listen to his feelings of struggle. I made the time and space inside even though I felt that I needed some quiet time myself. 

    Half way through his sharing, there was a commotion in the next room: my daughter had just spilled her drink all over the floor. I had to stop listening to my son, and help her clean up. Unsurprisingly, by the time they’d both left, I felt dysregulated and overwhelmed myself.

    As I sat at my desk a bit later, I noticed the familiar feeling of procrastination-a sure sign of dysregulation for me. So instead of trying to force myself to work like I used to do, I set a 5 min timer and drummed. I ended up drumming for more than 5 min, and whilst doing so, the idea of writing this blog came up.

    Writing helps me understand myself better, it soothes my soul. It has the added advantage of helping others who read my writing too, which is something I love doing.

    PS: as I finish writing this a couple of hours later, my daughter called saying she’s got toothache. The big difference I notice, having re-regulated myself, is that I’m not thrown by this. I got her an emergency appointment and I’m ok with this bigger second unexpected spanner in the works in my schedule…despite the fact that it’s going to be challenging to fit it in between walking the dog and taking her to the autism social group later this afternoon. This is the power of a regulated nervous system.

    Transformative Strategies: Shifting from Overwhelm to Self-Compassion

    • The Pitfalls of “Working Harder” to Overcome Overwhelm:

    Working harder and hoping you’ll give yourself the gift of rest when you have done everything on your to-do list. Not only does this not work, it actually adds to the feeling of overwhelm. Guess what, your to-do list will NEVER be complete. It is not a way to live.

    • Radical Self-Care: The Non-Negotiable First Step

    If you want to experience more spaciousness in your life, you need to actually give your fried nervous system a chance to actually experience spaciousness. So the top tip is to start putting radical self care tasks as the first task on your to-do list, as a non negotiable rule.

    For me this started with taking walks in nature during my “working time”, and eventually progressed to year round wild swimming. The last 3 or 4 years, these self care tasks are always been the first thing in my diary.

    • Recognizing and Addressing Nervous System Dysregulation

    Learn to notice when you are dysregulated. This can be hard because many of us sensitives can struggle with disconnection from what’s happening in our bodies, and if we’ve been living in this state for a long time, it’s hard to notice what not being overwhelmed feels like. Read the 10 signs of a dysregulated nervous system here.

    Every time you notice signs of dysregulation, make it a priority to spend a few minutes re-regulating yourself. I’ve added a list below

    • Reframing Self-Judgment: Cultivating a Kinder Inner Voice

    Notice every time you are judging yourself, about all the things you aren’t doing, especially when feeling low. Practise reframing this into a kinder inner voice. You may want to meditate, journal or doodle on it. This only needs to take a few minutes. Little and often is the key.

    • Celebrating Progress: The Power of the Ta-Da List

    Write a ta-da list each week. My brain used to only focus on what I wasn’t doing, and forgot all the hard work, only reminding me of all the stuff I had not done. Writing such a list (put 5 min on a timer and write all the things you’ve done that week-I do this looking at my diary because I still forget. This has slowly rewired my brain.

    Quick Fixes for a Dysregulated Nervous System:

    They need to be fast because, in my experience, when dysregulated we rarely have the bandwidth, spoons or energy of doing something that takes 20 min.

    • Quick and effective breathing exercise from Huberman lab
      • Try the Physiological sigh: inhale, then take another sharp inhale on top, then exhale slowly. 3 breaths usually start to make a difference
    • Cold Water Exposure
      • Splash cold water or place a cold cloth on your face or neck, take a cold shower, dip into cold water, or an ice bath if available
    • Grounding Techniques
      • Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method: Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste
      • Put your bare feet for 5 min on the grass or earth
    • Progressive Muscle Relaxation
      • Tense and then relax each muscle group in your body, starting from your toes and moving up to your head
    • Rhythmic Movement
      • Engage in repetitive, rhythmic activities like walking, lifting your heels up and down, rocking, or swaying your hips
    • Humming or Chanting
      • Use deep, low-pitched sounds to stimulate the vagus nerve
    • Sensory Engagement
      • Sniff or diffuse a blend of calming essential oils (I like Neal’s yard meditation. The vetiver in it is known to help ADHD brains focus)
      • Hold and focus on a textured object
    • Quick movement exercises
      • Put in some music you love and dance for a few minutes
      • Yoga poses like child’s pose or forward fold
    • Mindfulness
      • Do a brief body scan meditation, noticing where you hold tension and actively releasing it.

    Conclusion

    The journey from overwhelm to inner peace is not a straight one, but a meandering path, and a continuous practice of self-awareness, compassion, and intentional care. Maintaining balance requires constant attention, especially for those of us with sensitive nervous systems. By prioritising self-care, recognizing signs of dysregulation, and employing quick re-regulation techniques, we can start to create more spaciousness in our lives and rediscover our inner calm.

    Remember, you’re not alone in this struggle. Many midlife women face similar challenges, and there is a way forward. By sharing our experiences and supporting each other, we can support each other to find our path to a more balanced, fulfilling life.

    If you’re interested in hearing more about my upcoming group programme about overcoming overwhelm, send me an email at sophie@sophiemessager.com, to join the mailing list and be the first to know when the program launches around November.

    I’d love to hear your thoughts about this, whether you resonate with my experience, and what helps you.

  • The Art of Mindful Re-entry: How I Mastered the Post-Holiday Work Transition

    The Art of Mindful Re-entry: How I Mastered the Post-Holiday Work Transition

    Have you ever felt that post-holiday dread, where the thought of diving back into work feels overwhelming? For years, I struggled with this transition, but I’ve finally cracked a way to have a smooth, stress-free return. In this article, I share my journey from frantic catch-up to mindful re-entry, and how you can transform your post-holiday experience into a gentle, productive glide back into work life.

    The Importance of Real Breaks

    Monday was my first day at work after spending 3 weeks in the South of France in August. I did not do much work at all on Monday, and very little on Tuesday, only starting to slowly get back into a normal routine by Wednesday and Thursday.This is a process I have been working on for about 3 years. This is the first where I feel that I’m finally truly embracing it. Since I became self-employed 11 years ago I learnt the hard way that giving myself real breaks from work was essential, and that removing pressure upon return was also essential.

    My Holiday Experience

    This year, truly clocking off during my holiday was made easier by the fact that 1) I no longer have on-call doula clients to check up on (Last year I was still supporting a friend through birth-despite no longer officially working at a doula since 2022). 2) I have learnt to create passive income from my online courses (this includes pre-planning for a lower income on holiday months by running promotions on my courses ahead of time), 3) for the first time since I started working for myself in 2013, I have a VA (thanks to my Access to Work grant), and she took care of purchases/clients whilst I was away.

    I had a lovely, slow, relaxing time in France. Lots of leisurely mornings, swimming in lakes and the sea. Longer coffee and pain au chocolat breakfast whilst enjoying a sea view. I caught up with my family. I ate gorgeous food. I read books. I drummed and I wrote songs. I binged watched a Netflix series. I played games. I went out for meals, and to visit new places, including a gorgeous magical natural fountain in the Aude region.

    Slowing down and being led by what my heart and soul want to do is very replenishing. This was doubly meaningful this time, as I had been working hard to meet my new drumming book deadline for several weeks, and handed over the manuscript to the publisher the day before my holiday.

    The Challenge of Returning to Work

    Even though I love my work, I always find the change of pace after coming back from a break, especially one as long as this one, challenging

    In the past, I used to try to get myself back into work mode instantly, and berated myself inwardly when I couldn’t. What used to happen is that I internally flogged myself and not only did this not work, but it added pressure, stress, and a double layer of negative mindset to an already challenging time. 

    My Evolved Approach to Re-entry

    Now, I purposefully plan at least 2 or 3 days of slow re-entry. I plan my return ahead of time, writing a list of everything I’ll need to do when I get back from my break, because I tend to forget. Being clear that nothing intense or extra challenging is taking place immediately when I’m back also helps avoid overwhelm. 

    The first day, all I’m asking myself to do is planning what needs to be done. I remove all pressure. Then I slowly increase the amount of work whilst carefully gauging whether I’m OK doing this amount yet. Instead of berating myself, I have a gentle conversation with myself, reminding myself that taking it slow is the wise way to go about it.

    Because of the way resistance works, as soon as I give myself permission to take things slowly, my nervous system relaxes out of fight and flight, the resistance eases, and poof, as if by magic, I no longer feel the desire to avoid work. It’s like reverse psychology.

    Tips for a Smooth Transition

    I’ve been writing about self-care as a solopreneur for over 8 years, you can read my first article about this here.

    Here’s a collection of other articles about self-care, gentleness and self-kindness I’ve written over the years:

    Key Takeaways:

    • Recognise the importance of real breaks from work, especially for if you are self-employed
    • Plan for lower income during holiday months by creating passive income streams
    • Delegate tasks when possible (e.g., hiring a VA) to truly disconnect during time off
    • Allow yourself a slow, gradual re-entry to work after a vacation
    • Plan your return ahead of time, listing tasks to avoid forgetting important items
    • Start with a day of just planning, removing all pressure to accomplish tasks
    • Slowly increase workload while gauging your readiness and energy levels
    • Replace self-criticism with gentle self-talk and understanding
    • Remember that a mindful, gradual return often leads to better productivity in the long run
    • Continue to refine your re-entry process based on what works best for you

    Conclusion

    Embracing a slow, intentional return to work isn’t just about easing stress—it’s about honouring the restoration you’ve gained from your time off. By giving yourself permission to ease back in gently, you’re likely to find yourself more productive and centred. Remember, it’s not about how quickly you can jump back in, but how wisely you can transition. 

    So the next time you return from a break, try this approach. Your future self will thank you for your kindness and wisdom. 

    What strategies do you use to make your return to work smoother? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

  • Closing the Bones Ritual: A Polyvagal Approach to Healing Trauma

    Closing the Bones Ritual: A Polyvagal Approach to Healing Trauma

    The ancient ritual of closing the bones offers a powerful approach to healing trauma that aligns remarkably well with modern understanding of the nervous system, particularly polyvagal theory. 

    This ritual, traditionally used for postpartum recovery, has broader applications in addressing various forms of trauma and supporting nervous system regulation.

    What is closing the bones?

    Closing the bones is a traditional postpartum massage ritual. It is mostly known for its Mexican and South American roots, but versions of it exist (or used to exist) on all continents (including in Europe).

    A closing the bones ritual involves the rocking of the body using scarves, a deep massage of the abdomen (and sometimes the whole body), and a sequence of tightening scarves around the body.  Some traditions also add a steam bath or sweat lodge. I use drumming in my rituals as well.

    A closing the bones massage supports healing

    • Physically, by providing movement in the joints, muscles, tissues and fluids.
    • Emotionally, by providing space to rest, be witnessed and held safely, as well as for emotions to be honoured and released.
    • Spiritually, by providing closure, a space to let go of what was, and bringing energy back to the person receiving it.

    Closing the bones and trauma through a polyvagal theory lens

    The polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how our nervous system responds to stress and trauma. It describes three states: the ventral vagal (safe and social), sympathetic (fight or flight), and dorsal vagal (freeze or shutdown). Trauma often leaves individuals stuck in sympathetic arousal or dorsal vagal shutdown. 

    The closing the bones ritual provides a unique, body-based approach to gently guide the nervous system back to a state of safety and connection.

    Here’s how the ritual supports trauma healing through a polyvagal lens:

    • It creates a sense of safety. The ritual environment, with its gentle touch, rhythmic movements, and nurturing presence, helps activate the ventral vagal state. This allows the nervous system to remember what it feels like to be safe, a crucial first step in trauma healing.
    • It provides rhythmic stimulation. The rocking movements used in the ritual provide rhythmic stimulation, which can help regulate the nervous system and bring it out of fight/flight or freeze states. Think about how rocking soothes a baby.
    • It provides deep pressure. The use of scarves to apply pressure around the body stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and countering the hyperarousal often associated with trauma.
    • It provides an opportunity for non-verbal processing. By focusing on bodily sensations rather than verbal recounting of traumatic experiences, the ritual allows for processing trauma without risking re-traumatization.
    • It provides interoception. The gentle massage and body awareness promoted in the ritual can enhance interoception – the sense of the body’s internal state. This is often disrupted in trauma and improving it is key to healing.
    • It offers an opportunity for social engagement. The presence of a supportive practitioner during the ritual activates the social engagement system, a key aspect of the ventral vagal state that promotes healing and connection.
    • It provides embodiment. The ritual’s focus on the body helps individuals reconnect with their physical selves, countering the dissociation often experienced in trauma.
    • It provides containment. The wrapping of the body provides a sense of containment, which can be particularly soothing for a dysregulated nervous system. Again, think about how swaddling helps many babies calm down.
    • It is also particularly helpful for neurodivergent people, who may experience heightened nervous system dysregulation. It provides a structured, predictable experience that can help regulate an overwhelmed system without relying on verbal processing.

    By incorporating elements that speak directly to the nervous system’s need for safety, rhythm, and connection, the closing the bones ritual offers a holistic approach to trauma healing. It provides a somatic experience that can guide individuals from states of hyperarousal or shutdown back to a state of calm and connection, supporting the integration of traumatic experiences.

    This body-based, non-verbal approach stands in contrast to traditional talk therapies, offering a complementary path to healing that honours the wisdom of the body and the intricate dance of our nervous system. 

    As we continue to understand the profound impact of trauma on both mind and body, rituals like closing the bones offer a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience in the journey towards healing and wholeness.

    If you’d like to learn more, I have a masterclass on using closing the bones to heal trauma, and you can learn to offer this ritual in my online course.

  • Mugwort: The Ancient Herb for Women’s Wisdom, Birth, and Healing

    Mugwort: The Ancient Herb for Women’s Wisdom, Birth, and Healing

    In the hedgerows and wild spaces of the UK (and many other places in the world) grows a plant with a rich tapestry of history, healing, and mysticism. Mugwort, also known as Cronewort, has been a faithful companion to women for centuries, its very name whispering of wisdom and ancient power. This unassuming herb, with its silvery-green leaves and subtle fragrance, holds within it the legacy of Artemis, Greek goddess of the moon and protector of women. From supporting menstrual health to easing childbirth and navigating the tides of menopause, mugwort stands ready as a plant ally for women at every stage of life. 

    Join me as I explore the multifaceted world of mugwort – its medicinal properties, spiritual significance, and the timeless connection it offers to the cycles of nature and womanhood.

    Introduction

    I first developed a deep longing to work with mugwort whilst working as a doula, after I discovered the link between this herb and birth. I spent several weeks searching for it in my local area, without success (I was looking in the wrong places: Mugwort likes scrubby land). Then, as fate would have it, I found a large clump of it growing on a building site right in front of my local birth centre, on my way out from a beautiful birth. I gathered some, and started drinking mugwort tea, drying it, making dream pillows and smudge sticks with it.

    Mugwort was called the “mother of herbs” in the Middle Ages.

    “Mugwort possesses both natural and supernatural qualities. [It] excels as a women’s herb, easing the pain of labor, menstrual cramps, and effectively treating various uterine complaints.” Gai Stern

    From the Anglo-Saxon era, it was part of the nine herbs charm:

    “Remember Mugwort, what you foretold,

    What you revealed in the great proclamation.

    Una you were, the oldest of herbs

    Mightier than the three, Mightier than the thirty

    Mightier than sickness and infection

    And mightier than the dark shadow that roaves across the land.”

    What is Mugwort?

    Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a perennial herb native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine practices around the world. The leaves and stems are typically used in herbal preparations.

    The very name of mugwort whispers of its ancient power. Its latin name Artemisia (Artemisia Vulgaris) echoes the name of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon. Artemis was the protector of women, watching over them as they journeyed through life’s great transitions. From a girl’s first blood, to the intensity of childbirth, to the wisdom of the menopausal years, Artemis stood guard. And so does her herb, mugwort. This connection isn’t just coincidence – it’s a clue, written in the language of plants and stars, telling us how this humble herb can support women. Like the goddess herself, mugwort offers its gifts at each stage of a woman’s life. It’s a plant ally, ready to lend its strength during those powerful moments when a woman’s body and spirit are changing. 

    What is it used for?

    Mugwort has been studied and used for many years in traditional medicine. A review paper from 2020 and another from 2012 describe it to  have several health benefits:

    1. Protect cells from damage and help fight diseases caused by this damage.
    2. Lower cholesterol and fat levels in the blood.
    3. Protect the liver and reduce inflammation.
    4. Relax muscles in the gut and airways, potentially easing stomach issues and breathing problems.
    5. Provide pain relief.
    6. Reduce anxiety/affect brain chemicals in a way that may help with mood.
    7. Treat bladder problems, irregular periods, menopause symptoms, and issues with the nervous system.
    8. Shows potential in fighting bacteria, fungi, allergies, malaria, and worms in the gut.
    9. Mugwort is also considered a substitute for cannabis. When being smoked, it exhibits mild intoxicating properties and strong relaxing properties.

    Accounts from various herbalists also explain that it is used to treat menstrual problems and menstrual pain, as well as being used to induce labour, to treat the pain of labour contractions, and as an abortifacient. 

    Mugwort has been used topically to address fungal infections and inflammation of the skin. It can be applied as a tea, vinegar tincture, compress, or incorporated into salves.

    In traditional Chinese medicine mugwort is primarily used for moxibustion to stimulate blood flow and qi. Moxa sticks are made from dried mugwort leaves, tightly rolled into a cigar-like shape. The fluff present under Mugwort leaves gives it tinder fungus-like properties (when I tried to grind dried mugwort into powder to make biscuits, I got a very fluffy powder). Moxa sticks are used to apply heat to specific acupuncture points or areas of the body. The stick is lit and held near the skin, to warm the area. Using moxa sticks can stimulate circulation, promote healing, reduce pain and balance energy in the body.  To turn a breech baby, they are used on an acupuncture point on the little toe. Birth Workers are familiar with the term moxibustion, which is when a moxa stick is used to help turn a breech baby.  

    Mugwort was also used as a substitute for tea, which was too expensive for the working classes, in 19th century Cornwall. 

    The dried flowering plant was decocted with malt liquor and added to beer for flavour before the introduction of hops into beer-making at the end of the 15th century (Tobin 2011)

    Spiritual uses

    Mugwort is used to induce lucid dreaming, its effects on the nervous system extend beyond dreaming. Herbalist David Hoffman writes, “[Mugwort] has a mild nervine action, which also appears to be related to volatile oil content, that may help ease depression and tension.”. It is also said to increase intuition.

    In shamanistic cultures, it was used to facilitate communication with ancestors and the spirit world.

    Mugwort has long been a trusted ally in spiritual cleansing rituals, usually by burning bundles of the dried herbs and using it to cleanse someone or a space. The act of smudging isn’t just about clearing out stale energies – it’s an invitation for fresh, vibrant energy to flow in.

    Mugwort can be burned as incense or smoked to ease into deeper meditation or trance states.  When we sit in meditation with mugwort nearby, whether as a tea, a burning smudge stick, or simply a sprig in our hands, we’re tapping into the plant’s wisdom, helping to quiet the chatter of our minds and open doorways to our intuition.

    Mugwort can act as a bridge between our everyday selves and the realm of spirit. It doesn’t demand grand gestures or complex rituals. Instead, it offers its gifts simply and generously, helping us find that elusive sense of peace and connection we all yearn for. 

    How does it work?

    Mugwort contains many compounds, particularly monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids which can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and decrease anxiety. These compounds work by interacting with specific receptors in the body, affecting how we sense pain and heat. They can also reduce inflammation by influencing various processes in the body, such as the production of inflammatory substances. 

    Some flavonoids, which are another type of mugwort compound, are also mentioned as having anti-inflammatory properties. 

    How is it taken?

    Mugwort is commonly consumed or applied as a tea, tincture, compress, oil, infused wine, or infused oil. Some herbalists also use mugwort in smoke blends. 

    To make the tea, use a handful of fresh leaves or 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Sweeten if desired.

    Mugwort history, folklore and magic

    Mugwort was known as the witch’s herb. Historically, it was placed by the door of the local witch, healer, and midwife. 

    Mugwort is believed to have a strong connection to the spirit world and is often used to protect against negative energies and spirits.  The dried herb is burnt in bundles, known as smudge sticks, to clear spaces or people’s energy fields, and provide protection.

    According to this Art of the Root article, “Mugwort was integral to the ancient Greek understanding of lunar cycles, fertility, divination, and protection. The Romans similarly revered mugwort, with soldiers and travellers often placing it into their shoes for safety and to ward off exhaustion. The Chinese revered this herb for its perceived ability to repel malevolent spirits, prevent diseases, and bestow blessings in the home. The Anglo-Saxons, too, considered mugwort as one of the “Nine Sacred Herbs,” incorporating it into their healing charms and many other spiritual practices.”

    “…known to many as a herb of magic, cronewort allows us to live in several worlds at once, expanding and nourishing the habit of drawing our gaze before us to that which is visible, and behind us to that which is invisible. Regular use of cronewort in tea or extract strengthens our ability to absorb intuitive information as we preserve an aspect of sharpness in our interaction with the complex, topside world.”

    ​- Judith Berger, Herbal Rituals

    Mugwort was used during celebrations on St John’s day in both the UK and Europe (which corresponds to the Summer Solstice before Christianity renamed it).

    The name “fire herb” comes from a mediaeval tradition where mugwort was worn in rosaries during the Feast of St. John. It was believed that looking through sheaves of mugwort while wearing this rosary protected the eyes and general health for the coming year. Wearing mugwort was thought to provide protection from evil spirits, poison, water, fire, and all harm. People also hung mugwort in their homes.

    Mugwort had diverse uses, including prophetic rituals. For example, people used mugwort to predict the face of their future fiancé by passing a sprig of mugwort through the flames of the St. John’s fire. Additionally, mugwort infusion was used to purify crystal balls and facilitate divinations.

    In the 18th century, in Normandy, mugwort was used to dye wool in shades of “musk” and “olive.” However, this plant did not generate much interest among dyers, except for some uses in Northern Europe.

    When to avoid mugwort

    Avoid using it if you are:

    Pregnant. Mugwort has traditionally been used to stimulate uterine contractions.

    Trying to conceive or in early pregnancy. For the same reason as above.

    Allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family.

    Taking blood-thinning medication. Mugwort may have mild anticoagulant properties and is best avoided if you are on warfarin or similar medications.

    Prone to seizures. There is some evidence that thujone, a compound present in mugwort, may be contraindicated for people with epilepsy or seizure disorders.

    Breastfeeding. There is insufficient evidence on safety during breastfeeding, so caution is advised.

    Conclusion

    Mugwort embodies the intersection of the physical and spiritual realms. This humble herb, which grows quietly along roadsides and in forgotten corners, carries within it the wisdom of countless generations of women healers, midwives, and wise ones. Whether used as a healing tea, a protective charm, or a gateway to intuitive realms, mugwort continues to offer its gifts to those who seek them. 

    In reconnecting with this ancient ally, we not only tap into a wealth of potential health benefits but also rekindle our connection to the natural world and the cyclic wisdom of our bodies. As we face the challenges of modern life, perhaps it’s time to look again at the plants that grow around us, and to welcome the gentle, powerful magic of mugwort back into our lives and practices.

    “There is no herb that I know of, more imbued with folklore and superstition than mugwort, a plant for which I have a deep affinity likely due to my belief in the magical properties of plants. It is an ancient magical herb with curative and divinatory properties, bearing a special value in feminine disorders and warmly strengthening the body”. Outdoor apothecary

     

  • The wisdom messenger podcast episode 12: Jeff Strong on Jeff Strong Drumming, Neuroscience, and Healing

    The wisdom messenger podcast episode 12: Jeff Strong on Jeff Strong Drumming, Neuroscience, and Healing

    Jeff is a percussionist, composer, recording engineer, researcher, and adult living with ADHD. Jeff is the Director of the Strong Institute – an auditory brain stimulation research organization – and Brain Stim Audio – an interactive brain stimulation music site. He has written 8 books and published dozens of research articles about music and the brain, particularly as it applies to autism and ADHD.

    In this enlightening conversation, we explore the intersection of drumming, neuroscience, and alternative healing practices. Our discussion covers a wide range of topics, from Jeff’s personal journey with ADHD to the neurological benefits of drumming, and from ancient shamanic practices to modern applications of rhythm-based therapies.

    Highlights:

    1. Neurological Benefits of Drumming: Jeff’s research reveals how specific drumming frequencies can synchronize brain waves, potentially aiding individuals with ADHD, autism, and sleep disorders.
    2. Shamanic Practices and Altered States: The conversation delves into the historical roots of shamanic drumming and its ability to induce altered states of consciousness, drawing parallels with psychedelic experiences.
    3. Therapeutic Applications: We discuss the potential of drumming in trauma healing, addiction recovery, and as a calming technique for various conditions.
    4. Cultural Context and Integration: We explore the cultural significance of drumming practices and the potential for integrating these techniques with modern medicine and wellness approaches.
    5. Personal Experiences and Critical Perspectives: We share their personal experiences with medication, Western medicine’s approach to mental health, and alternative therapies, offering critical insights into current treatment paradigms.

    Listen and/or watch the episode on :

    You can find Jeff at at

     

    Play

  • The art of falling apart: my messy mental health journey

    The art of falling apart: my messy mental health journey

    As I work to complete the manuscript of my book on how drumming empowers women, the personal growth I’ve had over the last few years comes into very sharp focus. I want to reflect on my mental health journey, in the hope that it may help others, who are where I was not that long ago, and give them both tools and hope.

    In this deeply personal account, I share my journey through the turbulent waters of midlife, facing challenges that tested me beyond belief, then led to profound personal growth. From navigating perimenopause and family crises to discovering my own neurodiversity, my story is one of transformation, healing, and finding inner peace.

    The perimenopause awakening

    There has been a deep unlayering, caused by a numerous amount of crises in my life, with my youngest child undergoing a mental health crisis which went on for several years. In the middle of it there was also 2020, the covid crisis and its impact on my solo business which used to rely on in person workshops as a main source of income. Along the way my children and myself got diagnosed as neurodivergent.

    This is not a coincidence, but these difficult times happened whilst I was undergoing the perimenopause. So I had to juggle not only my own crisis but one of my children at the same time, so there was no time for me to be and breathe and create space for myself to process what I was going through. As it also happened, my youngest was going through the beginning of her puberty when the crisis started. Brene Brown has a beautiful quote about the midlife unravelling:

    Midlife is not a crisis. Midlife is an unraveling. By definition, you can’t control or manage an unraveling. You can’t cure the midlife unraveling with control any more than the acquisitions, accomplishments, and alpha-parenting of our thirties cured our deep longing for permission to slow down and be imperfect. Midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear: I’m not screwing around. All of this pretending and performing—these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt—has to go. Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts.

    If you’d like to understand the details of the backstory, I have written about this in more detail in my Riding the phoenix: Navigating Perimenopause, ADHD, and Emotional Rollercoasters blog post.

    When I look back, the unlayering started way before this, because I started experiencing symptoms of the menopause when I turned 42, and I’m 54 as I write this. The signs that something needed to change was intense discomfort. Besides the changes in my cycle, the night waking and night sweats, and the irritability, I noticed that I was no longer willing to put up with certain dynamics in my family (namely, my being in charge of everything). The lowering of oestrogen levels that accompanies the perimenopause makes us less willing to put up with shit. Think about the state you’re in during your period, but all the time. It’s not easy for our close ones, but it’s a good thing, because it’s an agent for change.

    In my work I became overworked and overwhelmed, putting intense pressure on myself to be “productive” all of the time. What I did not realise at the time was that the pressure came from within, and that I could not carry on with my unconscious belief that I could only give myself permission to relax if I had done all the tasks on my to-do list, because that time simply never came. Something had to change. In 2018 I worked with a coach who challenged me to spend one hour a week doing something fun just for myself, as priority. This led to my walks in the local nature reserve, and then to my discovering a beautiful swimming club in the river nearby and becoming a year round wild swimmer. I also took a course called Tame your to-do list (add link), and then learnt to prioritise my wellbeing tasks in my diary, something I’m still doing 4 years later.

    The 2020 pandemic crisis turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because the first lockdown things slowed down enough for me to realise that I needed a slower pace of life (something that women often experience as they approach the menopause, some holistic menopause specialists such as Alexandra Pope, in er book Wild Power, even suggest taking a menopause sabbatical. Not being able to teach in person meant that I started offering my teachings as online courses (6 courses and counting), and this created space for me to create more stuff, and most importantly, to keep my business afloat through the lockdowns, and later on, giving me the time to support my daughter when she needed me.

    Weathering the family storm

    When my daughter started struggling with anxiety so severe she could no longer leave the house (she ended up being out of school for 2 years). The combination of covid lockdowns, moving to secondary school and starting puberty as an autistic young girl was just too much (she got diagnosed in 2022). Her emotional distress was very difficult for me to witness, and I kind of knew that the best thing I could do was to learn to stay regulated in the face of her pain, so I could hold the space for her and help her co-regulated. I worked first with Inger Madsden,  an EFT coach who specialises in supporting troubled teens. As the crisis evolved and I realised that I needed a new coach (something I have come to learn is normal for me: my ADHD brain processes things so very quickly that I outgrow teachers very quickly and need new ones), Inger suggested Kanan Tekchandani aka The Aspie Coach. Kanan not only supported me through my family’s crisis, but was the first person to help me realise that I’m both neurodivergent and gifted, as well as hypersensitive. 

    In 2022 when my mental health was as an all time low, due to my youngest mental health crisis, my own overwhelm, and the lack of support from the system, I tried antidepressants, hated it, and started microdosing psilocybin, something I carried on doing for a couple of years. It had a very positive impact on my mental health, because it helped me become aware of very unhelpful thought patterns I was not aware I had, and start healing them.

    After an epic battle with the local mental health system and education authority, I got my daughter into a tiny specialist school which helps kids like her rebuild their skills and confidence.  She is striving there. She went from not being able to leave the house in 2 years to attending a residential school trip within 3 months. Over a year on, I have gotten my child back, watching her blossom into a healthy and happy teen.

    When my daughter got into this school and things finally looked promising, I naively thought I could finally breathe myself. Instead my physical and mental health completely crashed, which I can see now isn’t surprising at all. The day she started at that school instead of feeling elated, I felt battle torn and weary, like I had finally put my sword and armour down after 2 long years. I had crippling anxiety that kept me awake at night and I was so physically exhausted all I could do was walk the dog. My nervous system, having been in fight and flight mode for so long, collapsed and went into freeze mode. In search of relief, and after researching it and discussing it with holistic menopause specialists, and against everything I normally believe in (I’m a proponent of natural medicine), I started HRT when I turned 53, in order to help re-regulate my nervous system. It helped with sleep and anxiety almost instantly, and over the course of the next 6 months, gave me enough breathing space to start working at re-regulating my nervous system. 

    Discovering neurodiversity

    In 2023, at the age of 53, I got diagnosed with ADHD. For me, this, and during the months before said diagnosis (I knew I was ADHD 18 months prior to diagnosis) has been empowering, and only empowering, because, the more I learnt about it, the kinder I became to myself, instead of relentlessly beating myself up about stuff I found hard to do. Having ADHD means being able to achieve incredible things when motivated, but also finding things I perceive as tedious almost impossible to do, leading to a lot of procrastination and negative thinking about it. I also learnt about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, something I have had all my life, and I wasn’t aware of until reading about ADHD.  It was thanks to my diagnosis and Kanan’s support that I was able to apply for an access to work grant, and my friend Saheera recommended an agency called This is me to support my application, which earned me a 35K grant to support me in my business.

    Healing through alternative therapies

    In 2024, after having wasted weeks with an NHS talking therapist, who, whilst she was kind and supportive, gave me absolutely zero relief or progress. I discovered a therapist, Emrys Blue Person, who is both a psychotherapist of 47 years but also a trained shaman. I loved that Emrys works in long, 2h sessions, instead of the prescribed talking therapy session of 50 minutes, where I barely got going. I got what I was looking for working with him, which was getting to the root of my problem very quickly. Emrys pointed out, like my previous coach Kanan, that I am indeed incredibly sensitive, and helped me realise that I was holding onto anger, and how to safely release it. Mostly importantly he helped me reframe the story I had been telling myself was that I had a happy childhood (I wasn’t abused, or neglected etc), into realising that, for someone as sensitive as me, being raised by parents who did not understand this was very traumatic and caused me to pretend to be someone I wasn’t in order to be loved. This has not been comfortable but it has been deeply healing. Recently, reading The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate, I understood another layer of this. “The lack of emotional closeness in childhood is, in itself, traumatic. Children require emotional intimacy and attunement for their brains to develop properly.” Mate explains.  He goes on to explain “The infant needs the freedom to be able to experience their emotions and have them understood and validated by adults. “ How many of us who are adults today have experienced this during infancy? Having our emotions truly accepted and validated, without judgement, especially the ones perceived as negative, like anger, frustration and sadness? It’s no wonder so many of us aren’t even aware of the deep trauma we carry.

    Since January 2024, I have finally started to develop something that has felt elusive most of my life: a sense of peace in my heart, which has been growing since. A sense of trust, of leaning into the universe’s great plan. A sense of deep gratitude. A sense of spaciousness inside. A sense of expansive love. Don’t get me wrong, I do fall back into my own patterns a lot of the time. After all you cannot rewire 54 years of wiring in a few months, but there is progress. It is slow, but it is there.

    Redefining my career and purpose

    In the midst of this crisis, it also became clear that I had to stop working as a doula. I stopped 2 years ago and you can read about why I did this here. What followed, as well as carrying on working to support my child, was a period of fertile void, which, whilst I was trying hard to trust the unfolding, felt wholly uncomfortable at times. It took over 18 months before something else started to show itself, namely the increasing space drumming started to take in my life. I offered a course on drumming for birth, wrote an article about it for a scientific journal, and started writing a book about the drum’s power in empowering women through life’s challenges, which will likely be called The beat of your own drum. As I write this I am completing the manuscript, to be published in 2025. A few months ago I started drumming daily and within a couple of weeks I noticed a similar effect to the one I’d seen when I started microdosing. I wrote about the similarities and differences between drumming and psychedelics in this blog post.

    So it’s perhaps not a surprise that the focus of my work is changing, from being a perinatal educator, doula and mentor, to wanting to support women through life transitions and embodying their power. There is a big theme in my journey about overcoming overwhelm, regulating my nervous system and learning self kindness. 

    I want to help others along their way too. I already ran a workshop about overcoming impostor syndrome earlier this year, and I have also ran several coaching calls about managing life transitions. Watch out for new deep dive offerings in this area in the autumn. I’m otherwise engaged, but I’m already offering mentoring sessions for women going through deep transitions, and feel free to contact me if you’d like to try a session (no strings attached).

    Conclusion

    As I reflect on this journey, I’m struck by how each challenge, though difficult, led to greater self-understanding and personal growth. Through it, I’ve discovered the power of self-compassion, the importance of nervous system regulation, and the healing potential of drumming. My hope is that by sharing my story, others facing similar struggles might find inspiration and tools for their own journey of self-discovery and healing.

     

  • Drum journey to meet the spirit of the summer solstice

    Drum journey to meet the spirit of the summer solstice

    Today is the summer solstice.

    In Celtic traditions, we used to celebrate 8 festivals during the year: the 2 equinoxes, the 2 solstices and the 4 times in between.

    1. Samhain (Oct 31st) – This marks the Celtic New Year and is considered the most important festival. It’s a time to honour the dead and the start of the dark half of the year.
    2. Winter Solstice (Around Dec 21st) – Celebrates the rebirth of the Sun as the days begin growing longer again after the longest night.
    3. Imbolc (Feb 1st) – An early spring festival associated with the first signs of spring and lactating ewes. Celebrates the returning fertility of the earth.
    4. Spring Equinox (Around Mar 21st) – Marking the beginning of the fertile spring season when day and night are equal lengths.
    5. Beltane (May 1st) – A celebration of the full bloom of spring and the fertility of the earth. Traditions include bonfires and May pole dances.
    6. Summer Solstice (Around June 21st) – Celebrating the longest day of the year and the power of the life-giving sun.
    7. Lughnasadh (Aug 1st) – The first of the three autumn harvest festivals, marking the beginning of the harvest season.
    8. Autumn Equinox (Around Sept 21st) – The second harvest festival, signalling the start of autumn when day and night are again equal.

    These eight festivals formed the basis of the ancient Celtic calendar system and marked the key points in the agricultural year.

    In Celtic traditions, the summer solstice (around June 21st) was one of the most important seasonal festivals celebrated. It marked the longest day of the year and the height of the sun’s power and brightness. The summer solstice was a celebration of the fertility of the earth and the blossoming of nature in full bloom during the summer months. It signified the transition from spring into the bountiful summer season.

    Common solstice traditions included lighting huge bonfires, as well as feasting, music, and general merriment.

    The summer solstice is a powerful and sacred time that honours the life-giving force of the sun at its peak. Celebrations often have an air of passion, wildness, and connectivity to the fertile cycles of the natural world. It is a joyous fire festival about the vibrancy of summer’s arrival.

    It is also a time which makes the days starting to decrease again as we turn towards the darkest part of the year once more.

    Summer solstice fires burning bright
    Spring returns with warmth and light
    Summer blooms in full array
    Drummers sounds on longest day.

    I’m back from a wonderful drum birthing pilgrimage in Glastonbury. I made a higher heart of avalon drum there, with a hoop made of oak and hide made of Stag. We blessed and bathed in private ceremony in the white spring, crafted out drums in the Avalon room near the goddess temple, and finally took our new drums to the Chalice well and the Tor, presenting them to the directions there. I have recorded this journey with this new drum. May its energy help bring more peace in your heart.

    On this day, I am offering you a guided drum journey to meet the spirit of the summer solstice, one where you can ask questions and gain wisdom about the energies of this time of the year. Where you can, maybe, reflect on the balance of dark and light in your life.
    Through the pulse of the drum, we reconnect with ancestral wisdom celebrating the summer solstice. This festival reminds us of the eternal cycle – life emerging from winter’s sleep, embodying nature’s regenerative power, and cycles of death and rebirth.

    Join this drum journey honouring the summer solstice. Let the rhythms awaken our inner light and power, clearing stagnation as summer’s energy rises.  Just set aside 15 min where you can relax sitting or lying down, and enjoy.If you take this journey I would love to hear what you think. Just comment below.

     

     

  • Closing the bones: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Healing

    Closing the bones: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Healing

    You may have heard of the closing the bones massage ritual for postpartum recovery, but did you know that it also supports healing loss and trauma, supports endings and beginning through life’s transitions & helps regulate the nervous system, including for people who are neurodivergent?

    In our modern times, we often overlook the profound wisdom of ancient healing traditions passed down over generations. The closing the bones ritual offers a transformative path to healing that transcends physical and emotional boundaries.

    Rooted in diverse cultural practices worldwide, this powerful ritual has supported women through life’s most pivotal transitions and traumas for centuries. From the journey of motherhood to experiences of loss, it provides a nurturing space to process, integrate and heal mind, body and spirit.

    But this ritual’s impact extends far beyond the postpartum period. It offers a unique approach to supporting mental health, emotional wellbeing and overall vitality. Through gentle movements, symbolic elements and connection to the body’s wisdom, it empowers women to reclaim their bodies as vessels for healing.

    Prepare to be captivated as you discover how this ancient tradition is profoundly relevant in today’s world in supporting women through every facet of their life’s journey.

    What is closing the bones?

    Closing the bones is a traditional postpartum massage ritual. It is mostly known for its Mexican and South American roots, but versions of it exist (or used to exist) on all continents (including in Europe).

    A closing the bones ritual involves the rocking of the body using scarves, a massage of the abdomen and chest (and sometimes the whole body), and a sequence of tightening scarves around the body. Some traditions also add a steam bath or sweat lodge. I use drumming in my rituals as well.

    A closing the bones massage supports healing:

    • Physically, by providing movement in the joints, muscles, tissues and fluids.
    • Emotionally, by providing space to rest, be witnessed and held safely, as well as for emotions to be honoured and released.
    • Spiritually, by providing closure, a space to let go of what was, and bringing energy back to the person receiving it.

    I have written many posts on closing the bones and you can find them below:

    Beyond the postpartum

    A closing the bones ritual holds immense significance beyond the postpartum period, serving as a profound way to honour and facilitate healing through various transitions and rites of passage in a woman’s life. Rituals play a vital role in these contexts, as they provide a sacred and intentional space for individuals to process and integrate profound experiences.

    In our modern culture, where life’s significant milestones are often overlooked or minimised, rituals offer a much-needed opportunity to pause, reflect, and honour the depth of these transformative moments. They create a container for personal growth, healing, and transformation, allowing individuals to navigate life’s transitions with intention and reverence.

    Rituals have the power to calm the nervous system and facilitate a sense of grounding and connection. By incorporating symbolic elements, movements, and practices that resonate with the individual, rituals tap into the depths of our collective unconscious, providing a sense of meaning and belonging. This can be particularly powerful during times of trauma or upheaval, as rituals offer a structured and supportive framework for processing and integrating difficult experiences.

    Rituals also foster a sense of community and shared understanding. They create a space for individuals to come together, share their experiences, and offer mutual support and validation. This communal aspect is particularly relevant in the context of life transitions, where individuals may feel isolated or disconnected from their support systems. What is true for the lack of support women experience in the modern world during the postpartum period is also true during other significant life transitions.

    By embracing rituals like closing the bones, we reclaim a sense of sacredness and reverence for the journeys that women undertake throughout their lives. These rituals serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, honouring the profound transformations that occur within the body, mind, and spirit. They offer a space for healing, integration, and celebration, reminding us of the intrinsic value and beauty of life’s transitions and the growth that can emerge from them.

    Important life transitions times during women’s lives include:

    • Menarche, Motherhood, Menopause
    • Conception and fertility
    • New beginnings or endings
    • Loss: baby loss (miscarriage,  abortion stillbirth), and any form loss
    • Trauma (birth trauma, sexual trauma, shock…)
    • Regulating nervvous system overwhelm (especially helpful for neurodivergent women)
    • Recovering from illness

    Menarche, Motherhood, Menopause

    • The 3 big transitions of a woman’s life, adolescence, matrescense and sagescence, are systematically dismissed, shamed, downplayed, feared, presented as only scary and/or inconvenient, and  in modern cultures instead of the powerful rite of passage that they are.
    • As Jane Hardwicke Collings says “Anything to do with women, or the feminine that is put down, ridiculed, feared, or made invisible, is a clue that it holds great power. Think menstrual blood, think childbirth, think menopause…”
    • A closing the bones ritual (especially one held in ceremony with a group of other women) provides a way to empower, witness and honour these passages.

    Conception and fertility

    • Not only is this ritual a powerful healing experience for the postpartum but I have plenty of personal experience (and other practitioners too) of women overcoming fertility issues after this ritual. It can also be part of a conscious conception process.

    New beginnings or endings

    • A closing of the bones is beautifully suited to support and ritualistically mark new beginnings and endings, such as mariage, divorce, a new career or job (or the end of one). I now use it as part of birthday celebrations for friends, and because I have trained many people in my community in offering this ritual, people tend to ask for it or offer it when people are struggling or when it’s their birthday.

    Loss

    • I have supported many women through loss, from miscarriage to abortion and stillbirth, and I have written a blog post called How closing the bones can support babyloss. 
    • I have also used it to support people through the loss of a loved one, the loss of a community, a relationship etc. It is a perfect way to honour and support grieving and healing through difficult times in life

    Trauma

    • I have used this ritual many times to support birth and sexual trauma, including during pregnancy. 
    • I have also used it to support people through all sorts of other situations causing trauma and or shock, including recently for a friend after she had been in a car accident.
    • I was myself the recipient of such a ritual last year when I was in a very difficult family situation, and it was instrumental in my recovery. You can read about this in my post, ADHD and the kindness boomerang.

    Regulating nervous system overwhelm & neurodivergent regulation

    • Through the ten years I have trained people in giving this massage, many told me how helpful it was for their kids who were autistic, especially the wrapping. My own daughter loved it and it never occurred to me until she was diagnosed with autism to put two and two together. This year I was diagnosed with ADHD myself, and I have been on a big journey to understand what this means. One of the things I have discovered is that people who are neurodivergent are very easily dysregulated. Closing the bones not only soothes the nervous system deeply but it also helps teach the body what it feels like to be safe. This is also helpful for anyone who is experiencing nervous system dysregulation.

    Recovering from illness

    • In the past I have used this ritual to support people through severe illness, including chronic lyme disease, and more recently, terminal cancer. Every time I can see how the effects of the ritual are incredibly supportive in this context too.

    A different approach to supporting mental health and wellbeing

    The closing the bones ritual stands as a powerful antidote to the limitations of the Western model of mental health, which often treats the mind as separate from the body. This holistic practice recognises that trauma and emotional wounds are not confined solely to the mind but are deeply embedded within the body.

    Western approaches to mental health tend to focus heavily on talk therapy and cognitive-behavioural techniques, which, while valuable, usually fail to address the somatic aspects of trauma and emotional distress. Trauma, in particular, is known to have a profound impact on the body, manifesting as physical tension, disrupted nervous system regulation, and even chronic pain or illness.

    Closing the bones offers a refreshing departure from this compartmentalised view by acknowledging the intrinsic connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Through its gentle, nurturing movements, deep pressure and symbolic elements, this ritual creates a safe and supportive space for women to process and release trauma without the need to relive their experiences.

    One of the profound strengths of this ritual lies in its nonverbal nature. By avoiding the need to share personal stories, it circumvents the potential for re-traumatisation that can occur in some talk therapy settings. Instead, it allows the body to express and integrate traumatic experiences through the language of sensation, movement, and energy.

    The ritual’s emphasis on holding, rocking, and massaging specific areas of the body facilitates a deep sense of grounding and embodiment. The gentle, safe touch and rhythmic movement can help regulate the nervous system, providing a sense of safety and allowing the body to release deeply held tensions and patterns associated with trauma.

    Moreover, the ritual’s incorporation of symbolic and ritual elements, such as setting intentions, the tightening and releasing with scarves around the body (a symbolic rebirth), the adding of drumming or energy work, can resonate on a profound level, facilitating the integration of experiences that may be difficult to articulate verbally.

    By embracing the closing the bones ritual, women have the opportunity to reclaim their bodies as vessels for healing and transformation. This ritual empowers them to process and integrate trauma in a holistic, non-retraumatizing way, honouring the wisdom of the body and the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

    Learning or receiving the ritual

    If you are a professional who supports women through life transitions or healing and you would like to be able to offer this ritual, I have 3 in person trainings near Cambridge in June, July and October. 

    If you want to experience the ritual for yourself, feel free to get in touch with me. I’m based in Cambridge, UK, but I have trained over 1000 people in offering this ritual, and I may be able to help you find a practitioner near you. 

  • The Postnatal Recovery Massage: Embracing Tradition, Embodying Innovation

    The Postnatal Recovery Massage: Embracing Tradition, Embodying Innovation

    Since 2014, I have been teaching the closing the bones postnatal massage ritual to perinatal professionals. What started with a small workshop in my home grew organically. Over the last 10 years, I have trained over 800 professionals to provide this amazing ritual.  Postpartum specific bodywork is something that exists (or used to exist) all over the world and I’m on a quest to make it the norm once more. 

    The catalyst for evolution

    Within a couple of years of teaching, a growing number of students who had trained in the closing the bones ritual reached out, asking for a version adapted for a massage table instead of the traditional floor setting. They asked for this because several of them faced challenges like bad knees or backs, making floor work difficult.

    This call to action resonated deeply with me, and I consulted with my trusted friend and osteopath, Teddy Brookes, who was very familiar with the massage, having helped me understand its effects on the various joints and organs from an anatomical standpoint.

    Together, we embarked on an ambitious journey to develop a massage table version of this ritual, a true labour of love that took over a year and a half of dedicated trial and error.

    The creation process

    Each session was a meticulous exploration, meticulously recorded and analysed. Teddy and I would alternate between giving and receiving each technique, first on the floor, then on the massage table. We encountered numerous challenges, from biomechanical limitations to the struggle of preserving the ritual’s essence while adapting it to a new form.

    There were a lot of frustrations as we grappled with the intricacies of rebozo rocking and hip squeezing. Teddy’s deep knowledge of body function guided my perfectionist desire to create something true to the original ritual, whilst ensuring the technique’s safety, effectiveness, and ease on the therapist’s body.

    The breakthrough

    Just when we thought we had hit an impasse, the magic happened. I let go of my need for an exact replication of the original ritual, embracing Teddy’s guidance that we were aiming for the same effect, not an identical experience.

    With this breakthrough, everything seemed to flow effortlessly. We modified and added elements, treating areas like the ribs and shoulders that were overlooked in the original massage. The movements felt logical, seamlessly blending into a new, inspired ritual.

    The Postnatal Recovery Massage (PRM) was born, a fusion of tradition and innovation, embodying the essence of the closing the bones ritual.

    The first training

    After unveiling the PRM to a small group of local doulas and massage therapists, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The movements flowed beautifully, resonating with the spirit of the original ritual while offering a modern, therapist-friendly approach.

    As we put the final touches on our comprehensive handout, complete with descriptions, pictures, videos, and anatomical explanations, we looked forward to introducing this transformative technique to the world.

    The first workshop took place Cambridge in January 2019, and was a resounding success, with trainees expressing gratitude, excitement, and confidence in their newfound ability to support women postnatally. They spoke of the magical blend of science and spiritual knowledge we’d created and also expressed that this new massage would appeal to a wider range of women, due to it being done on a massage table instead of on the floor.

    Joining the movement

    The journey Teddy and I have taken has been one of passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to nurturing the postpartum experience. With the Postnatal Recovery Massage, we have created a powerful ritual that harmonises tradition and innovation, empowering birth workers and therapists to provide profound healing and support to new mothers and support healing for women through life transitions. Since 2019 we have taught this massage to over 120 students.

    Because we teach this workshop together, we offer a unique blend of healing approach together with solid anatomical knowledge, a lot of hands-on practice, personalised feedback and support during the training, and any additional resources or support provided to ensure students feel fully supported to offer the ritual after the workshop.

    Here is some of the feedback we received from our students:

    • What a wonderful, professional, well constructed and instructive course with plenty of time for step by step practical, complemented by Teddy’s expertise and Sophie’s organic shamanism and such a wonderful community of like minded body workers. Thank you. Thoroughly recommended. Jenni Tribe, Therapist
    • Amazing workshop! Loved being in a small group to work through techniques in enough details. As an osteopath this experience has been invaluable in improving my practices of postnatal patients, in fact all of my patients! Rob Ballard, osteopath
    • The course was well organised, very informative and easy to follow. The level of practical support was fantastic and I feel confident to take what I  have learnt and help local women postnatally. Thank you! Becki Scott, doula and massage therapist
    • The massage is a wonderful reworking of the traditional Closing The Bones massage performed on a couch rather than the floor. Sophie and Teddy have taken all that is special about it and fused her energy-work approach with his osteopathic technique to create something extraordinary. It incorporates binding, rocking, jiggling and specific tension releases, with massage of the chest, abdomen and pelvis with warming oil. It is truly a celebration of the postpartum body!  Charlotte Filcek, doula

    Since developing this massage, both Teddy and myself have had repeatedly amazing results when offering this ritual to women, both in terms of physical healing (in particular, its incredible effectiveness at closing separation of the abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti. This proved very effective for new mothers, I had a woman with an inch gap from her birth 4 years prior.

    Questions and answers about the postnatal recovery massage

    What are the benefits of the postnatal recovery massage over closing the bones?

    • It is much easier on the body of the therapist. Working on the table allows you to use your body weight to provide the strength needed to rock the body with the rebozo, and to do the massage movements. You can move easily around the table, staying comfortable, without needing to kneel or squat as you do on the floor. Recently, I was delighted to hear from a friend who had a knee injury that learning the ritual meant that she could offer the massage again, much to her delight, and with amazing results.
    • It requires less space than a mat on the floor, making it more suited to a small therapy room.
    • There are more massage techniques than in the original massage, and they are more technical (for example: one is designed to help reduce the rib flare after birth, one to close the diastasis recti and one to pump lymphatic fluid around the chest), and some of the original massage movements have been modified to make them more effective. 
    • Some women may feel more appealing to be massaged on a table rather than on the floor because being massaged on a table is the norm in the Western world. In this respect this massage may appeal to a broader audience than the floor work.

    Are there any disadvantages?

    • This is a very personal preference, but since I do both the floor version and the table version of the massage (and blend some of the techniques together), there are aspects of both I wish I could do in both settings and this just isn’t possible. So there are aspects of the treatment I like more on the floor (for example, the rebozo rocking, because standing over the person means that you can cocoon the body in a way you cannot do from the side of a table), and there are also movements can only be done easily on the massage table due to the need to use one’s body weight to do them (for example the rib massage or collarbone massage, are much more effective on the table)
    • The rocking with the rebozo is quicker on the floor as it rocks both sides of the body at once, instead of one side at a time on the table.
    • Some women prefer the floor version of the ritual as they find it more “earthy”.

    Are we going to offer an online version of the massage?

    • Many people have contacted me to ask for this. As the massage techniques are quite technically precise, we do not feel that we could teach this effectively without being present to demonstrate and correct our students.

    If you feel the call to be part of this transformative movement, to embrace the nurturing power of the Postnatal Recovery Massage, and to change the face of postnatal support, one ritual at a time, contact me to find out when the next workshop is taking place.