Discover the Healing Power of Closing the Bones Postpartum Ceremony

Angelika Ocean
Jun 10
3 min read

Updated: Jul 8

Birth is a threshold — sacred, powerful, and often overwhelming.

It opens not only the body, but also the heart and spirit. It can also unveil unexpected wounds.

Yet, after birth, the world seems to move too quickly. The baby gets celebrated, but what about the mother? Often, she is left holding everything — her healing body, her shifting emotions, her exhaustion, and sometimes her grief — quietly, alone.

Closing the Bones is a traditional postpartum healing ceremony that lovingly directs attention back to the mother. It honors her as sacred. This ritual offers deep rest, warmth, closure, and a gentle return to herself.

What Is Closing the Bones Postpartum Healing Ceremony?

Rooted in traditional postpartum care from South America and other ancient midwifery practices, Closing the Bones is a sacred ritual that supports a woman’s physical, emotional, and energetic return to center after birth or loss.

It creates a space for deep holding — one where you are gently gathered back into your body, rhythm, and self. This postpartum healing ceremony fosters deep rest, integration, and emotional closure for mothers.

The Importance of Acknowledging the Mother

Postpartum support often leans heavily towards the newborn. However, the mother’s healing journey is just as crucial. Many mothers feel isolated in their recovery. It's vital to acknowledge that childbirth can have profound effects on their emotional landscape.

Whether you recently gave birth or are processing an older story, this ceremony re-establishes connection. You deserve time to heal and be honored.

Additionally, this ritual emphasizes community. Sharing your journey with others who understand can be incredibly healing. Here, there is no judgment, only love and support.

What Happens in the Ceremony?

Each Closing the Bones ceremony unfolds through seven sacred, intuitive stages:

Conversation: We begin with a warm and welcoming dialogue. Here, you are encouraged to share your story — whether it's about pregnancy, birth, loss, or simply your current state. This is a safe space where you can land without needing to explain yourself.
Mandala Making: Next, we create a beautiful, intentional design using flowers and herbs on white muslin cloth. This personalized prayer reflects where you are and what you desire. The chosen herbs and petals are later infused into the sacred water of your ceremony.
Rebozo Massage: You will receive a deeply relaxing rebozo massage — an anti-gravity experience using traditional shawls. This therapy opens your body, releasing stored tension and emotion while gently supporting your nervous system.
Water Cleansing Ritual: Following this, indulge in a nurturing water cleansing ritual. This is a candlelit bath where the herbs and intentions come together. The water becomes sacred and soothing, softening and renewing your spirit.
Aromatherapy Massage: Here, you will enjoy a sensory experience with an aromatherapy massage. A blend of essential oils, chosen specifically for you, awakens your body gently and gracefully.
Closing and Opening the Seven Locks: Moving forward, we perform a ritual that symbolically and energetically closes what you are ready to release. Each “lock” symbolizes a part of your body and a doorway. This part of the ceremony allows for new possibilities to emerge.
Sound Healing: The ceremony concludes with sound healing. Soothing frequencies support your integration and calm your mind while anchoring the experience within your body.

You rest. You are held. You are honored.

Who Is This Ceremony For?

New mothers in the days, weeks, or even years after birth
Women healing from miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion
Those feeling emotionally open or physically depleted
Mothers who never received the nurturing postpartum care they needed
Any woman who longs to be gently held and witnessed in her healing journey

Why It Matters

In today’s fast-paced culture, women are often rushed through profoundly sacred transitions. True healing cannot be hurried. It requires time, space, and softness — elements that many mothers find lacking.

Whether your birth was recent or long ago, this ceremony offers something many of us never received: closure, honoring, integration, and sacred rest. There is no expiration date on healing, no shame in needing to be held, and no greater gift than allowing yourself to return to you.

If your womb remembers,

If your body longs to be acknowledged,

If your heart aches to be heard —

You are welcome here. You are held.

With love,

Angelika