Written by two birth doulas and intuitive healers, this book tells the metaphorical story of a fictional goddess who must walk through 7 Gates of Transformation in order to become a Mother. At the final gate, she must surrender to the ultimate sacrifice—spiritual death—so she can be reborn into motherhood. Each gate perfectly illustrates the 7 emotional, psychological, and often subconscious sacrifices that every laboring woman experiences, whether willingly or not. This book is a guide to help pregnant women understand birth as a divine journey and master how to walk through each gate with empowered sacrifice, purpose, and zeal through tools, rituals, and integrative practices.

Women are valued for their ability to bear children in many cultures. The birth process, though supposedly the most painful experience of a woman’s life, is seen as a necessary evil to achieve the end goal of children and motherhood. And yet, in the face of a typically masculinized Christianity that nevertheless professes that women are equally created in the image of God, shouldn’t childbirth—a uniquely feminine experience—itself shape Christian women’s souls and teach them about the heart of the God they love and follow? Drawing on her own experience of giving birth and motherhood—and the conflicting assumptions attached to them, by Christians and the culture at large—Aubry G. Smith presents a richly scriptural exploration of common conceptions about pregnancy and childbirth that will not only help mothers and soon-to-be mothers understand how to think biblically about birth, but also walks them through how to put the ideas into practice in their own lives. Along the way, she shows all readers how to see God’s own experience of the birth process—and how childbirth leads to a deeper understanding of the gospel overall.

Embrace the divine feminine power of the Mother Goddess and learn how to spiritually prepare for pregnancy with this guide to Pagan rituals, meditations, and traditions for every milestone over the next nine months! As you make the transition from maiden to mother, you fully embody the Mother Goddess. Embark on this sacred journey with this complete guide including special mediations, affirmations, and rituals designed to help you attune to the divine energies of childbearing. The Pregnant Goddess teaches you how to: -Prepare spiritually for pregnancy by attuning to your emotional and physical cycle -Conduct rituals to aide in conception, safe pregnancy, and easy delivery -Practice responsible magic during these critical nine moths -Deal with unexpected delivery developments The Pregnant Goddess is the perfect companion as you embark on the most magnificent and magical journey of your life!

From a prize-winning historian, a new portrait of an extraordinary activist and the turbulent age in which she lived Goddess of Anarchy recounts the formidable life of the militant writer, orator, and agitator Lucy Parsons. Born to an enslaved woman in Virginia in 1851 and raised in Texas-where she met her husband, the Haymarket "martyr" Albert Parsons-Lucy was a fearless advocate of First Amendment rights, a champion of the working classes, and one of the most prominent figures of African descent of her era. And yet, her life was riddled with contradictions-she advocated violence without apology, concocted a Hispanic-Indian identity for herself, and ignored the plight of African Americans. Drawing on a wealth of new sources, Jacqueline Jones presents not only the exceptional life of the famous American-born anarchist but also an authoritative account of her times-from slavery through the Great Depression.

Can a woman really have a natural, pain-free childbirth? Yes, she can! Can she feel completely in control and actually enjoy her birthing experience? Absolutely! I know this for sure and in The Birthing Goddess, I share my own pregnancy journey and epiphanies as I prepared myself and achieved that glorious goal of pain-free birthing. The Birthing Goddess is a carefully structured holistic program that engages women in an easy step- by- step training process and enables them to experience this seemingly elusive goal. This book targets and eradicates the fundamental causes of pain in childbirth: fear and inadequate preparation. The training involves dispelling fearful myths, strengthening and controlling birthing muscles, conscious breathing, emotional well-being, mental discipline, self-hypnosis, meditation, spiritual awareness, and much more. Fearfulness is banished. Medical intervention is minimized. As a Birthing Goddess, a woman becomes the superstar of her performance. Her body, mind and spirit become well prepared for a happy, healthy pregnancy and a joyful birthing experience. In this fast-paced world, pregnant women will need a structured natural childbirth training program that they can use in the privacy of their homes. Midwives, Doulas, Birthing Centers, and all Health care practitioners will find the information and training in The Birthing Goddess invaluable for themselves and their clients. The idea of enjoying a natural pain-free birthing experience may seem like a fantasy but after reading this book women will realize that they are in fact Birthing Goddesses, ready to reclaim their legacy and enjoy manifesting what they are divinely created to do. About the Author Laila Valere has had the benefit of a multi-faceted career as a Diplomat, Counseling Psychologist, Educator, Training Consultant and Conference Leader. As a mother, she herself has had first-hand experience of the remarkable difference between birthing three children naturally with much pain and anguish and birthing her fourth child at age 46 years naturally yet with comfort and joy. This gave her a compelling dual perspective on natural birthing. She realized that it was the quality of childbirth preparation and self-training that changed painful natural birthing into pain-free natural birthing. This is the transformative process that she wishes to share with others in The Birthing Goddess. Laila is a practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Hypnotherapy. She has also produced a comprehensive training manual Focus on Self and two experiential CD recordings with accompanying booklets: (1) Success in Examinations to assist students to overcome examination anxiety and (2) From a point of Love- a healing prayer and meditation. In The Birthing Goddess, she uses her varied skillsets and experiences to design this innovative and effective training system to help women fully enjoy their pregnancy and be present for their divinely glorious, pain-free birthing experience. Laila lives in Florida with her husband, children and grandchildren and is actively involved in community service and in helping others to develop their potential.

Experienced doula, Linsey Bliss, shows you how to prepare physically and mentally for every element of having a child, from pregnancy to fourth trimester in The Doula's Guide to Empowering Your Birth. Lindsey Bliss, who has assisted as a doula at hundreds of births and is herself a mother of seven, reveals here all the wisdom and advice that doulas share with the new mothers who hire them. The Doula's Guide to Empowering Your Birth covers the period from pregnancy through labor and birth to fourth trimester healing. The focus, however, is on preparing for birth--including topics like how to pick the right childbirth class and the right birthing method. You’ll also see how to assemble the team of professionals, family members, and friends who will support you through labor and birth, and how to approach last-minute decisions about pain medications and cesarean sections. Bliss's tone throughout is at once authoritative and confident as well as warm and encouraging. Her concern in her practice as well as in these pages is to listen to and help secure each new mom's own personal vision of a birthing experience that is safe, fulfilling, and meaningful.

In Mama Glow, maternity lifestyle maven Latham Thomas shares the tips and techniques to support a blissful journey to motherhood. She shows you how to make room for your pregnancy, assess your current diet, banish toxic habits, and incorporate yoga to keep your mind, body, and spirit in balance. Throughout, you’ll get tips to help reduce stress; alleviate common discomforts; demystify birth plans, labor coaches, and midwives; whip up pampering treats like homemade shea butter and coffee sugar scrub; and indulge in over 50 delicious, nutrient-rich recipes to nourish both you and your "bun." Mama Glow also features a postpartum wellness plan to guide you back to your prebaby body, troubleshoot breastfeeding problems, and embrace your abundant new life. Mama Glow includes: • Illustrated exercises for a fit, fabulous, and comfortable pregnancy • Fleshed-out cleansing programs to boost fertility • A simple formula for deconstructing those crazy cravings • Yoga sequences designed for prepregnancy, each trimester, and postpartum • Checklists for your prenatal pantry, finding a birth coach, and packing your birth bag • Glow foods to help you snap back to your fab prebaby body As your certified glow pilot, Latham will guide you through every stage of your pregnancy, giving you practical advice to make your journey a joyful and vibrant one.