CARRIE'S EXPERIENCE OF RECEIVING THIS CEREMONY
" Paloma’s ‘closing the bones’ ceremony was one of the most moving and profound experiences of my life. She guided me through a ritual of closing one chapter, honouring all that has been and opening up the next season. Paloma’s grounded presence and powerful use of ceremony, song and soulful intentions enabled me to let go and move into my next chapter of being a woman… whole and in my power… it was like being reborn. It’s a ceremony that I feel we need as women at each significant transition we go through. Paloma’s work is deeply sacred and one so full of love and honouring. Thank you Paloma, you are a gift."
About this Ceremony
Who Is It For
I have a great passion for women experiencing real healing through this ceremony. I want to offer it to women at any stage of life not just after birth.
It Can Take Place:
- At the end of the traditional 40 days of postpartum
- Years or decades after having given birth (with the same effects)
- To mark the end of a breastfeeding journey (This can be a powerful reclamation of your body)
- After a stillbirth, pregnancy loss or abortion
- Honouring rites of passage in a woman’s life (eg. first bleed, menopause)
- In a big life transition (eg. end of a relationship, marriage, passing of a loved one, after a big shift)
- In any situation where closure is required!
Origins
Closing of the Bones or La Cerrada (the closing) is a postpartum tradition, most well known for originating in Mexico with the Rebozos but it actually has roots from all over the world including Morocco and Russia, under different names, but all with an element of wrapping the body tightly.
This practice is virtually the same all over the world, because it’s rooted in our physiologic and psychologic needs for experiencing true healing as women! And that can be for any transition in life or when closure is required.
I mainly take inspiration from Miriam Avalos and Naoli Vinaver, both traditional midwives in Mexico, healers and priestesses.
And being half Argentinian myself, I felt a strong calling and profound knowing that this is something I’m meant to offer. As time goes by I become more and more passionate about it.
The heat, cleansing and body work aspects, are crucial to this healing ritual. Unfortunately, they are often missed in modernised versions of the “closing of the bones” ceremonies, where only the rebozo wrapping is performed. However, I like to offer the more traditional, full version of this ceremony.
What It Looks Like
The Foundation
After I've set up the space, we begin with you sharing your story and intention for the ceremony, while drinking a homemade traditional spiced tea. Here we lay the foundation for what is about to take place. Honouring what was and welcoming what is to come.
Cleansing and Release
I will invite you to a herbal yoni steam, to warm you from the centre. The heat element is an important part of the ritual and will show up in many ways. This is the time to release anything that needs to be let go of before moving forward.
Massage and Rocking
I will then invite you to lay on the rebozo's for a nurturing massage, with a warming herb-infused oil (infused by myself), designed to move your blood and energy to your heart. This includes a gentle womb massage using traditional reproductive healing techniques. Followed by the rebozo massage, rocking and moving your body in preparation for the closing.
The Closing
You will be tightly wrapped and cocooned with the rebozos. This is a time of deep introspection and honouring. Calling in the ancestors for guidance and closing you physically and energetically. This is an extremely powerful time where some big shifts can take place.
Finally, when the time is right, you will be delicately unwrapped to be welcomed into the world again.
Logistics
I offer this ceremony in all of Ibiza and Andalusia. It is held at the woman's home and is 3 hours long, not including 1 extra hour to set up and pack away, making it a 4 hour event.
This is an intimate one-to-one ritual. (If you have a baby or young infant, someone will need to be present to care for your child, so you can be fully relaxed and present.)
The investment is 180€. (I do, in some circumstances, offer the ceremony on a gift donation basis, for women who feel deeply called to receive it but don’t have the financial means. Inquire to know more.)
If you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out! I like to have a video call first, to meet, talk about your intention and answer any questions you may have.