Matrescence: Becoming Mother

Matrescence: Becoming Mother Exploring the passage of motherhood through ritual, reflection, and community This workshop is for: • New mothers, finding their footing amidst pregnancy and postpartum  • Those longing to become mothers, holding hope, grief, or uncertainty • Seasoned mothers, connecting to the ways they are still evolving in motherhood What You’ll Experience  An experiential understanding of matrescence as a developmental transition Guided reflections to explore identity loss, and becoming The creation of a personalized ritual or ceremony to mark your personal process A supportive, non-judgmental space for shared experience and connection Gentle practices to reconnect with your body and inner rhythm “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”  – Maya Angelou Matrescence, the profound process of becoming a mother, is more than a life stage; it’s a rite of passage, deserving of ritual, reflection, and community empowerment to help name what’s ending, what’s beginning, and who one is becoming. At this event, we will gently explore the transition into motherhood as an experience to be marked by reflection, connection, and guided practice.  You’ll be invited to create your own self-generated ceremony, one that weaves in meaning, ritual, and symbolism that feels true to you. This is a space to uplift the version of you that came before and welcome the mother you are becoming with intention. It is a space to weave your story of mothering with the witness and support of community. Come as you are, you are welcome. This space will be hosted by Ashley Homstad, LISW, who is a certified perinatal mental health therapist and an infant massage educator. This workshop is shaped by Ashley’s training as a rites-of-passage guide within the lineage of the School of Lost Borders, alongside her clinical work accompanying individuals through matrescence, and her personal experience incorporating ritual and community care to navigate infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. Her approach is further influenced by the work of authors and thought leaders on this topic, including Dr. Aurélie Athan, Lucy Jones, Jessie Harrold, Lisa Marchiano, and Melissa Wirt. Email event questions to Ashley at ashley@bloomwomenswellness.org Sliding Scale Event Options Supported Rate: $30 Standard Rate: $45 Community Supporter Rate: $60