11/04/2025
Full Moon energy today and tomorrow. A reminder to honor your pregnancy during the full moon. I love that within our families we enjoy keeping many of our Indigenous cultural costumbres around celestial events. I believe that this is because, in large part, whether one believes every aspect of this particular custom, we feel the profound love that permeates the advice given by grandmothers, mothers, and aunties, generation after generation after generation.
My mother and aunts passed on to me the custom that women who are pregnant must take extra care of themselves during special times of the year: the full moon, a lunar eclipse, and a solar eclipse. Many of us Native, Chicanes, Mexicanas, are taught early in life that both our monthly bleeding and pregnancy are meaningful times in our lives. These ceremonies honor our essential role as life-givers in our home and community.
In order to encourage a healthy pregnancy and a happy baby, the extended family made sure to: have her wear a red or black string, sash, or cord around her waist with a metal key attached, reminded her to stay indoors, cooked their favorite food so cravings were always satisfied, women elders give childbearing advice, and male elders advice to the prospective father to be attentive to the mom and baby’s needs because it is known that everything the mom enjoys, her baby enjoys... Her feelings of security and love are passed on to her child.
“A mentor and wise confidante, the tlamatlquiticitl [traditional midwife] would prevent the future mother from lifting excess weight that could endanger the fetus, as well as recommending her “to avoid sorrow, anger, and surprises so as not to miscarry or damage the baby.”
—General History of the Things of New Spain (16th Century)
If you are pregnant:
🌸Wear a red or black sash (speak with your elder about which color your family or tribe wears) to which a safety pin or a set of metal keys is attached above your stomach area for protection. This is a way to deflect the moon's powerful energy so the baby is not harmed.
🌸Do not go outside in the moonlight. The moon’s pull may cause discomfort to you or the baby or cause a premature birth.
🌸Some people draw the drapes together so no moonlight enters the house.
🌸Invite loving relatives and friends to your home and honor Grandmother Moon by setting up a small altar with flowers, fruit, a white candle, and incense. Ask a female elder, grandmother, mother, or auntie, to offer a prayer and share her wisdom. After your ceremony, have a potluck and share a meal and laughter with family and guests.
With full moon blessings,
Maestra Grace Sesma
Curanderismo, the Healing Art of Mexico
