Hi xmasbaby,

Congrats to you on your little one. I came across your post trying to find inspiration for a pregnancy altar for fairly much the same intent. I wanted to create a space to reflect and give thanks for my second little blessing which is due in may next year.

I also thought it was funny as my first pregnancy I gave up trying and in desperation went out into the bush and said fine you decide. 4 days before when my period was due I was hounded in my dream by a mother bear and her cub who refused to let me go. Not violent just very persistent. After that I kept having dreams where out of the blue a baby was in my arms and I didn't know why. 9 months later healthy baby boy.

This time around I sat down and did a simple ritual asking that any potential sparks of life take hold and grow into being, part of it was a string I was to wear till I conceived which came unraveled that night - blow me down but now i'm very pregnant.

As I am still finding my feet on this path I am blown away by how direct and forceful the universe can be when trying to make a point.

So far my ideas for the altar which could be useful to you include the following.
cowrie shell placed with the rounded part up with a seed inside
images of lovely round bellies
herbs in a pouch that work on healthy/love/peace/calm/protection and wealth (how am I going to afford this all?)
Crystals/stones of a similar meaning including tigers eye for courage
I also found a lovely Invocation to Artemis in spellcraft winter 2007 today that I can pass on if you like. I was in an article on ecstatic childbirth by Jane Hardwice Collings whi I think has a site at Moonsong.
Another Idea I loved was creating your own anointing oil for use each night for streatchmarks but also as a connection to deity - no idea how I would go about that but it might be a good idea as part of your thankfulness ritual.

Oh and another Idea that just came to me was what about part of the ritual ebing with planting a native seedling or seeds (or not native as you choose) as symbolicaly connecting your growth and journey to those that nature takes each cycle.

Alright thats me out of ideas for tonight. I'd love to see what you come up with as I think you might be onto something and I would love to do something similar.

Take care,
Di