Ritual Boxes
Mar’s Musing on Ritual Boxes
Welcome to this week's edition of Mars Musings…
I am filled with excitement as I dive into a project that holds a special place in my heart - "Ritual Boxes". Tomorrow, on Solstice, we will be launching this passion project online that has been a beautiful journey for me. It all started when I began creating ceramics by hand during my pregnancy with my son, which I called the "womb bowls."
Due to the pandemic and the birth of my son, the project was postponed for six months. But when I resumed working on it, my creativity flourished like never before. Over the past three years, I have immersed myself in the world of ceramics, and towards the end of last year, this vision came to me. Ritual Boxes are designed to honour the different aspects of a woman's journey through life.
We focus on pivotal moments such as the first moon, which is connected to the maiden; the lover, which encompasses yoni steaming and yoni care; the queen, representing inner sovereignty and self-discovery through connection with other women; the mother, celebrating the transition into motherhood; and the sage, where wisdom is shared with younger women.
Each box holds deep significance for me, whether it's a ritual I personally engage in or something I noticed was lacking and felt compelled to develop. For example, the first moon, a time that is often overlooked and under-celebrated, almost seen with shame… is now given the attention it deserves through guides, explanations, reusable pads, and a ritual to honour this important phase.
Similarly, the yoni care and yoni steaming components have been inspired by empowering steaming experiences shared with women in Lisbon. The sage box comes with tea and two bowls for an elder sage to share her wisdom with a younger woman and close the cycle of womanhood. To ensure the boxes are created with love and care, every item is handmade by artisan women here in Portugal. From the crochet cloths made by a cooperative of grandmothers to the sustainable beeswax candles rolled by women in the north of Portugal, every element reflects our commitment to supporting local artisans. Even the floral sprays, developed with Teresa incorporate carefully chosen flowers that align with our intentions.
Our goal is to bring back the lost art of ritual and create meaningful rites of passage in our modern lives. The incredible team behind Ritual Boxes, including Liz, Hannah, and Pedro, share this vision and have dedicated themselves to bringing it to life. It has been an intense six-month journey of birthing, writing guides, sourcing products, and assembling the boxes. And now, with great joy, we are launching tomorrow on Solstice.
The first line of boxes will be available for purchase, but they are limited to ten boxes per series as we embark on this nee journey. Some have already been sold, and others have been used in special mother's blessing ceremonies. I invite you to join me on this exciting endeavour. Your feedback and thoughts are invaluable to me as we continue to improve and refine the Ritual Boxes.
This physical manifestation of my work feels like a milestone, and I am grateful for your presence in my world. Please reply and share your thoughts. Let me know if you're interested in the Ritual Boxes or if you have any feedback to offer. I am truly thrilled to share this blossoming project with all of you.
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
With love, Mar Michelle