The story of Odin begins about a year before he was born, when his spirit appeared to me in a dream while teaching the Mystical Mama YTT in Guatemala.  I dreamt that I birthed a son, that he had olive skin and dark hair, and that I walked around Lake Atitlan holding him in my arms. It was a vivid dream, being that my fertility was returning and knowing that JP and I were open to welcoming another child into our family. Although the dreams and visions in this particular place in Guatemala are potent, I couldn’t believe that I could actually have a boy child, seeing as how I had had all girls so far!

I became pregnant in March, when we returned to our home in Canada and immediately after returning from Mexico.  I had just spent two weeks teaching a yoga retreat, but also receiving abundant sun, nourishment, friendship and introspection. It was at the end of this retreat that I decided to let go of my ‘yoga business’ and focus inward on developing my gifts and following my inner guidance. I was feeling quiet and internal, peaceful and open.

When my moon cycle didn’t come that month, I knew! I spent the first 6 months of Odin’s pregnancy mainly in the quiet and peace of our home at Wild Berry Farm. It was new territory for us, a new home, so I took great joy in watching the land bloom, in working the gardens, in delighting in my children’s play, in collecting herbs, in swimming in the lake, in soaking up wimyn’s circles and gatherings with my friends and just indulging in life’s pleasures…in every way. I felt internal and contemplative, but also very beautiful and feminine, full of abundance and vitality. My dreams were ever vivid and I spent a lot of time journaling, processing, going for long walks, practicing yoga and staying nourished.

At the end of August, we left our home for Scandinavia, the norse land of Denmark, for JP’s work. I always knew that this baby would be born outside of my community, as Szerafina was.  What was different about this birth, was that it was to be just myself and my husband and children.  I knew that’s what I was being called to do. It felt very right, very natural. It did require a level of inner work that I hadn’t done before, and I certainly relied on my community of wimyn from afar.  At a particularly vulnerable time, I received a dream in which I was shown a Bear, which a dear friend helped process with me. The She Bear births alone in her cave, in strength and courage. Bears can also signify the birth of a boy. It was the first time I received Bear medicine and she offered me warmth, comfort and wisdom. I felt very loved and adored. JP took great care to support me in having my time to care for myself and baby each day, truly the greatest gift a partner can do. There was never a doubt in his mind on what we were doing, I had his full faith, love and trust. It was really the ideal place to have a power birth from, for me.

Szerafina came at 40 weeks and Selah came at 39, so I was sure Odin would come between this time as well! I was completely surprised to reach 41 weeks and another full week to 42. ‘Due dates’ are guesses and babies come when they’re ready….it’s all part of the Great Mystery. However, I have to admit that I was beginning to get impatient, encroaching my 42nd week.  I woke up the morning of December 22, just after the Solstice, looking first at my altar and then feeling my belly…still pregnant. JP took the girls out grocery shopping while I cleaned our place. After vaccuuming, I took a shower and sat at my altar for a quiet meditation and rest before my family would return. I began as I always do these days, with a mantra gifted to me by a sister and by calling in my guides, spirits, friends and ancestors. I then laid down for just a few minutes when I felt the soft release and wetness of my waters give way.  I was curious, as I was only feeling mild practice contractions, similar to what I’d been feeling over the last weeks and months.

I got up to change when JP and the girls walked in. Selah was half naked because she threw up all over herself at the grocery store!  I told JP that I think my labour had started and he began putting things away while I helped Selah down for a nap. I stayed in the bedroom with her, as sensations were coming now, strongly and steadily. It felt really good to stand up and move my hips through this part. Things were intensifying, so I decided to get into the shower, where I shifted from standing to squatting as the warm water washed over me. JP came in to periodically check on me, but I preferred to be alone at this point. I couldn’t feel a head, although each wave felt a bit ‘pushy’. I got out of the bathroom and returned to my cave, squatting and on all fours, feeling so taken by the labour process. At this point I wanted JP in the room, to be close to me. This baby was coming, fast and furiously and I wasn’t holding back. His head felt so big as it was emerging that I questioned what part of his body was coming out first!  When his head was born, I reached around to feel and I shouted at JP not to touch me or the baby.  It wasn’t JP, it was Odin’s body working his way inside me to turn so that his shoulders and body could be born. I could feel every little kick and squiggle as he maneuvered his way out. I went from all four to a squat and pulled his body up in front of me – he immediately let out of strong cry (the girls never did!) and both JP and I saw he was a boy! A SON! I wasn’t totally surprised…as I had other dreams indicating such, although I did assume she was a girl all along.

He was so vital, so alert and beautiful and alive, with dark hair and tiny dark eyes and gorgeously coloured skin. I fell in love with his heart shaped mouth and button nose, his large hands and skinny feet. All 8.5lbs of his perfect self. His sisters came in to marvel at him, to coo over his tiny limbs, then left the room to finish watching their movie 😉  I love that birth is a normal part of their existence. Born just 2 hours after I began my labour (although truly my body had been preparing for weeks) this was my quickest birth yet. It was also very wild and intense, primal and instinctual. It took me a few days to transition, for the reality of this baby’s birth to sink in and for my body and spirit to integrate the experience.

Odin is named after the Norse God of knowledge and wisdom, the all-father who rules over Asgard. He was named by his father, and I think it’s a perfect fit. The Sun King, born in the light of the Winter Solstice, of the earth element, this Capricorn has made me a Queen, once again.