Here’s a poem and ritual Paula Morhardt of Stockton, Illinois, recommends for childbirth in the Spring 20006 issue of “Circle Magazine: Celebrating Nature, Spirit, and Magic.”

Place a piece of jasper, preferably green, on the stomach of the birthing mother. Placing your hands lightly over the stone, say the following:

Pain was here, feel it fade,
Come little one, be not afraid.
Pain was here, now fades away,
Come little one, greet the day.

Place the stone near the mother, or let her hold it while repeating the chant, picturing the pain fading away easier and faster with each contraction, while welcoming the baby into the world.