The rites and prayers in the Blessing Way are concerned with healing, creation, harmony and peace. The song cycles recount the elaborate Navajo creation story (). One of the most important Blessing Way rites is the ceremony, in which a young girl makes the
transition to womanhood upon her
menarche. During the course of the ceremony, the girl enacts the part of Changing Woman (),
Overview of ceremony The Navajo people see a young girl's first menstruation as a time of joy and happiness. It is also the start of becoming a woman. It is imperative that this ceremony be done correctly because it sets the tone for the rest of her life. It is also important that the ceremony involves family and community. The purpose of the ceremony is to ensure that the child transitioning into womanhood will be prepared to take on the social roles and expectations of a Navajo woman, not only in strength and endurance, but also with generous and kind tendencies. This ceremony involves five steps: molding into Changing Woman, running, hair washing, painting, and the making of the corn cake. The child lies on a blanket or sheepskin while her sponsor massages her body, molding it so it can possess not only the physical qualities of Changing Woman, but the psychological qualities as well. The purpose of the runs is to make her more powerful, energetic, and diligent, and to help improve her lifespan. The arduous runs are also meant to prepare the initiate for the hardships of life.
Hair-washing During this portion of the ceremony, the girl's hair is washed with a
yucca plant and ceremonial Navajo basket. The initiate's jewelry is also washed during this process. Both the hair-washing and jewelry-washing constitute
purification procedures. Her mother is given the rinse water to pour out near their home so that the initiate will always be connected to where she came from.
Face-painting The initiate is painted with white clay, or ashes from the bark of an
aspen tree, by Ideal Woman so her height can be increased and she can have minimal signs of aging. Her cheeks and forehead are painted in hopes for smooth and wrinkle-free skin. Surrounding members taking part in the ceremony may also be painted to bring them blessings.
Making of the corn cake One of the most important tasks during the ceremony is the making of the corn cake, which represents Changing Woman, fertility, and life. Corn is ground to prepare for the baking of the corn cake which is baked during the fourth night of the ceremony. This cake is regarded as an offering to the sun, and four pinches of the cake are buried as an offering to the earth. Grinding the corn and mixing the corn cake symbolize the girl's endurance, motivation, and potential positive effects. While the initiate herself is not allowed to eat the cake because it represents her fertility, she serves it to those in attendance of the ceremony to show thanks and generosity. ==The Enemy Way==