It's Not Just a Phase 

Getting to know your body is a lifelong process

Getting to know your body is a lifelong process that is becoming increasingly more difficult as society is shifting its ideas about gender, identification and sexual orientation.

I am not here to argue anyone’s personal feelings or opinions. Because the fact of the matter remains: only a subset group of people are born with the ability and organs required to have a menstrual cycle.

I respect everyone's right to their beliefs in how their spirit chooses to manifest and present itself, but for the sake of my own sanity during my writing process, I will not be using gender identification terms or pronouns interchangeably. Please just assume that when I say ‘woman,’ this is a person who has a menstrual cycle… because I still love you otherwise, all the same. And because regardless of how we choose to show up in the world, we, the people, have been under fire in every era of our existence for our powerful synchronization to the world we live in.

It is something I wished I realized sooner… an awareness that would have allowed me to be kinder to myself and my body in a world that no longer operates in sync with Earth. A world that no longer gives credence to the lessons that earth's cycles try to teach us– Instead, I fed my body pharmaceutical birth control, pain killers, and foods that only induce more pain. I powered through the earth's cycles telling myself I just needed to buck up. Yet, I had the audacity to wonder why myself and the rest of the world are experiencing fatigue, anxiety, or depression. 

As above, so below…

Astrologically, I find myself being greatly affected by the transit of the stars at this moment. Although I have studied, and I knew what to expect, I still cannot have anticipated the turmoil in which I found my inner subconscious and emotional being. Yet, during a vague heart to heart with a friend, I chalked up my irritability and fatigue to having my menstrual cycle. She pointed out the alignment of my cycle with the phase of the moon and what it indicated about where my energy and power was. What a reality check… I kept telling myself, all month, that I was being too aggressive, emotional, withdrawn and not the person I wanted to present to the world. 

I will not tell you in which phase the moon was in when my cycle began. Where is the fun in that? Instead, I will go through each moon cycle and let you make your own conclusion. 

As we journey through these phases, it is important to note that they are just that, phases!  Every woman will not always have the same consistent cycle throughout their lifetime. In my personal experience, I have had a rollercoaster ride of experiencing each of these phases, especially when I decided to forgo hormonal birth control. It has been some time since I have done so, and I still experience fluctuations in the start of my moon cycle. 

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"The moon is a reminder that no matter what phase I am in, I am whole."

Red Moon Cycle

Denoted by cycles beginning on the full moon.

This cycle is less common and regarded as the “wise woman cycle.” It is associated with healers, medicine women, witches, and priestesses. Women who experience their cycle during this time of the month are said to have a desire for growth, leadership, self-actualization, and business endeavors of all kinds, which empower not only the self, but the community around them at large. It is also a period of passion and sexual energy which is being harnessed. 

Of each of the phases, the red moon cycle is considered to be particularly auspicious and spiritually powerful because both the inner and outer aspects of the psyche are coacting. Whereas, with the other phases, one is more inclined to be introspective OR engaged in community. 

This cycle may look or feel like:

• Increase in energy
• Increased libido
• Ease with time management & organization
• Inclined to teach 
• A desire for new or increasingly engaging roles in work and society

You may want to:  

• Pace yourself so you don't get burnout
• Weigh all options before making decisions
• Capitalize on harnessing the energy, knowledge and power of this cycle

 

Purple Moon Cycle

Denoted by cycles beginning on the waning moon, which is the transition from a full moon to a new moon.

This cycle is associated with introspection, rest, reflection, and healing. The waning moon goes from its fertility and fullness to rest. Likewise, a woman experiencing her cycle during this time may be powering down and retreating to the shadow.  

During this period of reflection, the woman may be taking stock in what no longer serves her best interests and what needs to be shed and released. It is a transitional space, so a woman in this phase of the moon cycle is being urged to slow down. It is a space that requires a lot of rest and quiet to prepare the environment for new endeavors.

This cycle may look or feel like:

• Isolation & being withdrawn
• Increased or less sleep
• Irritability 
• Confusion or unsureness
• Aggression and/or sadness 

You may want to: 

• Take time off from work or other responsibilities
• Allow yourself the grace and space to rest 
• Engage in low exertion activities such as writing, reading, listening to positive music

 

White Moon Cycle
Denoted by cycles beginning on a new moon. 

This cycle is said to be the most common and is associated with nurturing energy, new beginnings, and mothers. This cycle is the one that most closely parallels the cycle of the moon and earth as ovulation begins around the fertile full moon. Hence wise, it is said that this is the ‘mothering’ cycle. 

Even if one does not wish to get pregnant, to have children or already has children, it is a time where the woman is very nurturing and has the inclination to create. Alternatively, this nurturing aspect can also be directed or focused towards oneself.

This cycle may look or feel like:

• Desire to feel or show more love
• Creative projects & art 
• Selflessness
• Self care activities 
• Sensitivity to critique

You may want to:

• Make plans to bond with family and friends 
• Start a project or new piece of art (poems, paintings, pottery etc)
• Be sure to take time to yourself to enjoy a spa day or other self pampering activity

 

Pink Moon Cycle
Denoted by cycles beginning on the waxing moon, which is the transition from a new moon to a full moon.

This cycle is associated with transition, shedding, and metamorphosis. A waxing moon goes from dark to light, just as the woman experiencing her cycle during this time, from the shadow to their power. It is exiting the reflection period of rest and into an action packed journey of fulfillment. 

Women experiencing transitional phases or coming out of a ‘dark night of the soul’ into their growth and power may experience their cycle during this moon phase as she consolidates her whole and oneness.

This cycle may look or feel like:

• Renewed hope with some reservations, but a lot of courage and faith
• Trying new things, activities or hobbies
• Making new friendships

You may want to:

• Take new chances with lessons learned in mind
• Go outside and take a walk in the sun 
• Practice gratitude to usher in the fullness coming toward you.

 

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea for ALL Cycles Including Pregnancy

One last thing…

While reading this, you may have thought, “I do not feel this way during my cycle.” And you may not in the beginning. This is because we have gotten so accustomed to relating the word ‘cycle’ to define only the period in which we are actively bleeding, completely forgetting the other 23+ days comprising the cycle. The cycle begins here, but does not end when you stop menstruating!

It is truly a marvel how our bodies work, how they know what we need, and how the earth and moon see to it that we receive, even if we are not actively listening.

Hopefully this information allows one more person to awaken to the miracle that is us and the knowledge that keeps us healthy and in tune for our own well being and that of those around us.