Cyclical Living for Women

Another recurring theme in my plant medicine work over the last 8 years has been learning to structure my way of life around the cycles. This is also relevant for MEN to have an understanding of the cycles their female partners are going through, and can provide insight into why they may be experiencing patterns of feeling or acting a certain way.

As women we are cyclical beings and a direct reflection of the cycles of the natural world, but I've noticed for myself, and I assume most of you reading this, there was 0 information provided about this in my childhood...and the information I received about my moon cycle/"period" was strictly practical in nature with an underlying tone of shame and secrecy. Even the way I was taught to handle my time of the month was by collecting my blood in ways to throw it in the trash bin.

Rose has been a potent teacher in "remembering" feminine wisdom surrounding menstruation and the power and potency carried in our blood and cyclical nature. It can be difficult to implement cyclical living in modern day life, especially when bound to a typical M-F 9-5 workweek, but I wanted to provide a few ways to apply it even in this case!

We have 4 "seasons" in our monthly cycle (or however long it is for you), that can be thought of as the 4 seasons of nature--winter, spring, summer, fall. This is super basic, but gives an idea of small things you can do to honor each part of your cycle.

Inner Winter (moon time) first week

Our physical and energetic bodies are geared toward internal focus and deep rest, like a bear hibernating in the winter. Take some time during your bleed to just "be", allow yourself time to simply rest in stillness, avoid social situations, avoid extra responsibility and obligations to others that aren't absolutely necessary. Try to implement more self care or meditation practices in this week. Personally, I take the first 5 days of my cycle away from my work, away from people in general, don't take client or inquiry calls, spend time with plant medicines, and listen deeply to the needs of my body and emotions, but I realize this isn't possible for everyone.

Inner Spring (Follicular Phase) second week

Your body is slowly gearing up toward the peak of your energy. This is a good time to be social, to attend events, parties, spend time with groups of friends etc. Also a very good time for focusing on things you want to bring into your life or manifest, habits you wish to change, what do you want to "grow"?

Inner Summer (Ovulation) Days 12-16 ish depending on your body.

Your energy, sense of empowerment, and sexual desire are at their peak. This is a great time for intense workouts, anything that involves public speaking, teaching, or launching an offering. This is a great time to direct your heightened energy into tangible actions working toward the things you brew during Inner Spring. Your libido and body sensitivity is naturally spiking and a great time to plan extensive intimate time with your partner or explore self pleasure   Do something for yourself in this time that brings out your sensuality and brings you pleasure, perhaps drawing a bath with roses, your favorite oils, giving yourself or receiving a massage, expressing your sexual prowess through dance, etc.

Inner Fall (Luteal phase) Days 16-28+

This is a period of shedding energetically and emotionally, like the leaves changing color and falling from the trees in the Fall. This is a great time to actively evaluate what is in resonance in your life and the boundaries you hold in relationships, friendships, activities, and engage in practices for transforming energy. A wonderful time in your cycle to connect with fire, explore energy work or healing modalities, and various practices for connecting with your body. A beautiful sister of mine calls PMS "please make space" or "prioritize myself". It is helpful in the days before bleeding to be very careful about who you "let in" and become more aware of how different people, places, and scenarios make you feel.

I have gone into much more depth into each of these "seasons" and shifting my life in this way has been one of the most transformative things I have ever done, impacting every aspect of my being!

I dive deeply into each of these phases on an energetic, physiological, and emotional level with rituals for moontime and connecting to the blood, and rituals conducive to each season in my 7 week online container "Re-awakening Elemental Wisdom", along with many practices for connecting to the Earth and the 4 elements, all of which have guided me through the darkest moments of my path. A group is currently forming for early 2025, contact me if this sparks something in you!