INNER SEASONS of THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
WINTER – Menstruation – Day 1-5 approx.
Hormonally – Low Estrogen
Physically – cleanse and release, Fatigue, tired, body shedding endometrium.
Emotionally – Tender, Raw, Vulnerable? Can experience dark feelings like anxiety, depression, panic, anger, overwhelm
Spiritually – Internal & Reflective. Dreaming (Day 3) How you are in your bleeding time sets the tone for your entire cycle. If you don’t stop at menstruation, you skip an important task of taking stock, reflection, remembering and resetting your compass, goals etc.
Season – Winter – Plant seeds for intentions for the coming cycle.
Honoring this Phase of the cycle
Claim space for yourself
Rest and Let go – Free up your Schedule
Deep self-nurturing
Create a sanctuary
Ask for extra support
Nourish yourself with warmth and good food, hydration
SPRING – Pre Ovulation The Follicular Phase – Day 6-12 approx.
Hormonally – Estrogen levels increase
Physically – Your body begins maturing eggs for ovulation, feel energized, resurfacing in the world after cleansing of menstruation. The energy starts to kick in, use it now to start action-ing and creating all that was dreamed up during the winter menstruation phase. Brain is wired to learn things faster at this time.
Emotionally – More confident & outgoing, light hearted, excited, anticipation.
Spiritually – ‘Holding the tension’. In a transition from a deeply vulnerable and private space, to one of effortless exposure, and great confidence… not splurging all the energy at once.
Season – Spring, tending to the seeds sewn during menstruation. Use the growing energy, inspiration and brain capacity to grow things/projects
Honoring this Phase of the cycle
Gently navigating back into the world after the rest period; you are like a new baby seedling (needs high care). How will you hold space for yourself as you tackle anything that has piled up while you have rested?
Contain
Cherish
Experiment and play, Curiosity, innocence, re-emergence, sponteniety.
SUMMER – Ovulation – Days 13-18 approx.
Hormonally – Estrogen peaks as your body gets ready to release one of your eggs for ovulation.
Physically – Energy levels are typically highest, skin clear and radiant, burst of testosterone and increase in libido. Feel sensual, alive, full. You can hold more and manage a lot
Emotionally – Feel positive, confident and happy. Social skills are up, you want to see people, do things, party, have fun.
Spiritually – An opportunity to give to yourself, share your gifts, be seen and appreciated by others. Take pleasure and enjoy
Season – Summer – Plentiful and abundant. Resources a plenty, fullness
Honoring this Phase of the cycle – Allow your flower to fully open to possibility and the flow…. Allow yourself pleasure, be generous, take charge.
“Don’t leave the summer woman in charge of your diary, she’s so full of energy and generosity, that she’ll over commit and overbook your time for the rest of the cycle” – Wild power (Alexandra pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer)
WINTER –Post Ovulation….. The Luteal Phase (Days 19-28)
Hormonally – Estrogen drops, progesterone increases
Physically – This has a calming effect, causing the mind and us to slow down.Tendency is to clean, tidy, organize, stock up, get ready for the winter … the balance is to not overdo it.
Emotionally – mood tends to flatten out, may start to get grumpy and irritable, anger can bubble up if we haven’t yet started to slow down and free up our time.
Spiritually – This is an illuminating time in your cucle -Things that are not working in your life show up in a big way here. Editing, saying no.Discernment, wisdom of this phase of the cycle
Season – Autumn – Start to wind down for the winter. Time to cut back your schedule and slow down again. Bring things to completion, let go of things that you may no longer have time to complete this cycle.
Honoring this Phase of the cycle – Listen to what your body is telling you.
If you slow down enough to take notice, you receive a strong call to come back to yourself, this phase asks / perhaps tells “How are we really?”
Take time to journal to review the cycle just travelled. What did you achieve? What never came to be? What patterns showed up?, what can I do differently next cycle? What am I letting go of, before the next cycle?
REUSABLE PERIOD PRODUCTS
There are so many great Re-usable cloth pads available to buy these days. Re-usables are a great choice for you and the planets health AND they save you money long term. Here are some quality choices;
REUSABLE CLOTH PADS
Mense Sense – Made in Maldon Victoria, great designs for girls
Wemoon – Have a natural organic range and some great night time options Aisle – Made in Vancouver Canada, gorgeous team, gorgeous product Party in my pants – Made in the USA – cutest fabric range
PERIOD UNDERWEAR
Modi Bodi – Australian Made, quality, with a great teen range – RED Thinx – Made in the USA, quality period underwear
MENSTRUAL CUPS
Juju cup – Made in Australia, a quality product
Lunette cup – Also a quality product – silicone – available in 2 sizes The Keeper menstrual cup – Made from natural rubber
MENSTRUAL SPONGES Jade and Pearl Sea sponges
MAKE YOUR OWN CLOTH PADS https://theecofriendlyfamily.com/mama-cloth-plus-free-patterns/
The Sustainable period project is a one stop shop for free resources to help educate about re-usable and sustainable menstrual hygiene options.
RECOMMENDED READING
The following is a list of wonderful books I recommend
