Seasons in your menstrual cycle

Seasons in your menstrual cycle - and how to use them

The seasons in your menstrual cycle are changing constantly and many women are becoming increasingly aware of it. This is really good news for many reasons. Most importantly, it is the body-literacy you need in order to not drown in the world. With this kind of self-knowledge chances are much much higher that you stay in contact with yourself plus your impact in the world will be stronger.

It is a boundary that consists of self-love and self-knowledge.

Following is an overview of the seasons in your menstrual cycle, maybe giving you inspiration on what to look for in your own experience (note: it will always  remain an individual experience). Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer are describing this beautifully in their book wild power which I recommend as a beautiful entry point and which serves as inspiration for this blogpost.

Your monthly cycle roughly holds 4 seasons (plus transition phases, never forget transitions!) that express differently in your life, each holding a unique purpose for you. There are general characteristics of each phase that let you determine in which phase you’re in and how to respond to it. To make it easier for you to observe the manifestations of the seasonal energy in your life, let’s see what each phase is about.

It’s also good to know why it is important to acknowledge your seasonal nature in the first place.

Many of us have lost touch with ourselves and the greater whole that we are part of. We are living in a fast world that rarely pays attention to the state it is in. This is a reflection of how we deal with ourselves. Let’s be honest, how often do you ask yourself honestly and openly “What am I feeling right now?”. We act as if we have an endless supply of linear, active energy, as if we actually don’t need to rest and recharge. We exploit nature’s resources not because we are bad people but because we are cut off from our body, feelings and emotions.

To come back to ourselves means to remember with our whole body, with mind and soul that we are nature’s own offspring. Working with the cycle we begin to realise that we, too, go through seasons just like the larger seasons nature demonstrate. To see the effect of each season on our body, mood and creativity we need to pay attention to the subtleties in our own everyday life. For this, we slow down, like way down, and pay attention to the feminine aspects, to feelings and emotions and actually respond the need for rest and restoration. This is possible should we become self-aware and honestly care about our well-being and fulfilment.

So should we?

Seasonal work is a way to respond to nature’s need as well as our own at the same time.

It helps you to navigate through life in a way that is suitable for you as a woman, not linear but cyclic. It helps you to understand yourself and your constitution as a woman and empowers you to express yourself fully despite the constrictions and limits that this world tries to set for you. Symptoms like PMS are a result of the suppression of your cyclic nature and feelings. It’s a parameter that tells you: something needs attention and maybe even something needs to change!

With the practice of recognising and living according to your cyclical nature, you will no longer be imprisoned in a structure of a world that is not build for you – or any of us for that matter – you’ll learn to use your softer, slower nature with confidence.

Yes, it requires determination. This is one way in which we work towards ending the suffering for ourselves and all human beings who have been set up as machines. We’re building a future in which our daughters and sons can feel free and empowered to be like nature – cyclic, powerful and full of wonder.

So no, this work is not for everyone because it asks for discipline and the willingness to break rules that were made by people who were entirely unaware of the feminine world of emotion and feeling. In your heart, you’ll know when you’re ready.

Ok makes sense but why will working with the seasons in your menstrual cycle help?

In order to learn to respond to what we actually need at any given time, seasons are our greatest teacher. “Respond” is a big word in all of it, as we let go of knowing and control, as we stop imposing on us, we become much softer and wholesome human beings.

If we supress or try and stretch out a Season past it’s nature (e.g. working like we work in summer well into winter) we’re working against us, against natures intention for us which is the cause for a lot of discomfort and stress in our body.

Here is the season’s overview in the light of your menstrual cycle (if you are currently not bleeding you may work with the moon cycle as well).

Winter (day 1-7): This phase usually starts right before you bleed. Low energy, your hormones are depleted. It’s a time for rest and restoration. Your body is in need of your support and nurturing. You become more sensitive to outside stimulation and the energy wants to deepen within your being. You’re introspective and more aware of what is going on (unconsciously) in yourself, your surroundings and in the world. It’s not a time to follow demands of the outside but rather give care to yourself. Saying “no” is your ally in this phase. If we allow it, it’s a time of wisdom, magic and creativity.

Spring (day 7-14): Starts around the time leading up to ovulation. Energy is rising as are your hormonal levels. You’re filled with more yang energy supporting you to act upon dreams and intentions. You feel refreshed and ready to plan your month. You are more open and slowly engaging outwardly again. Your body feels stronger and vital and things are coming together for you. This is the phase of starting new things and act on what you uncovered in the winter/wisdom phase. You also find yourself wanting to work more, being focused and driven.

Summer (day 14-21): Usually starts around ovulation. It’s an expressive and social phase. It’s the reaping of the inner work you’ve done. Energy levels are up and you are engaging in outward activities. Community building and being of service to others. Your fertility is high, probably your libido as well. This is the time to experience yourself in relationships. Networking might be easier (especially for introverts – to a degree, of course) and possible for you to hold space for others.

Fall (day 21-28): This is the winding down phase. You are feeling more inward and reflective, you may become more agitated by the demands that are posed upon you. Your nature is seeking more time alone to take care of your body and soul. You may use this time to withdraw from the world and put focus on creative ideas that need nurturing. This is a time especially carved for setting healthy boundaries. PMS is real, the intensity is a reflection of how well you live the energies of the cycles and respond to what you need. If you are teaching yourself that you are willing to listen to your body and act according to what you hear you may find yourself less emotionally overwhelmed and agitated. You are able to realise your dreams and goals with more ease and flow than before. I observed that during this phase the inner critic is loudest as we find ourselves unable or simply unwilling to stem the weight of the world. Hormones are dipping and everything is a little more chaotic. Relaxing into this phase is a challenge as it contains quite the charge, letting yourself be carried by this strong energy is a gamechanger though.

This work is a practice of self-love. Self-love is not always quiet and slow but sometimes active and loud, expressive and engaging.

Knowing yourself will develope the self-trust you need to stand upright in the world at any given time. Instead of following the judgments of the world (“women are unpredictable”) you begin to understand that this is not true. Or at least that it’s not a bad thing. We’re more complex. As soon as we understand ourselves in this light, we transform our insecurities that are fuelled by the world we live in. As we choose to follow our inner guidance and our own nature we are empowered. We become healthier, more fulfilled and more engaged human beings and we begin to set the standards for the ones who follow in our footsteps.

 

If you want to deepen the spiritual work with your cycle, I offer a cycle awareness package for this specific purpose.

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