Our planet has one moon with multiple cycles and each of those cycles brings with it a new perspective. Your womb is the moon of your body. Living in the dark, out of sight, and experiencing different cycles which can pivot the way you function in this world.
Our first menstruation cycle is a very significant part of many women’s lives. Every person’s menstruation story is different. Some of those stories carry different emotions with them. This is sometimes where early feelings of shame and embarrassment can stem from if not celebrated. Periods can also come with some fear, especially for young women who have pain associated with their menstrual cycle.
Your first bleed day is Day 1
Day 1 is the first day of your menstrual cycle. Prior to your Day 1 your body spent weeks preparing. When journaling your cycle, Day 1 is where you want to start. Begin by exploring how you are feeling. Is your flow heavy? Does your energy feel high or low? Do you seek the company of others or would you rather spend time alone? Some of the best times to journal are right when you wake up and right before you eat, you may find that you have a lot to share at these times.
Day 1 marks the beginning of your menstruation phase and can last anywhere from 3-7 days. This information is based primarily for women who are not on birth control or suffer from fibroids. Fibroids and other health conditions can affect your cycle. The hormones from birth control pills can also affect your menstrual flow. If you’re interested in living a life free from fibroids and living off hormonal birth control, then you might want to schedule a Moons and Seasons consultation. It is my belief that hormonal birth control comes with some negative side effects. It is possible to track your cycle and thrive in the life that you want in the most organic way.
The menstruation cycle is considered the body’s internal winter. A time for self reflection and solace. Think of winter, when nature goes dormant and hibernates. This is a time to bleed out and replenish.
The Follicular Phase begins when your bleeding has ended
This phase usually lasts about two weeks and can start anywhere between Day 4 or Day 8 of your menstrual cycle. In your journal you can make note of when your bleeding has stopped. During your follicular phase you may have more energy and want to be out and about more often. Your womb is preparing itself to release another egg, so it’s no wonder that this moon phase is associated with the springtime.
We associate new birth eggs, the potential for life, with springtime. The follicular phase is your time to focus on the possibilities with your spring energy. As women, whether we choose to conceive and give birth to a child or conceive and give birth to ideas, we are always containers of what the future can be. During these two weeks is a great time for new ideas and perspectives, so let your voice be heard. Your journal will help you take note of any patterns that you may experience.
The Ovulation Phase is part of your follicular phase
This is one of the shortest phases in your moon’s phases. For those of us that live in the United States the summer can seem fast and fleeting. Summer vacation is usually just 3 months out of the year and is the one time many of us get to spend a lot of time outdoors. Your ovulation is your summer. It may be the time that you’re in heat, because you’re at your most fertile, so your body temperature will rise. This is also the time when many women have a rush of energy and become a bit more daring. This could also be called the season for risk taking.
Your ovulation days can occur sometime between the 12th-17th day of your cycle. Ovulation only lasts between 12-24 hours. If the egg is not fertilized during this season the womb will prepare for the next moon phase.
The luteal phase is a very nourishing phase
The Luteal Phase lasts about two weeks and can start sometime around the 18th day of your cycle and ends on Day 1 of your cycle. The luteal phase is named after the corpus luteum, a mass of cells formed by the body each month. The corpus luteum forms in the ovaries and functions as a temporary organ producing progesterone and then disintegrates when not needed anymore. If an embryo is not planted in the womb hormones begin to drop and the body prepares for the winter season.
The Luteal Phase is associated with the fall season. During this moon phase the womb is preparing to nourish life. The uterus has extra lining and the corpus luteum is formed to release progesterone to feed a fetus for 6-8 weeks, until they grow a placenta to nourish them. Everything about the luteal phase revolves around nourishment and enjoying the harvest of the work that your body has done during the follicular and ovulation phase. Our wombs are a source of creation in a multitude of ways. During the luteal phase you may find yourself journaling more and spending a bit more time indoors finishing up projects. The luteal phase is a great time to tie up loose ends before your Day 1, when the menstruation phase begins again. The wonderful news about living a cyclical life is that you never have to look back. These phases will continue to visit us again and again giving women the opportunity to discover themselves again and again. You can prepare your body for what lies ahead. It’s a way of living with the wisdom of knowing that there is no beginning or end.
Everything in nature is in cycles. There is always a great return to what is original and what is organic. The moon phases help us to remember that we are not missing out on anything. We don’t have to try to go through this process, we can decide to flow with the moon cycle.
If you would like to learn more about how to live in a purposeful way feel free to contact at info@moonsandseasons.com or via the contact form below.