“When I was 14, periods were a secret. I haven’t learned anything new about this Secret in my Adult Life. I stayed 14 in everything that has to do with my period.” ~ G. H.
What did you learn about your period at 14? How TRULY different is it from what you know NOW? Like G.H., many of us stayed 14 in regards to our monthly flow, while maturing in every other aspect of life.
The ‘Yuk’ and ‘Eew’ factors are still prevalent for many women when it comes to their menstrual blood. Beyond that, many know that without a period you can’t get pregnant. What else do you know?
I was in my early 30’s when I honestly started educating myself about my period. By then I have trained in Relationship Skills and practiced Compassionate Communication. I studied Social Psychology & Humanistic Psychology, and was applying the understanding & insights I gained to a multitude of relationships in my life, both personally and professionally. I educated myself about my sexuality, about contraception, about career paths, but not once did I take the initiative to educate myself about my menstruation. When I finally did – it changed my life! (but that’s another story…)
We often treat our menstruation like the weather!
We begrudgingly accept it, as we would the weather, but one thing is different:
we have endless Weather Channels, reports, forecasts, and analysis about something we can’t control, and only semi-accurately predict!
We keep educating ourselves about the weather…
What about our own Inner Climate???
What about our cyclicity, which is far more predictable than the weather?
And it determines far more than the weather does:
It influences your moods, your inward-bound or outward-bound feelings, your level of creativity, your productivity, and many of your emotional needs…
Educating yourself about menstruation is not limited to the substance of your menstrual blood, or the physiological process taking place in your body (though these are essential to your self knowledge!) Educating yourself about menstruation is a keen study of your inner emotional landscape during your period (and during all other phases of your cycle!)
Take a quick Menstruation Quiz:
– Why do women bleed monthly?
– What triggers menstrual blood to form in our womb?
– What is the actual substance of our menstrual blood?
– What is the connection between women’s cycles and moon cycles?
5 Responses
We bleed every month to shed the rich womb lining that has not been used to begin to sustain a pregnancy due to the non fertilisation of an egg. I believe that it is the ripening & release of an egg that triggers the start of the process preparing & waiting for implantation, all of which is governed by our hormones. The menstrual blood is a combination of blood, uterine tissue, cervical mucous, vaginal secretions, cells & bacteria a combination of all that resides within our womb space. Many women who do not use hormonal contraceptives cycle with the moon cycle ovulating at the new moon & bleeding at the full moon. As the moon’s cycles it triggers the hormonal changes within a woman, bringing her into tune with the natural rythms of nature
Jennifer, you took the words right out of fingers ????.
We Goddesses bleed monthly to shed the lining of our uterus. The lining creates a cozy, cushy environment in our wombs for an egg and sperm to wrestle and nestle, and make the spark of life! When the egg is not greeted by such an event, it is time for it and it’s cozy nest of a lining to go back to the Mother. Our lovely estrogen and progesterone hormones lowers after Ovulation, triggering our womb blood. Our womb blood has an amazing make-up, rich in stem cells, nutrients such as iron and calcium, uterine tissue, vaginal mucous and secretions. Also, a great time for shedding emotions or happenings that no longer serve us! The women’s system connects to the moon’s 29 day cycle. When a women’s pineal gland (third eye) is exposed to the full moon and days that follow for three days, over time her system will link up to the moon. Ovulating at the full moon and shedding at the new moon. Amazing system indeed!
WooHoo, we have a winner!
Sadie Hefel wrote a wonderful response to all 3 quiz questions
(and Jennifer Stead had a great response to!)
Thank you sisters for participating.
Sadie, you winning will be sent to your email address.
Many blessings!
I wrote this for my granddaughter after she just started her first menstruation.
The “gift” I speak of is a pair of silver heart ear rings with pink stones and a flower covered journal.
‘Dear Campbell,
I have been carrying this gift for you with me for maybe a couple of years and I can give it to you now because I understand you have become a woman!
Welcome!
The Native American woman celebrated her monthly time by going to a moon lodge.
The moon lodge was named so because of the cycles of the moon and the cycles of
a woman’s body. If our bodies are in sync with nature then so are our monthly cycles.
Campbell,
Each month the Native American woman would spend time in the moon lodge maybe by herself but often with other women but always with Great Spirit. The women made it a time to speak with the Great Spirit about what she was feeling in her body, her heart, her spirit or her mind.
(Christians would say they speak to God or Jesus.)
As well, the women would participate in art work, crafts, or writing a word or a song.
Perhaps they would make moccasins— always offering a prayer for each bead they sewed
or each word they wrote. It is a time of coming home in your heart.
It is blessed that at this time you can see how love can make a wonderful little baby brother
and know how love is why you are here!
I think already you are a blessing as a woman.
I hear the kindness in your heart.
I see a keen mind. (a gift from your grandfather and father:)
A joyful spirit
A beautiful body…
May you wear this gift in celebration of your womanhood!
Much love,
Grandma Elaine and may
the Spirit of Grandpa Jack be with you always and let you never forget our love!