The concept of “honoring” your moon or menstrual cycle might seem a little foreign and unfamiliar, but the practice is becoming widely common again. And with good reason! 

Our menstrual cycles were once considered sacred and were occurrences that were honored and respected by both women and men. Native American tribes would reserve moon lodges for the women of the tribes as places for them to come together, rest, ruminate, and dream. During your moon cycle, your senses and intuition are heightened. This is when women would have prophetic dreams about how to hunt, improve, and govern the tribe.

Now, in modern times, when a woman’s cycle is mentioned, it’s met with awkwardness, embarrassment, and tension. Where along the way did what was once respected and valued, turn into disgust, shame, and a misconception of uncleanliness?

It’s necessary that we start reclaiming our power and embracing our cycles for all they are and offer us. It is one of the deepest connections to the archetypal feminine energy and Mother Earth. The menstrual cycle follows the same cycle of the moon which is roughly 28 days. We are in sync with the moon that pulls the tides and affects behavior of wildlife. There is power in being a woman and experiencing this cycle every month, just as the moon goes through her phases.

Learning to honor your flow can be a healing and intimate way to reconnect with your body, nature, and divine feminine energy. When you listen to the way your body feels and how you feel emotionally, it can help you understand when something within is out of balance (ex. Pain, headaches, anxiety, distress) and needs to be addressed.

Our moon is asking us to slow down, honor, and listen our bodies. During this time: 

• Our senses and emotions are heightened making it a great time for creative ideas to flow.
• We dream more often, more vividly, and are more likely to lucid dream during our moon. ( I always look up or try to interpret my dreams that stand out to me, as I feel like spirit is trying to relay a message.)
• Our energy is focused more inward than on social matters. This is a time for introspection. 
• We are more intuitive. Our intuition is sharper during this time, so trust your hunches and gut feelings, they are messages from spirit!
• We are in a process of death and rebirth. We go through a literal process of shedding, which is a powerful time for releasing things and patterns that are no longer serving our highest good!

Ways we can honor our body during our cycle:

• Connect with your body. Focus on deep belly breaths. Give yourself a loving rub in your pelvic area with massage oil and essential oils. (lavender or peppermint are my favorite for this!)
• Do yoga, honor your body with movement. There are certain poses for relieving bloating, heavy bleeding, and, PMS. 
• Track your cycle, and the moon cycle. Take note of the way you’re feeling during that time. 
• Drink a lot of water! Staying hydrated keeps you feeling lively, helps prevent cramping, and helps your flow. 
• REST. Allow your body it’s time to shed and replenish.
• Create a self care routine. Pamper yourself, use face masks, hair masks, light your favorite candle and incense, read your favorite book, and sip on your favorite tea!

Mother Nature has blessed us with our sacred moon cycle. It helps us honor our energetic, sexual, emotional and spiritual needs if we learn how to listen and understand them. 

-Nadia