A Women’s Menstrual: Earth’s Symbolism
Since my menstrual cycle at the age of twelve, I’ve always struggle with it, as most women. From extreme pains, emotional highs and lows, and to many sleepless nights to count, I’ve always cursed my body for putting through this. I hated going through it. I envy the very few girls who would say nonchalantly they experienced painless, and easy cycles. It wasn’t until recent years, and too many trips to the hospital and doctors’ offices that I really questioned what periods are and why women even had them, because if you’re anything like me, you’ve come from a Christian background that told you that women experience periods and painful childbirth because we were cursed by God in the garden of Eden and that was our punishment for eating the apple. After research and some self-analysis, I’ve come to learn and believe that is not true, and that we as women are sacred and blessed to have and experience menstruation and childbirth. Below is a perspective of a menstruation that help to come to the conclusion above.
What is a menstrual cycle?
The below information is a structural breakdown of the menstrual cycle phases based on ancient women’s wisdom and how women’s body was engineered by God to align beautifully with Mother Gaia (nature). Here’s what I mean:
Phases of the menstrual cycle:
Like the seasons, there are four main phases of the menstrual cycle:
Phase: Menstruation
Season: Winter
Archetype: Wise/Visionary
Bleeding Phase Duration: Day 1-6 of cycle
The menstruation, winter, or wise women phase of your cycle is the first day you begin bleeding. It is week one of your cycle. Like stated before, when you menstruate, your estrogen and progesterone levels are declining, and the uterus lining begins to shed and flows out of your vagina. Winter is a time of inward reflection and of a metaphorical death. I believe it to be a time when a women’s body is shedding not only blood and tissue, but emotions that are no longer needed for the new cycle. It is also a time when a women’s energy drops significantly. It is not uncommon for a woman to become fatigued and suffer pain and discomfort. As in the winter when the temperature drops and becomes bitter and cold, so too does a women’s emotions during this time. As a woman moves into her inner winter, she may experience heighten irritability, especially with family, friends, or partners that ask her to “do things” for them during this phase. This because winter is not a time to give to others, but to ourselves. therefore, rest and hibernation are two qualities that characterizes this phase. The veil between worlds become thinner and a woman is said to be more powerful and have deeper access to her own wisdom. Therefore, rest and reflecting are the best things to give your mind, body, and spirit during this time. Taking naps or lying in bed, meditating, journaling, massages, warm baths, self-help reading, nature walks, or low energy exercises like yoga are all ways that you can nourish and prioritize yourself. One should also try to stay away from alcohol, sugar, and heavy meats during this time and instead increase their intake on water, teas (shop Chasitea’s wink wink), and greens during this time.
Nourishing foods to eat during this phase:
Iron intake is important during this time because loses a lot of in in blood shedding. Dark green leafy veggies, beans (especially lentils), dried prunes oily fish, grass-fed meat if you’re a meat eater, broccoli, mango, pineapple, strawberries, green or red peppers are known to support a woman during this phase. Every woman is different, but I try to stay away from meat and sugar altogether because I realized it increased my cramping. That’s me though, you listen to your body, she will tell you want you need! Vitamin C, magnesium and B vitamins also help support a woman during this time.
(Fun Side Thought: Think of the winter astrological signs: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. Women in their winter phase exhibit the same characteristic of these stars: withdrawn, reflective, sensitive, visionary, cold, wise, needing time alone/space to think and breath, emotionally misunderstood, dark, deep etc.)
Phase: Follicular
Season: Spring
Archetype: Goddess/ Maiden
Pre-ovulation phase Duration: Day 7-13 of cycle
The Follicular, spring, or maiden women phase of your cycle is between your period and ovulation and is around day 7-13 of your cycle. (Can vary a couple of days between women). During this phase, your ovaries grow follicles that can mature into an egg - which will be released during ovulation. Your pituitary gland releases the hormone FSH which tells the follicle to grow. As the follicle matures it will start to produce estrogen. Like fertilized seeds begin to bloom flowers in the springtime, so too does a women body starts the process of fertilizing the seed (egg) so that a flower (baby) will bloom. Therefore, a women’s Inner spring, rebirth, and renewal begin to re-emerge after the previous phase of death and hibernation. As estrogen levels rise, one begins to feel cleansed, energized, happy and social! A women may feel the urge to get back into action and take on things such as new projects. She may even notice she feels more creative, curious, adventurous, and even flirtatious during this time. Because this is pre-ovulation time and energy is at its peak, this is an optimal time to take advantage of new ideas that may spring up. Journaling or updating a vision board are ways to stimulate the mind in a creative way. High energy workouts, gardening, cooking a new recipe, crafting or painting are ways one can maximize this energy. During the follicular phase like the sun a women’s aura is bright and radiant and our social skills are at their peak so this also a great time to go out make new friends, or even attract potential love interest!
Nourishing foods to eat during this phase:
It’s important to include more dietary sources that help metabolize estrogen during this phase. This include but are not limited to cruciferous veggies such as arugula kale, collard greens, brussels sprouts, cabbage and Bok-choy. Fermented food such as kombucha and kimchi. Healthy fats such as avocados and pumpkin seeds, and leafy greens.
(Fun side thought: think of the spring astrological signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini. Women in their spring phase exhibit the same characteristics of these stars: Courageous, confident, passionate, affectionate, curious, open-minded, full of energy, impulsive, independent, productive, strong, open to learning, light-hearted, child-like etc.)
Phase: Ovulation
Season: Summer
Archetype: Mother/Healer
Ovulation phase Duration: Day 14-21 of cycle
The Ovulation, summer, or healer/mother phase of your cycle is usually the midpoint of your cycle and is around day 14-21 (This can vary from person to person). During this phase, things heat up, both physically and metaphorically. Estrogen levels will be at their peak as the follicle reaches it final maturity. When the egg is ready, the body releases a surge of luteinizing hormone which will trigger the release of the egg down the fallopian tube. This is the process of ovulation. Cervical mucus becomes thinner and wetter to because the body is preparing for potential conception. During the summer phase a women’s energy is more expressive and outward and may experience a boost in communication skills and confidence. As this is the most fertile window, a women’s libido is at its peak and one may feel, act, and speak in ways that are “hot” and sexy. Summer is a time of stepping out, stripping down, and enjoying a lot of fun and play time. It’s a time of indulgence, pleasure, and nurturing relationships. This is a great time to be social and of service to others; throw a cookout, or host a party, play games, or explore your city (amusement park, jazz concert, wine tasting, pottery class etc.). It’s also a time to explore and have fun sexually with your partner. Have fun exploring and trying new things and fantasies with your partner. If you are trying to conceive, remember, summer is about taking it easy and having fun! Don’t be too hard on yourself!
Nourishing foods to eat during this phase:
Although this is the fun phase of a woman cycle, there is a such thing a too much of a good thing. Excess estrogen can negatively impact a cycle. To buffer against this one should incorporate more complex carbohydrate and high-fiber foods to help remove excess estrogen. Increasing water intake can also reduce bloating, brain fog, and PMS during this time.
(Fun side thought: think of the summer astrological signs: Cancer, Leo, Virgo. Women in their spring phase exhibit the same characteristics of these stars: Nurturing, compassionate, loving, confident, bright, sexy, loyal, practical, reliable, kind, charming etc.)
Phase: Luteal Phase
Season: Fall
Archetype: Priestess/Enchantress
Luteal phase Duration: Day 22-29 of cycle
The Luteal phase, autumn, or priestess/enchantress phase of a cycle is around day 22-29 or around the fourth week if your cycle. This is the phase where that heat starts to cool down. If pregnancy doesn’t occur during ovulation, the egg and the follicle will break down. Because the women’s body produces progesterone to support early pregnancy, if that pregnancy doesn’t happen, the levels of progesterone and estrogen will drop which in turn will trigger your period. Like leaves on a tree falling during autumn, so too does our energy and emotional wellbeing. Because there is a drop in hormones there is subsequently symptoms of PMS that follows such as depression, anxiousness, anger, irritability, and fatigue among other symptoms. This is a time when a women may experience wanting more time and space to herself and may become agitated by external demands placed on her. If you are struggling with the change in your internal season, it is important to be proactive about your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. It is important to do things that make you feel good in healthy and creative ways, such as reading a good book, cleaning, go to a farmers’ market, making something warm and nourishing for the body (Chasitea’s is a good start wink wink) or spending some time outside during sunset. This time is a time for a woman to “harvest” and maintain all of her good feeling emotions from the two previous cycles, so setting boundaries and being very clear and honest about what we need from others and from ourselves will help to ease the irritability that naturally comes with this phase. We want to be as proactive and maintain a healthy balance within our emotional state so that we can sustain our peace within during this time.
Nourishing foods to eat during this phase:
Before hibernation, animals increase their food intake and we as women are no different during this time. Although women notoriously crave sugar during this time, it’s better to cut back on it especially coffee and alcohol because it can exacerbate PMS symptoms. But one can increase more chromium for it maintains normal blood glucose levels. It is naturally found in shellfish, broccoli, and nuts. Avocado, salmon, carrots, sweet potato, oats, and lentils are also good sources of nourishment for this time.
Fun side thought: think of the autumn astrological signs: libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius. Women in their autumn phase exhibit the same characteristics of these stars: outspoken, honest, generous, rational, balanced, cozy, self-reliant, emotional, wise, caring, extreme, sensual, intense, passionate, hot-tempered, blunt, friendly, philosophical, straightforward, amusing, loving etc.)
Conclusion
There is so much more to be said about us women in our cycle, but I think one gets the gist. It took me a long time to learn that my menstrual wasn’t my enemy, but my partner and my guiding compass in this life. And although I still don’t have the most prefect relationship with my period and my body and I do fall short when it comes to caring and nourishing my womb, it is with this newer perspective that God has given me that I have much more respect and reverence for it and truly view myself and my womb as extremely intelligent and sacred. And with one cycle at a time, I’m taking my power back and becoming completely align and in sync with myself.