We, as a human species, are intimately connected to our environment and the world around us. We are all the elements that make up the earth and cosmos… and for a women’s body, this is especially true. The best way to see this is through a women’s menstrual cycle. A full lunar cycle is about 29.5 days long and a women’s menstrual cycle is approximately 28-32 days. A wild coincidence? I think not.
Just as the moon waxes and wanes, so does your moon. Ancient Ayurvedic scriptures share that when a woman is fully connected to her womb, as well as to the biological rhythms of nature, her menstrual cycle will be in cohesive relationship with the phases of the moon. She will bleed on the new moon and ovulate on the full moon. She will also experience a menstrual cycle that is not too heavy or too light, a cycle that is bright red in color, and a cycle that is symptom and pain free. Wow, a symptom free cycle? Now that’s crazy.
Unfortunately with our modern world, we have lost touch with our environment and our natural biological clock. (p.s. our biological clock is what helps regulate our hormones). Our modern world is effecting us and our precious hormones tremendously. We have artificial lights that keeps us up at all hours, technology with harmful radiation, daily “stressors” that keeps us in a cortisol flooded, flight or fight state, synthetic birth control, and bleached menstrual care products. Ouch! No wonder we are experiencing some of the highest rates of women’s health issues and infertility.
In Ayurveda, a women’s moon cycle is known as Rajah and it is a by-product of lymph or rasa dhatu. Our rasa is affected by what we consume, internally and externally, and is highly influenced by the downward flow of Vata, known as Apana Vayu. During this time it is important that we nourish Vata Dosha and honor the body’s natural cycle of releasing (new moon energy). Our body is detoxifying both physically and spiritually, our hormones are at their lowest point, and the veil is the thinnest between the physical and the spiritual world. In more esoteric terms, our moon cycle represents the death (shedding, letting go) before the rebirth (follicular phase- rebuilding of endometrial lining, “blossoming”).
This is the time to realign with our natural biology, to cut out activities that will cause stress, go to bed early, and even incorporate free bleeding so to not block our natural downward flow of Apana Vayu. To honor this process and our bodies sacred way of “releasing the old”, will help tremendously with many menstrual issues and dis-eases that we are commonly confronted with today such as PMS, irritability, cramps, and even more serious conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis.
This is the time to surrender into your body’s release, to surrender into the beautiful solace of your inner winter, and allow yourself to fully rest and receive
Mantra: I honor my bleed and I let her flow and release with ease