Throughout history and different cultures, attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual blood have varied. Ranging from menstrual blood being viewed as sacred, healing and powerful to feared as dangerous and unclean. For instance, in the bible it is written "And if a women has an issue, and her issue is her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until even..." [Levitious 15:19-30]. This is the basis upon which the Jewish tradition deems women ritually unclean and impure whilst she is menstruating. Greek-Roman cultural taboos, feared that menstrual blood soured wine, made crops wither, caused the fruit to fall off tree's and dulled the edge of steel and so forth: that's some power!
Contrary to this, in ancient traditional tribal cultures a girls entry into woomanhood as symbolized by her first period [menarche] is celebrated and honoured. Apache Indian girls are sprinkled with the pollen from the stamen of flowers, representing their blossoming fertility and there is a four day long ceremony. Some what different from being handed a pack of sanitary pads and being advised that the best form of contraception is to say "no." Which pretty much sums up the education I was given about menstruating and sexuality as a teenager in the late 1970's.
The Dogon tribe in Africa have a special designated menstrual hut to go to. Not because they are seen as unclean, but to give them the time and space to practice their special shamanic powers, that are heightened during menstruation. The Native American Indian "moon lodge" had a similar purpose. Menstruation was considered a powerful time by the whole tribe for visioning and attaining guidance for the tribe. hence, the native American Indian saying " the fastest way to destroy a tribe is to first destroy the moon lodge."Aboriginal women's rituals around menarche and menstruation are based on fasting and developing their spiritual practices.
In western society today, much of the language and attitude surrounding menstruation is negative, such as referring to menstruation as the "curse." Many women view their monthly bleeding as burdensome and inconvenient, that is until they want to become pregnant. In 1988, gynecologist Dr R Wright, was of the opinion that " after the last planned pregnancy, the uterus becomes a useless, bleeding, symptom-producing, potential cancer bearing organ and it should be removed. "When I ask women in their 50's if they still menstruate?, often the reply is "yes, unfortunately." Whilst I can understand their desire to be free of the inconvenience of having periods, especially if it is problematic. It also, saddens me to hear this, as I see how disconnected we have become from honouring our bodies and menstrual cycle.
This is not the modern women's fault, she has not been taught to honour and respect the gift of her menstrual cycle. She did not receive a "rite of passage" ceremony that affirmed and acknowledged: her power to create, beauty[inside and outside], uniqueness, innate gifts and talents. Studies have found that a women's experience of her menarche, influences her subsequent menstrual experiences, both physically and emotionally. Gynecologist and obstetrician, Dr Christiane Northrup [ author of "Women's bodies, Women's Wisdom"], states that '...the seeds of menstrual distress, which 60-70% of women suffer, are sown in that whole introduction to the menstrual cycle." Personally, I suspect this would play a role in how women experience the menopausal transition too. Not surprisingly, studies have also revealed that few women felt they were sufficiently prepared for the onset of menstruation and few women were happy with the onset of menstruation.
We live in a culture, that to a large degree suppresses and denies our fertility and hides menstruation. Today, many women commence the oral contraceptive pill in their late teens or early 20's; often before they have had a chance to experience, understand and develop a relationship with their natural cyclic changes. The oral contraceptive pill, creates an infertile state, similar to that of early pregnancy. Therefore, the bleeding experienced whilst taking the pill is a drug withdrawal bleed and is not menstruation. We plug ourselves up with tampons, which means we will not feel our menstrual blood flow and we attempt to carry on as usual as of nothing is different. With 1;6 couples now being diagnosed as infertile, I believe that reconnecting with the menstrual cycle with respect and gratitude, is an important part of the healing process. This includes rites of passages that acknowledge and affirm the wondrous gift of the ability to create.
So what do I mean, when I say honour menstruation? Well, I mean that it is a time of rest, renewal and healing; your body is preparing for a fresh new cycle and the possibility of conception. So, take time out, I will say it again TAKE TIME OUT. Your physical energy will be lower, but your intuition and sensitivity will be heightened. Therefore, it is a time for quite reflection, to tap into your inner needs and knowing. This is why menstruation is a gift, tribal cultures recognized this and created the time and space for ritual and spiritual practice.
If you don't do this you will drain the cellular energy reserves of your ovaries and adrenal glands. This will effect your fertility, hormone balance and ultimately how easy or difficult your transition through menopause is. Although symptoms such as PMS and period pain are associated with menstruation, they are not the same thing. any menstrual distress is your body showing you that things are out of balance. For post-menopausal women, I suggest that you schedule time out once a month when the moon is in it's dark phase.
For some guidelines on how to honour your bleeding time, see my blog titled "Tips For Self-care During Menstruation."
If any of the above resonates with you, then you may like to attend my "Moontime Awakening" one day retreat or attend my monthly women's circles. For more information on these, please click on the "women's circle" tab at the top of the page.
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