Wimyn are deeply intuitive creatures that experience the great cycles of birth, death and rebirth in their very bodies, on a monthly basis. Not only that, but wimyn’s bodies have the natural ability to flow in sync with the light of the moon. When wimyn live in close connection, they begin to menstruate at the same time, offering an opportunity to support and care for one another. In fact, this is what occurred in the times of the Red Tent, when wimyn would gather and rest during their moon time, away from the rest of the village.

Today, wimyn are led to believe that their moon time is something to be controlled and contained, sometimes even denied. We are a culture that values productivity, rather than honouring cycles, hormones and emotions. It is no wonder why a large percentage of modern wimyn are disconnected from their body’s rhythms. However, we do possess the old teachings within us and they are waiting to be awakened!

We can begin to change the generic cultural understanding surrounding menstruation by simply learning to honour this monthly flow. We can add ritual and ceremony back into the lives of our young girls and wimyn. A blessing way to celebrate menarche is a beautiful way to initiate a new woman into the sisterhood and create community. Even small recognitions are empowering. All children love to look at the moon! How wonderful would it be to learn that wimyn’s bodies can be in tune with the moon’s cycles as well!

The Sacred Moon Cycle

When we lived in communion with nature, we would flow with the cycle of the moon. We can see this to be true, when we live in ways that decrease artificial lighting and closer to the earth.

Becoming in tune with our cycles means more than just birth control or pregnancy achievement. It is reconnecting with all that it means to be a womyn, including honouring our energy levels at any given time.

The new moon marks the beginning of our cycle. It is common to bleed around this time. From the onset of bleeding until ovulation, is known as the follicular phase. This is when women feel energised and creative, when most big ideas and inspirations begin to take shape. This is a good time to take on the most energy intensive projects.

Ovulation coincides with the full moon. We feel sexual, charged, fertile and open. Wimyn emote pheromones that signal our partners in the natural world.

If an egg has not been fertilized, we enter the luteal phase and the waning of the moon. We are more sensitive at this time and in tune with what may not be working for us. We can use these messages as tools for self growth and should not dismiss these surfacing messages.

Observing our moon cycle as sacred will tune our frequency into cosmic consciousness.

Natural Fertility Awareness

Natural fertility awareness is a method that includes being mindful of daily changes in cervical mucus, morning basal metabolic temperature and cervical position. These very effective methods allow us to become in tune with the various stages of our cycle, including when we ovulate. Knowing when we ovulate is an extremely empowering process! It is what will allow us to encourage or discourage pregnancy and know our bodies better.

Practically speaking, there are 3 main ways to track your cycle. One is by observing your cervical mucus and the position of your cervix. You bleed on day one. A typical cycle can be anywhere from 21-34 days, the length of the cycle of the moon. When women bleed, it is usually referred to as their ‘moon time.’ After your moon time, cervical mucus is dry or non existent. Your cervix will feel firm, like the tip of your nose. As you approach ovulation, you will begin to notice a creamy white or yellowish cervical mucus that has a pleasant smell. A few days before ovulation it will become clear and stringy, taking on an egg white quality. You may feel more ‘wet’ than usual. Your cervix will feel soft and open, like your ear lobe. It is common to feel more sensual and open, creative and energetic during this time. We want to connect! After ovulation, we may begin to feel more insular and inward. Cervical mucus will become sticky and dry, cervix firm.
It is also helpful to track your waking basal metabolic temperature, using a chart. Body temperature is generally lower before ovulation, with a noticeable spike and rise post ovulation until the start of your menses.

Beginning to connect and honor our femininity is a beautiful first step in boosting fertility. Women are such gorgeous, intricate creatures and if we learn to respect our natural rhythms, we will become more powerful versions of ourselves.

In the moon time we become more in tune with nature, and more sensitive to shifts in mood, emotions and energy movements. Taking time to rest and reflect during our flow is important. The body is meant to be in a state of deep connection at this time. When old blood has returned back to the Earth, a surge of creativity, energy and sensuality follows. Pre- ovulation is the time to tackle large projects and be social, teach, share and create. Post- ovulation, we may begin to feel insular and less energetic as we approach menstruation and the dark moon. If we connect and honor this flow, we will entirely prevent what is commonly referred to as PMS.

Painful and uncomfortable symptoms of menstruation can occur because we may be resisting the process of womanhood. These physical sensations can be an ally, a way to be guided back into the wisdom of the womb. By drawing ourselves into these sensations, we can go deep into our own existence. The blood time or moon time is a time to go within, to feel and see the messages that the womb holds. She is balanced with the tides of the oceans, and the cycles of the moons. The womb gives life sustaining blood that is nurturing to all plants and to the Earth.

Fertility Nourishment

A woman who wishes to conceive may begin to see her nutrition as especially important. Everything she takes in will have an impact on her well being, including how she feeds her mind, body and spirit.

Food wise, it is a good idea to stay nourished on whole, organic when possible and mostly local foods. To keep blood sugar levels steady, eating small meals throughout the day is helpful, just like animals in nature do. Focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and good fats such as avocado and coconut is ideal. Including soaked and cooked grains and beans can add a lot of satisfying nutrition to a woman’s body. There is a healthy nutrition plan to suit every budget, if we focus on what’s available locally.

Here are a few foods that are especially nourishing and fertility boosting:

Evening Primrose oil – this is available in capsules in most health food stores.

Good Fats – avocado, coconut oil, nuts and seeds and good quality fish oil.

Goji berries – Has been shown to increase sperm count and vitality.

Ashwagandha – known as the ‘strength of a stallion’, the adaptogenic herb helps to calm the nerves and aids the body in adapting to stress. This is very helpful during the prenatal period.

Nourishment Tea – a blend of nettle, raspberry leaf, oatstraw, rose petals and rosehip is very nourishing and prepares the womb for life. 3-4 cups of tea per day.

Mineral intake for men – we cannot forget that the man plays a significant role in the creation of life. They also must care to ensure the quality of their sperm.

Maca root – another adaptogen, this is a well known fertility herb for both men and women.

Chocolate – dark chocolate of the finest quality provides essential minerals such as magnesium, as well spirit boosting and positive overall effects on wellbeing.

Aside from gaining nourishment from foods, it is important for a healthy mother to feel connected to nature.

Spiritual Fertility

Making Space in your life

Do you have a sense of spaciousness in your life for a new baby? This is an important concept for all baby desiring wimyn to consider. We are often so busy, with work and social obligations that lack the basic capability to nurture our spiritual selves. Without time to self-care, to dream, to laugh and to create, we will barely feel like we have ‘space’ for yet another ‘demand’ on our time.

Wimyn should be encouraged to let go of responsibilities that are not serving them. All the extra ‘to dos’. Encourage getting good quality and enough sleep, less time on computers, obligatory meetings and mindless activities. Fill that space with nothingness. Freedom to take a long walk in nature, to listen to beautiful music, to take out water colours and paint, to sit and do nothing at all.

Daily affirmations and meditation

Learning to transfer fears and negative thought patterns into positive affirmations is an important ritual. It may feel silly or ‘fake’ at first, but it is effective. Sample affirmations may be: ‘I am healthy and fertile’, ‘I fall pregnant easily’, ‘I have a healthy and happy baby waiting for me’, ‘I will be a vibrant pregnant womyn’.

There are many possible variations and all should feel important and true to the mother. A special fertility birth altar is a beautiful way to welcome in a new spirit baby and provides a touchstone to come back to daily. Dreams and communication with your baby’s spirit is also powerful.

Welcoming a new life into the world can be a holistic and spiritual journey!

~~This material is an adaptation taken from the Mystical Mama Yoga book on pregnancy, birth and motherhood~~