In this article /
The moon cycle and your period can be mystic.
Early societies respected menstruation and its connection to the natural world, earth, and moon.
Today, modern-day menstruation is stigmatized and often a taboo topic.
It’s time to look to the moon and explore its connection to the self and menstruation.
Intrigued?
Let’s start with the lunar cycle to begin.
The Lunar Cycle : 8 Phases of the Moon
In astronomy, there are eight phases of the moon. This is called the lunar cycle.
According to Dr. Ezzie Spencer, author of Lunar Abundance, each moon phase is associated with a particular theme. These themes can be used to set intentions or goals or simply used to track how you feel during each moon phase.
1. New Moon: A time for beginnings.
2. Waxing Crescent Moon: A time for slowing down.
3. First Quarter Moon: A time for discernment.
4. Waxing Gibbous Moon: A time to trust.
5. Full Moon: A time to let go.
6. Waning Gibbous Moon: A time to receive.
7. Third Quarter Moon: A time to give back.
8. Waning Crescent Moon: A time to connect.
Each moon phase is a yin or yang energy. Yin is a time to reflect or be and yang is a time to act or do. The phases with yin energy are the crescent, gibbous, waning gibbous and waning crescent moon. The phases with yang energy are the new moon, first quarter moon, full moon and third quarter moon. Each moon phase lasts about 3-4 days. As a result, you will experience both yin and yang energy each week.
Before we dive deeper into the moon and menstruation, it’s important to note that there is no scientific evidence of this link. This is a practice you can explore if you’re interested in it. Or not.
Map your Menstrual Cycle with the Moon
Mapping your period with the moon is simple. You align your cycle days with the phases of the moon. Try smartphone apps like Flo, My Moontime or a good ole’ fashioned moon cycle calendar to start tracking the moon cycle and your period.
The White Moon: New Moon Menstruation
According to Miranda Grey, author of Red Moon—Understanding and Using the Creative, Sexual and Spiritual Gifts of the Menstrual Cycle, there are two traditional menstruation patterns. The first is the White Moon or menstruating with the new moon. The second is the Red Moon or menstruating with the full moon.
If your body follows the White Moon cycle, you’ll find you tend to menstruate around the new moon. As this is the first phase of the lunar cycle, it makes natural sense that your period would start in this phase. The White Moon cycle was traditionally associated with menstruation and is historically thought to be the optimum time to menstruate.
The Red Moon Cycle: Your Full Moon Period
If your body follows the Red Moon cycle, you’ll find you tend to menstruate around the full moon. The full moon is often associated with creative energies. Historically, it was thought that people who menstruate on the full moon were healers and creator and energy is focused outward.
If you notice that you menstruate around the full moon, you might be especially focused on self-growth, development, or at a particularly creative point in your life.
No Menstrual Cycle? You Can Work With the Moon
There is no “best” moon phase to menstruate with and your body will naturally menstruate with different phases of the moon throughout your life.
We acknowledge that not everyone menstruates. For reasons such as PCOS or endometriosis, gender dysphoria, or natural causes. This is doesn’t mean that the phases of the moon can’t work as a powerful cycle in your life.
Many people track and work with the moon on an introspective level. For example, the new moon lends itself well to goal setting and the full moon lends itself to releasing or letting go.
If you choose to work with the moon, remember that its phases are cyclical and simply an opportunity to connect or reconnect your body and mind to the natural world.
While you’re here, check out our Supernatural Periods Sale.
