THE FOUR ARCHETYPAL SEASONS OF A WOMAN’S CYCLE

We are the seasons of the earth, phases of the moon and we embody the feminine archetypes through our cyclical wisdom.

Our cycle is a circular journey, a process of expansion and contraction, which is echoed in the pulsations of the womb, the beating of our hearts, the in and out of our breath. Cycles can be observed in every life form on the planet, in the earthly seasons and the phases of the moon.

Our menstrual cycles connect our female bodies directly with the rhythms of nature. Our cycles ensure we do not live static lives, they demand that we live dynamically, constantly exploring the different gifts of feminine power that each portion of our cycles hold.

Part of learning the art of being a woman is learning to honour each element of our cycles and ourselves.

The menstrual cycle in the words of Alexandra Pope, “our inner guidance system, initiating us into and anointing us with ever deepening revelation and wisdom.”

DANCING IN THE DARK

Our menstrual cycle takes us each month on a journey between the light and the dark in a spiral dance. Each month we get another opportunity to dance in a different way, to interact with our rhythms and tune into our bodies.

As we begin to attune to our bodies and feel into her inner rhythms, we begin to dance to our own tune, we can sense our energy shifts and rather than resist, listen and honour these ever changing spaces within us.

“The movements of the cycle are like the breath catching, like the snagging of threads in a garment. A sudden shift in gear, a cloud scudding across the sun, a small irritation, a distraction. Quiet, subtle, demanding your attention. Tripping you into different realities, perspectives and understandings. Breaking the mould of the cultural mind set. Stopping you from becoming an endless doing machine. Reminding you of yourself, making you sensitive to the world”. Alexandra Pope, The Wild genie: The healing power of menstruation.

THE ARCHETYPES

There are four main female archetypes that we cycle through during our lives:

Maiden, Mother, Wild Woman/Maga & Wise Woman/Crone.

Each archetype corresponds to a different season, a different phase of the moon, and a different phase of our menstrual cycle and stage of life.

These are all connected. Women have a deep connection to the moon, she rules the water element on earth, she pulls the ocean’s tides, the weather, female reproductive cycle and the life fluids of plants, animals and people. She influences our mood, mind, body, behaviour and emotion. Everything that flows moves in rhythm with the moon.

It doesn’t matter whether you have a regular cycle—which lasts around 29 days—or if you’re cycle is longer or shorter, or you no longer bleed.

You still cycle, because women are cyclical beings.

And this means the moon and the archetypes are always present within you, and always available for you to work with.

Some women go through long phases of embodying and expressing one archetype, and don’t create space for any others to emerge.

Sometimes, we can cycle through all four archetypes in one day, or a week; or through each menstrual or lunar cycle, or the seasons of the year.

Tuning into our sacred cycle, along with the four female archetypes, allows us to celebrate the divine feminine within, and without.

It allows us to recognise and celebrate the subtle shifts we cycle through; all of which are beautiful and have their own unique gifts to offer us.

Understanding the four female archetypes begins with your menstrual cycle, the shifts in your mood, energy, wants and needs are not random, or irrational, they carry great wisdom that call us into deeper listening and body awareness.

You will no longer feel like your cycle is a wave you get caught up in and thrown about by each month. You will regain control of your natural rhythms, and navigate the ocean with fierce grace.

This is deep, archetypal work, Sister. And it is always available to you.

“At menarche a women meets her power,

During her menstruating years she practices her power,

At menopause she becomes her power”

– Native American Saying

THE FOUR FEMALE ARCHETYPES

These are the four main female archetypes, along with their corresponding moon and menstrual phase, and wider season.

🌹 Maiden: Waxing Moon & Follicular Phase (Spring)

🌹 Mother: Full Moon & Ovulatory Phase (Summer)

🌹 Wild Woman/Maga: Waning Moon & Luteal Phase (Autumn)

🌹 Wise Woman/Crone: New Moon & Menstruation Phase (Winter)

WEEK 1 – WINTER

Winter:​ Cold, fires, inward, contemplation. Seeds dormant under the earth.

Elder, wisdom, truth, contemplation, entering your inner world, listening to what your body needs.

Winter is a time of inward reflection, a shamanic death.

The bleeding phase of your cycle is the time where your energy and hormones are at an all time low.

Last quarter to Dark Moon/New Moon (menstruation/moontime)

Winter or the Wise Woman/Crone phase begins on Day 1 of your moon time. This is the first day you begin bleeding, and it’s week one of your cycle.

Dark Moon prayers – letting go of what no longer serves.

On Dark Moon reflect on the past lunar cycle and feel into what you are ready to release and let go of. This is the time of your cycle to be in the death. Release with one of the four elements. Offer to fire, let go in ocean. If bleeding let go with a blood prayer to the earth.

On New moon at the beginning of a new cycle begin with a prayer or intention of what you want to grow in this new cycle.

Day 3 of menstruation is a magical portal, opening your psychic connection to the other-worlds where deep insights and revelations are revealed. Pay attention to your dreaming….

Goddesses ~ Hecate, La Loba, Bone Woman

The seed of the rose – Rose hip

Hibernation and rest are two qualities of this phase, the winter phase, or wise woman/crone phase is a time when the veil between worlds becomes thinner. A woman on her moon is said to be more powerful and have deeper access to her own wisdom. In more ancient times, women would separate from the men during their bleeding time to gather in menstrual huts or tents to renew and tune in to the spirit world.

Our boundaries shift here and it’s important to listen and honour your own self care needs. Winter is not a time to give to others, but to ourselves.

PRACTICING CONSCIOUS MENSTRUATION

Keywords / phrases: Peace, quiet, rest, solitude, don’t make demands of me, give me space, I want to feel safe and cozy, sensitivity, wisdom, creativity, letting go, renewal.

All cycling women understand the deep soul call for rest during her flow time. Begin charting your cycle and block out rest days for your moon-time, like your own Sabbath. Practice self-care and nourish yourself with healing foods and herbal teas. By honouring and welcoming your Moon time many symptoms of dis-ease can fall away as you begin to look forward to the blessing of your blood, and understand your cycle.

~ Allow your blood to flow freely by using period pants, pads or free bleeding, avoid blocking the flow with tampons and cups. Soak your period pants or cloth pads in water and offer to your herb garden (moon garden).

~ Rest and nest for the first 3 days of bleeding . Try to give yourself at least an hour of nourishing alone time practicing self-care.

~ Practice Womb Meditation and breathing: Lay down with your hands on your Womb. Breathe in and out of your Womb. Allow yourself to access a deeply relaxed state, drop deep into your body wisdom to receive intuitive messages.

~ Drinking Mugwort tea can open your 3rd eye chakra and bring you into the dreamtime consciousness to travel between the worlds to receive intuitive messages from your guides and ancestors.

~ Drink Nourishing herbal Infusions hibiscus, rose, nettle, red clover, oat straw, lemon balm, marshmallow and hawthorn.

~ Eat organic food and nourish your body.

~ Dream journalling, our moon-time can be a powerful time of dreaming, keep a journal to tap into your inner wisdom. Mugwort is a visionary herb and a powerful ally at this time to support the opening of our 3rd eye psychic portal to access insights and revelations from our dreams.

Blessings for your bleed dear Sister and if you are in moon-a-pause you can practice this at Dark Moon to honour your inner winter season and cyclical wisdom.