Your friendly, neighborhood red tent.
For the past two days, I’ve indulged an information binge and decided to put some of that to use here. Now, I’m scanning the ‘net, hunting out ideas for a menstrual ritual. Since I know how much my mind and body enjoy the ritual process, I thought an altar would be snazzy.
I’ve found a few, scattered ideas so far: red candles, quiet reflection. Of course, we have the rituals many woman enact every month to cure symptoms: pills, wine, all-day fetal position, chocolate, sleep, etc. But I suppose I’m after something more ceremonious and celebratory.
I suppose it’s something along the lines of a private menstrual hut/circle, including the beet juice or tea as well as a menstrual skirt.
In my diggings, I found Blood Sisters: By honoring the fertility cycle, the menstrual-health movement seeks to reclaim an ancient source of female power. Essentially an article about a retreat, founded by Tamara Slayton, where adolescents girls learn to develop and nurture positive attitudes toward womanhood and their menstrual cycles.
The article also includes stories about older women coming to terms with the negative and sometimes traumatic memories of their menarche, or first period, and who also learn to take breaks from life in order to honor their moon time.
Women who pay attention to their fertility cycles, Slayton tells her young charges, are in touch with nothing less than the creative principle of the universe. After all, she explains, each month a woman recapitulates the phases of creation, nourishment, death, and regeneration. In its creative or “light” phase– ovulation–this power can be used to conceive artistic or intellectual offspring as well as actual biological children. In its dark or “death” phase–menstruation– it can become a source of autonomy and authority in an era when women are too often expected to devote themselves entirely to the needs of others…
Few in academia, perhaps. But among those in the feminist-spirituality movement, the conversation is already in full swing. Among the more intriguing theories now being discussed: that the menstrual cycle is the missing link between women and empowerment. “Some people say the anatomical differences between men and women are not significant,” says Virginia Beane Rutter, a Jungian analyst who has written about the initiation of menarche in her book, Woman Changing Woman. “I believe they are the source of our deepest strength. Women who deny this are often caught up in a pseudo male-identification. Their life breath is coming from a very shallow place.”
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I’m intrigued by the symbolic perspective of the menstrual cycle: nourishment, death, regeneration. On Menstruation.com.au, I found that same idea illustrated in a diagram about the Female Energy Cycle. The Female Energy Cycle explained. This perspective coincides with my plans and efforts during the moon rituals, which all are about death, renewal, and growth.
Courtesy of the yOni menstrual tips board:
Another tip: A friend of mine told me that she read somewhere that there are four phases associated with the four days of bleeding- First day is Reflection (looking back on the month), second day is Projection (your plans for the month ahead), third day is Purification (the heaviest blood has usually passed by now and it is time for cleansing), fourth day is Celebration (need I say more?) Thought this was a nice way to be with your cycle. Enjoy! Karen
I really love the connections between all of these separate sources.
As far as the archetypes go, I’m a virgin striving to jump aboard the Hestia train, though currently I’m coming up on my mother phase (ovulation). I’ve complicated things with all the altar nonsense–needing the right fabric and candles–when, at most, I’ll need what I already have. And now, this info spree.
My head and body enjoy the rituals because, despite my solitary nature, I normally don’t spend time with myself, sitting in silence and relaxing. An introvert not using her powers for the good of her spirit? There’s no lunacy in that. tsk, tsk.
Nonetheless, I want this menstrual ritual in place, ready for next time. Though the full moon/first day ritual was perfect, I neglected a lot this time around. I didn’t feel very menstrual-like or womanly. I am and was much too involved with Krishna and the Gita.
Perhaps this is where Oshun comes into play, the womanly aspect at least. I see a fertility goddess statue, the red candles and cloth, journal, skirt, tea, and chocolate. Simple enough.
Tags: altar, menstrual helpers, menstrual rituals, spirituality
