Women are cyclical by nature. Our hormones & menstrual cycle moves with the moon, and the link between our womanly flow and the movement of the moon has been known throughout the ages with the word menstruation coming from the words ‘menses’ meaning moon. This link is not an accidental occurrence or a co-incidence.
The menstrual cycle is one of the most significant physiological events experienced by women. It’s a natural process that involves the shedding of the uterus lining, which happens approx. every 28 days on average. This cycle is closely linked to the lunar cycle, as both follow a 27.5-29.5 day cycle, which is known as the infradian rhythm. In this blog post, we will discuss the cyclical nature of menstruation and its connection to the lunation cycle, as well as how aligning with the infradian rhythm can change a woman’s life. I will give you insights into how you can begin to come back into alignment with your Infradian Rhythm and also resources to keep the journey going if so inclined. SO let’s do this!
The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is a complex process that occurs in the female body. It’s governed by a series of hormones that are produced by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. These hormones work together to produce the menstrual cycle. The cycle begins on the first day of menstruation, which is the day that the uterus lining starts shedding. T
his process continues for around 3-7 days, depending on the individual. After this, the follicular phase begins, which is the stage where the body prepares to release an egg. This phase lasts for around 14 days, and during this time, estrogen levels increase, causing the lining of the uterus to thicken. The ovulatory phase then follows, which is when the egg is released from the ovary. This usually happens around day 14 of the cycle. After ovulation, the luteal phase begins, where the body prepares for pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the cycle starts again.
The Lunation Cycle
The lunation cycle, also known as the lunar cycle, is the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s phases. This cycle begins with the new moon and ends with the full moon. The lunar cycle has been observed by many cultures throughout history, and it’s often associated with fertility, growth, and transformation. The lunar cycle is also believed to have an impact on the Earth’s tides, as well as on the human body.
The 4 phases of the lunation cycle with their menstrual correlations and other interesting factors are as follows:
Phase 1: New Moon, Bleeding, Winter, Crone Archetype, Birth, Death & Rebirth Phase
Phase 2: Waxing 1st Qtr Moon, Follicular Phase Spring, Maiden Archetype, Growth
Phase 3: Full Moon, Ovulation, Summer, Mother Archetype, Full Bloom/illumination/manifestation
Phase 4: Waining Last Qtr Moon, Luteal Phase, Autumn, Maga Archetpye, Decay
The Infradian Rhythm
The menstrual cycle and the lunar cycle both follow a 27.5-29.5 day cycle, which is known as the infradian rhythm. This rhythm is longer than the circadian rhythm, which is the 24-hour cycle that governs sleep and wakefulness. The infradian rhythm is a biological rhythm that occurs in many living organisms, including humans. It’s believed to be influenced by various factors, including hormones, temperature, and light exposure.
The Infradian Rhythm flows through a 27.5-29.5day cycle and is the same cycle through which all things in life cycle – the birth, growth, decay, death and rebirth cycle. But with the patriarchal system most of us live in, women have been disconnected not only from each other and from nature to a huge extent, they are also disconnected from themselves – especially when it comes to the menstrual cycle that gets shunned, suppressed, ignored and even shamed.
For women, the infradian rhythm is our second biological clock. It’s an essential rhythm that plays a significant role in our reproductive health and overall wellbeing. When a woman is in sync with her infradian rhythm, she can experience many benefits, including better sleep, improved mood, and increased energy levels. Additionally, aligning with the infradian rhythm can help women understand their bodies better and make informed choices about their health and wellbeing.
Tools to Align with Your Infradian Rhythm
First and foremost getting back in connection with the moon and her cycle is imperative to understanding you and your cycles. Also starting to track or map your monthly cycle will give you the ability to see patterns arising within your unique body, mind and soul. Tracking your cycle is like climbing a mountain and instead of taking the steep path straight up, you spiral around and around, each time noticing things you have noticed before, avoiding obstacles you have come across before and learning from each and every moment.
To track you cycle I suggest doing it on one piece and paper and having an accompanying journal to write / journal extra notes. being able to see
the whole cycle in one view allows you to compare month to month and really start noticing what you notice.
Here is a link to download my monthly symptom tracker and please know what you are notice is just that, symptoms. Your menstrual cycle in all its beautiful and flow gives you such an in depth look at the health of your body, mind and soul, so start today and start seeing your symptoms as sign posts to do something about.
In conclusion, the menstrual cycle and the lunar cycle are closely linked, both following a 27.5-29.5 day cycle known as the infradian rhythm. For women, the infradian rhythm is their second biological clock, and aligning with it can lead to significant improvements in their overall health and wellbeing. By understanding the cyclical nature of menstruation and its connection to the lunation cycle, women can take control of their reproductive health and live their best lives.