Autumn Equinox and Your Menstrual Cycle
Happy Autumn Equinox! The days and nights are now equal in length and it’s time to honor the change of season happening around us. In British Columbia, we’re lucky to witness the beautiful trees turning yellow, orange, and red before shedding their leaves and conserving their energy to store over winter. Energetically, we are beginning to reserve our energy and turn inward as we move toward longer nights and shorter days. The summer has a Yang energy of heat, aliveness, and busyness. In the summer, we turn outward to soak up the sun and visit with family and friends. As we move into the Yin season of autumn, it’s natural to notice that our energy might be slowing down.
In a culture that emphasizes the external including busyness, productivity, and achievement, it can be challenging to embrace a slower pace.
Additionally many of us have learned through our families of origin that it is not safe to slow down. This may have looked like being seen or celebrated through achievement or perfectionism, keeping busy as a way to survive a family environment that feels chaotic or unsafe, or even just never witnessing our parents slow down. Sometimes being in a parasympathetic state may even feel uncomfortable if our nervous system is used to operating in fight or flight. As the seasons change, we are invited to bring more mindfulness and self reflection into our lives. We are being asked energetically to access our wise feminine self as we learn to let go of the patterns that no longer serve us and embrace the wisdom that comes to us from slowing down.
Autumn and Our Menstrual Cycle
Women are cyclical beings and therefore living in accordance with the seasons is even more beneficial because it allows us the opportunity to tune into our menstrual cycle. The four phases within the menstrual cycle include the menstrual (bleeding) phase, pre-ovulation or follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and follicular phase. Energetically, these four menstrual phases align with the four seasons that we experience externally. The premenstrual or luteal phase is considered to be your inner autumn. It is the bridge between ovulation (inner summer) and menstruation (inner winter). After ovulation, progesterone levels increase. Progesterone is the “chill hormone” that communicates a sense of calm and turning inward. However when we are out of balance, we may experience PMS symptoms during this time. These symptoms give us information about our stress levels, boundaries and limitations. Because our culture (and possibility family of origin) may have emphasized pushing forward and favoring Yang (masculine) energy over Yin (feminine) energy, many of us have learned to ignore our need to slow down. The larger season of autumn as well as our premenstrual phase (inner autumn), invites us to tune in with our own needs and increase self care before entering winter and/or the menstrual/bleeding phase.
Tips for slowing down and embracing your inner feminine
When we’re used to living in a culture that moves at a fast pace or having a nervous system that is primed to be in fight or flight, it can be difficult to know what steps to take to slow down. Here are a few tips for inviting in a slower pace:
Letting go
As the leaves fall around us and nature begins to let go, we mimic an internal letting go. This might mean letting go physically, energetically, and emotionally. Physically, we might clean our closets and homes to get rid of things that are no longer serving us. Emotionally, we might try to check in with how we’re feeling on a daily basis and to give ourselves permission to feel into our emotions and express them. Journaling a few times a week can be another tool for emotional release and letting go. Energetically, letting go may mean letting go of energy that is no longer serving us. Get curious about old fears or limiting beliefs or blocked energy that you no longer want to carry and imagine them being released in liquid form back into the earth. This may require the help and support of an energy worker or counsellor.
Slower parasympathetic state
Allow your body to move into a slower parasympathetic state which may involve yoga, body work sessions (massage or acupuncture), cold exposure, breathing or meditation, or a long bath. Invite something into your life that with the intention of helping your nervous system to return to parasypathetic state.
Being rather doing
Try to cut down on social commitments or practice saying “no” to things that don’t feel right for you. This will create extra space to be with yourself and your daily practices. Try to get outside for a walk and use mindfulness to notice the cool crisp air, the color of the leaves, or the taste of a warm drink. There are times when we need to be productive and focus on doing and times when we need to invite in rest and recovery. Allow yourself to become curious about what you need by asking yourself– what am I feeling and what do I need?
Sitting in discomfort
If we’re used to moving at a fast pace, slowing down is going to feel very uncomfortable. Invite in this feeling of discomfort without pushing away. Allow yourself to soften into it.
Interested in learning more about your cycle and how to live cyclically? My womb healing sessions are a unique blend of reiki energy healing,Holistic Pelvic Care™ , shamanic journeying, and somatic therapy and counselling techniques.