Women's Cycles

Although our biological cycles are most obviously tied in to the moon's journey, our periods of fertility and menstruation are under Ceres' domain.

A woman's menstrual cycle, which has traditionally been none of men's business and, therefore, mysteriously powerful to men, has seemed to be in the same arena as the famous "women's intuition" and the more ancient "women's mysteries."

For us, it's no great mystery. Sure, we get moody with the onset of our periods. The changing of the guard on hormone watch is a vulnerable time for us.

We don't really want to deal with stresses that, on those days, seem even more petty than usual. We'd like to take the day off, curl up with a book, a hot water bottle, not have to talk, lounge in a hot tub, or lie on the warm sand at the beach.

Few of us have the luxury of doing that what with work commitments, family responsibilities and the myriad details that can't wait. But many of us are in some degree of physical discomfort -- those little mini-labor contractions are a pain -- and we'd prefer not to be messed with, thank you very much. It just seems like a time to dream, not deal.

One reason for that may be reflected in the beliefs of some indigenous cultures, which hold that the menses or bleeding time is a time of great power. Special huts used to exist (and in some remote places still do) for women to stay in during their "moon." These were retreats from daily duties, a place to be only with other women. Sounds like a good custom.

A woman's power is so strong at that time that she must be isolated from ceremonies if they are being conducted.

Why? Not because they are dirty or contaminated, as most male anthropoligists claimed, but because the strong energy field can mess up the power of the ceremony, like a conflicting radio signal coming in to interrupt a broadcast. This taboo carries through in Hindu temples -- a woman must not enter if she's menstruating, even if she's merely a tourist.

So these matters are treated culturally as women's "mysteries" or "women's business." Rituals around childbirth are also matters for women only. Some things are never told to men, as some things about the male rituals are never revealed to the women in the community. Separate duties require separate knowledge.

The mystery that has existed for women down through the ages is the one that a young girl experiences. She may be prepared for the onset of menstruation with stories or school programs. She may be told about it by her mother, grandmother or older sister. Or she may sense something secret that is kept from her and be terribly frightened when she first bleeds. But no matter how much she is told, the experience of the blood first coming is a powerful one and, like childbirth, no amount of preparation can hint at the real thing.

But then she's in the club. She's one of the women.

More on Women's Cycles:

Fertility
Pregnancy
Menopause