Why Use the Moon?
As women, and as mothers, we can easily get caught up in an always on mode where we are constantly running around doing, doing, doing. From getting everyone up and dressed, fed, and watered, to the endless piles of laundry, cleaning, organising, answering work emails, calls, sorting projects and getting the dinner fixed in the slow cooker, we are always moving, always doing, and always putting other people’s needs ahead of our own. It’s exhausting, especially when our bodies and minds are under pressure from our cycle.
By living in a cyclical way we give our bodies and minds the opportunity and support to move through the different phases of our cycle, which will help with that long list which keeps us moving. We can learn to not allow every day to be Groundhog Day and move with the ebbs and flows we experience over the month and settle into life in accordance with our natural rhythm, from those periods when we are highly creative and starting new projects, to those periods when we exhibit high energy and social vibes.
By living in a cyclical way, by tailoring our lifestyle and eating habits, our mothering, and our working, we allow ourselves to be in sync with the ups and downs, high and low energies, in an effort to live well and in tune with our needs.
When to Use the Moon Cycle
We have discussed the various phases of our Infradian Rhythm throughout these blogs under the assumption we have a regular or at least predictable cycle. By tracking our cycle (which we will discuss next week on the blog) we are able to lean into the needs of our bodies and minds throughout the month. We become aware of the natural shifts our body experiences and learn to live in sync with our body clock.
However, when our cycle is suppressed or inconsistent, possibly due to PCOS, perimenopause, or the erratic nature of our cycles postpartum, we can struggle to understand what our body needs as those hormonal shifts are not as recognisable or predictable.
When this happens, we use to think we had to just go with the flow of this haphazard cycle and take it as it comes. But of course, this does not help us to navigate the changes our bodies are experiencing and ultimately lean into this powerful and natural experience.
By using the moon to track our cycle however, we are given the opportunity to reconnect with our bodies and minds and appreciate the phases of the moon in support of ourselves. As the moon cycle is 29.5 days, it matches in quite well with our perceived menstrual cycle. By using the moon as a guide we can still get the benefits of living in a cyclical way. It helps us to continue to lean into the natural phases of our bodies and provide the appropriate and needed self-care. This way we can bring our body into balance as we learn to recognise and understand the ebbs and flows which we go through.
In fact, by using the moon as a guide, leaning into those natural shifts, we can help to bring our cycle into a more regular pattern.
Bear in mind:
If you have a predictable and consistent cycle, I do not recommend using the moon as a guide. If you plan your work and life to the energies of the moon you can end up fighting against yourself when your actual cycle is asking to be listened to. For example, if you are being guided by the Full Moon which is a time of outward, social, and high energy but your body is experiencing the Menstrual Phase of your cycle, which requests rest, you will be in deliberate and complete misalignment with yourself.
Unlocking the Moon
The moon cycle, just like our menstrual cycle, occurs in four phases:
Waxing; Full; Waning; and New
Much like our own infradian rhythm, these four phases are connected to the energies of the moon, which can guide us to live in a cyclical way. These phases are closely related to the same energies which we discussed for the various phases, Follicular, Ovulatory, Luteal, and Menstrual. Please revisit these blogs on our phases to get an understanding of these same energies of the moon, and how to lean into each stage of the Moon Cycle as we eat, exercise, mother, and work.
The Waxing Moon – The Follicular Phase
The waxing moon inspires us to lean into our creativity, to think strategically and focus on our goals. It is a time to think big, have fun, and explore.
The Full Moon – The Ovulatory Phase
The Full Moon shines a light on our social skills, our communication and how we collaborate with others. It is a time of high energy, positive thinking, and moving forward with those intentions we set. We can use this time to focus on what is working for us and release the negativity holding us back.
The Waning Moon – The Luteal Phase
At this stage, the moon is entering into a phase of darkness which can be significantly felt by our own energies. We are preparing for the rest which will be needed when the New Moon appears. We are encouraged to tidy up those loose ends before our energy wanes. And when it does, our energies require soothing rituals of significant self-care which urges our bodies to revitalise and pause.
The New Moon – The Menstrual Phase
As we link with the New Moon, we are inspired to pause and quieten our mind. Rest is the order of the day as we are persuaded to return inward, be introspective, set our intentions, and support our minds and bodies in a period of recuperation and rest. The New Moon tells us to slow down, honour our bodies and find that inner peace with a freshness and newness.
Unlock Your Cycle Blog Series
