
If we look around, there are all kinds of cycles. We have the seasons, the moon, the stars and planets and our own monthly cycles as women, if we are still bleeding.
Unfortunately, our society is linear. And a linear society does not care about cycles. We are supposed to perform in the same way everyday. Just move on ahead. Don´t stop.
And this, I believe, is why so many of us feel lost, sink into depression, get anxious and worried and even ill. Because it simply is not natural. The linear society does not follow the cycles around us and within us. It tells us that that is not important. Just keep going.
We can start with nature. I live in Sweden where the seasons are very clear and we can follow nature waking up in the spring, blossoming with passion in summer, and withdrawing in the autumn and almost holding her breath in the winter.
As pagans we celebrate the changes in the season with eight festivals, about 6 weeks apart all through the year. This gives us time to notice what is happening, connect with nature and ourselves and be present.
We can also look at the moon. She moves from dark to full, and as she does, her energy changes. With the dark moon we can spend time looking at what we have achieved, or how we have been since the full moon. The dark moon is a time to spend in peace. It is again, almost like holding our breath and then releasing it as she grows again. We can release what we don´t want to carry with us into the next cycle. Pull some oracle cards for the weeks ahead. And as she grows towards the full moon, we can think about goals we have, what we want to do and take steps towards that. At the full moon we can celebrate where we are. We can charge up on her energy. Sit in her light and allow ourselves to be cleansed. And as she goes from full towards dark we can release. Let go. Breathe. Finish what can be finished. And take it easy.
The cycles of the moon is mirrored in the cycles of us women who bleed. I think it is such a fantastic thing to start to chart your cycle. Where you are at, what day you are at. (Day 1 being the first day of your bleeding.) How are you feeling? Anxious, energetic, creative, tired, sad, irritated?
Also check what sign the moon is in! This can sometimes give revealing clues to what is happening. There is a great app for that: iLuna!
When you have charted your cycle for a few months you may start seeing patterns and you can understand more about yourself and your mood. I love it!
Check out Lisa Lister´s work for this. Her book Code Red is all about the menstrual cycle and how to chart it!
Lots of cycles, eh? Where to start? Start where you are. Look around you. Check within you and see where you are at.
I will be happy to give you som tips on books and websites that can help you if you want. Just contact me via Facebook! :) And I might also write about it here.
With love and blessings, Elin xx