Beyond the Cycle

by Community Contribution October 09, 2023

by Melody Pohla

[make sure to check out the 'Phases' Tea Blend Set which is an herbal preparation made to enjoy next to this blog post and the live workshop it was derived from – available only while supplies last]

With the rise of the post-industrialist schedule that created what we adhere to now as a workday and weekend, days “on” and days “off”, there has been less attention and respect to the cycles of life that have been present since the beginning of time. Cycles can be seen clearly in a variety of ways:

The cycle of plants: Germination, Pollination, Fertilization, and Dispersal
The cycle of the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The cycle of woman: Maiden, Mother, Crone
The cycle of menstruation: Follicular, Ovulatory, Luteal, Menstrual

The last of our cycles listed above—the menstrual cycle—has been seen as something to hide, something “dirty”, something as a punishment, something to be shameful of.

However, it is none of those things. Instead of viewing the monthly hormonal cycle as a burden, what if we viewed it as a source of power? A source of intuition? A source of boundaries? A source of creative flow?

Within the respect of the cycle, we’re invited to work with our body and mind as opposed to working against it. As opposed to toughing through low-energy days with obscene amounts of caffeine to match the daily rigor of what is asked of us, we are invited to just say no to things that would be a detriment to our individual mental or physical health. As opposed to putting off an important conversation, we are invited to speak while our mind is in the best position to do so.

What if you don’t have a physical monthly cycle? That’s okay! You can still use the monthly cycle in a similar way by cultivating intention and utilizing the energetic qualities of the 4 phases. You deserve regular rest and reflection in accordance with your body, even if you do not have a period. I invite you to reflect on how each phase’s guidance can be applied to your own cycle.

Follicular | 7-10 days | Initiation

creativity, invoke curiosity, plan

Herbs that can support this phase:

Tulsi, rose, lemon balm, peppermint, white sage, nettle

Foods that can support this phase:

Focus on eating light & fresh. Green produce, salads, fermented foods (kimchi, sauerkraut), oats, lean protein, flaxseeds (crushed/ground)

Journal prompts:

Are there any people that I would like to connect with this month?

What does my month look like right now? How can I include things that excite me?

What feels overwhelming to me? How can I break it down into manageable steps?

Ovulatory | 3-4 days | Growth

socialize, collaborate, communicate

Herbs that can support this phase:

Red clover, marshmallow, hibiscus, maca

Foods that can support this phase:

Focus on fiber. Dark colored vegetables, fruit, quinoa, lean protein, fish, flaxseeds (crushed/ground)

Journal Prompts:

Are there any opportunities I can take advantage of right now?

Write down a recent event or conversation that made you feel inspired, empowered, or excited.

Is there something I’ve been wanting to talk about? What is it?

Luteal | 10-14 days | Completion

Tend, finalize, slow down

Herbs that can support this phase:

Red raspberry, ashgawanda, chamomile, nettles, catnip, ginger, spearmint, peppermint, burdock

Foods that can support this phase:

Focus on more calories. Brown rice, sweet potato, cooked dark leafy greens, roasted veggies, walnuts

Journal prompts:

Have I been saying yes to things that don’t feel authentic to me? What are they?

What are some boundaries that I can implement?

Is there anything in my life I feel no longer serves me? Why?

Menstrual | 3-7 days | Rest

Reflect, slow down, review your intuition

Herbs that can support this phase:

Red raspberry, yarrow, chamomile, spearmint, cramp bark, nettles, oat straw, catnip, linden

Foods that can support this phase:

Focus on protein and healthy fats. Red meat, kidney beans, buckwheat, berries, kale, kelp, beets, seafood

Journal prompts:

What parts of my life have changed this past month?

What has come into my life that I would like to give more attention to?

What part of my life can be released to make space for things that feel more authentic to me?

~~~

Liver Supportive Herbs

(helps flush excess hormones that can lead to bloating, acne, cramping, etc.):

Dandelion, milk thistle, chicory, flax seeds, ginkgo balboa, licorice, garlic

Further reading

In the FLO: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life by Alisa Viti

Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar

~~~

This post was originally published in the Greenspell 'Greencurrents' Zine

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