Woman's Inner Seasons: The Four Phase Cycle

The Seasons of the Woman, our 4 Phases

Understanding your menstrual cycle is one of the most crucial aspects of being a woman on this planet. Mastering your cycle equates to mastering yourself. In fact, it's impossible for a woman to truly master herself without comprehending her cycle. While this knowledge is essential for women, it's equally valuable for men, offering educational insights and reflecting their longer cycles. Yes, men have cycles too, and we'll explore that as well.

In the realm of women, their cycle is intricately linked with the moon, whereas men's cycles are aligned with the solar seasons. Isn't that fascinating? Delving into our internal seasons not only fosters self-compassion but also provides profound insights into human nature. Additionally, it aids in self-care by helping us understand what our bodies require at specific times. This article aims to equip you with tools to interpret and respond to your body's needs effectively.

Firstly, there are two essential rhythms at play. The circadian rhythm governs our wake-sleep cycle and is regulated by the sun. The amount of light we're exposed to, including light from our phones, impacts this rhythm and our ability to sleep deeply. This cycle affects both men and women, but it primarily governs the male cycle, operating on a 24-hour basis. It remains relatively stable, with minor changes due to external seasonal shifts.

On the other hand, the infradian rhythm, aligned with the lunar cycle, controls menstruation. Within this cycle, four distinct phases influence the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of women. Women's bodies undergo four distinct seasons, mirroring the outer seasons: Spring (Follicular Phase), Summer (Ovulatory Phase), Fall (Luteal Phase), and Winter (Menstrual Phase). This cycle repeats roughly every 28 days, in harmony with the moon's cycle. Each phase has a unique duration and energy nature, which we will explore individually. 

Something important to be aware of here is just how different every woman is, the cycle lengths of each phase listed below is the average running time. Depending on when ovulation occurs your cycle could be 40 days long, this is why it is important to track your own cycle to know your very own rhythm and how to work with it to either avoid or encourage pregnancy and all around health.

Spring: The Follicular Phase (6-10 Days Long)

Herb: Nettle

Timing: Directly after bleeding ends

This phase commences right after your period concludes. During this period, estrogen levels begin to rise, leading to increased lubrication and nourishment within the body. If examined under a microscope, your cervical fluid resembles streams, providing a conducive environment for sperm, enhancing the possibility of pregnancy.

Emotionally, you might feel more open to the world and receptive to various opportunities. It's a time of creativity, where you can explore new projects and embrace the possibilities life has to offer. This phase is marked by heightened sociability – an ideal period for connecting with friends and fostering relationships.

Estrogen, a hormone associated with bonding and nurturing, encourages reaching out to people and deepening connections. It's also a favorable time for engaging in exercise, especially weight lifting or more strenuous workouts, as muscle-building is particularly effective during this phase.

From a physiological perspective, this phase is characterized by increased digestive fire. Your digestive system efficiently breaks down food, transforming nutrients effectively. It's a period of bodily transformation, both internally and externally. This is an appropriate time for cold or raw foods, see a detailed list of foods for your cycle here.

Summer: The Ovulatory Phase (3-4 Days Long)

Herb: Chaste Tree (Vitex)

Timing: After Follicular phase, generally when you become the most slippery/lubricated (if healthy)

During this phase, lasting 3-4 days, estrogen peaks, triggering the development of progesterone. This hormone is crucial for building your uterine lining and balancing estrogen levels. Within this short span, one or two out of the 19 eggs available mature. These mature eggs detach from the follicular head and journey down the fallopian tube, creating the potential for conception. Once the egg is released it only lasts for about 24HR to 48HR maximum. This is a pretty small window for pregnancy. 

This is the only time of your cycle in which you can become pregnant. Of course, be mindful of unprotected sex during your inner spring/Follicular phase as well. Sperm can survive inside the body for 5-7 days, so even if you have not begun ovulation, unprotected sex during the time leading up to it may also lead to pregnancy because of the perfect sperm environment. To learn more about natural birth control check out our in depth article here. To learn more about synthetic birth control wander on over to here.

Emotionally, there's a sense of breaking away, akin to leaving home to present your best self. The energy harnessed during the egg maturation process symbolizes personal growth, readiness for transformation, and the unveiling of your true essence.

This phase infuses you with a heightened sensuality, making you feel fully prepared to present yourself to the world. It sparks a desire to showcase your talents, making it an ideal time for scheduling dates, filming, or giving presentations. It’s a period of outward energy, where you naturally express your authentic self. Be sure to fill your own cup with your juicy fire energy before just throwing it all out into the world and people around you. You’ll need it for your next phases.

Additionally, it’s a favorable time for tackling challenging tasks you've been avoiding. Anything requiring significant mental effort can be managed effectively during this phase.

From a dietary perspective, incorporating cold and raw foods is beneficial for this phase. These foods enhance the influx of fresh nutrients and help balance your internal heat, aligning your body with the external warmth of the season. For a list of the most helpful ovulation foods go here.

Fall: The Luteal Phase (10-14 Days Long)

Herb: Ginger

Timing: Estrogen drops, not as slippery, right after ovulation ends

Spanning 10-14 days, the luteal phase marks the transition from estrogen dominance to progesterone dominance. Under a microscope, the once flowing pathways now close off, indicating the shift. Progesterone, a calming hormone, plays a pivotal role during this season. It either thickens the uterine lining in anticipation of potential conception or signals the lining to shed, triggering menstruation. Hormone changes might manifest as breakouts around the chin, jawline, and neck. You cannot get pregnant during this phase.

This phase invites deep reflection and creativity. It’s a time to focus on your body's signals, tune into your desires, and pay attention to the people who resonate with you. Progesterone's influence shifts your focus inward, allowing you to recognize and assert your boundaries. It can be a period of self-discovery and, occasionally, grappling with feelings of shame, as your assertiveness might clash with others' expectations. Time seems to slow down, demanding your present attention.

The veil of curiosity and unbridled joy lifts during this phase, revealing your genuine needs and desires, stripped of the influence of ovulation-induced optimism. Deep introspection and self-reflection become the norm. It’s a nesting phase, urging you to clean your space, hibernate, and embrace solitude or the company of close relationships. This introspective time prompts crucial questions: Are you dedicating enough time for yourself? Are you allowing your authentic emotions to surface?

To support your body during this phase, opt for warming foods like stews, steamed dishes, or cooked meals over raw foods. This choice conserves digestive energy, allowing your body to navigate this introspective season with ease. Also it is best to go grocery shopping towards the end of this phase just before menstruation so you have food at home for your inner winter time. For a list of foods during the premenstrual phase go here.

Winter: The Menstrual Phase (3-7 Days)

Herb: Rose

Timing: When blood first shows up

Lasting 3-7 days, the menstrual phase signifies a period of deep inner slumber and reflection. During this time, hormones drop, and the uterine lining sheds, initiating the flow of blood. It is your most powerful phase, offering profound insights into the unseen aspects of life.

This season demands rest, although society often fails to recognize its power. Rest during menstruation is a vital practice, enabling women to tap into their unique abilities to perceive the subtle currents of life. Despite societal misconceptions, embracing this restorative period amplifies a woman’s strength and wisdom. It’s a time of upheaval and raw truth, where every layer is uncovered, and deeper understanding is gained through upheaval. This is our most sensitive time simply because the veil is gone and we become exposed to everything that was in between the lines of what we originally perceived.

Rest, especially during the initial days of bleeding, is paramount for health, allowing the body to regenerate after blood loss. Disconnecting from distractions, immersing in sunlight, and indulging in warm baths nurture the body’s restoration. 

Menstrual blood, rich in antimicrobial properties and stem cells, is a remarkable offering to the earth. By returning it to the soil, not only do plants receive vital nutrients, but they also align with your DNA, potentially aiding your digestive system (if shared with plants you harvest).

A Hopi prophecy suggests that when women return their blood to the earth, the world will witness the end of wars and bloodshed.

Even in a fast-paced corporate environment, carve out at least 10 minutes in the morning and evening for solitary rest. You must always be your first priority for those around you to flourish.

Embrace blood-building and warm foods during this phase, avoiding cold foods that might lead to womb blood stagnation. Reducing sugar intake further supports your body's natural rhythm. Rest during menstruation is not just a pause; it's an opportunity to commune with your inner wisdom. Go here for a list of supporting menstrual foods.

It is also important to note that during menstruation your energy moves in a downward spiral motion. When you use tampons or “moon cups” this prevents the natural downward energy movement and may increase cramps, cysts, and bloating aside from having toxicity issues. For more information on managing menstruation follow the link here.

This is just the beginning when it comes to self mastery through the cycle but resembles the absolute foundation from which to build off of for self understanding and improvement. To learn more about the womb, cycles, menstruation, hormones, and everything under the sun about womb wellness I suggest the resource Usha Anandi, founder of wombenwellness for workshops, courses, PDF’s, women health education certifications and more. Another amazing recourse for learning more about your fertility, biology, and charting is the book, “Taking Charge of your Fertility” by Toni Weschler. Developing a greater understanding of woman's cycles will guide you to be in greater sync with the natural flow of the universe and self mastery.

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Recourses:

https://www.wombenwellness.com/live/

The book, “Taking Charge of your Fertility” by Toni Weschler

Knowledge passed down from being a woman

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