Menstrual Ritual: Swallowing the Moon

The moon waxes and wanes every month. Perhaps you are aware of its effect on your moods and energy level. But have you thought about using its powerful energy to help support and nourish your own?

Across cultures and throughout history, the moon has often been associated with receptivity, femininity, intuition, illumination, passivity, fertility, transition, cycles, perception, emotion, mystery, wonder, shadow, balance, and renewal. In short, the moon has always been a symbol of feminine energy, just as the sun has always been a symbol of masculine energy.

In ancient times, women were very connected with the moon cycles and in-tune with lunar energy. They ovulated with the full moon, when feminine energy is at its fullest, and menstruated at the new moon, when feminine energy is at its lowest.

Today many women’s menstrual cycles no longer follow the rhythmic patterns of the moon due to exposure to artificial light. This also means that we no longer menstruate together as a group. We feel separated, menstruating alone, perhaps with the exception of a few close friends.

Many of us have also lost touch with a part of our own femininity – the deepest source of our creativity and personal power. So will reconnecting with the moon help us reconnect with our feminine energy?

The answer is yes. Taoist women have long been using moon meditation to help them cultivate and retain their youthfulness, sensuality and feminine power. It’s said that if a woman knows how to utilize lunar energy, she’ll become very attractive and magnetic.

The moon meditation is actually quite simple. To take in the moon’s energy, you want to face the moon when it is just rising, gently breathe in the lunar energy and swallow it. It’s recommended that you do this thirty times. And the best time is from the new moon until five days after the full moon, when the lunar energy is most powerful.

Today after work, I went for a walk on the beach. When I turned my head from a marvelous sunset, I saw a bright full moon rising, shining its silver light above me. It’s a full moon again…

I took a deep breath, and drew the pure, cool, and sweet moonlight into my eyes, my heart and my belly. Then again, and again… It was exquisite, peaceful and delightful. As I was walking, I couldn’t help but notice that I began to sway my hips. Playfulness and sensuality began to emerge from my purposeful and vigorous power walk.

Tonight, my moon goddess came down to greet me. “Hey, do you remember me?” She whispered…