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Moontime |
| There are many aspects of the Indigenous way of life that can be successfully reintroduced into our modern culture. Many of the ceremonies and rites of initiation help to define the passage of one's journey and create a sense of belonging. Women are intimately linked with the passage of time through the menstrual cycle, or
moontime. So too, is the cycle of life marked by the first blood at puberty rites through the last menses at the Crone's Crowning Ceremony. A woman's journey is linked to the moon, the ebb and flow of the universe, and the ancestral chain of all that has come before. Many speak of the changing times as the return of the Goddess-the balancing of the masculine and the feminine. Understanding the teachings of the Moon Lodge helps both men and women come to embrace the power of the sacred blood that unites us all. This series of articles features different aspects of honoring the Divine feminine to help us regain a sense of balance and right relationship. Each stage of a woman's evolution has its own mysterious beauty and can be met with wonder and awe. Speaking from my own experience, stepping into my walk as a woman was uncomfortable. I was embarrassed and ashamed, wanting to hide the fact that I was flowing. I was self-conscious about the tell-tale signs of water-weight gain and pimples, not to mention the need to carry a purse to conceal tampons and pads. I was always aware of my scent and concerned that it would be detected by others. These inhibitions, coupled with derogatory statements like, "She's on the rag", "PMSing" or "bitchy," developed a sense of negativity. Unlike my mother, I was well aware of what was going to happen to me. The sex-ed booklet's clinical explanation and the short conversation with my mother ("Do you have any questions?" "No.") was a significant improvement over my grandmother's experience of believing she had done something terribly wrong and was bleeding to death. Fear and misunderstandings extended into menopause, where male doctors routinely prescribed valium and other anti-depressants to help women of my mother's generation get through the mysteries of menopause disconnected and dishonoring their own experience. I recently was privileged to experience the rite of passage for a thirteen year old girl. She was welcomed into a new phase of her development with open arms. She experienced her first fast, give-away ceremony and feast. Our group eagerly awaited the celebration of her first moon. She was poised and radiant without the slightest hint of embarrassment around her brothers or my thirteen year old son. It was healing to know that she was learning to honor herself and the miracle of life that was happening in and through her. There are things you can do in these modern times to honor yourself as a woman. Explore ceremonies that help you to embrace your womanhood. Moss and moon ceremonies are simple to do during your moontime. Express a positive attitude about your moon. If you have a daughter, or other young woman in your life coming into puberty, mark her entry into womanhood with ceremony and celebration. Encourage her to take time during her moon for quiet reflection and pampering. |