“In the Tantric tradition, a menstruating woman is considered to be at the height of her power, ‘a true transmitter of the life force, able to act and respond with true wisdom’. It is the loss of contact with this innate wisdom that has led to the distortion of menstrual power into menstrual symptoms.” – Lara Owen, Her Blood is Gold; Awakening to the Wisdom of Menstruation
There are historical and anthropological accounts from all over the world that demonstrate regard for menstruation as a crucially important, sophisticated and sacred experience in a woman’s life, from menarche through menopause. Contrary to modern attitudes about menstruation that implore girls and women to be discrete, medicate, and tolerate discomfort at “that time of the month,” traditional wisdom guides us to rest deeply, turn inward and experience the wisdom and magnificence of our bodies. When we recognize that physical and emotional symptoms that accompany menstruation bring us crucial information and insights meant to be tended and pondered deeply, we engage in a natural and powerful process of developing true health, resilience, maturity, and earned wisdom – a practice that may be well characterized as feminine spirituality.
The Red Tent – or Moon Lodge – is a place dedicated to rest and deep listening; it is here where we offer undivided attention to our bodies, the wounds and lessons of our past – even our lineage – and our dreams. It is here where we develop the ability to be sensitive, compassionate, confident friends, daughters, lovers and creators of the world we live in.
In our modern re-imaginings of traditional Red Tents, we are making time and space to appreciate the sacredness of all of life once again – and honoring our blood as a vessel of life’s essence. Taking a wider view, re-installing the delightful spirit and teachings of menstrual rhythms into our psyches and therefore the fabric of our communities, we are rebuilding the conscious physical and social infrastructure necessary for embracing habits and lifestyles that holistically honor Mother Nature and her cycles. This is how ecological regeneration will, over time, manifest as intuitive, embodied habits, and how healthy, confident women will once again become an anchor of love and true sustainability in the world.
Our meditations and conversation under the New Moon this month will be dedicated to cultivating our relationship with menstruation as a ritual for renewal, connection to the divine, and a celebration of life’s essence. It is here where we develop healthy respect and relationship with all elements of a life well lived.
Recommended (not required) reading: Her Blood is Gold; Awakening to the Wisdom of Menstruation, by Lara Owen
Logistics:
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2021 (New Moon)
Time: 7 - 9 p.m. CET
Location: Zoom
Cost: Free/Donations Welcome
Register: Email to RSVP
Looking Ahead:
Monday, April 12, 2020 (New Moon) : Birth Stories
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 (New Moon): Goddess Archetypes in a Woman’s Soul Journey