The Moon’s Cycle: A Mirror to Our Own

The moon’s cycle unfolds in four distinct phases, each reflecting a facet of our inner world. The new moon, cloaked in darkness, marks a time of beginnings—a moment to shed the old, much like the shedding of the uterine lining during menstruation. As the waxing moon grows, its crescent swelling to a gibbous glow, it mirrors the follicular phase’s rise in estrogen, igniting energy and possibility. The full moon, luminous and whole, radiates abundance and vitality, often syncing with ovulation’s fertile peak when conception is most likely. Finally, the waning moon fades, its light softening as it returns to darkness, paralleling the luteal phase’s inward turn and preparation for renewal. This lunar rhythm isn’t just poetic—it’s a timeless guide, inviting us to flow with nature’s pulse.

To witness this harmony in vivid detail, gaze at Figure 1 below—a illustration of the moon and menstrual cycles entwined in a cosmic embrace.

Figure 1: The Lunar-Menstrual Dance

This image captures the vibrant interplay of your body and the moon, a living wheel of renewal.

The Blooming Phase: Waxing Moon to Full Moon (Follicular Phase)

The blooming phase begins after your period, roughly days 6–14, as your body rebuilds and estrogen surges. Like the waxing moon growing toward its fullest light, you may feel a spark of energy, creativity, and outward focus. This is a time of renewal—your hormonal spring—when your metabolism hums efficiently, and your spirit feels expansive.

Practical Tips for the Blooming Phase:

• Nourish with Lightness: Embrace fresh, vibrant foods—think leafy greens like kale, juicy berries, and seeds such as flax to support estrogen balance. A quinoa bowl with spinach, pomegranate, and a drizzle of olive oil fuels this vibrant phase.
• Move with Vigor: Your body craves movement now—dance to your favorite playlist, hike under the waxing moon’s glow, or flow through sun salutations. Celebrate your rising strength!
• Set Intentions: As moonlight builds, plant seeds for the future—journal your dreams, sketch a vision board, or start a passion project. Your mind is sharp and hopeful.
• Sip Vitality: Hydrate with water infused with citrus or sip nettle tea, rich in minerals, to boost your blossoming energy and flush out stagnation.

This is your time to shine outward, connect with the world, and ride the wave of the waxing moon’s ascent.

The Let-It-Go Phase: Waning Moon (Luteal Phase)

From day 15 to 28, after ovulation, progesterone takes the lead, guiding you inward as the waning moon dims. This let-it-go phase mirrors late autumn—a time to slow down, reflect, and release. Your energy softens, your body craves comfort, and emotions may swirl as menstruation nears. It’s a sacred pause, aligned with the moon’s retreat, to honor what’s ready to fall away.

Practical Tips for the Let-It-Go Phase:

• Ground with Warmth: Savor hearty, warming dishes like roasted sweet potatoes, brown rice porridge, or a lentil soup spiced with turmeric. Add a handful of almonds or a square of dark chocolate (70%+) for magnesium to ease tension.
• Rest and Restore: Trade intensity for gentleness—try yin yoga, a slow stretch by candlelight, or a twilight walk as the moon wanes. Listen to your body’s whisper for rest.
• Release with Ritual: Harness the waning moon’s energy—write down worries or regrets and burn them safely outdoors, or meditate to let go of emotional weight.
• Soothe with Herbs: Brew chamomile or raspberry leaf tea to calm nerves and support your womb as it prepares for renewal.

This phase invites you to cocoon, reflect, and surrender, trusting the cycle will begin anew with the next new moon.

Living in Harmony

Your menstrual cycle and the moon’s phases weave a powerful tapestry of self-discovery. The new moon’s stillness, the waxing moon’s growth, the full moon’s radiance, and the waning moon’s release— captured in Figure 1—offer a natural blueprint for self-care. Not every cycle will sync precisely with the lunar calendar—some women bleed at the full moon, others ovulate at the new—but the connection lies in the rhythm itself. Track your flow alongside the moon with a journal or app, noting how your energy dances with the lunar tides.

At Women’s Nurturing Circle, we encourage you to embrace this harmony, blending nourishment, movement, and ritual to honor each phase. Whether you’re blooming with the waxing moon or letting go under its waning light, you’re part of an ancient, living cycle. How does your flow reflect the moon’s glow? Join our circle to share your story—we’re here to nurture this journey together.

Resources

• Eat Like a Woman by Andrea and Verena Haselmayr: Nutrition insights for hormonal phases.
• Aviva Romm, Hormone Intelligence: Herbal wisdom for vitality and balance.
• Dr. Christiane Northrup, Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom: Emotional care across the cycle.
• Rosemary Gladstar, herbal traditions: Teas for menstrual support.
• Lunar cycle folklore: Traditional links between moon phases and women’s rhythms.