The red and the white moon cycle

The blueprint for women’s menstrual cycles is to be in synchrony with the moon, the lunar cycle, both consisting of around 28 days. And just like the moon goes through various phases during that time, so do we. The masculine energy in the universe is symbolized by the sun and the feminine the moon. This is why women, by nature, are lunar, meaning that they are more connected to the moon.

In ancient cultures, there were two menstrual cycles celebrated; the Red Moon Cycle and the White Moon Cycle. The traditions and mythology around the moon as it relates to female fertility run deep and as the white moon cycle is a menstrual cycle that bleeds during the new moon, the red moon cycle is one that bleeds during the full moon. Many women’s cycles tend to be either a white moon cycle, a red moon cycle, or a transition cycle where the cycle is moving from one orientation to the other as women will experience both the white moon and red moon cycles over their lifetime. The cycle shifts depending on our wants, needs and phases of life.

THE WHITE MOON CYCLE

The White Moon Cycle has been historically linked to the new moon. So if you’re a white moon woman, you will bleed during the new moon, and ovulate during the full moon. The white moon cycle represents the fertile power of women and was considered the cycle of the ‘good mother’ as she was fertile in sync with the natural cycles of the earth (the full moon is considered as earth’s most fertile time). Women who experience their menstrual cycles during this time are typically good mothers, taking care of their loved ones and nurturing and raising children. The white moon woman are in deep contact with her emotional, mental and soulful energies as she naturally pulls her energy inward. In the patriarchy, these women are most cherished because they naturally love to tend to their men and children instead of seeking elsewhere.

“A woman with the White Moon cycle, bleeding with the dark (new) Moon, becomes linked to the deepest levels of her awareness, reminding her that there exists more than just the world she sees, because she is the carrier of the seed of life”.

THE RED MOON CYCLE

The Red Moon Cycle has been historically linked to the full moon, meaning that red moon women bleed on the full moon and ovulate during the new moon. This cycle is called 'the wise woman's cycle' and in ancient times, the red moon women have been said to be female healers, medicine women, the magic makers and wisdom keepers. These women would be gifted with a strong intuition and deep connection to their divine feminine power. Red moon women are focusing their ‘darker’ and more creative energy outwards, meaning that their energy will flow externally out to their community and circle, teaching others from their own experiences. It's said that these women would care for other menstruating women while they themselves were ovulating. While also being mothers and raising children, the red women were also associated with creation in the realms of art, self-development, creativity, mentorship, business or other aspects of life beyond pregnancy and childbearing. The red moon woman are in deep connection with her physical and sexual energies. Historically, such a woman were seen as a threat to the patriarchal society, which often times labelled them as witches, trying to make it shameful to align with the red moon cycle and to be a woman of power.

“A woman with a Red Moon cycle, bleeding with the full moon, brings the energies and mysteries of her inner darkness out into the world around her as a gift and an offering of the depths of her learning.”

Remember that both cycles are expressions of the feminine energies, which means that neither is more powerful or more “right” than the other. They each have their unique role to play in our lives as women and like already mentioned, throughout a woman’s life, she may experience many transitions back and forth between the different placements in the lunar cycle. It’s interesting to pay attention to this and take note of the different passions and desires which you are seeking during that time. Are you seeking spiritual enlightenment, passion, sensuality and feminist activism? Or maybe you are seeking a happy home life, beautiful devoted love with your partner, and the pleasures of watching children grow?