The Female Moon Cycle and Ancestral Wisdom: The Yin, The Yang and How We Show Up

It’s the dance of energy, isn't it? The strong, outward push of the masculine, the yang, birthing creation from action. And then, the deep, receptive stillness of the feminine, the yin, where creation is birthed from rest. But look around us, feel the pulse of our days—it beats to a male drum, doesn't it? Work and school schedules are all tuned to a rhythm that often leaves our delicate cycles unheard.

Imagine our young ladies, just unfurling in a growth spurt, and then the deep inward pull of their moon time, their menstrual phase. And then, bam! A demand for outward exertion, a game, or crucial practice. The body, wise in its survival instincts, clamps down, prioritizing only what's needed for that immediate moment. Our hormones feel this squeeze. This disregard. A single instance? Perhaps. But these "one times," they gather and accumulate, leaving their mark on our overall well-being, our very ability to nurture new life.

This knowing settled deep within me. This is why my daughters found their strength not on the competitive field after their cycles began. Instead, we embraced gentle movement—walking under the vast sky, the quiet companionship of horses, playful games in the park, the freedom of bikes and skateboards. Their rhythm became our guide. More rest during their moon's deep sleep? Absolutely, one of the quiet blessings of our homeschooling path. And let me tell you, these girls, attuned to their inner wisdom, will complete their studies at age 16, not 18. Honoring their flow has nourished their minds as well.

When will our world learn to sway with the feminine tide instead of demanding we force ourselves into a rigid masculine mold? I’m not sure it will anytime soon, so we’ll create this flow ourselves. This relentless push for a false "equality"—demanding we mirror our male counterparts—it disregards the very essence of our being, our delicate, vital biology. How can stressing our bodies, the vessels that bring life into the world, ever be true equality? True equality would surely mean cherishing our health, recognizing our unique power to nourish and create.

I remember that stir in one of my MPH classes in 2017, that moment of awakening. "Men and women are not the same, biologically," I said. "Therefore, we are not equal in that way. What we should be doing is honoring these differences and the gifts each brings to the table." And the shift I witnessed, the opening of minds, even my professor's—it resonated with a deep, inherent truth.

It does make sense, doesn't it? But so many of our young ones are growing in a world that actively silences this wisdom, a world that has not just disregarded the feminine but has often sought to diminish it. Look at how motherhood, that sacred act of raising the next generation, is so often undervalued. Look at our Mother Earth, wounded and exploited.

My former acupuncturist spoke to this years ago, a simple, profound truth. Women-and-children-first policies, he said, are about preserving the human species. We are the keepers of life, our value immeasurable.

So, this sharing may seem like a winding path, but it leads to the heart of how we can truly nurture the feminine in our lives and show up for our daughters, our partners, our kin, and ourselves. We must step back from the clamor, listen to the quiet wisdom, and consider the long, unfolding consequences of our choices.

**None of this is meant to be medical information and should not be taken as such. I am sharing our experience and what works for us.

**I am not being paid by anyone whose products I mention. These are products I and/or my daughters have used ourselves and found valuable.