Natural Cycles - A Beginners Guide

I have been living and working with natural cycles for decades now and so it has been really fun to get back into my beginners mind and wonder what would have been most useful to know when I was starting out. I think fundamentally we forget that we live within, and are surrounded by, cycles all the time. Sometimes life, society and narratives or beliefs show us a linear way, a straight path, and we expect to follow this and fit into predictable and achievable linear structures, moods, goals etc.

I have noticed that with those that I work with there is an awakening to the cyclical nature of life when we cannot force ourselves into some sort of outdated structure, pattern or way of showing up in the world any longer. Sometimes this is in transitions, sometimes due to a sudden change or loss and always when we are ready to feel into a new way of being.

What if…

What if society, school, the workplace and family life were set up around this knowing of the ebb and flow of life, similar to the tides and echoed so perfectly in the natural world. What if we were taught that there is an inhale and an exhale and they are equally important? What if we learnt to harness the way the seasons (in temperate climates) move through Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter? How nothing stays the same and there is constant change. This can seem chaotic and unpredictable at first, but if we turn to nature we actually see repeating patterns, the same with the lunar cycle and phases, day and night and the breath in and out.

The cycle through the seasons

I find the seasons are the most relatable so let’s explore there. Spring is the time of growth, openness and an outward flow of energy towards plants and flowers and trees. A fertile time and the natural world gets more and more full as we move towards Summer. Summer is then so abundant with life and nature is at its most outward, upward and expressive phase. Birds are nesting and energy is rising as plants get tall and strong. Then, at the end of the Summer as we move into harvest and use the abundant crop of fruits and nuts (for example) we move into Autumn, Autumn is where the energy is flowing back down into the earth. The plants are gathering final fuel for the Winter and dropping their leaves, there is a releasing and a shedding, a necessary time to come inwards and this takes us into the Winter. The Winter time is one of deeper and deeper rest. Nature rests in Winter, the earth is cold and often frozen and the trees and plants are wintering. There is quiet and little sign of life during this inward pause.

Every part of this cycle is as important as the others. Plants have to gather energy inwards in order to then expand and rise upwards again when conditions are just right. The shedding of the old, the outdated and the decaying fruits allows nutrients and minerals to be released to the earth and soil to provide sustenance and nourishment for the phases and growth to come. To be ready to produce the fruits and harvest for the following year cycle. They also have to grow steadily, using energy and nourishment wisely to grow to full height and maturity, to produce an abundant harvest.

Reflection

Do you see how holding on would prevent energy from being relinquished and redirected? How trying to be bigger and stronger and taller when the conditions are asking for something else wastes energy? There is a time for growth and there is a time for coming inwards and gathering vital energy and resources ready to grow and thrive again. We could even see this as day and night. Without resting and sleeping we are not able to fully function and optimise our strength, and potential energy for the following day. During the rest and sleep there is healing, integration and necessary releasing that comes after the discernment of the shedding as we turn inwards. What do we no longer need? What has passed or no longer needs our time, attention and energy? Where are our valuable resources better used?

Menstrual cycle

If we relate all of this to the menstrual cycle we see a flow from inwards to outward, and back again. Using a cycle of 28 days we can compare these phases (don’t worry if yours is different, this is just for example). The menstrual time (approx days 1-5) like Winter requires and asks for more rest and replenishment to be ready to allow the outpouring of awareness and energy in the Spring of the pre-ovulation time (days 6-12) and Summer of the ovulating phase (days 13-15). These latter 2 phases are times to connect, to share, to gather and be social. To create and inspire and be out in the world. Energies and awareness are outward and support this well. Then the inward turn after ovulation is the Autumn energy of releasing, the shedding and evaluating of the premenstrual phase (days 16-28) ready to rest and cocoon in the way that preserves and conserves energy for the whole cycle to flow again. Back to day 1, Winter, where there is rest and rejuvenation needed, where the body and mind are in a quieter state of inward reflection.

This is very generic. In reality there are more subtle transitions and hormonal changes we can talk about in greater detail later but this beginners guide speaks more to the cycles itself and more can be added if and when you are ready.

Longer cycles and phases

My hope is that this has reminded you that there is no straight line, no single destination and no point in pushing towards an imaginary goal that doesn’t allow for this beautiful dance of life. The lunar cycle is the same, the seasons in nature and also the seasons of our life. The young girl (often referred to as the Maiden) is reminiscent of the Spring energy, the Mother (does not need to include bearing children, it can be projects and ideas birthed into the world) is Summer, the Enchantress (Mage or Creatrix) of Autumn and the Wise Woman (or Crone) of Winter. These are longer phases throughout life that overlap too.  And it is also important to remember we don’t fit these boxes and dates/ days/ numbers exactly either! See them as a guide and part of an arc and flow.

Invitation

My invitation would be to pay more attention to your own natural rhythm. When do you have energy? When are you tired and your body or mind are asking for rest? What does your nervous system need? What are your emotional needs? When do you naturally want to connect and be out with others? When do you want to be quieter and more inward looking? Can you pay greater attention and begin to respond with what is needed, not what is expected? This is a game changer for how we live and show up in life and can make a big difference to mood and energy levels as well as hormonal health too. When we reduce pressure and stress the hormone system naturally comes into greater balance and harmony.

Let me know how you get on with your exploration and reach out with any questions and to find out more.

Additional resources

If you find the inward turning a challenge, or something that is new, I highly recommend my mini course “Navigate the Darkness. Harness the Moon's Cycles” A 6 part self-directed course to begin exploring natural rhythms and cycles and living from a place of greater wholeness, integration and balance. This practice-based online video series is a wonderful invitation to gently slow down and take time for yourself.  More resources coming soon to support this learning and remembering of cyclical awareness in increments ready to live a more balanced and authentic life.