Red Moon

Understanding and Using the Gifts of the Menstrual Cycle

Red Moon - Ancient wisdom for modern women

I have often been asked at talks and workshops ‘Why do we have the menstrual cycle? What good is it if I have had my children and don’t want any more?’ or ‘What good is the menstrual cycle if I don’t want children?’

Red Moon was written out of my own quest to understand the creative changes which I experienced during the month. Sharing my experiences with other women, it became very obvious to me that the menstrual cycle wasn’t just an inconvenience which occurred once a month but a powerful creative, sexual and spiritual force in women’s lives.

To answer the questions above we have to re-frame how we think of ourselves. With my interest in folklore and mythology I looked to stories to see if I could find any archetypal images of woman which reflected the experiences during the month and perhaps suggested a long dead wisdom about the changing nature of women. In children’s stories, folklore and legends I found four images of the ‘Cyclic Woman’ - four images representing our physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and sexual energies as they are expressed through the four phases of the menstrual cycle: menstruation, pre-ovulation, ovulation and pre-menstruation. Suddenly we can change the way we perceive ourselves; no longer as linear beings expecting to be the same person and having the same abilities and mental and emotional approaches from week to week, but as cyclic beings aware that we flow from different energies, abilities and characteristics as our cycle changes throughout the month.

Red Moon introduces you to the four phases of the menstrual cycle through images from myth and legend and then, with the help of the ‘Moon Dial’, guides you to discovering the unique energies which lie in your own cycle. Understanding our individual cycles and expressing the creative/sexual/spiritual energies as they arise in the form they naturally take brings the freedom to realise our full potential.

My hope is that in reading ‘Red Moon’ you will come to love your cycle as a wonderful gift of shining oportunities and abilities which enriches not just your life and those of your close relationships but the community and society surrounding you. The creative, sexual and spiritual gifts of our cycles are only promises unless we take action and express them in everyday life!

Miranda Gray

The book contains:

	An introduction to menstrual mythology through the illustrated story of ‘The Awakening’.
	Information on each of the phases and how to interact with them in a practical and positive way.
	Meditations and exercises to bring you into alignment with your cyclic awareness and abilities.
	Methods of awakening & expressing your cyclic creativity.

Red Moon Resources

Articles and printouts

See the > Women's wisdom and the menstrual cycle section for more articles.

	> Creating your own ‘Moon Dial' (pdf 368kb) Instructions on how to create a Moon Dial, experiences to note, a blank version to use, example of a filled-in dial, and a summary of the types of energies experienced during the cycle.
	> Decorative ‘Moon Dial’ (pdf 285Kb) A decorative black and white dial for photocopying and simple instructions.
	> Decorative summary ‘Moon Dial’ (pdf 343kb) A summary dial to decorate and use to show the flow of your energies throughout the month.
	> The Keys to understanding & making the most of your cycle (pdf 106Kb) Seven keys to refer to during the month to help you make the most of your menstrual cycle energies.
	> PMS help pdf (127kb) An emergency PMS help list, suggested Bach Flower Remedies to use and how to make the pre-menstrual phase a positive force for change.
	> Using the creative gifts of the menstrual cycle pdf (114kb) Understanding our four creative expressions and actively using them in everyday practical ways can lead to greater fulfillment and well-being, as well as getting the best out of all your talents and abilites!
	> Free your four sex drives! Pdf (115kb) Are you aware of your four sex drives, do you know how to release them and meet their needs? Meet the four sexy women who make up your sex drive and discover their delights and pleasures!

For men:

> Why men don’t get women pdf (53kb) Guys are you confused by women? Want to know how to get them to say ‘yes’ to sex? And to how to satisfy them? Read on! (This is not an article for women!)

For young girls:

> Moonmagic for girls pdf (45kb) With girls starting their menstrual cycle as young as 9 years old, how can we find terms to help them understand their cyclic emotions, energies and abilities? This simple article is designed as a talking point between mother and daughter.