Menstruation Phase : Inner Winter
A sacred return to self
In the quiet rhythm of our menstrual cycle, the menstruation phase is our sacred pause. It is a time when the body releases, the mind softens, and the soul whispers. Often misunderstood or rushed through, this phase holds deep wisdom. It is the beginning of a new cycle, a return to our inner temple, and an invitation to rest, reflect, and renew.
The Season of Inner Winter
Menstruation is our Inner Winter, a time of deep rest, introspection, and stillness. Just as winter invites the Earth to turn inward, slow down, and gather strength beneath the surface, we too are called to soften into stillness and embrace quiet renewal.
In this phase, energy is naturally at its lowest. You may feel tired, sensitive, or inwardly focused and this is not something to fix, but something to honour. Your body is wise. It knows that rest is not a luxury, but a necessity for regeneration and wholeness.
The Wise Woman Archetype
During menstruation, we embody the Wise Woman, also known as the Crone in ancient feminine archetypes. She is the keeper of deep intuition, ancient knowing, and soulful guidance. Her energy is not of doing, but of being. She reminds us that we are not machines, but cyclical beings, connected to the rhythms of nature and the moon.
This is a powerful time to pull back from the noise of the external world and tune in to your inner voice. The Wise Woman within you speaks softly, but clearly, guiding you back to your centre, back to what truly matters.
The Dark Moon Energy
Menstruation aligns with the energy of the New Moon or Dark Moon. The time when the sky is at its darkest and the world feels hushed. Just as the moon retreats into shadow before re-emerging, we are invited to do the same.
This is a time for rest, release, and deep listening. The veil between the spiritual and the physical thins, and your intuition becomes heightened. You may find yourself receiving insights, emotional clarity, or quiet nudges from within. Pay attention, this is sacred guidance arising.
The Sacred Art of Slowing Down
Slowing down is essential. Our culture often asks us to keep going, keep producing, keep showing up. But during menstruation, your body is whispering something entirely different:
Pause.
Soften.
Be still.
This is the space where clarity emerges. In stillness, we are able to hear the voice of our intuition. In slowing down, we allow ourselves to receive rather than strive. And in rest, we are not doing nothing, we are healing, renewing, and preparing for the cycle ahead.
The Spiritual Meaning of Bleeding
Spiritually, menstruation is a sacred release — not just of the uterine lining, but of old stories, stagnant energy, and emotional residue. It is an energetic cleanse. A shedding of what no longer serves so that space can be made for what wants to bloom.
This is the womb’s way of offering us a fresh start. A blank canvas. A moment to realign with our deeper truth.
Gentle Journal Prompts for Your Inner Winter
Where am I being invited to slow down and rest more deeply in my life?
What is my intuition trying to tell me in this quiet space within?
What am I ready to release to make space for new intentions this cycle?