The Sacred Rhythm of Womanhood - Menstruation, Cycles, and Inner Wisdom

Goddess Kamakhya - powerful reminder of the feminine connection to nature’s rhythms

It was a hot summer in 1987, and I was staying with a Hindu family in Malaysia. The house was alive with the warmth of family and friends, gathered for a special occasion—the coming-of-age ceremony of their daughter, Manisha. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, filled with the scent of incense, freshly strung jasmine, and the sounds of laughter and sacred songs.

Manisha, just thirteen, was dressed in a vibrant red sari that contrasted beautifully with the garlands of white jasmine woven into her braided hair. Her slender shoulders bore the weight of this special moment, yet she sat with a serene, goddess-like composure on a white cushion, her gaze peacefully fixed ahead. Golden earrings glinted in her ears, and colorful glass bangles jingled softly on her wrists.

Around her, married women had gathered, singing auspicious songs while performing aarti, a Hindu worship ritual with a ghee lamp and incense, their faces glowing with pride and affection. They then offered her chigali unde, a sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery, and tambula, a sacred preparation of coconut and betel leaves offered to the family deity. After the pūjā, the guests presented her with gifts—mostly clothes and jewelry—in celebration of her transition into womanhood, marking her first menstruation.

I was fascinated by the vibrant energy in the house, which had been bustling for days in preparation for this moment. The living room had been freshly furnished, with new chairs, curtains, and garlands of silk flowers adorning the doorways. Yet, as I watched the celebration, a question lingered in my mind: why such a grand event for a girl's first menstruation? When I asked her mother this question, she laughed heartily, explaining that it marked a significant milestone, a symbol of a girl's readiness for marriage and motherhood. I nodded politely yet felt a quiet scepticism. In the West, menstruation was rarely considered a cause for celebration, seen instead as a burden—a painful, inconvenient reminder of the body's demands.

The Modern View of Menstruation

Currently, menstruation is often regarded as a problem—a monthly disruption characterized by physical discomfort, mood swings, and social inconvenience. Women are expected to perform at work and in life as though their bodies are not undergoing profound, cyclical changes that are part of the women’s menstrual cycle.

In fact, modern medicine and the workplace often prioritize productivity over the natural rhythms of a woman's body, leading many women to suppress or even put an end to their cycles through hormonal pills. While this may seem like freedom, it comes at a cost to the physical, emotional, and menstrual well-being of women, disconnecting them from their natural power and intuition.

The Ayurvedic Perspective on Menstrual Cycles

In contrast, ancient Indian traditions approach menstruation as a sacred process—a time for rest, reflection, and renewal. It is seen as a natural detoxification, a monthly opportunity for the body to cleanse itself and rebalance its energies.

Ayurveda, the science of life, emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s life with natural cycles. It recognizes the vital role of apana vayu, the downward-moving life force that governs elimination and menstruation. When this energy is disrupted by stress, physical strain, or emotional turmoil, it may manifest as painful symptoms and long-term health concerns, often associated with vāta-related menstrual imbalances.

Many Indian families, like the one I visited, honor this sacred time with rituals that celebrate a girl’s transition into womanhood. These practices are not merely cultural artifacts but profound acknowledgments of the feminine power to create and sustain life. They aim to instil a positive, empowered attitude towards menstruation, laying the emotional foundation for a healthy, balanced life.

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Women

Indian wisdom teaches us that our thoughts and emotions around menstruation shape our experience of it. When women’s menstrual cycle is seen as a sacred, purifying process, it can become a source of strength rather than a burden. Our emotions are stored in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that holds both short and long-term memories. If a girl’s first menstrual experience is met with shame or secrecy, those negative emotions can linger throughout her life and impact her menstrual health. In contrast, if her first period is celebrated, it imprints a positive, affirming memory that can enhance her emotional and physical well-being.

Menstruation and Women’s Longevity

The benefits of embracing menstruation extend far beyond the monthly cycle. Regular, healthy menstruation is linked to overall vitality and longevity. It is a time when the body naturally eliminates excess doshas (bio-energies) that, if left unbalanced, can lead to disease. Women who honor their cycles tend to experience smoother transitions into menopause, often finding this stage to be a time of deep spiritual insight and personal power rather than a period of decline.

Honoring the Inner Seasons

Menstruation also reflects the cyclical nature of the universe, aligning a woman’s body with the lunar cycles and the tides. It provides a blueprint for understanding the natural rhythms of life and the need for regular rest and rejuvenation. Just as the Earth cycles through seasons, a woman’s menstrual cycle contains four distinct phases:

1. Winter (Menstruation): A time for rest, introspection, and letting go, when a woman’s intuition is heightened.

2. Spring (Pre-Ovulation): A phase of renewed energy, creativity, and focus—ideal for starting new projects.

3. Summer (Ovulation): A peak period of outward energy, communication, and connection.

4. Fall (Pre-Menstruation): A reflective, intuitive time for evaluating progress and making necessary adjustments.

   
   

By viewing each phase as part of a larger cycle, women can nurture emotional balance and menstrual well-being, learning to live in harmony with their inner seasons.

Reconnecting with the Divine Feminine

In many cultures, including ancient India, menstruation was seen as a time of heightened spiritual power. This understanding is reflected in the worship of goddesses such as Kamakhya, whose annual cycles are celebrated as a powerful reminder of the feminine connection to the nature’s rhythms. These traditions reveal the profound significance of menstruation as a celebration that honors the sacred feminine.

By honoring their cycles, women reconnect with their deepest, most intuitive selves, discovering a source of inner strength that sustains them through all of life’s challenges. This sacred awareness allows women to embrace their bodies as vessels of life and creativity, rather than viewing them only through the lens of constant performance or productivity.

In this spirit, may we cherish the rhythm of the feminine as a gentle pause of renewal—a moment to restore, realign, and reconnect with the sacred source of life.