Your menstrual cycle and how it corresponds to the seasons.

You’ve probably heard the advice to "listen to your body," but what if your body spoke in seasons?

What if your energy, cravings, moods, and creativity weren’t random but part of a beautiful, rhythmic cycle that mirrored nature herself?

At Meraki, we love seeing a woman come home to that truth: your menstrual cycle isn’t just biology it’s wisdom.

And when you understand it through the lens of the seasons, everything just makes more sense.

Forget the pressure to be the same every day. You weren’t built for hustle 24/7. You were made to ebb and flow, to bloom, rest, glow, and let go. Just like the Earth.

So, whether you’re bleeding, glowing, PMS-ing, or springing back to life this page is your guide to embracing the magic of your internal seasons.

With rituals, tips, and a little wit (because hormones deserve humour), let’s dive into your cyclical nature and learn to honour it all.

1. Winter: Menstruation: The Inner Retreat

Aka: Your inner winter.

The bleed phase.

The cave.

The "don't ask me to do anything that involves pants" era.

In Chinese medicine, winter is the time of deep yin: stillness, rest, and reflection. Just like nature, you’re meant to hibernate a little, pull your energy inward, and conserve.

What’s happening hormonally: Hormones are at their lowest. Your energy is down. Your body is clearing and releasing.

Self-Nurturing Tips:

• Cancel non-essential plans. Permission to say no: granted.

• Eat warm, slow-cooked meals (think stews, congee, bone broth)

• Swap workouts for stretching, Yin Yoga, or couch marathons

• Use a hot water bottle and keep your feet warm

  
  

Ritual Idea: Journaling with herbal tea. Ask: What am I ready to let go of? What wisdom is here for me this cycle?

This is your sacred pause. You’re not lazy, you’re cyclical. And power lives in the pause, babe.

2. Spring: Follicular Phase: The Reawakening

Aka: The flirt phase.

Post-period, pre-ovulation energy.

Your inner spring and say hello, sunshine.

Oestrogen is rising and so are you. You’re starting to feel fresh, hopeful, and dare we say, slightly sparkly?

What’s happening hormonally: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and oestrogen rise. You’ve got energy again so use it wisely!

Self-Nurturing Tips:

• Try something new or creative

• Get outside and walk, dance, play

• Eat lighter, fresher foods (sprouts, leafy greens, citrus)

• Start planning or scheduling (brain is on fire!)

  
  

Ritual Idea: Vision board + new playlist. Ask: What am I calling in? What seeds am I planting this month?

You’re blooming, baby. Don’t waste that magnetic energy on comparison. Channel it into creation.

3. Summer: Ovulation - The Glow Up

Aka: Your inner summer.

Peak ovulation.

Fertile, magnetic, extroverted, sexy - Beyoncé energy.

You’re literally glowing. Your communication skills? Fire. Libido? Rising. Hair? Cooperative. Life? Working.

What’s happening hormonally: Oestrogen and luteinising hormone peak. You’re fertile and full of yang.

Self-Nurturing Tips:

• Schedule social events or work presentations

• Eat colourful, hydrating foods (berries, cucumber, watermelon)

• Move your body with energy: dance, strength training

• Use this time to connect + collaborate

  
  

Ritual Idea: Mirror work + affirmation practice. Ask: Where am I owning my power? Where can I shine unapologetically?

Ovulation isn’t just for babies: it’s for birthing big, bold ideas too. Use this phase to be seen.

4. Autumn: Luteal Phase: The Power of the Slow Down

Aka: Your inner autumn.

The pre-menstrual phase.

The truth-telling, bloat-loving, "don’t mess with me" era.

Progesterone takes the lead and your body starts winding down. You become more introspective, intuitive, and no-BS.

What’s happening hormonally: Progesterone rises. Energy slows. Sensitivity increases. Your body is preparing to shed.

Self-Nurturing Tips:

• Avoid overbooking. Build in buffers.

• Eat grounding, complex carbs (pumpkin, root veg, cinnamon oats)

• Go inward: meditate, journal, de-clutter your space

• Honour irritability as insight (What’s not working?)

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Ritual Idea: Womb massage with essential oils + slow music. Ask: What boundaries need enforcing? What needs softening?

You are wise AF in this phase. Stop gaslighting yourself. Honour the feelings that surface: they’re asking for your attention.

Your cycle isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a rhythm to remember. When you sync with your internal seasons, life gets less push and more flow.

So here’s your permission slip, gorgeous: you don’t have to be the same woman every week.

You get to shift. You get to soften. You get to rise when it’s time.

And if you need a little support decoding your rhythm, we’re here: needles, reiki, massage, herbs, and all.

With cyclical love,

Casey & the Meraki Team xx