Menopause: The Great Awakener
Ancient Wisdom
Ancient wisdom traditions across continents honour menopause as a profound spiritual gateway, marking a woman's transition into her sovereign power. Native American teachings revere this passage as sacred—a threshold crossing into the 'wisdom years' where women emerge as respected elders and keepers of ancestral knowledge. From the mists of Celtic tradition to the sun-warmed villages of Africa, indigenous cultures celebrate the three-fold path of maiden, mother, and wise woman. The post-menopausal years hold the Crone phase—far from the modern world's diminished interpretation, this title originally carried deep respect, marking a time of unparalleled spiritual insight, soul-deep knowing, and devoted service to community. In these cultures, the Wise Woman commands profound respect, as she has passed through the gates of transformation and emerged carrying medicine for her people: the wisdom of lived experience, the courage to speak truth, and the power to guide future generations. Welcome to your Mature Years, beloved Wise Woman—you who now stand in the fullness of your spiritual authority, ready to share the profound gifts that only time and transformation could provide.
The Journey Begins
The Quickening
From your mid-forties onwards, you might notice subtle shifts in your foundation. Your cycle may become less predictable, with irregular bleeding patterns that might then return to normal for several years. Yet there's often an underlying sense that something has transformed. We call this transformative period 'The Quickening'.
This phase often brings profound questions about life's essence—your relationships, career, and even where you choose to call home. You may feel called to act with greater urgency, particularly with projects close to your heart. The Quickening can stir feelings of restlessness and heightened sensitivity to situations that previously caused little concern.
Health matters that you may have set aside often demand attention during this time. This emergence of health awareness serves as a gentle reminder to deepen your self-care practice before menopause begins.
Understanding Your Unique Path
Every woman's experience is uniquely her own, shaped by her individual biology and circumstances. While medical science defines post-menopause as occurring after twelve months without menstruation, the journey itself varies significantly from person to person.
Some women notice subtle shifts in their bodies and consciousness long before their periods become irregular. You might maintain regular cycles for several years whilst experiencing internal changes, or your periods might cease abruptly without warning. For others, the transition may span a decade, with gradual changes in menstrual patterns before their final period.
Just as puberty was a gradual transformation rather than an overnight change, menopause is a passage that unfolds over time. Think back to when you first began menstruating—you didn't suddenly feel like a woman overnight. Similarly, stepping into your mature years is a gradual process of acceptance and integration.
Root Causes of Menopausal Distress
Depleted Resources
Many women enter menopause already experiencing exhaustion from years of demanding lifestyles. Given that menopause represents one of life's most profound transitions, the lack of proper self-care often intensifies its challenges. This manifests through insufficient rest, inadequate nutrition for hormonal balance, and persistent negative thought patterns that affect both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Limited Cyclical Understanding
The natural rhythms and cycles of female life provide essential wisdom and preparation for later transitions. When women lack understanding of their menstrual cycles and hormonal patterns throughout their lives, they miss crucial spiritual and practical insights that could better prepare them for menopause.
Societal Attitudes
While perspectives are gradually shifting, particularly as the baby boomer generation navigates menopause with increasing assertiveness, cultural attitudes often remain challenging. Though more women are demanding recognition as vibrant, creative, and capable individuals during this life stage, this shift in perception has yet to fully manifest in leadership positions and broader social representation.
Embracing Transformation
A New Chapter Begins
Menopause marks the completion of your menstrual journey and is the dawn of your wisdom years. If you've learnt to harness your cyclical power during your menstruating years, you will now fully embody that strength. This transition symbolises your entry into life's autumn season—a profound transformation that energetically mirrors the shift from your inner summer (ovulation) to inner autumn (premenstruum).
Those who have practised cycle awareness will recognise the distinctive qualities of their inner autumn, providing valuable insights for navigating this significant change. Nevertheless, this passage may require gentle tempering, and you might benefit from support and guidance along the way.
Sacred Solitude
Menopause calls you to embrace solitude, creating sacred space for deep self-connection and reflection. Whilst balancing this need with family commitments, business responsibilities, and daily duties may prove challenging, this internal focus becomes essential for processing change and flourishing in your mature years. Consider it an invitation to tend to your innermost garden, allowing wisdom to bloom in its own time.
Awakening Power
At this stage of life, you're embracing your authentic voice and truth. You may experience intense emotional waves—from profound anger to pure joy. Welcome these feelings and let them flow naturally for as long as needed.
As Alexandra and Sjanie, Co-founders of the Red School, observe: "Anger emerges as righteous indignation at the world's spiritual emptiness, and at the ways we've silenced our own inner wisdom and authority. This anger signals an awakening—a return to our true selves."
Practical Wisdom for Your Journey
For Those Still Menstruating
- Understanding your cycle becomes even more crucial as you approach menopause. Deepen your cycle awareness practice to better understand your body's rhythms and signals.
- Make your monthly bleeding time sacred. Schedule dedicated rest periods—what we call a 'Big Bleed'—where you can fully honour this time of renewal.
- Now is the perfect time to assess your overall wellbeing. Pay particular attention to your nutrition, as dietary choices significantly influence your hormonal balance and general health.
- Consider consulting a nutritionist who specialises in women's health to create a personalised eating plan.
For Those Who Have Stopped Menstruating
- Embrace the power of conscious rest. Dedicate 15 minutes daily—just 1% of your day—to complete stillness. This isn't meditation or mindfulness; it's pure, unconditional rest.
- Let your body lead whilst your mind wanders freely. If sleep comes, welcome it. This simple practice can profoundly transform your daily experience.
- Prioritise your physical wellbeing through mindful nutrition and gentle movement. Your body is undergoing significant changes, and supporting it with nourishing foods and appropriate exercise can ease this transition.
Ready to Explore Further?
Deepen your understanding of this powerful life phase with Red School's resources:
Menopause Mini Course: Reclaim the dignity and power
The Wise Power Retreat: Discover the Liberating Power of Menopause to Awaken Authority, Purpose and Belonging
Menopause: The Great Awakener
Menopause isn't an ending—it's a powerful transformation, offering opportunities for profound spiritual and personal growth. By approaching it with awareness and self-compassion, you can embrace this natural transition as a time of awakening and renewal.
"We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves."