SORAYA SHEIKH

Menstruality, originally coined by Jane Catherine Severn, and built on by my Mentors at the Red School: The Future of Feminine Spirituality and Leadership. Menstruality encompasses the sacred journey of a woman's life—from menarche through the menstrual years to menopause and the mature years. It forms the foundation of the feminine experience, including the profound path to motherhood through conception, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. This intricate system weaves together biological rhythms, psychological development and spiritual awakening within the female body. It represents both the lived experience and the wisdom that emerges through deep embodiment of these natural cycles, creating a field of collective feminine consciousness.

YES! If you have an irregular cycle, it's even more important for you to track your cycle. More times than not, women find that once they begin tracking their cycle, it returns to a more normal length. Regardless of the length of your cycle, you are still able to track your cycle and learn how to navigate your life with more understanding and compassion.

If your cycle has gone missing, you're not pregnant, breastfeeding, or post menopausal, you can still track your cycle and follow the moon cycle. Your cycle can disappear for a number of reasons. Bringing awareness to your cycle in such a focused way and looking at your lifestyle choices may restore a healthy relationship and attitude towards your cycle. Through my work in this field, I've observed women start bleeding again after a time of absence.

Within every young woman's journey lies a profound milestone - the first menstrual bleed, known as menarche. This sacred threshold marks more than a physical transition; it represents an awakening to the deep, cyclical wisdom that resides within. Throughout history, cultures worldwide have honoured this moment through ceremony and celebration, recognising it as a powerful initiation into the mysteries of womanhood.

Your first bleed is not only a biological event - it's an invitation to connect with an ancient lineage of wisdom. Like the moon's rhythmic dance and the earth's seasonal cycles, your body carries its own sacred rhythm. This transition, while sometimes overwhelming, connects you to countless women across time who have walked this path before you. You are stepping into a circle of shared experience, ancient knowledge, and profound power.

Please read "Menarche: Meeting your Power" for more information, guidance and support. 

Absolutely. When you suffer from reproductive health issues such as endometriosis, fibroids and PCOS, it can often feel like nothing will help to alleviate the physical and emotional pain. In my late 20s, I developed a number of menstrual health issues and pre-cancerous cells in my cervix so I understand how you may be feeling. 

Endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS and many other menstrual related issues have been characterised as conditions of inflammation. Inflammation is primarily caused by toxins that enter our body by way of the food we eat, the air we breathe and the products we use. Stress, unresolved ancestral and our own trauma may cause the body to trigger/maintain stress-responsive systems over longer periods of time which can cause inflammation. Experience has taught me that there are natural ways to heal from this. Menstrual Cycle Awareness and looking at the foods, drinks, beauty and household products you use are the best ways to do this.

The reason you take hormonal contraception may be for contraception or to reduce menstrual problems. While it’s imperative that you have reliable contraception and a way to manage your suffering, hormonal contraception stops your natural cycle and replaces it with synthetic hormones. 

Some women say they do feel the inner seasons when on hormonal contraception, some say they don't feel them at all. You know your own body more than anyone so I would suggest tracking your cycle to try to learn more about yourself. If you remain on hormonal contraception and wish to take our course, you are welcome to do so. But please be aware that because you are experiencing a synthetic cycle, you may not be able to get to experience the fullness and utter beauty of who you are.

You may find it useful to read my article 'Hidden Dangers of Hormonal Contraception' to learn more.

Congratulations Mama to be! What a gift you have been given to bring a future light being into this world. Currently, you're in a completely different landscape to a menstruating woman and won't be experiencing your cycle in the way you used to. However, if you wish to enrol onto Discover Yourself, I see no harm in doing so. It may help you make sense of where you're at the moment and I have no doubt that it will help you to connect with your womb space more deeply. The course has been designed to be super nourishing and calls for more rest, which you are encouraged to do, especially during this most precious time!

Wise Woman, I honour you for the elder you have become. If you're approaching menopause, you can most certainly practice cycle awareness. If you are currently going through menopause, please read "Menopause: Becoming your Power". It gives some context to what you may be experiencing along with providing further guidance and resources to best support you during this new stage in your life.