The Three Phases of Eve

The model below is integral for understanding your behavior throughout your hormone cycle. Just as the moon ebbs and wanes so do our hormones. In fact, the beauty in this model is that when we look at the changes in the hormone cycle, women’s life phases and the lunar phase - the behavioral characteristics are the same for each phase. Understanding these changes brings clarity to the monthly mental/emotional/behavioral changes that women experience.

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Living with your changing self, based on the characteristics described in this model, will be an important beginning to ease the discomforts, imbalances and frustrations that you feel throughout your monthly cycle.

Understanding this model will also help you understand the changes that your daughters, female friends and co-workers also experience. For the first time in your life you will be able to trust yourself and not feel that you have to control everything you do.

Understanding the changes that you go through in each phase of the model will assist you in creating and attaining personal and professional goals in your life; whether it may be weight loss, or working through destructive behaviors. Creating the relationships with your partner, family and friends that you know you can achieve or getting that promotion at work or even the courage to go out and start your own business all will be within your reach.
You are a beautiful woman. Understanding and living within this natural cycle will assist you in seeing and believing all that is good within you.

To help women understand their monthly passage as Maiden, Mother & Crone

I will explain these inexplicable phases that we pass through every month.

New Moon

Pre-Ovulatory

Maiden

As the moon begins its journey into the sky, there is also a pull for a renewal of life and activity.

It may be a pull that consciously we are unaware of, but nonetheless, it is there. Just as the moon influences the tides and causes the ebb and flow of all bodies of water, so it also pulls at the ebb and flow of the energy in our bodies. The new moon pulls at the water rushing to the shores of the earth in the formation of a wave that begins its outward curl; reaching out to life.

Mythologically, characteristics given to the new moon are: new beginnings, renewal, independence, socialization, sexuality, and emergence. These characteristics are not unlike what a woman feels 3-4 days after she begins menstruation. Her hormones begin to surge and whereas she might have felt unsure of herself the week prior to the start of her period, the resurgence of the estrogen and progesterone gives a sense of renewal and increasing energy.

My research has shown that in fact, because of this renewal in energy, women are also more independently active in this phase of her cycle; we are prone to start new projects, and become more socially involved. In terms of work, whether in or outside the home, projects, deadlines, appointments, all seem easier to cope with, especially in comparison to the feeling of hopelessness that was experienced the week before. Once again life becomes manageable and exciting if one becomes aware of new possibilities and opportunities that also arise with new beginnings.

Full Moon

Ovulation

Mothers

As the moon increases in its fullness, so it also sheds light and energy that gives rise to nightlife. It is at this time that wave comes crashing to the shores, resounding with an energy and life of its own. Mythologically, the full moon is the “mother”, nurturer, and bearer of the fruits of life.

In synch with the pull of the moon, women, hormonally blossom, with creative energy. We are prone to nurture life that surrounds us; whether it is our children, partners, animals, gardens, homes or work. Subtle changes take place from the pre-ovulatory phase of the hormone cycle where we are socially active, to the ovulatory phase where we embrace life for its fullness. It is a time where we are free to create, weave and have the power to bring those new beginnings to fruition.

So instead of being out at meetings or socializing night after night, we may be more content to remain at home and nurture that which is important to us. Sexuality, though historically, associated with the full moon, is not necessarily a trait at this phase. The desire to become pregnant, yes, is powerful at this time; however, “sexuality” is more often associated with the preovulatory and postovulatory phases – an innate sense of birth control, if you will.

Waning Moon

Post-Ovulatory

Crone

As the moon begins to retreat into the sky, so does the wave that has crashed into the shore begins to retreat and curl inward. It is the same for cultures that were active in the full moon.

Without the moon shining around them, activities also slowed down and people retreated back to the warmth and safety of their fires.

Attributes given to this phase of the moon are: reflective, inward, mysterious, secretive, and yet so very powerful. The same characteristics also hold true to this phase of a woman’s hormone cycle. Instead of being outgoing, or nurturing, we retreat, become quiet, reflective and yes, mysterious.

Yet it is it is this phase of the hormone cycle that has been most threatening and frightening to ourselves as well as those around us. Because we do not understand this change, we doubt ourselves, undermine our efforts of the past three weeks and become self-destructive.

We have been taught that this phase is a “syndrome” an imbalance; “ take two Valium and go home honey”, type of behavior. In fact, women are known to be more psychic and magical at this phase of their cycle than at any other time. Yet, how many of us self-destruct, attempt suicide, binge, drink & drug, leave our partners, homes and jobs…and then a week later – when those hormones once again rise – we look back and say what did I ever do that for?

Instead of fighting our bodies as they slow down, we need to trust that instinct and structure our lives accordingly… I can already hear you say…but how can I do this- as your list goes on with things to do. A friend of mine once said, “There is time for everything in the universe”. And if you begin living with your cycle, all those things will get done when you are active and able to achieve them easily. And then it is time to rest and reflect on not only what was accomplished in the last cycle, but also what needs to be done in the next cycle. And the surprising thing is, that no matter how much we may struggle to do things when we are pre-menstrual, it all becomes so much easier after our bleeding ceases or for menopausal women with the new moon as our hormones and energy levels resurge.

From Sacred Blood
to the
Curse & Beyond