Menses and
Menopause
T hese ideas and suggestions may help you deal with the pain, discomfort, hormones, and life transitions that menses and menopause bring. I have decided to combine menses and menopause in this chapter because the symptoms are similar and both are hormonal issues.
In an ideal world, for a couple of days each month we would be allowed to stay on the sofa wrapped in a blanket with hot water bottles and a continual supply of chocolate. Unfortunately, reality dictates that most of us don’t have the luxury to do that. We go to work, deal with people, and do other mundane tasks whilst gulping down painkillers and keeping a stack of sanitary towels on hand. For those of you going through menopause: if you can take time out on the bad days, do it—and don’t feel guilty about it.
Do whatever helps you cope in whatever way fits your lifestyle. I have found that warning my family of my mood helps; then they can tiptoe around me if necessary!
If you are dealing with really uncomfortable menses or menopause symptoms, don’t discount medication. Please do see your doctor; they can help. Some birth control medications may also help with heavy or prolonged periods.
In this chapter you will find magical suggestions to help with your menses or menopause symptoms. Work with as many of them as you like. Follow your intuition and be guided by it as to what you choose to work with.
Affirmations. Regular positive statements can change the way we think about ourselves and our situations.
Colour Magic. Colour plays an important part in how we feel and can affect our emotions; work with it to boost positive energy.
Herbs. This section will contain my suggestions of herbs to work with in magical spell workings. Pick from my ideas or use your own—be guided by your intuition.
Foods. All foods have magical properties. I have given you some suggestions that can be eaten or used in spell work. I’ve also included a recipe in each chapter.
Herbal Teas. These can be created with herbs and spices that help alleviate negative issues. Work with my suggestions or use your own.
Incense and Oils. Scents can bring up strong emotions. Work with my suggestions to create incense blends or oil blends to use in ritual or spell work. You can also create these blends just because the scent will lift your mood!
Everyday Exercise. In this section you will find easy daily or regular routines to help get your positive energy flowing and get rid of the negative vibes.
Crystals. They hold such power in tiny, easy-to-handle form. Crystals can be worked with in all sorts of ways to help with all kinds of issues.
Meditation. Read through the script or even record it on your phone. Take some time out and work with the meditation for help and guidance.
Spell. You will find spells to help with any issue. Keep it simple and straightforward. If you don’t have the items I have suggested, substitute them with whatever you feel is right. Personalise it; make the spell your own.
Ritual. The rituals included will not be too fancy or complicated. Often, the rituals connect with a deity and the elements to work some magic.
Magic Bundle. In this section you’ll find my suggestions for creating a magic bundle to help you through your situation.
Affirmations for Menses
Menstruation is a reminder that I am a woman.
Menstruation is a gift of life.
I will get through this.
Affirmations for Menopause
Menopause is part of my journey.
Life brings changes and transitions.
I will get through this.
Colour Magic for Menses and Menopause
If you saw menses or menopause as a colour, what colour would you see? This will vary from person to person. For any negative emotion or issue that I want to release, I see black as a good colour to work with. White is also good because it is neutral.
I gotta go with the obvious here—for me, it is red. Red is a colour that has mixed meanings: power and passion, anger and frustration … which pretty much sums it up, really!
Herbs for Menses and Menopause
These are for magical use, NOT consumption.
• Alexanders
• Alyssum
• Carnation
• Chamomile
• Cramp bark (guelder rose)
• Elm
• Frankincense
• Holly
• Hyacinth
• Nettle
• Passionflower
• Patchouli
• Rue
• Skullcap
• Witch hazel
• Yarrow
Foods for Menses and Menopause
These can be used magically and/or eaten.
• Chocolate
• Cinnamon
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Dill
• Fennel
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Lavender
• Lemon balm
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Star anise
• Turmeric
I also recommend milk or wine.
Recipe: Chocolate Cookies
Well, it had to be chocolate to deal with periods, didn’t it? Cookies are very much a feel-good food, and they’re portable as well! They fit nicely in your bag for when you are out and about.
Magic of the Ingredients
• Butter—feminine power, antidepression, goddess energy, nurturing, love
• Chocolate—positive energy, happiness, love
• Sugar—to make life sweet!
You can charge or bless the ingredients as you add them to the mix or do so once the cookies are made. Hold your hands over them and say:
Blood of my body within me
Chocolate will help me be pain free
Chocolate Cookies
340 g (12 oz) chocolate
115 g (٤ oz) butter
3 large eggs
275 g (10 oz) sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
65 g (2 oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
125 g (4 oz) chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of simmering water (or use the microwave). Leave to cool completely.
Put the eggs into a bowl and beat for 30 seconds, then add the sugar and vanilla and beat for 15 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the cooled chocolate, flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat until everything is well blended.
Add the chocolate chips and fold them in.
Dollop approximately 20 spoonfuls of the mixture onto the baking tray, making sure to leave space around them. (They will flatten and spread while cooking.)
Bake for about 20 minutes. You will know they are done when the tops of the cookies are cracked slightly.
Cool on a wire rack.
Herbal Teas for Menses and Menopause
These are some herbal teas that can be drunk on their own to help alleviate period pains or menopause symptoms:
• Chamomile
• Chocolate
• Cinnamon
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Lavender
• Lemon balm
• Marjoram
• Milk
• Mint
• Nettle
• Star anise
• Turmeric
I also recommend drinking wine (in moderation, of course).
Try creating your own blends. Here are some of my favourite combinations:
• One teaspoon lavender and one teaspoon lemon balm per mug of hot water
• One teaspoon nettle and one teaspoon lemon balm per mug of hot water
• Hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate flakes—perfect for if you’ve had a really bad day
• Hot chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon
• Hot chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon, a pinch of ginger, and a pinch of star anise
• Hot milk with one teaspoon of cinnamon and a slice of root ginger
• One teaspoon fennel, half a teaspoon coriander seeds, and a slice of root ginger per mug of hot water
• Hot milk with one teaspoon of turmeric
Incense and Oil Blends for Menses and Menopause
Any of these can be used in spells, rituals, body care, anointing, cleansing, and more to help ease period pains or menopause symptoms. Each one can be used on its own or mixed with others in a blend.
• Carnation
• Chamomile
• Chocolate (cocoa nibs)
• Cinnamon
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Fennel
• Frankincense
• Ginger
• Hyacinth
• Lavender
• Lemon balm
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Nettle
• Passionflower
• Patchouli
• Star anise
• Turmeric
Incense Blends
• One part frankincense, one part cinnamon, and one part star anise. If you’d like, add a dash of red wine
• Equal parts mint, ginger, fennel, and cinnamon
• One part lavender, one part hyacinth, and two parts passionflower
• One part nettle, two parts mint, and one part marjoram
• Equal parts cocoa nibs, cinnamon, and star anise
• One part lemon balm, one part coriander, one part ginger, and two parts cocoa nibs
Essential Oil Blends
• Combine six drops chamomile, three drops carnation, and six drops coriander. Use in your bath or on an oil burner/diffuser or mix with a base oil to use on the body.
• Combine six drops frankincense, four drops patchouli, and four drops ginger. Use in your bath or on an oil burner/diffuser or mix with a base oil to use on the body.
• Combine six drops mint, four drops fennel, and six drops lemon balm. Use in your bath or on an oil burner/diffuser or mix with a base oil to use on the body.
• Combine four drops ginger, four drops coriander, four drops cinnamon, and four drops frankincense. Use in your bath or on an oil burner/diffuser or mix with a base oil to use on the body.
Everyday Exercise for Menses and Menopause
Stuff happens. Change is a part of life, and this includes the changes that Mother Nature likes to throw at us. We cannot stop menses or menopause from happening. Although, in the case of really bad periods, I would always recommend going to see your doctor. There are things that can be done to help ease the situation.
However, for most people, periods happen. For most people, periods show up every month for years. We have to learn to deal with them. Menopause happens, whether we like it or not. Ain’t nothing gonna change that either. Again, we have to learn to deal with it. (Yep, I am saying this through gritted teeth because even though I know it is true, that doesn’t mean I like it.)
Enjoying life regardless of where you’re at in your cycle is all about self-care and working out the best way for you to deal with symptoms. A big part of this is taking time out for yourself. We all have busy lives, but it might be a case of learning to say, “No, I can’t go out tonight!” and spending the evening wrapped up in a blanket with a hot water bottle and a good book.
Make sure there is time in your life for you to practice self-care. Learn what soothes your body, your spirit, and your soul. You know better than anyone else how your body works and responds to things.
Find a little daily ritual you can do to cope with your symptoms, and make sure you allow yourself the time to do it! Do not, under any circumstances, feel guilty for looking after yourself!
Crystals for Menses and Menopause
Carry crystals with you, use them in magical spells, or meditate with them. Remember to charge the crystal with your intent before use and cleanse it afterwards. Cleansing suggestions can be found in Chapter Three of this book.
• Bloodstone does what it says on the tin: it helps with all types of blood issues, including regulating heavy periods.
• Carnelian helps with menstrual issues and is associated with the ovaries and testes.
• Chrysocolla is soothing for menstrual cramps and PMS.
• Citrine balances hormones and gives a boost of energy.
• Clear quartz, especially a double-point piece, absorbs and discharges energy at each end, so it can help with flow and changes.
• Fluorite brings emotional stability.
• Garnet is calming and balancing for the emotions during PMS and menstruation.
• Green tourmaline heals and brings a balance for both male and female energy.
• Jasper supports healing and brings stability to blood flow and balance to the body.
• Labradorite helps reduce PMS pain.
• Lapis lazuli is full of healing and calming energy, particularly for your menstrual cycle.
• Malachite helps with menstrual problems and irregularities.
• Moonstone is a full-on feminine energy stone that brings balance to your hormones and menstrual cycle.
• Opal relieves menstrual pain, PMS, and all kinds of reproductive issues.
• Rose quartz is loving, calming, and brings a healing, feminine energy that supports the reproductive system.
• Smoky quartz can ground your hot flashes.
• Snowflake obsidian is a balancing stone.
• Turquoise boosts your mood and helps balance emotions.
Meditation for Menses and Menopause
This meditation will help support you through your monthly menstrual cycle or, when the time comes, your menopause. Practice this meditation when any symptoms or issues arise with either.
Make yourself comfortable in a place where you won’t be disturbed. If you feel drawn to, put on some light music, drumming, or chanting. Light your incense or oil blend if you would like.
As your world around you dissipates, you find yourself standing barefoot on dusty ground. In front of you is a large, rustic-style yurt. You can hear voices quietly talking inside, and it sounds like someone is singing.
The tent flap opens and a young woman looks out. She beckons you to come inside, so you do.
It is warm inside the yurt, and there is a small fire in the centre. Smoke curls toward a vent in the roof.
Candles are lit all around, and the light shows you that the yurt is filled with all ages, from teenagers to elders. People are seated cross-legged on the floor or comfortably on pillows and low stools. The young woman that ushered you in invites you to take a seat. You find a spot that is comfortable.
The singing you heard gets slightly louder as more voices join in the song. Someone starts to drum a beat.
You allow the sound to wash over you.
The young woman comes over and offers you a cup with warm liquid inside. You accept it with thanks and sip it slowly. The liquid is delicious and soothing.
A large platter is passed around. It is filled with a variety of dried fruits and nuts. You take a handful and munch happily.
One of the elders comes and sits beside you, explaining that they are the village healer. They ask if you have any health issues you want to talk about. You find yourself opening up and talking about issues and matters that concern you …
When you have finished, advice is given to you. Take note of what is said …
When the village healer has finished speaking, thank them.
You get up to leave and the young woman appears to escort you back out. As you are about to leave the yurt, she hands you some white flowers tied together with a red ribbon. You thank her, and then she is gone.
As you look at the flowers, a connection is made and the name “guelder rose” pops into your head. Listen, the flowers have a message for you …
When you are ready, you take a few steps away from the yurt and turn around to take a last look. Know that you can come back here any time you need.
Slowly and gently come back to this reality. Open your eyes and wriggle your fingers and toes.
Eat and drink something.
Jot down any thoughts or images that came to mind during your meditation. It can be useful to refer back to them later.
Spell to Release Pain
If you have bad period pains, this spell can help ease them. It is really simple. By using visualisation, you can move the pain from your body and send it into the pebble. You might see the pain as a particular colour—go with it. I like to visualise a white or blue light when working with healing energy, but you may find yours is different. Trust your intuition.
You will need:
• Pebble
• Your visualisation skills
Sit quietly and place the pebble on your womb. (Note: this spell works with all kinds of body pain. Just place the pebble at the source of your discomfort.)
See the pain streaming out of your body and into the pebble. Visualise it as a beam of light. Allow the pain to leave your body and fill the pebble.
Visualise a white or blue light coming from your heart or through the top of your head down to the womb, filling it with healing energy.
When you are finished, take the pebble and throw it as hard and as far as you can. The pebble can be thrown into the sea or a river. You may prefer to throw the pebble across a field or garden. Alternatively, throw it in the trash.
Ritual to Celebrate the Flow of Life
I sat and pondered for quite a while about a ritual to deal with menses and menopause. Nothing seemed to fit. Then I realised the ritual ought to be about celebrating the changes and transitions we go through in life. A rite of passage, perhaps? Some cultures celebrate the menarche (when a girl gets her first period), and for boys the age of thirteen is often celebrated as a step into adulthood. The transition to crone (when a woman has finished menopause and/or feels ready to embrace older age) or sage (the equivalent male version of a crone) has been marked by some as well.
Therefore, this ritual is all about celebrating life and the changes that it brings, whether those changes are menstruation, menopause, or just a shift in how you deal with life.
I work with Mary Magdalene for this ritual because she has such a powerful feminine energy and also brings healing with her.
This ritual can be done using the items listed below, or you can sit quietly in your space and just visualise the whole thing.
You will need:
• One central candle to represent Mary Magdalene
• Three crystals or tumble stones (to represent your past, your present, and your future)
• Photos of yourself or items that bring you memories from your past
• A current photo of yourself, if you have one
• Matches or a lighter
• Something to eat and drink
Cast your circle. Walk around in a circle deosil (clockwise) or turn around on the spot if you are limited for space. Visualise a soft, glowing light forming a circle around you. When the circle is complete, visualise the light forming above you and below you to form a globe. As you cast the circle, say:
Circle of light
Circle of peace
Circle of protection
Circle this place
Call the quarters. Turn and face each compass direction, starting with the north and working deosil (clockwise). North is earth, east is air, south is fire, and west is water. As you face each compass direction in turn, say:
Element of earth, bringing stability and grounding
Please join me in this place
Blessings of earth
Element of air, bringing peace and clarity
Please join me in this place
Blessings of air
Element of fire, bringing energy and passion
Please join me in this place
Blessings of fire
Element of water, bringing emotion and calm
Please join me in this place
Blessings of water
As you light the central candle, say:
I call upon the ancient and supportive goddess Mary Magdalene
And ask that you bring your compassion, guidance, and support
To assist me with this rite
Blessings to you
Now take some time to sit and sift through photographs of yourself from the past. Focus on the good memories of each stage in your life so far. Note the transitions and the points in your life where it has moved: schools, college, births, relationships, friendships, deaths, career moves, spiritual shifts … anything where your life turned.
Hold the first crystal in your hand, the one that represents the past, and say:
I acknowledge, recognise, accept, and give thanks
For all the changes and transitions that have happened in my life so far
Each one has helped to make me the person that I am now
Place the crystal in front of the central candle.
Sit for a while and focus on the present. Look at a current image of yourself if you have one. Think about your life now. Who surrounds and supports you? What do you do? Where are you at in life?
Take the second crystal in your hand, the one that represents the present, and say:
I acknowledge, recognise, accept, and give thanks
For all that has led me to my life as it is now
Place the crystal in front of the central candle.
Sit quietly and meditate. Allow your mind to be led where it needs to go. Mary Magdalene will help guide you if necessary. Be guided on a journey that gives you advice and guidance about your future …
Take the third crystal in your hand, the one that represents your future, and say:
I acknowledge, recognise, accept, and give thanks
That life presents me with changes and transitions
That it flows ever onwards
Leading me on the pathway that I need to follow
Place the last crystal in front of the central candle.
Take a sip of your drink, raising your glass to Mary Magdalene.
Take a few bites of your food.
Then close the ritual. Face the centre and hold your arms wide, saying:
My thanks to you, great goddess Mary Magdalene
For your compassion, guidance, and wisdom
Please continue to guide and support me
With blessings and thanks
Face each direction in turn, starting with the west. Work widdershins (counterclockwise) and say:
Element of water
My thanks for lending your energy today
Blessings of water
Element of fire
My thanks for lending your energy today
Blessings of fire
Element of air
My thanks for lending your energy today
Blessings of air
Element of earth
My thanks for lending your energy today
Blessings of earth
Then walk the circle widdershins (counterclockwise) and say:
Circle of light
Circle of peace
Circle of protection
Circle this place
This circle is now open but never broken
Snuff out the central candle.
Pour the rest of your drink and crumble some of your food onto the earth as an offering to Mary Magdalene.
Your crystals can be put on your altar, beside your bed, or in your magic bundle. If you’d like, you can keep the photos out on display as a visual re-
minder of the work you’ve done.
Bundle for Menses and Menopause
To begin, choose a piece of fabric that you associate with transformation. You will need a cord or ribbon to tie it with, or you could use a drawstring pouch.
Your bundle can be filled with anything that you feel drawn to add—with the exception of fresh food or herbs because those would go mouldy! You could add crystals, dried herbs, seeds, dried leaves, twigs, dried flower petals, small tokens, beads, buttons, coins, small ornaments, etc. Trust your intuition.
Sit quietly or meditate to decide which things to add. Reach out to a deity such as Mary Magdalene and ask what needs to go in. It might only be one or two items at first—you can add to it over time.
Each item is representative of your journey so far. Charge each item individually before you pop it in the pouch. Hold each one in your hand and visualise positive energy entering it, bringing peace so you can easily adapt to life’s changes.
This is your life in a bag, basically. Here are my suggestions:
• Your three crystals from the Flow of Life ritual
• Photos that remind you of important times in your life
• Mementos of life events: invites, hospital bands, tickets, badges …
whatever you relate to
• Herbs and flowers that represent your cycle or stage in life, such as cinnamon, star anise, or coriander
Keep the bundle on your altar or somewhere that you will see it. Use it when you meditate, either holding it on your lap or opening it up and handling each item in turn. You can also reach for it when you feel the need to let go. Draw upon the energy within to fill your mind and spirit with positive energy.
Life is a journey. Dealing with menses, menopause, and all the symptoms and experiences that they bring can be a challenge. But remember: without periods, there would be no new life.
Find what works best for you and your cycle and deal with it to the best of your abilities. Don’t let it rule your life!
If you find yourself dealing with painful periods or struggling through menopause symptoms, refer back to this chapter for magical suggestions that might help.