What do you do with your menstrual blood?
There is an ancient Hopi Prophecy that goes “When the women give their blood back to the earth, men will come home from war, and the earth shall find peace.” I first heard this powerful statement in 2012, from a Mexican grandmother while participating in a traditional women’s 4-night moon-dance ritual. At the time I had no idea what it could possibly mean, but the thought of having the power to effect the worlds state of peace intrigued me.
After years of flushing my blood down the toilet & throwing pads & tampons in random waste bins, it took a couple years to fully make the transition to giving my blood back to the earth. The transformation this single act has brought to my life is deeply profound.
Menstrual blood is one of the most powerful, potent elixirs of life!
Did you know your menstrual blood has the potential to nourish a cluster of cells into a living human being? The monthly bleed is the releasing of the endometrial layer that has formed on the uterus throughout the last lunar cycle. When a woman ovulates, she releases an egg, if that egg is fertilized, the endometrial layer nourishes the fertilized egg into a fetus. In other words it is incredibly nutrient dense, loaded with vitamins & minerals. [To test this, give your blood (diluted with water) to a plant in your home or garden, and watch it thrive like never before.]
Your monthly bleed carries important energetic information about your current state of health & well being. Throughout the lunar cycle a woman’s body grows the cells that form the endometrial layer. Therefore within these cells (which include the menstrual blood) lies the memories of her experience throughout that cycle. To release the endometrial lining, is to cleanse & purify all thoughts, emotions & experiences of the previous month. The cyclical magic of a woman is incredible. A built in system of cleaning and renewal. A physical & energetic rebirth.
Phew, what a relief.
Now imagine with me for a moment, the potential impact of giving this personal potent elixir of information back to the earth mother.
A Muisca grandmother once told me, that giving your blood back to the earth is like picking up the phone and calling home to the earth mother, to let her know how you are doing, physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. Our earth mother holds humanity in her hands. Giving her the information of our blood allows her to evolve & support us in our own unique life journeys. To begin to give your blood back to the earth initiates a process of reconciliation in your connection to nature. We are nature. To restore & heal this relationship is to remember your divine truth & pristine origin.
Blood on my hands
To collect your menstrual blood for planting you can utilize either a menstrual cup, cotton reusable pads or menstrual underwear.
If using a menstrual cup, collect the blood throughout the day and store in a glass jar. If giving your blood to a plant, dilute with water so not to kill your plant with an overdose of nutrients.
If using cotton reusable pads or menstrual underwear. Soak the pad in a bucket with hot water for a few minutes before hand washing the pad with water only, always squeezing the liquid (diluted blood) into your bucket. If giving your blood to a plant be sure to allow the water to cool completely so not to scold the plant.
Where to plant your blood
Find a private place in nature, in your own backyard or garden to dedicate to the planting of your menstrual blood. Planting your blood in the earth is like putting down a root system, ideally you can plant in the same location every month. If you do not have access to your own garden, simply give you blood to a plant housed in clay pot within your home.
Where & with what our blood is planted energetically effects our lives in subtle ways. Give your blood to the elements within nature which you wish to invite and embody in your life. For example: to give your blood to the earth is to plant roots, ground & create stability; to give your blood to water is to invite fluidity and an increase of emotions. I personally do not recommend this. If the only option for whatever reason is to use organic disposable pads, consider burning them at the conclusion of your bleed.
The plant or tree that you give your blood to also impacts your life. Choose a tree or plant that embodies the qualities you wish to invite into your life. I recommend giving your blood to a beautiful, strong and sturdy tree, maybe one that gives luscious fruits, or to a sweet herb or flower. Rosemary, basil, mint, stevia, verbena, chamomile are great options. As I have been advised by elder grandmothers, I do not recommend giving your blood to plants with thorns or strong medicinal master plants. These can invite a great deal of intensity into our lives.
Personally I love to work with Geranium, Lavender & Butterfly pea flower for my moon blood. An added bonus of giving your blood to a sweet herb or flower is the personalized medicine of tea. I love to drink tea made from the sweet herbs and flowers that receive my blood. I have found it to be powerful in regulating & healing my cycle. As well as increasing the vibration of connection with nature & overall wellbeing.
Blood in the dirt
Give your blood back to the earth at the beginning or end of each menstruating day depending what works with your daily flow & rhythm.
Dig a hole close to the tree or plant which you are giving your blood. Burn some sage or other medicinal plants, say a prayer, giving thanks & offer your blood to the earth, moon and stars. Cover with dirt using bare hands or feet. This ritual can be as plain, simple & quick or as extravagant, deep & complex as you desire and have space for within your life. What truly matters is the silent prayer you hold within your heart & womb.
Dearest sisters,
If you do nothing else to heal, transform & elevate your current reality, give your menstrual blood back to the earth. It is a coming home to yourself & that changes everything.
Daughters of the Earth,
The time has come, to claim our birthright. To remember our pristine origin. To experience the miraculous power of our divine creative nature.
What magic will you weave with the power of your menstrual blood?
