PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome): THE CURE NOT THE CURSE!

magine looking forward to your menstrual period. Imagine your mate, friends or co-workers, etc. filling in for you so that you can have time off to relax during your period. Imagine those same people eager to hear about the experiences that you have during your period. Imagine the experiences of your menstrual time being so revered and honored by yourself and others that your good feelings last all month.

Sounds far fetched? Yet, in essence, these traditions were practiced by tribal societies. But, along with the universal devaluation of the feminine, "women's ways" have been distorted and dishonored by patriarchal rule.

And so today, in our modern cultures, 30% to 80% of the female population suffer from Premenstrual Syndrome. Symptoms range from headaches and irritability to acts of violence. I talked with a man who's wife had burned their house down and shot and killed their 5 yr. old son. She suffered from severe PMS. I can recall time while having my period of wanting to kill my then husband.

Science tells us that any energy continually repressed, suppressed, or depressed tends to become volatile. Unfortunately, medical science doesn't view PMS as "unexpressed energy." The cause of PMS is still "undetermined" and labeled "hormonal imbalance."

This very "hormonal imbalance" was believed by tribal traditions to open the intuitive self to vision, wisdom and insight. During a woman's "moon" or menstrual period hormonal changes bring about a time of heightened sensitivity, vulnerability and a dream-like awareness. A tribal woman is encouraged to drift into dreamland, to bring back stories, songs, and insights that will benefit herself, her family and her world. Tribal cultures live in close connection and harmony with Nature, experiencing the natural rhythms in life. They know that, like the moon, everything goes through a waxing and waning, an ebb and flow, a high and a low. Fluctuations in the rhythm of life, changes in the seasons and cycles of nature, are beautiful gifts from the Great Spirit that fill the music of being alive with awe and wonder.

Just as the Thunder Beings, and Rain Makers transform the air and atmosphere making all things new again, so to a woman's bleeding time allows for transformation, purification, newness and change. Women are believed to be instruments of transformation. Our basic biology embodies a sacred ritual of change.

Like the earth and moon, women have visible seasons and cycles...a time of building and gathering, a time of holding and nurturing, a time of fruitfulness and anticipation, a time of letting go and beginning anew. Native traditions view the biological changes of the menstrual cycle or "moontime" as a powerful and positive pathway to inner growth and change.

In our modern, high tech world, we have lost touch with the cycles of nature and our own creative and emotional cycles. We have thus forgotten how to tune into and use our individual shifts in energy to empower our lives and our world. We are all so busy with the "doingness" in living ..career, home, family, friends that we have forgotten the "beingness" of life.

"Doing" generally comes from the left side of the brain - the masculine, goal oriented, analytical, technological, get-the-job done part of ourselves. "Being" comes from the right side of the brain, the feminine, allowing, creative, feeling, nurturing part of our self. Many women today are pressuring themselves to do more and more and more. We end up burned out, stressed out and sick. We've forgotten to simply "be." "Moontime" gives us a monthly reminder to take some time out and nurture ourselves.

What does this mean in practical terms? For Kathleen, a California mom it means honoring her feelings, allowing herself time for an afternoon nap...her "moontime dreamtime" The results? A new business idea that produced a lucrative sale. For Debbie, a Texas teacher, honoring her "moontime" means taking a 'well day' each month, staying home, reading, meditating, daydreaming. The results? An innovative classroom curriculum that has her nominated for teacher of the year.

For Linda, a photographer, "moontime" means walking through the Arboretum, communing with Nature. The results? An award winning photographic series on the geometric patterns in flowers. For Janet, a secretary and student of Native American traditions "moontime" means taking time out for ritual where ever she is. For Carol it means that her husband cooks dinner, gives the kids their bath and cleans up the mess, while she takes a moonlight walk, reads or soaks in the tub. Results? "Mom's a lot easier to be around and she's not so grumpy." For me, Shinan, "honoring my moontime" means allowing myself to dip deeply into my intuitive feminine self, to come from a new place of being in the world and to share that place with others. Many women are redefining PMS. Cat Sanders MA, a Seattle therapist says that PMS means Put Men Second, take time for yourself. PMS, Please My Self. Honor our normal and natural psycho-biological energy shifts. PMS can be "attitudinal shift" ...from "woman's curse" to "woman's cure." As we observe and honor the sacred and powerful energies of our "moontime" we will begin to rebirth the wisdom of the feminine and thus "cure" our personal and planetary problems.

Shinan Naom Barclay, M.A. is a writer, poet, teacher, storyteller, ritualist, Intuitive Counselor and Axiatonal Therapist. She is co-author of "FLOWERING WOMAN -MOONTIME FOR KORY," by Mary Dillon. "Flowering Woman is the story of a girls rites of passage into womanhood and, the first book on the market that celebrates menstruation. Through her unique blend of theatrical education and sacred play, Shinan facilitates transformative rites of passage. Known as a "shamanic humorist," and a "modern day medicine woman," Shinan orchestrates group rites on menarche and menopause as well as grief, laughter, creative purpose, death, divorce and reclaiming our authentic voice. For more information on rites see: RITES in this website and/or send a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) for a brochure.