This evening brings a full supermoon, as the moon makes its closest approach to Earth since 1948 it will appear 7% larger and 15% brighter. Already a spectacular and powerful force it should be a great night to connect with and bask in the moons energy. Many cultures, including TCM, advise doing exactly this by going outside for at least 15 mins and taking a ‘moon bath’ soaking in, and absorbing the energy of the full  moon.

TCM is built upon the principle that our bodies are inextricably linked to and therefore affected by the macrocosmic cycles of nature. The waxing and waning of the moon, the ebb and flow of the tides and the changes of the seasons are all reflected on a microcosmic scale within us. Scientific evidence confirms that biological cycles, dreams and emotional rhythms are all keyed into the moon, tides and our other planets as they interact with the electromagnetic fields of our bodies.

Women in particular are lunar by nature, and it is no coincidence that the female menstrual cycle is synced up with the waxing and waning of the moon, occurring around every 28 days. In yin/yang theory the moon is considered to be more yin and therefore female when compared to the male and yang energy of the sun. According to TCM women tend to embody yin energy which is fluid, receptive and intuitive in nature while men embody all that is yang. By contrast yang energy is associated with being action orientated, goal driven and forceful, though of course we all have aspects of both yin and yang qualities whether we are male or female.

The various phases of the lunar and menstrual cycle affect not only the flow of fluids but also our energy levels, information and creativity. If your hormonal cycle is in sync with the moon studies have shown that it is most common to ovulate at full moon and menstruate at new moon. Following this rhythm, energy is highest, most creative and outgoing during the first half of the cycle from menstruation until ovulation. At mid cycle we are more naturally more receptive, enthusiastic and open to new ideas – we are of course on every level more fertile and this is the time to initiate new projects. The energy from ovulation at full moon to menstruation at new moon is instead seen to be more reflective and useful for assessing what is/isn’t working in our lives. This can linked to the emotions and introspection that we associate with premenstrual energy.

In this way premenstrual feelings can be embraced and viewed as a healthy reflection of the darkness of the new moon, as our energies and moods will naturally ebb for a few days each month. Premenstrually we are inherently more in tune with what is most meaningful to us and have greater ability to recognise and transform the more difficult and painful areas of lives. When your body and the moon are in sync your cycle won’t feel like a pain but an opportunity to go with the natural flow of renewal and creativity reflected in the night sky above us. Let the moon light the way!.