The Power of Your Period

How can you use your period blood to your advantage? Can you heal the Earth and yourself all at the same time?

The menstrual cycle has been a sacred occurrence since the beginning of time. This natural phenomenon allows life to come into the world and has been honored through ritual in many cultures.

But how is this related to ecofeminism? Well, let’s get into it.

For starters, mixed with plant soil, menstrual blood can help your relationship with your cycle as it nourishes life in plants and reminds us of the connection between our wombs and the earth. Personally, I feel a strong pull toward the Earth during my cycle. I feel more rooted and grounded in my body, allowing space for creativity which is commonly associated with the feminine.

The feminine has been honored in various rituals throughout history. Additionally, the menstrual cycle has been perceived as good and evil, depending on the culture. For example, in a podcast episode titled “Blood Magic: A History of Menstruation” by Kate J. Armstrong, she states “in ancient Egypt, menstrual blood was considered a source of both good and evil…[it] was also considered medicine. It was added to all sorts of drugs, ointments, and salves.” (Armstrong). She continues to mention that “in Mayan mythology, menstruation’s origin story comes from the Moon goddess, whose monthly flow was given to her as a punishment for sleeping with the Sun god when she’d been told not to…her blood was stored in thirteen jars, where it transformed into snakes, insects, poison, and myriad diseases used as an ingredient in potions,” (Armstrong).

Though these examples are not so uplifting, there are many traditions that support and celebrate the menstrual cycle of a woman. Armstrong continues to explain that “many cultures around the world have seen menstruation as making a person more powerful. In North America, the Cherokee people traditionally believed that menstrual blood gave women special powers that let them destroy their enemies. Her blood makes her potent - it gives her spiritual powers.” (Armstrong). How cool is that? I would love to gain spiritual powers once a month!

Furthermore, “in some communities in the Hindu Kush, there’s a bashali (or large menstrual house), which serves as a kind of all-female clubhouse. It is a secret and venerated space; it’s even considered holy. Traditionally, amongst the Asante in Africa, girls getting their first period are celebrated, seated beneath a queenly umbrella, and given gifts. The Ojibwe people of North America have a ritual for a girl’s first menstrual cycle: she fasts from eating strawberries for a full year, marking their transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s a time to learn wisdom from older women in the community and to connect to one’s ancestors. A link to the future and the past.” (Armstrong). We can see how this beautiful occurrence can bring women and girls together through cultural practices and traditional ceremonies.

Something that I find interesting and powerful is the use of menstrual blood in potions. “Menstrual blood has been coveted for use in charms and potions of all kinds, most particularly love potions. In France during Louis XIV’s time, it was added to perfumes to attract a potential lover’s attention.” (Armstrong).

There are many potions to make with menstrual blood, but one stood out to me during my research. In an article titled “Menstrual Blood Magic - 13 Ways to Use Your Period in Spells” by Mookychick Hivemind, she explains how to use your blood to attract positive forces. First you “add honey to a jar, and add also a drop or two of your menstrual blood…take a piece of paper and draw a petalled flower…in its centre, write a word to symbolise your intent…this is the goal you wish to attract into your life with sweet, sweet honey…in each petal of the flower, write a word or phrase that relates to that goal…use it as part of your rituals as you wish,” (Hivemind). This is so fascinating to me and it makes sense that using the life source would have the power to attract abundance and positivity when used with intention.

This transitions me into a portion of this topic by going into how we can use menstrual blood in potions and spells to attract love and abundance. This can be in our everyday lives or in the lives of our plants!

The benefits of incorporating menstrual blood into plants are fascinating. I recently started pouring my blood into my plants and it has been life-changing. I have practiced this method with a few different species and have found which ones thrived the most. My fiddle leaf fig, monstera, and pothos all started growing new leaves faster than ever. These plants had some trouble growing new leaves in the past and suddenly new ones started popping up left and right! They were sturdy and abundant, especially in a smaller pot where the blood is distributed more evenly. I found that this is because menstrual blood contains nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, which are all found in a store-bought plant fertilizer!

Author Cathy Mayszack explains in her article “Fertilizing Your Plants with Period Blood: A How-to (and If-to) Guide” how using this method is less expensive, good for plant’s health, and is a “perfect balance of mineral nutrition,” (Mayszack). She advises that “diluting your blood with water and stirring thoroughly before adding to plants is a good way to get a nice even coat with small amounts of blood. Use only on ornamental plants, not ones you plan to eat, like fruits, veggies, or potted herbs,” (Mayszack). It is best to do when it is fresh, so try not to wait to use it. She continues to say “start small, pay close attention to how your plants respond…apply as evenly as possible, and mix the blood in with your potting soil a bit to help the good soil microbes do their thang,” (Mayszack).

It is recommended that this method is performed using a DIVA Cup or some sort of capturing device. This method is closely related to ecofeminism in that it is a highly sustainable product compared to traditional pads and tampons that have a one-time use. I have loved using the new DIVA Cup to capture my blood and transfer it to my plants that are craving more nutrient-rich soil.

Personally, I have been conditioned to believe that my menstrual cycle and period blood are “gross” and “unclean” when in reality, the blood itself holds immeasurable power as we’ve seen in the multiple examples mentioned. Take this into consideration with the woman or person’s body that can work with this magic and how impactful that can be to heal pain and transform it into a positive force. If we as a culture and world are able to connect with this concept more closely, I believe that we will be able to see beautiful outcomes for ourselves, others, and the Earth.

We have explored how menstrual blood relates to ecofeminism through historical rituals, sustainable products, and the feminine menstrual cycle’s connection to the Earth. Next time you start your cycle, consider giving your plants a little boost!

References

Armstrong, Kate J. “Blood Magic: A History of Menstruation.” The Exploress, The Exploress, 8 June 2022, https://www.theexploresspodcast.com/episodes/2021/7/28/blood-magic-a-brief-history-of-menstruation.

Hivemind, Mookychick. “Menstrual Blood Magic - 13 Ways to Use Your Period in Spells.” Mookychick, 8 Dec. 2019, https://www.mookychick.co.uk/health/witchcraft-spirituality/blood-magic-ways-to-use-menstrual-blood-in-magic-spells-and-ritual.php.

Mayszak, Courtney RDN. “Fertilizing Your Plants with Period Blood: A How-to (and IF-to) Guide.” De Lune, De Lune, 8 Dec. 2019, https://www.delune.co/blogs/blog/fertilizing-your-plants-with-period-blood-how-to-do-it-and-if-you-should.