Honoring Menstruation: A Time of Self-Renewal

by Lara Owen

Owen charts her experiences of taking time out every month to let her period work its magic on her. As well as exploring menstruation as a key to woman's wisdom, there are also sections on natural healing methods for menstrual symptoms, exercises for spiritual rituals, and a radical view of PMS as a natural emotional release for women.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction

190 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Lara Owen is a British writer best known for her groundbreaking book, "Her Blood Is Gold", first published in 1993 and now in its third edition. Dr Owen is recognised internationally for her pioneering work to change attitudes surrounding menstruation. She has done research on women's lived experience in several countries, and holds a PhD on menstrual organization from Monash Business School. Her most recent book is "Reorganizing Menstruation" published by Oxford University Press in 2024, which describes her research on menstrual innovations and develops feminist socioeconomic theory to help understand the broader impact and implications of dismantling longstanding stigma and shame surrounding the female body.For a longer bio please see https://laraowen.com/about.

Reviews

[Rosa Ramôa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Quando estou menstruando, estão sempre presentes em mim os elementos da energia mutável, da introversão e da libertação.
Os antigos acreditavam que sentar-se ao relento sobre a luz da lua, possuía um efeito regularizador do ciclo menstrual, a lua era considerada a divindade das mulheres, e se dizia que as mulheres deveriam rezar à lua para fazer seus pedidos. Nas culturas fundamentalmente matriarcais, o sangue era considerado um portador de magia porque representava o mistério da força vital e estudiosos sugerem que " os primeiros rituais podem ter
homenageado o ciclo menstrual, o sangue uterino que nutre a vida" Assim como a lua, o sangue é um dos símbolos mais antigos e centrais do seres humanos,o sangue é símbolo primário da força da vida. E è encontrado na mais antiga arte, como o ocre vermelho pintado nas paredes das cavernas primitivas, o sangue é um dos primeiros sacramentos usados pela humanidade. O sangue está constantemente fluindo dentro de nós. Principal símbolo da fonte da existência e do mistério que nos traz a vida."

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. Loved this! Marked so many pages to re-read that my copy of the book looks ridiculous now. ;)

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book insightful, and assisted me in developing a better understanding of menstruation, viewing it from both a mindful, healthy and spiritual perspective. Myself, like many women suffer a great deal when going through menstruation (or Moontime), from the bloating, the hours or even couple days of cramping, headaches (especially migraines), among other things. The book goes into great detail to cover the varying ways women experience it, as well as what one can do to relieve themselves of discomfort, such as natural remedies (though this is no means in suggesting against visiting a doctor, in fact it advocates seeing a doctor or specialist, as your discomfort may be an indicator of something serious).
The book covers subjects on cultural taboo as well as cultures that view menstruating in a positive light.
I highly recommend everyone read it, especially women.

[Liaken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the updated version of Her Blood is Gold. It is excellent. If I remember correctly, it has more information on herbs and so forth.

[Ilyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an instrumental book in helping me to reprogram some very deep-seated and ingrained negative feelings about my menstrual cycle.