What do you think?
Rate this book
Moon Time: Harness the Ever-Changing Energy of Your Menstrual Cycle
#1 in Menstruation on Amazon Hailed as 'life-changing' by women around the world, Moon Time shares a fully embodied understanding of your menstrual cycle. Full of practical insight, empowering resources, creative activities and passion, this book will put you back in touch with your body’s wisdom. · Learn to live in flow with your female body · Find balance in your life and work through charting your cycle · Heal PMS naturally · Connect to your innate creativity · Create a red tent or moon lodge Whether you are coming off the pill, wanting to understand your fertility, struggling with PMS, healing from womb issues, are coming back to your cycles after childbirth or just want a deeper understanding of your body, Moon Time is for you. With over 45 pages of additional material including: · Fertility charting · Creating ceremonies: menarche, mother blessing, menopause … · Moon phases · Expanded and fully-updated resource section
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
126 people are currently reading
2150 people want to read
About the author
Lucy H. Pearce
19 books259 followersLucy H. Pearce is the author of multiple life-changing non-fiction books, including Nautilus Award silver winners Medicine Woman, Burning Woman, and Creatrix.
Her newest books are Crow Moon: reclaiming the wisdom of the dark woods and The Kitchen Witch Companion, which she illustrated and co-authored with Sarah Robinson.
Her writing weaves women’s archetypal psychology, feminist historical awareness and the healing power of creativity and nature.
An award-winning graduate in History of Ideas with English Literature from Kingston University, and a PGCE from Cambridge University,
http://www.lucyhpearce.com/
Lucy founded Womancraft Publishing, creating paradigm-shifting books by women for women, in 2014. http://www.womancraftpublishing.com/
She is the host of the Creative Magic podcast, where she interviews contemporary creative women. https://open.spotify.com/show/5tipcBA...
Support her work on Patreon http:/www.Patreon.com/lucyhpearce/
Burning Woman - an incendiary initiation to feminine power is her most recent and is blazing trails with its powerful words, a #1 Amazon bestseller in Women and History.
The Rainbow Way: Cultivating Creativity in the Midst of Motherhood was a #1 Amazon bestseller in Creativity and motherhood in the US and UK. it has been credited with kickstarting the creativity of women - and men - around the world, being the inspiration behind numerous creative businesses and even saving lives.
Moon Time - a book that hundreds of women around the world have labelled “life-changing”. The perennial #1 Amazon.com bestseller in its field.
Reaching for the Moon, a soulful guide to the menstrual cycle for girls aged 9-14, trusted and recommended by thousands of parents and their daughters as a nurturing way to approach a key rite of passage.
Her newest books are Crow Moon: reclaiming the wisdom of the dark woods and The Kitchen Witch Companion, which she illustrated and co-authored with Sarah Robinson.
Her writing weaves women’s archetypal psychology, feminist historical awareness and the healing power of creativity and nature.
An award-winning graduate in History of Ideas with English Literature from Kingston University, and a PGCE from Cambridge University,
http://www.lucyhpearce.com/
Lucy founded Womancraft Publishing, creating paradigm-shifting books by women for women, in 2014. http://www.womancraftpublishing.com/
She is the host of the Creative Magic podcast, where she interviews contemporary creative women. https://open.spotify.com/show/5tipcBA...
Support her work on Patreon http:/www.Patreon.com/lucyhpearce/
Burning Woman - an incendiary initiation to feminine power is her most recent and is blazing trails with its powerful words, a #1 Amazon bestseller in Women and History.
The Rainbow Way: Cultivating Creativity in the Midst of Motherhood was a #1 Amazon bestseller in Creativity and motherhood in the US and UK. it has been credited with kickstarting the creativity of women - and men - around the world, being the inspiration behind numerous creative businesses and even saving lives.
Moon Time - a book that hundreds of women around the world have labelled “life-changing”. The perennial #1 Amazon.com bestseller in its field.
Reaching for the Moon, a soulful guide to the menstrual cycle for girls aged 9-14, trusted and recommended by thousands of parents and their daughters as a nurturing way to approach a key rite of passage.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 22, 2014
Lucy writes with such warmth and tenderness, I felt welcomed as a reader from the first page. This book gave me a picture to put together all the puzzle pieces, why do I get so irritated? Why do I have lots of energy one day, but feel exhausted the next? It invites us to look at our monthly cycle and understand the way our body follows natural rhythms.
I had one of those ah-ha! moments, where it felt as if understanding had finally slotted into place. I am emotional, sometimes I go through phases when my mind is going at 100 miles an hour, - then its as if someone turns a switch and I don't want to see anyone or go anywhere. Lucy's explanation of the different stages we go through during the month has helped me to be far kinder to myself and simply allow my feelings to dictate, rather than constantly fighting and resisting until I am exhausted stressed and angry.
I felt as if I am finally at peace with my body, by tuning in to what I am feeling, I can make the most of the ebbs and flows of energy, resting and relaxing when I need to knowing that my energetic self will emerge afterwards.
This was an interesting read, it made me realise just how much our culture affects our self esteem strongly, and just how subjugated women have been in our society.
Well worth reading.
I had one of those ah-ha! moments, where it felt as if understanding had finally slotted into place. I am emotional, sometimes I go through phases when my mind is going at 100 miles an hour, - then its as if someone turns a switch and I don't want to see anyone or go anywhere. Lucy's explanation of the different stages we go through during the month has helped me to be far kinder to myself and simply allow my feelings to dictate, rather than constantly fighting and resisting until I am exhausted stressed and angry.
I felt as if I am finally at peace with my body, by tuning in to what I am feeling, I can make the most of the ebbs and flows of energy, resting and relaxing when I need to knowing that my energetic self will emerge afterwards.
This was an interesting read, it made me realise just how much our culture affects our self esteem strongly, and just how subjugated women have been in our society.
Well worth reading.
May 26, 2015
My first reading of the book Moon Time in 2012 had a profound impact on my personal understanding of the natural ebb and flow of my energy in connection to my body's cyclical nature.
Moon Time is written in a friendly, conversational tone and is a quick read with a lot of insight into the texture and tone of our relationships with menstruation.
The book contains information about charting cycles and about our relationship to our bodies and our fertility. I especially enjoyed the excellent section on minimizing PMS through self-care measures and how to plan time to nurture and nourish yourself during your monthly moon time. I also appreciate the section on motherhood and menstruation.
Moon Time also includes planning information for Red Tents and Moon Lodges and for menarche rituals as well as for personal ceremonies and self-care rituals at home. It ends with an absolutely phenomenal list of resources—suggested reading and websites.
Towards the beginning of the book Lucy observes, “We live in a culture which demands that we are ‘turned on’ all the time. Always bright and happy. Always available for intercourse–both sexual and otherwise with people. Psychologist Peter Suedfeld observes that we are all ‘chronically stimulated, socially and physically and we are probably operating at a stimulation level higher than that for which our species evolved.’ It is up to us to value rest and fallow time. We must demand it for ourselves to ensure our health." She also comments on something I’ve observed in my own life and have previously discussed with my friends, in that the frustration and anger and discontent we may feel pre-menstrually or during menstruation is actually our body's way of expressing things we have been feeling for a long time, but trying to stifle (rather than hormonal "irrationality): "There is no shame in tears. There is a need for anger. Blood will flow. Speak your truth. Follow your intuition. Nurture your body. But above all ... Let yourself rest."
One of the things that Moon Time helped clarify for me is that my moontime is worthy of careful attention to my physical and emotional well-being, just as careful attention is important during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I've been a devoted proponent for years of good care of yourself during these phases of life, but had not applied the same rationale or expectation for myself during moontime. This monthly experience of being female is an experience worth respecting and is a sacred opportunity to treat my body and my emotions with loving care and self-renewal. I changed the way I treat myself after reading this book! Sound like too much to expect from your life, schedule, and family? Moon Time includes a great reminder with regard to creating retreat space, taking time out for self-care, and creating ritual each month: “Do what you can with what you have, where you are.” You don’t have create something extensive or elaborate or wait for the “perfect time,” but you can still do something with what you have and where you are. (This is a good reminder for many things in life, actually.)
I highly recommend Moon Time as an empowering resource for cycling women! It would also be a great resource for girls who are approaching menarche or for mothers seeking ways to honor their daughters’ entrance into the cycles of a woman’s life.
—
Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book.
Moon Time is written in a friendly, conversational tone and is a quick read with a lot of insight into the texture and tone of our relationships with menstruation.
The book contains information about charting cycles and about our relationship to our bodies and our fertility. I especially enjoyed the excellent section on minimizing PMS through self-care measures and how to plan time to nurture and nourish yourself during your monthly moon time. I also appreciate the section on motherhood and menstruation.
Moon Time also includes planning information for Red Tents and Moon Lodges and for menarche rituals as well as for personal ceremonies and self-care rituals at home. It ends with an absolutely phenomenal list of resources—suggested reading and websites.
Towards the beginning of the book Lucy observes, “We live in a culture which demands that we are ‘turned on’ all the time. Always bright and happy. Always available for intercourse–both sexual and otherwise with people. Psychologist Peter Suedfeld observes that we are all ‘chronically stimulated, socially and physically and we are probably operating at a stimulation level higher than that for which our species evolved.’ It is up to us to value rest and fallow time. We must demand it for ourselves to ensure our health." She also comments on something I’ve observed in my own life and have previously discussed with my friends, in that the frustration and anger and discontent we may feel pre-menstrually or during menstruation is actually our body's way of expressing things we have been feeling for a long time, but trying to stifle (rather than hormonal "irrationality): "There is no shame in tears. There is a need for anger. Blood will flow. Speak your truth. Follow your intuition. Nurture your body. But above all ... Let yourself rest."
One of the things that Moon Time helped clarify for me is that my moontime is worthy of careful attention to my physical and emotional well-being, just as careful attention is important during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I've been a devoted proponent for years of good care of yourself during these phases of life, but had not applied the same rationale or expectation for myself during moontime. This monthly experience of being female is an experience worth respecting and is a sacred opportunity to treat my body and my emotions with loving care and self-renewal. I changed the way I treat myself after reading this book! Sound like too much to expect from your life, schedule, and family? Moon Time includes a great reminder with regard to creating retreat space, taking time out for self-care, and creating ritual each month: “Do what you can with what you have, where you are.” You don’t have create something extensive or elaborate or wait for the “perfect time,” but you can still do something with what you have and where you are. (This is a good reminder for many things in life, actually.)
I highly recommend Moon Time as an empowering resource for cycling women! It would also be a great resource for girls who are approaching menarche or for mothers seeking ways to honor their daughters’ entrance into the cycles of a woman’s life.
—
Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book.
November 13, 2012
Delightful resource for the empowered woman! I read this one twice this year.
February 14, 2014
Had some good information I'm going to try to implement into my life,and also use as my daughters come of age :)
March 3, 2014
This was very interesting and thought-provoking. I'm curious about my various bio-rhythms and energy cycles, and this definitely gives me some new perspectives as I get to know myself better.
March 14, 2022
Some great information. So much that I wish I had learned as a teenager. Like how to track my cycle, how to harness the energy of my cycle and work with it, not against it, and the truth about the pill. However, there was a lot of woo-woo stuff that was a bit out there for me. And the last few chapters lost me. Definitely worth reading!
April 10, 2023
It's really sad that the author succumbed to the current woke propaganda and thus tries to normalise a trend that is anything but healthy or beneficial to women. Oh, the irony...
March 19, 2022
This book is sprinkles on a cupcake. It has a little bit of everything for everyone.
February 24, 2021
Nice little book, expected / hoped for a bit more info on how to heal from pms but really just gathered to slow down and take it easy, which is kind of what I already do. A lot of lists on how to practice self care which I get is relevant but didn't feel i needed to read a book to find out how to have a bath! I also don't have a bath lol.
Would've appreciated extra info on pmdd as well / severe pms where it comes from and coping with it I'd lend it to a friend who wanted to read something about periods but wouldn't massively recommend it
Would've appreciated extra info on pmdd as well / severe pms where it comes from and coping with it I'd lend it to a friend who wanted to read something about periods but wouldn't massively recommend it
June 3, 2015
As a fan of Lucy’s first edition Moon Time – A guide to celebrating your menstrual cycle – I was curious to see what’s new in this second edition. Firstly the subtitle – Harnessing the ever-changing energy of your menstrual cycle. This change reflects a confidence and sense of purpose in the new edition. Lucy now knows how powerful this work is because of the feedback she’s received from women who were touched by the first book. I particularly enjoyed the new chapter, Living and Working by our Cycles. I was thrilled to learn that in Indonesia and South Korea, women are entitled to take two days off as ‘menstrual leave’ each month.
Lucy is a great networker, and there are a host of resources in this book. Quotes from Alexandra Pope and Miranda Gray have led me to their work, and there are so many connections, you begin to get the sense of how vibrant and fast-growing this movement of empowered women is right now.
Of course, I’m glad to see a chapter on celebrations, as this is where my own work lies. As Lucy says, “These small steps of self-care and celebration hold within them profound seeds of healing and change for the world.” I couldn’t agree more. In the face of so much darkness and chaos in the world, here is something positive all women can engage with. It makes our lives better, and it really will make a difference to the world.
Lucy is a great networker, and there are a host of resources in this book. Quotes from Alexandra Pope and Miranda Gray have led me to their work, and there are so many connections, you begin to get the sense of how vibrant and fast-growing this movement of empowered women is right now.
Of course, I’m glad to see a chapter on celebrations, as this is where my own work lies. As Lucy says, “These small steps of self-care and celebration hold within them profound seeds of healing and change for the world.” I couldn’t agree more. In the face of so much darkness and chaos in the world, here is something positive all women can engage with. It makes our lives better, and it really will make a difference to the world.
November 29, 2015
Informative and empowering minus the white magic, Wicca, and Hindu influences throughout the book. I think this book could have been written in a more neutral tone to respect women of all belief systems or those with none. The religious references could have been in the back of the book perhaps.
February 26, 2014
IF you want to know a bit on your cycle scientifically but wish to know more how it effects you on a daily basis this is the book for you.
July 21, 2014
Super good book! I am very glad I bought it. Great advice and makes you feel good about being a woman!
May 20, 2022
There were some nice ideas for how people with vaginas can honor their menstrual cycle throughout their lives, which is probably a good alternative to what I do, which is mainly being annoyed by my period every month.
However, there were way too many statements that definitely needed citations. For example:
“It has been proven that the full moon has a strong negative impact on the quality of sleep, regardless of whether the moon is visible or not.”
“Current research shows an increase in schizophrenic and epileptic episodes at full moon time.”
“Before the advent of electric light in the late nineteenth century, women’s ovulation was primarily activated by their hormonal response to the brightness of the full moon at night.”
“If you are looking to realign your menstrual cycle with the moon’s cycle so that you have a White Moon Cycle, exposure to the full moon light can have a very powerful effect.”
The lack of footnotes or citations makes me strongly doubt all of these claims.
On the plus side, the author gives lots of warnings ahead of her suggestions, saying to consult with your doctor. This is especially good considering one of her suggestions (in the PMS Busters chapter) is “go to the health food store and get some supplements for yourself. And then take them!” This suggestion can be extremely dangerous without a doctor’s recommendation/supervision.
Overall, this book had too many red flags and was definitely too “woo woo” for me.
However, there were way too many statements that definitely needed citations. For example:
“It has been proven that the full moon has a strong negative impact on the quality of sleep, regardless of whether the moon is visible or not.”
“Current research shows an increase in schizophrenic and epileptic episodes at full moon time.”
“Before the advent of electric light in the late nineteenth century, women’s ovulation was primarily activated by their hormonal response to the brightness of the full moon at night.”
“If you are looking to realign your menstrual cycle with the moon’s cycle so that you have a White Moon Cycle, exposure to the full moon light can have a very powerful effect.”
The lack of footnotes or citations makes me strongly doubt all of these claims.
On the plus side, the author gives lots of warnings ahead of her suggestions, saying to consult with your doctor. This is especially good considering one of her suggestions (in the PMS Busters chapter) is “go to the health food store and get some supplements for yourself. And then take them!” This suggestion can be extremely dangerous without a doctor’s recommendation/supervision.
Overall, this book had too many red flags and was definitely too “woo woo” for me.
July 24, 2025
Decently written, well edited, and packed with good advice.
The advice sits well within my comfort zone where hard science, common sense and ancient knowledge meet – though those who are more averse to all things “woo” might see some of it leaning a bit that way, I think if you can pinch your nose through those parts you could still get a lot out of it.
Throughout most of the book, I was preparing myself to write “my only real criticism is that, whilst I didn’t find anything explicitly transphobic in it, I got the sense the author believes all people with uteruses are women.” So imagine my relief when, on page 140 (of 168), I read;
“But you do not have to be bleeding to go to one…if you…do not have periods or a physical womb. They are a space for all who identify as female.”
I still feel that if you experience gender dysphoria or dysmorphia, or are just generally triggered by the implication that all people with uteruses are women, you might want to steel yourself before diving into this book. But I think that everyone could get something positive from it. Cis men could certainly benefit from reading more books like this to better understand the people in their lives who experience menstruation and menopause. There’s something anyone could get from it around consciously processing emotional, physical, social, and spiritual issues.
It’s annoying that good advice around menstrual cycles is usually wrapped in transphobia, so if anyone knows of any authors who write well about this subject more progressively, please let me know!
The advice sits well within my comfort zone where hard science, common sense and ancient knowledge meet – though those who are more averse to all things “woo” might see some of it leaning a bit that way, I think if you can pinch your nose through those parts you could still get a lot out of it.
Throughout most of the book, I was preparing myself to write “my only real criticism is that, whilst I didn’t find anything explicitly transphobic in it, I got the sense the author believes all people with uteruses are women.” So imagine my relief when, on page 140 (of 168), I read;
“But you do not have to be bleeding to go to one…if you…do not have periods or a physical womb. They are a space for all who identify as female.”
I still feel that if you experience gender dysphoria or dysmorphia, or are just generally triggered by the implication that all people with uteruses are women, you might want to steel yourself before diving into this book. But I think that everyone could get something positive from it. Cis men could certainly benefit from reading more books like this to better understand the people in their lives who experience menstruation and menopause. There’s something anyone could get from it around consciously processing emotional, physical, social, and spiritual issues.
It’s annoying that good advice around menstrual cycles is usually wrapped in transphobia, so if anyone knows of any authors who write well about this subject more progressively, please let me know!
June 6, 2017
25 years old but until this book, I've captured a more tender and overall picture towards my own menstrual cycle. I don't remember exactly how many times I complaint and curse myself like a teenage again due to all the PMT. A period often means a failure that I have to postpone a lot of events along with the desire to smash plates, slam doors and destroy the world. I want to run, to hide, to quit once and for all. This book helps me to realize that all these are signals of my denial of creative self and the lack of space and time to be, to reflect and to relax. Stop hating yourself cause of your true feelings. Besides, Lucy also gives us a lot of exercises and tools to honor and overcome all PMTs (or now we can rename it as Power of Moon Time or Positive Menstrual Time). Strongly recommend for my ladies out there, or the men who wish to support your beloveds also.
February 24, 2020
Moon Time: Harness the ever-changing energy of your menstrual cycle -Lucy H. Pearce
I enjoyed it. I learned a lot of new info that I will be incorporating into my life. It has inspired me to relearn a lot of stuff I forgot about related to menstruation. I am also now curious and will casually research how women & their menstruations have been treated world wide throughout history culturally.
I plan to immediately read next:
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
Teeny weensy things, when they talked about what happens/what you can include at Red Tent meet ups, seemed like a gateway into Wicca or Witchcraft regarding some rituals and use of women’s rune cards. That part I’ll decline.
P.S. I read this on my Kindle Fire, while simultaneously copying & pasting from the Kindle App on my phone into my notes app. So it’s only showing 3 highlights (from my Kindle App on my iPhone). I actually have a lot of highlights on my Kindle Fire where I actually read it from.
I enjoyed it. I learned a lot of new info that I will be incorporating into my life. It has inspired me to relearn a lot of stuff I forgot about related to menstruation. I am also now curious and will casually research how women & their menstruations have been treated world wide throughout history culturally.
I plan to immediately read next:
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
Teeny weensy things, when they talked about what happens/what you can include at Red Tent meet ups, seemed like a gateway into Wicca or Witchcraft regarding some rituals and use of women’s rune cards. That part I’ll decline.
P.S. I read this on my Kindle Fire, while simultaneously copying & pasting from the Kindle App on my phone into my notes app. So it’s only showing 3 highlights (from my Kindle App on my iPhone). I actually have a lot of highlights on my Kindle Fire where I actually read it from.
December 25, 2019
Absolutely mandatory book for any woman to read. This gave me the tools I needed to develop a healthier relationship to my body and womanhood. It is so easy to casually attack one's own femininity - we are primed for it throughout society. I found this book when I first realized how much of my life I had spent brooding resentment towards being a woman and wanted to change that. I am a lot more comfortable in my own body and experience now. Love the exercises she suggests in this book as well and I use them as group activities with other women. Must read!
September 18, 2017
I have been charting the scientific data concerning my cycle for awhile now but this book helped me take it to the next level in a spiritual way. It encouraged and empowered me to think about how I use my cycle for channeling creativity, which is awesome considering I am a professional musician. For any artists out there, a lot of what she says parallels some concepts in the book The Artist's Way, just adding the factor of the menstrual cycle.
June 30, 2020
Lucy explores how to live and work by our menstrual cycles with information on the different phases, charting the cycle, connections with the moon, dealing with PMS, tips for nutritional and herbal healing, and celebrating menarche (a woman’s first bleed). She also introduces you to moon lodges and red tents. This would be a good selection for mothers - I'd have rated it more highly if I were a mother.
January 18, 2018
I was hoping this book would have been more detailed. It only goes over the surface of each topic. It’s a great book to introduce you to your Moon time. It will help to inspire you to take more pride in your mensuration. This is also a great recourse if you are looking for ways to discuss your daughters first cycle with her. This book help to take away the shame of what we are born with.
October 18, 2018
This is a great introduction to honoring our moon cycles and ourselves as dynamic women. The only real criticism that I have is that I wish this book went into more detail. It's a quick read itself, but the author offers plenty of really great resources to continue reading on the subject, which I think makes up for the lake of detail in this particular volume.
October 20, 2019
This was such a tender and inspiring book for bleeding people at any point in their development. I’m in my 40’s and still found the suggestions for tuning into and ritualizing my monthly cycle very helpful and loving. This felt like the older sister, auntie or wise woman I was missing to guide me into the sacred stewardship of female cycling.
December 30, 2021
I personally love this book, as someone who just removed an iud and has been on birth control for the better part of 10 years I found this book easy to read and understand. I love how this book feels personal and not like a clinical textbook about what’s happening in my body. So excited to learn more and pick up more books from this author ❤️
March 4, 2024
Like a helpful friend, showing me how my body and the moon go hand in hand. Now, I've got a buddy in the moon, guiding me through energetic days and reminding me when to take it easy. It's like having a personal roadmap to balance and well-being! Take your time. Be gentle with yourself, and all those that you meet on the path! Thanks Lucy 🌙
June 17, 2019
Not too much woo - could use more fertility info
This has some interesting activities and ceremonies. I feel like there could have been more on fertility awareness and how to chart.
This has some interesting activities and ceremonies. I feel like there could have been more on fertility awareness and how to chart.
June 16, 2025
Very empowering and validating! It clarified aspects of what goes on in the woman body that NO ONE really teaches or talks about throughout our entire lives-from first period all the way to menopause!
March 22, 2018
Yup. Very good.
May 30, 2018
Some of the specific suggestions were a bit extreme for my taste, but I appreciate the overarching concepts very much.
February 7, 2020
This was a great book that opened my eyes to the natural cycles of every living thing around me and the interconnectedness of it all. I can’t wait to have my daughter read it when the time is right.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews