Menopause: Embracing the Wise Woman Within

Understanding Menopause

Menopause is often misunderstood. Medically, it is defined as the point when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. However, many women experience a broader transition period, known as perimenopause, which can last for several years before the final menstrual period, and postmenopause, which follows it.

The Menopausal Transition

For many women, the years leading up to menopause are marked by significant physical and emotional changes. This transition can be likened to a second puberty, filled with its own set of challenges and rewards.

"Do not become alarmed when you experience yourself in totally new ways," advises Grandmother Growth. "You are changing, getting ready to be initiated into the third stage of your life. Are you ready for the ride of your life?" — Susun Weed, Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way

The Cultural Narrative of Menopause

Cultural, familial, and personal beliefs significantly influence how women experience menopause. In societies where aging is viewed negatively, women may resist these changes, perceiving them as a decline. Conversely, in cultures that honor aging, women may embrace menopause as a time of empowerment and growth.

"The joy of menopause is the world's best-kept secret. Like venturing through the gateway to enter an ancient temple, in order to claim that joy a woman must be willing to pass beyond the monsters who guard its gate." — Leslie Kenton, Passage to Power

Green Allies for Menopause

Herbal remedies can offer significant support during menopause. Nourishing herbal infusions provide essential nutrients and phytoestrogens, which can help ease symptoms and promote overall health.

How to Make a Nourishing Herbal Infusion

1. Ingredients: One ounce (by weight) of dried herb.
2. Preparation: Place the herb in a quart jar and fill it with boiling water.
3. Steeping: Cover tightly and let it steep for at least four hours, or overnight.
4. Consumption: Strain and refrigerate. Drink 2-4 cups daily, either hot or cold.

Recommended Herbs

• Oatstraw: Strengthens the nervous system.
• Stinging Nettle: Supports adrenal health and increases stamina.
• Red Clover: Rich in phytoestrogens, supports hormonal balance.
• Comfrey Leaf: Promotes bone health.

The Purpose of Menopause

Menopause may contribute to women's longevity. Research suggests that postmenopausal women play a crucial role in their communities, often gathering more food and providing essential support to their families.

"She [the postmenopausal woman] is not a sentiment, she is a requirement." — Kristen Hawkes, 1997

The Grandmother Hypothesis

Dr. Kristen Hawkes' research on the Hadza people of Tanzania indicates that older women are vital to the survival of their grandchildren, gathering more food than younger women and men. This "Grandmother Hypothesis" suggests that menopause allows women to invest in their grandchildren, enhancing the survival of their genes (New York Times).

Menopause as Enlightenment

Menopausal symptoms often mirror the experiences described in various spiritual traditions as the awakening of Kundalini energy. This powerful energy, often depicted as a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, can cause significant physical and emotional changes when it rises.

Managing Kundalini Energy

• Nourishing Herbal Infusions: Especially oatstraw, to strengthen the nervous system.
• Fermented Foods: Such as yogurt, to support gut health.
• Seaweed: Provides essential minerals and supports thyroid function.

The Three Life Stages: Maiden, Mother, Crone

Menopause marks the transition from the "Mother" stage to the "Crone" stage, a time of wisdom and power. Understanding this transition can help women embrace their new identity and the changes that come with it.

Symptoms and Remedies by Energy Centers

Embracing the Crone

As women transition into the Crone stage, they gain access to a new level of wisdom and power. Understanding menopausal symptoms as energy movements can help women feel more in control and less fearful of the changes they are experiencing.

"After years of practice, Kundalini moves freely up the spine and out the crown. Our symptoms subside, our overall energy is stronger, better. We hold our wise blood inside. We are the wise women. We are the crones."

Conclusion

Menopause is a significant life transition that can be navigated with the support of herbal allies and a positive mindset. By embracing the changes and understanding the deeper purpose of this stage, women can emerge stronger, wiser, and more empowered.

References

1. Perls T MD, Fretts R MD. “Why Women Live Longer Than Men”. Scientific American, 1998 August: 102.
2. Angier N. “Is Menopause a Key to Survival? The Grandmother Hypothesis”. New York Times, 1997: August 18.
3. Diamond J. “The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal”. Harper Perennial, 1992.
4. Hawkes K. “Grandmothering, Menopause, and the Evolution of Human Life Histories”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2003.