Menopause (the pausing of the menses) technically occurs on the last menstrual flow in a woman’s life. Traditionally, a crone is one who has reached the 13th month after their last menstrual flow. The years before and just after menopause is referred to as the climacteric.

Climacteric, from the Greek klimakter, meaning literally a rung of a ladder or figuratively a critical point, is also defined by Webster’s as crucial (essential) or critical (as in turning point). And we have all heard the ‘change of life’ term used by our parents or grandparents. Those of us versed in metaphysical or shaman ways also think of menopause as an initiation, a rite of passage. » Read The Rest

“Give me your full attention, young Crone,” says Grandmother Growth in a voice deep and resonant. “For you will pay attention, I assure you, when your menopausal Change lets loose lightening-like hot flashes and waves of energy that free your feelings and stir your spirit. As you hold the wise blood inside more and more, menstruating less and less, strong energies will move in you. The women’s mystery teachings of menopause urge you to take time off to adapt to these energies, to take, symbolically or actually, real Crone’s Time Away and allow those hot flashes and sleepless nights to guide you into metamorphosis and initiation.”

-from Susun Weed’s Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way

Menopause (the pausing of the menses) technically occurs on the last menstrual flow in a woman’s life. Traditionally, a crone is one who has reached the 13th month after their last menstrual flow. The years before and just after menopause is referred to as the climacteric.

Climacteric, from the Greek klimakter, meaning literally a rung of a ladder or figuratively a critical point, is also defined by Webster’s as crucial (essential) or critical (as in turning point). And we have all heard the ‘change of life’ term used by our parents or grandparents. Those of us versed in metaphysical or shaman ways also think of menopause as an initiation, a rite of passage.

So lots of perspectives from which to approach this vast subject of menopause! The way I have grown to view it is from a spiritual or shamanic angle - that the body is giving us valuable information for making the necessary changes in our emotional and spiritual bodies, drawing us closer and closer to our essential or Authentic selves. Yes, we are no longer mothers, no longer vessels for bringing new life into this world….or are we? Maybe simply our vision of motherhood and birth and creative expression changes!

This blog “Wise Woman Ways” will explore this opening to a new way of being with ourselves as women. It is not about the blood being visible or not. The blood is with us always. The indigenous or shaman perspective is that as menopausal women we are ‘keepers of the blood” or “holding our blood”. More on this to come……….