National Infertility Awareness Week: Nourishing Our Inner Earth
"It is in nature where we truly connect with the mother and ourselves.” ~Shikoba
Today marks the intersection of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and National Infertility Awareness Week. While this alignment may not have been intentional, it offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on our relationship with nature and how tapping into its rhythm can help us feel whole, connected, and open to new life.
As women, we are joined energetically to the phases of the moon and the cycles of the seasons. The earth is our center- it is from earth that we take in nourishment and nurture the essence of our whole being and our connection to the rest of the world. So often, this connection feels broken; broken by trauma, broken by the stress of our daily lives, broken by the challenges of trying to get pregnant and have a healthy baby, broken by feeling like our body has betrayed us. We try and move through the world (often in a very masculine way) and push down the uncomfortable feelings and disconnect from what is causing us pain.
Taking time to feel, be, create, nourish, and connect can bring us back to our true selves and give us the opportunity to relate to the earth and our own goddess potential. What does it feel like to be a goddess? In what ways are you already expressing your inner goddess to the world? How can you nourish motherly love for yourself on your journey to build your family? How can you create your own fertile soil that is overflowing with the nourishment you desire?
Feel- Let yourself feel all the emotions- they are part of who you are and each day may be different. Make no apologies, but recognize them and work to let any negative emotions go. If you need help, connect with a therapist to help.
Be- Be in nature whenever possible. Let go of the need to have to do or accomplish something. This can be really difficult, especially right now, when we are stuck at home and want to feel productive. Enjoy the little things, practice gratitude, observe your body’s rhythms and listen to what it is telling you it needs.
Create- To tap into our own feminine from a Chinese medicine perspective, we want to foster yin energy. To create, whether painting, knitting, cooking, gardening, or even putting together a puzzle balances our hormones and increases our receptivity.
Nourish- Nourish your center with nutritious, easy to digest foods like soups, stews, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, nuts, and seeds. Nourish the connection between your heart, center, and womb: Try this simple meditation from The Way of Yin: One hand over your Heart and the other over your Womb. Visualize the connection, focus on breath and sending love and free flow through the channel.
Connect- Take cues from your moon cycle to optimize your body’s energy and keep you grounded and centered.
Menstrual phase : This is a great time for resting and reflecting. Take time for yourself, read a good book, reflect on what went right with the last cycle and what you want to invite more of into your life with this current cycle.
Follicular Phase: During this estrogen dominant phase of the cycle, you are at your most creative, open, and energized. It is a good time to set goals for the current cycle, start projects, and tap into your creative brain.
Ovulation Phase: At this transition from yin to yang, you are at the peak of vitality. It is a great time to connect with your partner, be social, and communicate your feelings and intentions with others.
Luteal Phase: Practice self-love and take it easy. Focus on eating well, getting sleep and gentle movement, and meditating.
During National Infertility Awareness Week and always, we honor the earthly feminine in each of you. You are a warrior. You are a goddess. And while we can’t be with you in person right now, we are with you in spirit.
