(no subject)

[tarr.livejournal.com]

I started my bleeding the other day, and found myself wishing I had some sort of tradition to mark the day, besides the ritualistic First Washing of the Keeper Before Insertion. I thought of how in some Jewish traditions, the woman takes a ritual bath after the end of her cycle. (I can't think of the term, sorry.) I read the first 50 pages of The Red Tent, loved the idea of pampering oneself for the duration of your blood time, then got bored with the rest of the book. Obviously, we can't shield ourselves from the world if we have jobs, etc, and I'm not Jewish.

I feel a spiritual void concerning this. Do any of you ladies have special spiritual acts that are reserved for your blood time? I thought about wearing a red ribbon during my time, but am not sure if I like the idea.

Comments

[puttysan.livejournal.com]

I suppose wearing black jeans/pants/shorts for four days doesn't count? :) I take a lot of baths, with nice bath oils, to make me feel good.

[happytootum.livejournal.com]

Um..I eat lots of chocolate. It's quite soothing ;)

on the first Saturday of my .

[squixy.livejournal.com]

I buy myself a big-big hershey's bar (or if the cramps were really bad I get a gourmet bar from the International Pantry) eat it, watch my favorite movies, and sleep for at least 12 hours straight.

rituals

[loviedovie.livejournal.com]

check out the LJ community called blood_art I hope that cut tag worked, if not its called "blood art" you may be grossed out or absolutly love the idea! Its very empowering!

[schnoogle.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...

I'm thinking of having *something* too. Like, wearing a certain peice of jewelry (like earrings) only when I'm bleeding. Something little like that. :) Pity my school has uniform rules regarding jewelry but maybe I could get around them by saying they had a spiritual meaning to me? Though I'm not sure what reactions I'd get from "I'm menstruating. That's why."

[schnoogle.livejournal.com]

I just remembered that in the Princess Diaries (the books) the mother wears a different dressing gown when she's menstruating.

Seemed relevant ^_^

[fifthconundrum.livejournal.com]

My rituals are more internal/attitude than external. On the first day of "bleeding" I remind myself of the life-giving power of the female body and declare it a day of rest. As much as possible, I take it easy. I don't work out or do housework, partly because I am very tired, but also to acknowledge that my menstrual cycle is worthy of respect, not worthy of cursing or of being ignored as if it doesn't exist. I am extra-careful to listen to my body and not push her during that first day. In the past I would just try to live my life as though nothing important was happening in my body. Now I admit something very important is going on, and I act like it.

[balmofgilead.livejournal.com]

Just thought I'd add...
The ritual bath is called a "Mikvah"--so after their period is over (actually, after it has been over for 7 days) some women immerse in the Mikvah.

I think symbolically it has a lot to do with loss of the potential for life (the nonfertilized egg and the lining that didn't get used). The mikvah sort of rids one of that stage, and provides a sort of renewal/rebirth and entry into the stage of new life and potential (ovulation). Some Jewish women today (who don't follow the rules of "mikvah" in the traditional sense) go to the mikvah to mark changes in their lives or as a renewing process when they want to change something.

[zombiefaerie.livejournal.com]

I never really thought of marking the day with something like that. Hmmm, I could be creative and think of something...


*ponders*