Day 15 - Menarche Rituals

My bleed returned 6 month after birthing. Although surprised that it came back so soon, I was also missing performing some rituals during the time. By the time menarchy restarted, I had began to accumulate some ideas about how to honour this girl-child's growth into womanhood.

I have no recollection of my first bleed, nor a diary record. Mum bought me pads, lamented how underwear with extra lining were not available for purchase, and got cross at me often for leaving the used liners in the bathroom. Menstruation, aside from during the occasional sex education, was only ever mentioned when skipping swimming lessons, as a lie or as a truth.

I only became interested in it in 2010 during Womanhood run by the Women's Wellbeing Association, after years of bleeding unconsciously. Now living the 4 seasons is an important aspect of loving my own body.

When my bleed returned, I began crocheting and knitting. If I can do at least one square each bleed, I will have enough for a blanket by the time baby has her first bleed. I have yet to decide whether it will be a complete blanket or a stash of squares I gift her. It's almost a decade away before I need to decide.

For now, making little squares has become part of an important care ritual to add to the bath soaks, using cloth pads, giving the blood to the earth, and plenty of resting.

I declined on the invite to attend WWA's annual Gathering this weekend. While the Period Tracker app informed me that I was due end of next week, in time for the monthly circle meetings, it feels very appropriate that this cycle's started yesterday. My body has yet to reestablish its rhythm.