Raising Our Fertility Consciousness
by shaUna Owlsong
As women we are blessed with a womb that is in constant
conversation with the moon. Like the ocean tides, our
wombs are pulled by the waxing and the waning of the moons
lunar energy. Before electricity women bled on the dark
of the moon and ovulated around the full moon. Now that
there is electricity and thus more light, our cycles have
shifted so that a woman is bleeding every moment of every
day.
Wow! It is time to tune into our own body and our own
cycle so that we may know when we bleed and when we ovulate.
It is a step toward taking charge of our own fertility.
There are many ways to connect with our menstrual cycles
and fertility. I find that there is a lot of value in
charting my cycle daily. I chart my basal body temperature,
cervical secretions, and cervical position. I also chart
when I have had intercourse, the phase of the moon, emotions,
breast tenderness, etc. By charting these three fertility
signs and additional information I am aware of my fertile
times and un-fertile times.
Basal body temperature: Take your temperature
with a basal body thermometer every morning at the same
time and before you get up or eat and drink anything.
You will begin to notice a pattern after a few months
of charting. You may notice that your basal body temperature
is around 97 -97.5 before ovulation, and rises to about
97.6 to 98.6 after ovulation. After a few months of charting
you will be able to use this sign in conjunction with
other fertility signs to help determine your fertile time.
Cervical secretions: The best time to
check your cervical secretions is after you have peed
and done some pelvic floor exercises. Be sure your hands
are washed and using your fingers check the secretions
at the opening of your yoni. Without looking notice the
consistency and then look and take note if it is blood
(menstruation), dry (dampness that evaporates quickly),
sticky, creamy, eggwhite (stretchy). It is the stretchy
secretion that indicates ovulation. Check multiple times
a day and chart your results in the evening.
Cervical position (height, softness, opening,
and wetness): Wash your hands, get down into
a squatting position and insert your index finger into
your yoni and locate your cervix. Check where your cervix
is…is it near the opening or pushed back far so
it is hard to reach? Is it open or closed? Is it firm
or soft? An ovulating cervix sits high, is open and soft.
After charting for a few months you will notice a pattern.
Now you can begin to use your data in order to avoid pregnancy
(or to call in pregnancy, as the case may be). Be aware
that sperm can survive for up to 5 days in cervical fluid.
To avoid pregnancy be sure to use a dependable birth control
method
Here’s the twist. Women are now spontaneously ovulating
at different times in their cycle. Even though you are
charting and avoiding unprotected intercourse during your
fertile time, you can still become pregnant. Take appropriate
precautions. Use herbal birth control. Use a barrier method.
Stay tuned into your body. Listen and trust.
Womb meditation (to be practiced daily,
at least):
• Sitting cross legged, bringing your attention
to your womb. Sink into your womb and be present. Breathe.
• Ask your womb where you are at in your fertility
cycle. Notice any colors, thoughts, visions, sounds, smells.
Trust what you experience.
• Continue to breathe and be in your womb, in your
center. Feel the connection with the moon. Breathe into
this connection, remaining open to emotions. Sounds are
welcome.
• On an exhale extend a cord of energy (whatever
color feels best) from your womb, your second charka,
deep down into the earth’s core, rooting you.
• Send love and gratitude to the earth, to the
moon, and any other energies you feel drawn to at this
time.
• Bring your focus back to your womb.
• Breathe here. Be here.
• Open your eyes.
There are many ways to be in tune with our fertility.
Find the way(s) that work best for you…and have
fun doing it!
Recommended reading:
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by
Susun S. Weed
Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler
www.sisterzeus.com
Contact your local midwife for more guidance,
or contact me at summerayne@wildmail.com
to set up a consultation.
Join shaUna Owlsong at the Wise Woman Center this summer!
Her Sacred Yoni on
July 17th, 2004
go to for info http://www.susunweed.com/workshops.htm#sacredyoni
Wisdom of the Fertility Goddess
on July 18th, 2004
http://www.susunweed.com/workshops.htm#wisdomfertility
For registrations, contact:
Susun Weed and The Wise Woman Center
PO Box 64 Woodstock NY 12498
phone/fax: 845-246-8081
Or register online at www.wisewomanbookshop.com
excerpt from Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing
Year
by Susun S. Weed ©2002
HERBAL BIRTH CONTROL
Susun S Weed Herbs have been used to control fertility
for as long as there have been women who desired to do
so. Our desire is as great as ever, but our knowledge
base is far from large or strong. This workshop is both
a sharing of what I know, and an open ear to hear what
you know. May we reweave the healing cloak of the Ancients.
Further discussions on herbal birth control can be found
in my book Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
(Ash Tree Publishing, 1986) and in Contraception and Abortion
from the Ancient World to the Renaissance, John M. Riddle
(Harvard University Press, 1992)
FOR HIM:
Hot balls make no babies. If he sits in hot water for
20-30 minutes every night for at least a month, he will
shoot duds for the next 8-10 weeks. Don't laugh. This
is effective and inexpensive.
FOR HER:
Ovulation Prevention
• Reduce fat intake
• Increase exercise
• Bring down body weight
• Caution: A fertile woman who is too thin to ovulate
can lose as much bone mass in one month as she would in
one year post menopause.
• Consider: The many health benefits of birth control
pills
Fertility Signs
• Basal body temperature
• Cervical mucus
Timing is Important
• Hormone cycles and herbal birth control
• Fertilization, implantation, early pregnancy,
and more hormones
Implantation Prevention
• Wild carrot seed (Daucus carota)
• Morning after birth control pills
• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
• Rutin (good sources include buckwheat greens,
elder leaves, and rue)
• Smartweed (Polygonum hydropiper); drink infusion
of dried leaves freely.
Spirit-life Poisons
• Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
• Rue (Ruta graveolens)
• Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
• Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides); and a word about
essential oil dangers.
• Saffron (Crocus autumalis); one half gram daily
for four days; ten grams is fatal.
• Vitamin C; take 500mg as often as every 30 minutes,
up to 10 grams daily
Uterine Contractors (oxytocin)
• Birth root (Trillium pendulum); caution, do not
use Aristolochia (birthwort)
• Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
• Cotton root bark (Gossypium)
• Dosages, cautions
WHAT ABOUT GINGER?
For YOU BOTH:
Sterility promoters include stoneseed root (Lithospermum
ruderale), Jack-in-the-pulpit root (Arisema triphyllum),
and thistles (Cnicus and Cirsium species). Green Blessings
Legal Disclaimer: This content is
not intended to replace conventional medical treatment.
Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition
or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided
by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare
practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material
on this website/email is provided for general information
purposes only and should not be considered medical advice
or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner
if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment
by seeking a second opinion.
Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081
Visit Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com
and to purchase a copy of
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
by Susun S. Weed,
go to www.wisewomanbookshop.com
For permission to reprint this article, contact us at:
susunweed@herbshealing.com