Women's waning moon rituals are for healings and banishings, protections, letting go of bad habits, negative people. As the Full Moon is for celebration, and being with others, the Waning/dark moon is for becoming less social and looking inward at ourselves. Discarding what is no longer useful opens up for new starts on the New Moon. It is done gently with love and without blame. I have done this and trust me, it works! If you have started your menses you are ready to expell (no matter what moon cycle it is) what is not needed to start new. During this time a woman may look into herself, and need to be alone with her thoughts. Self-acceptance in this phase, moving with and not against the lunar cycles helps prevents depression that may come with PMS or menopause.
The time you start your menses is also a time of deep visions. In the old Native way, the women were kept in a Moon Lodge during this time...not because they were 'unclean' but because they had the opprotunity to do nothing but vision for the people. You will find that with your 'moon time' you will meditate better than ever.
( see www.wildgenie.com website ) Alexandra Pope remarks that,
" A Native American saying states that at menarche a woman enters her power, through her menstruating years she practices it and at menopause she becomes it."
On a night of the last quarter moon,you can also do this on the dark of the moon, collect at your alter or table a small red candle, your white Goddess candle. After a relaxing bath or shower, light some cleansing incense like pine, sage, rose petals, or rosemary-or your favorite mix, and center yourself. Light the white candle, call your Quarters and a Goddess/Crone figure. Put out the candle and sit in darkness. Wrap a dark blanket around yourself if you wish. Imagine yourself in a cloak of darkness. Feel the love of the Goddess enveloping you through the darkness. You are in the womb of the Goddess.
Come back to yourself, re-light the white Goddess candle (yes, She will understand why you put if out temporarily!) and bless the red candle with reverance to your own womb and the shedding and cleansing it is going through-or will be going through. Visualize the menstruation beginning within you as it washes and renews your light-filled body. Moments of endings creates new beginnings, the lesson of the darkening moon. Come to understand how much a part of nature you are!
As you can see, this visualization is to adapt your mind to understand that this IS a beautiful and earthy process you are going through; we have been programed since we were young that menstrating is not so wonderful!
Anoint the candle with...oh yeah, you guessed it! The most earthy enriching potent oil you have during your mensus! Use an oil of your choice if you are more comfortable with that...and say:
"Blood I now shed. Let the sacred mystery be acknowledged and honored. I shed for renewal, that life may continue, my own and all the earth's, on this waning (Full, new) moon."
Say want you want to banish--hold the red candle in you hand.
"With this knot I shed worry."
"With this knot I shed fear."
"I shed insecurity."
"I shed disharmony."
"I shed loneliness."
"I shed pain." ('Shed' whatever is best for you, these are just examples)
Light the candle and let it burn down, taking the worries and all away, and all starts fresh for the new moon. If you you do not have your menses anymore, and are in the phase of the wisdom of the Crone (menopause), you should honor the Crone in yourself at this time, and ask the spirits and ancestors (anyone who has died, family member or historical figure) for advise on how you can spread your wisdom.
In ancient times, women usually had their 'moon time' during the Dark of the Moon, a perfect time to 'shed'. Try to find a Moon lodge of your own, even if it is in a corner of your bedroom.
This is an empowering ritual, and seems to allow women to approach their 'moon time' in such a positive, healthy light! If you have severe pain during this time or right before, see a doctor. As the months go by you will find less and less to 'shed' - mentally and emotionally.
~ Shining Doe