The Cycle Circle | Befriending Your Luteal Phase

Over dit evenement

Part women's circle, part workshop: some teaching, some reflection, and space to be heard.

Dear women,

I invite you to join me for an afternoon of coming together as women and connecting to our menstrual cycles.

Most of us have these monthly cycles, bringing different energies each week. Yet we often go through life disconnected from this, or trying to fight against it.

Many of us were taught to view our cycles as an inconvenience, and our periods as something to be hidden. There can be a deep sense of dirtiness or shame around this part of being a woman. And as a result, it's a part that has been quite forgotten.

But our cycles are mirrors of nature. Just as the natural world sheds its leaves, goes into a dark winter, then sprouts again with flowers and birds and sun, we go through similar motions. Within our cycle there's a time for rest, for release, and a time to act and bloom.

Our cycles teach us that the times of stillness and darkness are important too. That we cannot and should not chase endless summers.

. . .

And now, as we enter autumn here in the Netherlands, in this edition of the Cycle Circle we turn toward the phase that is perhaps the least understood and the most misunderstood. The luteal phase: the inner autumn, the premenstruum.

Just as we may grieve the shift from summer to autumn, many of us find the shift from the confident, energetic days of ovulation into lower energy and heightened emotions hard.

How do you experience your luteal phase, your inner autumn?

Many women experience this as their most challenging time of the month.
There can be more emotions, more irritation, more stress.
A time of doubt, insecurity, and tension.
A time of more rage. A stronger inner critic.
A time when we often don't quite feel like ourselves.

Everyone's inner autumn is different. For some this phase is a gentle dip, for some it's even enjoyable, and for others it can be really hard, even overwhelming.

What if, in the difficulty of this time, there is also something here for us? A certain badass energy, of truth speaking, of power, can live here too. What can we learn when we slow down and get curious about this phase of our cycle?

In this gathering, we make space to share our experience of this time, to witness each other and learn from each other. And to explore some ways of moving through this phase with more ease and softness.

Important note: This space is open to all women, whether you are pregnant, postpartum, in menopause, or your cycle is irregular or absent at the moment. The cyclic nature lives in all of us. No experience or knowledge of the menstrual cycle is needed, whether you feel a connection to it or not.
There is nothing to achieve here. Come as you are, share as much or as little as you like, and see what unfolds. If you feel drawn to be here, you are most welcome.

. . .

The Afternoon:

14:15 Arrival
14:30 Start
Around 16:30 Close

The afternoon includes:
- Sharing: space to be heard and to listen
- Discussion
- Practices for reflection and connection
- Teaching about different frameworks to approach and view the luteal phase
- Charting sheets to take home and continue the journey of menstrual cycle awareness

This circle is donation-based, to keep it open and sustainable for all who wish to join. A suggested donation of €15 to €25 helps cover the space and supports these gatherings. You are welcome to contribute more if you feel able, or less if you are not able to.

Much love and hope to see you soon!

Upeka