Menopause & the Soul
A Shamanic Path
It is believed in certain traditions that there are three phases of a woman’s life: the young naïve woman, the nurturing mother, and the wise woman (we call her the Sage) of midlife and beyond. Menopause is the path of transition from the nurturing mother to a woman of wisdom and self-possession.
Take a deep breath and put one hand on your heart and one hand on your abdomen. Show yourself self-love and compassion, and know that if you are anywhere on your path of hormonal change, you are perhaps in the most transformative time of your life.
The environment created during menopause is akin to a shamanic journey. Like many traditional shamanic practices, such as sweat lodges, ayahuasca ceremony, or medicine walks, this path is challenging both physically, mentally, and spiritually. This is not the time to continue with old patterns that no longer serve your greatest good. If you embrace this journey, you'll unlock a new level of personal growth you never imagined possible.
A New Narrative
Society often tells us to fear menopause, but what if it’s actually happening for your highest good? Instead of seeing yourself as a victim, step into your power and embrace this transformative phase. Your body isn’t working against you—it loves you and is guiding you toward a new version of yourself. Yes, there will be emotional swings, physical discomfort, hot flashes, and night sweats, but shifting your perspective can change everything.
Face these challenges with curiosity and courage, and you’ll discover a wise, radiant woman emerging on the other side—full of energy and presence, ready to thrive in this new chapter of life.
Hot Flashes
Instead of panicking during a hot flash, think of it as waves of energy moving through you. This heat is burning away old habits, emotions, and trauma that no longer serve your greatest good. Lean into these moments of warmth, knowing they are a necessary part of your growth into the next phase of life.
Alone Time
You may feel the desire to withdraw from the world during perimenopause. This is easier for some than others. Carve out time alone daily, even if it's just ten minutes. It is believed in certain circles that taking a lot of time within the first six months of passing through menopause is essential to connect with our new selves.
The desire to be alone comes from the fact that you are trying to move through your old self and create a new self. This is an important transformation, and taking time to contemplate is essential. Take as much alone time as possible. Be honest with partners, children, and friends. If your desires aren’t respected, this is something that needs to be addressed.
Make time to meditate, immerse yourself in nature, and spend time in places that soothe your soul.
Sensitivity
Feeling anxious about certain things that once seemed fine is normal. Examine why this aspect of your life is causing you distress. During menopause, it becomes difficult tolerate people or scenarios that are not in our best interest. See this impatience and agitation as your built-in radar for what needs to be evaluated and perhaps adjusted in your life.
Beauty
One of the most challenging parts of menopause is the thought of losing our physical beauty. Explore what beauty means to you. We are the cycle breakers who will create a new standard. There is nothing more beautiful and magnetic than a woman who exudes self-possessed, calm energy. Focus on this. Don’t cling to the woman you were at 35, but rather create a new woman that suits who you are and represents all aspects of you at this time.
Fertility
Many women struggle with the loss of fertility. Though we are no longer able to bear children, we can create life in other beautiful ways.
When we are in the second phase of our lives, the mother phase, our blood and energy flow outward. We create babies, we create for others, we create for the world. When we begin to move on to the third phase of our womanhood, we no longer flow outward, our energy begins to flow inside. This is for us, as we now can truly create for ourselves. This time can be the beginning of a creative period, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Your womb is your center of creation, and you will always have this creative energy accessible to you. Now is the time to create something magical. Be curious and open about where this can lead.
Knowing
In many indigenous traditions, menopause marks the initiation of a woman into the role of a medicine woman. It is said that during this time, the veil between the seen and unseen worlds grows thinner. You may notice your intuition becoming sharper, and your dreams offering deeper insights or glimpses of what’s to come. These are gifts of the Sage you are becoming. Embrace this new way of being with curiosity and gratitude, and allow yourself to explore the wisdom of this transformative phase.
Community
Find other women who share these views and support each other. Bring humor to difficult days by sharing your experiences. Find older women who inspire you. Ask them questions.
If you need extra support, find a therapist who supports this spiritual outlook and can help you move through this time with awareness.