The menstrual cycle is an essential and sacred part of overall health. We reached out to founder of Looni and mother-to-be Chelsea Leyland to discuss body literacy and how to align with our natural rhythms. Chelsea’s vision began during her own journey with endometriosis, where debilitating pain led her to take autonomy over her health. She began to see menstruation as a reflection of nature through cycles of death and rebirth and the creation of new life.

On a mission to empower and educate

“Every menstruating person has the inherent right to access the education necessary for achieving optimal health and well-being. At the brand I helped found, Looni, our mission is to unlock our inner potential by elevating the menstrual cycle and increasing menstrual literacy. My own journey with endometriosis is at the heart of my mission. The menstrual cycle is a valuable guide to overall health, and with Looni we provide the tools and knowledge needed to help others become intimate with their own natural rhythms.”

Improving menstrual and body literacy

“Body literacy and education are vital in order to understand ourselves more deeply. Most of us start from a body knowledge deficit, as women and minorities have been underrepresented in clinical trials. There is a huge need for greater representation in medical research. It’s important to learn how to advocate for ourselves while navigating the shame and taboo that have been projected onto us. We believe community is a key part of our learning and healing, which is why we set up our online Geneva community, Cycle Sanity, which encourages vulnerable and open conversations in a safe place. Whether you’re experiencing PMS, endometriosis, or infertility, this is a place to learn and feel supported.”

The menstrual cycle as a sacred experience

“Our menstrual cycle can be considered our fifth vital sign, acting as a doorway to understanding our health on a deeper level. During each menstrual cycle, our bodies shed what is no longer needed to make space for the possibility of creation. This cycle of death and rebirth is a beautiful opportunity to continuously reset ourselves as we pass through our own inner seasons. Menstruation is sacred because it reminds us that death is also necessary in order to create new life. Nature demonstrates this to us as decomposition produces the rich soil for new growth.”

Connection with ourselves

“Learning to connect with our bodies is one of the first steps in easing the discomforts associated with menstruation, and this can be done through cycle tracking. Tracking the menstrual cycle can help us understand our own unique rhythms, including the average length of each cycle phase and what symptoms are experienced throughout the month. Connection with ourselves can also come from rituals, celebrations, or cycle syncing to align with our inner seasons.”

Cycle syncing and the cues of internal seasons

“Cycle syncing is a way of using nature to connect with our internal rhythms. The menstrual phase correlates with Winter, the follicular phase correlates with Spring, the ovulatory phase correlates with Summer, and the luteal phase correlates with Fall. These seasons remind us that we are dynamic and ever-changing beings. Some days we can push ourselves physically, while other days we require rest. These seasons can also provide wisdom and insight for other areas of our lives, including how we nourish ourselves. The body in a season of Summer can benefit from lighter foods, while the body in a season of Winter may benefit from something heavier.”

Living in alignment with your cycle

“I try to live in flow with the seasons and phases of my cycle, which requires listening to my body and honoring what it asks for. I used to be the type of person who would push myself to run five miles right before my bleed rather than moving my body in a way that was more restorative. I now know that cardio is going to feel a lot easier once my bleed is over and I enter my follicular phase where my energy is higher. When we pay attention to the cues of these internal seasons, we can find a greater sense of ease.”

Finding balance within

“When hormones are balanced, there should be fewer negative symptoms such as mood swings, cravings, acne and irritability. Supplements containing vitamins, minerals, and adaptogens like Looni’s Balance Beam Mood Complex can help soften the edges of our mood and encourage equilibrium in the body. Other helpful supplements include magnesium to help calm the nervous system and herbs like dandelion and nettle to help cleanse the body and support healthy blood flow. Some additional tips are to eat nutrient-dense and unprocessed foods, avoid excess sugar, add lemon and a dash of salt to your water for electrolytes, and rest when your body asks for it.”

Astrological Forecast March 2023

Artwork by @_kallenmikel.

By astrologer Christiano Greve Ormeño.

Last month, we discussed how the astrological new year begins on March 20, 2023. This is the day the sun begins her cycle past all zodiac signs, beginning with Aries. Aries’ dazzling energy gives us the opportunity to reshape our lives. But before it’s time for that, we can harness the energy of Pisces and close the year with love by looking back on all events without judgment. It’s important to appreciate the experience that every event gave us. We learn through our experiences, therefore we can view them as the engine of personal development and the way to get to know ourselves. If we are willing to really integrate this concept into our psyche, we will appreciate everything, no matter how difficult it may be. By perceiving everything that happens as valuable, we create a kind of love bubble from which we view the world and ourselves. This love bubble encourages compassion because we can withhold judgment from ourselves and others.

In the coming weeks, take a moment to evaluate the past year if it feels right. Try to view the highs and lows with an equal amount of love, and pause to look at everything these experiences brought and how they inspired personal growth.

This perspective can inspire those around us because it lights a flame of softness and love that can spread to others. This is where the saying, “as within, so without” comes in usefully. What we change within our own consciousness, we also change in the outside world, because everything is connected through an energy field. By becoming conscious of this, we can more easily determine which choices contribute to harmony on earth and which ones disrupt it.

How can Pisces assist in this process?

The sun has been in Pisces since February 19. Pisces is a water sign, which means that during this period, the energy of the water element is reflected on earth by the sun. The water element invites us to develop our ability to feel, which asks us to be soft, tender, and let go. The water element also makes it easier to connect with our own depths. All this energy can be used to develop compassion that we carry into our future selves.

Dedication, unconditional surrender, love and hard work are the key elements for optimally using our experiences. In the coming weeks, we can focus on closing the year by viewing ourselves and our experiences with softness and tenderness. It is an invitation to let go of everything that no longer serves us with love. This way, we prepare for a brilliant start to the new year on March 20, with the sun in fire sign Aries.

By truly seeing, feeling, allowing, and embracing the big picture, we can help heal our past. The past was just an experience, and we can choose a future that aligns with who we are now.

Important date:

March 7, full moon in Virgo, sun conjunct Mercury and Neptune.

READ a brief introduction on astrology and Artipoppe’s frequently used terms.

Jerusha Marley Boxes

Iconic, one-of-a-kind gift boxes by artist Jerusha Marley.

Your Artipoppe purchase is made even more special through our collaboration with Irish fashion designer and artist, Jerusha Marley. Her hand drawn artwork is featured on our special gift boxes, with each design available for a limited time only. Our current box, entitled “Shiva Magic,” showcases Jerusha’s unique designs, where she draws inspiration from Shamanic practices, Celtic mythology, and the nature that surrounds her.

All Zeitgeist Baby Carriers are carefully packaged in one of Jerusha Marley’s iconic artwork gift boxes, but if you’re purchasing a gift, there’s more. For an extra personal touch, notes added at checkout will be delivered handwritten with your purchase. Should you need personal assistance, please reach out to us at [email protected] for help selecting designs, materials, which item(s) to choose, or anything else needed.

Discover our gifting services.