Cycle Tracking Guide

Why Track Your Cycle?

Your menstrual cycle is so much more than just your period. It's a monthly journey through four distinct phases, each with its own gifts, challenges, and wisdom. When you track your cycle, you:

• Understand your energy patterns and plan accordingly
• Identify hormonal imbalances early
• Connect more deeply with your body's wisdom
• Optimize nutrition and self-care for each phase
• Honor your natural rhythms instead of fighting them

The Four Phases of Your Cycle

1. Menstruation (Days 1-5) - New Moon Energy

What's happening: Your uterine lining is shedding, hormone levels are at their lowest.

How you might feel: Introspective, tired, intuitive, deeply connected to your inner wisdom.

Herbal Support: Our Moon Maiden Tea with gentle, iron-rich herbs like nettle and red raspberry leaf.

2. Follicular Phase (Days 6-13) - Waxing Moon Energy

What's happening: Estrogen rises, your uterine lining rebuilds, an egg begins to mature.

How you might feel: Energetic, optimistic, creative, ready for new beginnings.

Herbal Support: Energizing herbs like our Vitality Tonic to support your rising energy.

3. Ovulation (Days 14-17) - Full Moon Energy

What's happening: Estrogen peaks, an egg is released, you're at peak fertility.

How you might feel: Confident, magnetic, communicative, sexually vibrant.

Herbal Support: Our Full Moon Flow blend to channel your powerful energy.

4. Luteal Phase (Days 18-28) - Waning Moon Energy

What's happening: Progesterone rises then falls, your body prepares to either nurture a pregnancy or release.

How you might feel: Initially productive, then increasingly sensitive, intuitive, and inward-focused.

Herbal Support: Calming herbs like our Balance Blend to ease PMS symptoms.

Moon Phase Correlation

Many women find their cycles naturally align with the moon phases. While not everyone experiences this, tracking both can reveal interesting patterns:

• White Moon Cycle: Bleeding with the new moon, ovulating with the full moon (most common)
• Red Moon Cycle: Bleeding with the full moon, ovulating with the new moon
• Pink Moon Cycle: Bleeding with the waxing moon
• Purple Moon Cycle: Bleeding with the waning moon

"There's no 'right' way to cycle. Your pattern is perfect for you."

How to Track Your Cycle

What to Track Daily:

• Physical symptoms: Energy levels, cervical fluid, basal body temperature, breast tenderness
• Emotional state: Mood, stress levels, anxiety, confidence
• Mental clarity: Focus, creativity, brain fog
• Cravings: Food preferences, sleep needs, sexual desire
• Moon phase: Note the current moon phase

Tracking Methods:

Using Your Tracking Data

After 3-4 cycles of tracking, you'll start to see patterns:

Planning Your Life:

• Schedule challenging tasks during your follicular and ovulatory phases
• Plan rest and self-care during menstruation
• Batch creative work when you're most inspired
• Honor your luteal phase need for completion and organization

Identifying Imbalances:

• Irregular cycles (shorter than 25 or longer than 35 days)
• Heavy or painful periods
• Severe PMS symptoms
• Missing ovulation signs

Herbal Support by Phase

Menstruation:

• Red raspberry leaf for uterine support
• Ginger for cramps
• Nettle for iron replenishment

Follicular:

• Maca for energy and hormone balance
• Green tea for gentle stimulation
• Dandelion for liver support

Ovulation:

• Red clover for hormone balance
• Rose for heart opening
• Hibiscus for vibrant energy

Luteal:

• Vitex for progesterone support
• Chamomile for calming
• Burdock for skin health

Creating Your Cycle Ritual

Make tracking a sacred practice:

1. Set aside 5 minutes each evening for tracking
2. Light a candle and brew your phase-appropriate tea
3. Check in with your body, mind, and spirit
4. Record your observations without judgment
5. Thank your body for its wisdom

Remember: Your cycle is not something to be fixed or controlled, but understood and honored. May your tracking journey bring you home to yourself.