Women are so fortunate to have a monthly reminder of the yin-yang cycle of nature. Our menstrual cycle taps us in to this wisdom - the absolute Yin at the end of your bleed, when the womb empties, to be refilled. Those introspective moments when you get to assess and adjust, when life meets you and encourages you to shed what is no longer serving. We like Qi herbs during the menstrual time, to keep it all moving. Stagnation is not what we want. It's a time to stay warm, slow down, take time with special friends or alone, and eat warm, comforting foods. The next stage, Follicular, as Yin is moving to Yang, you might feel more outward, more energetic. Creative, sexy, dynamic. Nice. It's a good time to take in those blood-building foods (dark leafy greens, meat if you eat it, eggs) and prepare for the Yang phase of your cycle. Ovulation follows, this is when Yang rises, it's the ripening phase, the release of the egg. This is time to deepen into your creative projects, communicate your emotions and thoughts so they don't hit you in the Luteal phase and lighten up in every way - let the diet become lighter and prepare for release (if you are not preparing for conception!). We like the Yang Jing herbs at this time, to help you bring that Yang and prepare for the shedding (or the babe)! Luteal takes it all a stage deeper. This begins after Yang has reached its peak. In the slide back to Yin, the body has a lot to do. If there's a babe, great, all systems go, if not, then we are shedding and the Heart tells the Liver Qi to drop to prepare the blood to shed. Got stagnant Liver Qi? You'll get PMS! So keep the Liver Qi flowing for grace and ease. This is a time you'll be extra sensitive and alert, intuitive and ready to share. Good idea to start to slow down, Yin energy is all about the descent.