I believe a woman's flow to be a very intimate source of tremendous personal power. It's a source of magick that I've used often in the past. Unfortunately, it's a difficult topic to discuss with most people, since our cultural taboos normally prevent us from discussing it in a comfortable way.
A woman's menstrual cycle can be a powerful method for her to connect deeply with the rhythms of the Moon. This is a deeply intimate, personal connection that links the woman and the moon in a perpetual embrace with each other. Once the connection between a woman and the energies of the moon is established, the woman can reap the benefits of increased intuition, improved emotional stability, heightened awareness of the subtle energies of her environment, and a greater sense of general well-being. There is a definite sense of being in balance, "in synch", with the tides of life itself.
Very simple things can help anyone to develop this connection. Get in the habit of noting the phase of the moon on a daily basis. Physically go out at least for a moment each evening and try to spot the moon. Note how it looks each evening. If it's cloudy, look for the glow to shine through the clouds. See if you can figure out where the moon should be. Give yourself "moonbaths" if the weather permits... let the moonlight soak through your skin and fill your eyes.
Gradually, your body will begin to recognize the moon again, and realign itself to the moon's cycles. After a few months, many women have reported that their monthly flow begin to correspond to the cycles of the moon, and their menstrual cycle evens out and becomes more steady. This has been true for me. Don’t be disappointed if your monthly flow doesn’t ever synch with the lunar tides, however. We are all born with our own rhythms and cycles.
As for uses for the menstrual blood itself, there are many. Using a cotton cloth as a sanitary napkin works well for collecting the flow. They can be rinsed by hand, and the water collected. I've used this sacred water to cleanse and consecrate personal tools. I've also used it to water my sage plants, which are then harvested at Samhain to make sacred smudging bundles. The monthly flow can also be used as a personal protection; marking self or items creates a ward.
Don't let the "icky factor" scare you away from a source of connection that has the potential to be a very powerful one for most women. Embracing the reality of our menstrual cycle is a way that women can reclaim their source of power in a very positive, self-affirming, magical way.
Namaste.
~Flame RavenHawk
September 24, 2002