I’ve already said that I really like Demetra Georges book “The Mysteries of the Dark Moon”. It blends ancient women’s science with today’s knowledge. I am always fascinated reading about ancient mysteries, science and how people came to discover and utilize them. Demetra’s book is all about the three cycles that occur in a woman’s life-time that are associated with the moon. She brings to light, the especially dark phases that occur during a woman’s life-time. Due to lack of knowledge, it is something that many women are hesitant to discuss or even deal with. However, I feel that they are legitimate and specific life cycles that occur each month and once in a woman’s life-time. They are referred to as the dark moon cycles.
Demetra explains the moons many transitions and what they represent, both in ancient times and in the here and now. The new moon, the time of month when the moon is hidden from us, is often disregarded. I have read, that its influence in a persons life is just as important as it is when the moon is full.
Demetra explains:
“The purpose of the dark phase of any cycle is that of transition between the death of the old and the birth of the new. The dark time is a time of retreat, of healing, and of dreaming the future. The darkness is lit with the translucent quality of transformation; and during this essential and necessary period, life is prepared to be born.
The dark prefaces the light in the same way that gestation precedes birth and sleep allows for rejuvenation. In the human psyche we experience dark periods when we feel turned inward and nothing seems to be happening. However, in retrospect we often realize that these fallow times were germinal periods preceding outbursts of creativity and growth.
Without the time to withdraw, rest, and recuperate from the demands of the outer activities of conscious waking life, our bodies and minds cannot sustain their vital supply of vital energy. If we correctly understand the dark, however, we can use the cover of darkness to learn the magic of our own particular secret rites, which can lead to a revitalized and replenished life”.
She mentions so much more but it is too much to write down here. Demetra is incredibly detailed and even though she speaks with an ancient, mythical, psychological, and archetypical tongue, I believe she speaks well to a woman’s heart. She goes back to a period of time when, the Goddess was worshiped- around 11,000 years ago or so, and explains how many of the women’s mysteries were formed.
The whole idea of speaking about the Goddess, Maid, Mother and Crone, the dark moon, etc., is about as comfortable for me as attempting to speak in tongues. However, it is the science and information not the religion and spirituality that speaks to me. When I used to work in an inspirational store, most women would always equate (books about) Goddess mysteries to Wicca, witchcraft and the like. And with justification. Many Wiccan/Witchcraft books do refer to the Goddess often. I however, believe one can take the Goddess mysteries to heart without having to take it as far as to practice with any particular religion. Just give me the science-side of things and I’ll be happy with that!
So, it is no suprise to me how influential the dark moon phase is in a womans life. Especially at a time when it is a womans “monthy” or when she is in the peri-menopausal stage. We are extremely tired at this time, withdrawn and needing quiet. I swear PMS was created to force us to retreat from others! When I was single, I used to make it a routine habit to make the “monthly” a literal retreat for myself. Though I diden’t know then what I know now, listening to my bodies monthy signals were important for my sanity. I would literally if I could afford it, take off for a weekend to do nothing but write, read and sit out somewhere in nature. If I could not afford a weekend retreat, a visit to the local park and beaches were a must a few times a week after work. Housework, phone-calls and the like be damned. When I felt the need to retreat at this time of month, I did so. In some way. I honored myself by taking this retreat and I always came back enlightened in some way. I haven’t done this in a while, now that I live with my boyfriend. I miss the time with myself greatly. However, I do have very good alternatives!
Needless to say, I must re-invent my time to withdraw into the darkness. Especially now that I am in my 3rd/Peri-Menopausal stage. It is important now, more than ever if I want to continue the re-creation process of me, myself & I.
As Demetra mentions in her book:
“To not change is to stagnate and truly die. A crisis (my crisis), however is not a terrible calamity. It derives from the Greek word “krino”, to decide, and means simply, a time for decision”.
So. That’s what I’ve been trying to do. Deciding. About alot of things!
I do have a problem with one word however. The word Crone. Demetra uses alot in her book. It has such ugly, old, withered connotations to it. The archetype of the word Crone does come from the goddess tradition however, it is universal meaning is “wise woman”. When once-upon-a-time, the word was intended to honor an older woman, it is now other-wise meant to degrade instead. The same goes with the word “hag”. I’ve read that it comes from the word “hagia” which means “sacred one”.
Both words have been desicrated forever in today’s movement of forever youth. And unfortunately both words have too much negativity attached to them. I believe however, that in today’s modern world, there are much better words out there to describe an older, and hopefully wiser women.
To be continued.
