Lion-hearted Transitions – Menopause

4 years ago, I was 49 when I honored my transition into Menopause, a lion-hearted transition,

Menopause was preceded by PeriMenopause & followed by PostMenopause.  The process continues and deepens.  Just like Motherhood, there is no going back to “normal”.

The word menopause causes even greater cringing and shame than menstruation.

I was better equipped than many of my sisters because of my training in Womb Yoga & the Menstrual Leadership.  Still, I was not prepared for the biological process that supported the psychological and spiritual deconstruction and re-examination of my entire life, values, beliefs, everything. The journey was an inner vision quest.

At times, there was no ground beneath my feet, and I was diving into the chasm. Sometimes it was navigating the un-signposted darkness. Other times it was facing long-ignored demons.

All along it was letting go of everything that was no longer beneficial – values & beliefs acquired & absorbed from family, society, religion, education, culture – everything.

All that traded for the gifts of self-forgiveness, self-acceptance, self-confidence. When I look back at this challenging time, I am astonished at my tenacity, my perseverance and courage.

What I received in return I could never have imagined. As I re-integrated all the fragmented parts of myself, I love what is emerging.

As a result of this journey, I have given birth to my self – new & improved, greater clarity & conviction, compassion & forgiveness, more refine & defined, bolder & self-assured, exuberant & zestful, humbled with a profound gratitude for life.

When I look back, I am astonished at my tenacity, my perseverance and courage. This I wanted to celebrate. I also wanted to publicly acknowledge the support of my husband and the understanding of my daughter.

So, I celebrated with a small group of friends (my womb community), some of their children, and my family.   It felt deeply and genuinely right to have a chance to share my story and to be ceremoniously returned to my family. For the women and young girls present, I know that they will look at their journey through menopause in a different way.

Maharani Faleiro
30 September 2020

Image description. A collage of images and text. Bottom right. A photo rendered into pencil sketch of a woman and man facing and smiling at each other, their hands in namaste pose; a young girl is watching them. Bottom left: Photo of books and flowers from the event. Middle left. A photo of words on a paisley scarf that include rest, courage, strength, beauty, passion, forgiveness, tenderness. Top left. Black text “At the end of the day, I am walking with the heart of a lion. Top middle. Black script “Maharani Joy” on a multicolured background. Top right. Illustration of a lion with the text lion heart below.