Ancient Feminine Archives | 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks

Your Inner-Knowing Beckons and Awaits You

On November 19, 2018 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine

red dress woman in forest 28moons4s4w.com

4 Seasons in 4 Weeks (4s4w) is a symbolic journey through the 28 days of the female hormonal experience. It reveals a logical, holistic, and predictable blueprint for feeling great on a regular basis, communicating well, making your best decisions, and knowing what to do when life gets overwhelming—a remarkable navigational system that can be tapped into throughout a woman’s lifetime, even beyond menopause.

By organizing the cycle into 4 guided weeks, showing how each week prepares for the next, women all over the world are quickly getting the hang of detecting and aligning with what their primal bodies already know—the monthly lunar rhythm encoded within their own feminine design. It’s not rocket science and it’s no mystery. It’s sacred geometry—a natural rhythm that mimics all other natural rhythms in the universe.

It’s what I believe women used to understand well and help each other with before they lost their language and culture to patriarchy. It’s the source of female instincts, hormone intelligence, and core power. I feel strongly that reclaiming, living by, and loving this approximate “28-day female body clock”—the natural rhythm that regulates our womb wisdom—is the needed missing piece to our true gender empowerment and personal sovereignty.

By tracking your natural rhythm for reasons beyond fertility (cycling women begin with their periods and non-cycling begin with the new moon) you’ll begin to undo and drop the negativity that society has programmed you to believe about your female body and ways while allowing your core feminine intelligence and ruling wisdom to surface.

Do you hear the call?

7 Wonders of the Womb

On June 16, 2015 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine, Art Gallery, Female Sexuality, Health and Wellness, Womb Wisdom, Women, Women's History

7 Wonders of the Womb: Discover the Powers of the Amazing Uterus

GUEST BLOG By Kara Maria Ananda

Women’s bodies hold within them an incredible organ filled with sexual and creative power.

It is time that we celebrate the astonishing capabilities and mysteries of the fantastic uterus!

Every single human being that has ever been alive upon this planet, now and throughout all of history, has achieved this existence thanks to this very organ.

Thus, we have all been intimately acquainted with the uterus, since the dawn of our lives, whether or not you have one personally within your own body.

However, the uterus is an endangered organ. Hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus) is currently the #2 most common surgery performed in the United States. The #1 most common surgery in the US today is Cesarean Section, the cutting of the uterus to remove a baby.

The uterus is sensitive and permeable to the industrial chemicals now inundating our environment. Hundreds of toxic chemicals are now finding their way into the wombs of women, and thus into the amniotic fluid of pregnant mothers and detectable in the blood of newborns.

It’s important to raise awareness today about the power, purpose and potential of the amazing uterus, so we can focus more energy on the health, vitality and preservation of this amazing female organ.

#1: The Uterus is Super Strong

The uterus is the strongest muscle in the body by weight. The uterus has multiple layers of muscle tissue that run in every direction, spiral together, and are ultra-strong. A laboring uterus exerts incredible pressure to push a baby out into the world, and is the strongest force exerted by any muscle in the body.

The Guinness Book of World Records lists the jaw muscle as the strongest muscle in the body due to a biting contest that measured pressure, but that’s just because people haven’t thought up a good way to make measuring the power of a women’s uterus in labor into a contest. Some people don’t value the uterus as the strongest muscle because not everyone has them (ahem, men) but that doesn’t mean it’s not still the strongest. We know what’s up. Womb power, that’s what.

#2: The Uterus is Incredibly Flexible

A uterus is stretchier than Gumby! During pregnancy a women’s uterus goes from being the size of a pear and tucked behind the pubic bone, to being as large as a balloon and reaching all the way to the ribcage and stretching the abdomen outwards visibly. Then it shrinks back down after birth. That’s totally amazing! Not only is the uterus super strong but it’s super stretchy too!

#3: The Uterus Heals

Menstrual blood is rich in stem cells which are found to be adaptive within the body to heal a wide variety of diseases. Each month during her fertile years, a woman’s body creates a rich endometrial layer in preparation to grow and nourish a whole new human being. When a baby is not conceived the body releases this extremely valuable and nutritive substance during the menstrual cycle.

The abundance of stem cells in the menstrual blood are being researched to treat a wide variety of conditions from stroke, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s, diabetes, wounds, neurodegenerative diseases and more. Women create the most abundant free source of stem cells during monthly menstrual flows, which is much more ethical to harvest than from cord blood of newborns or from aborted embryos, yet it is slow to catch on because of cultural taboos still surrounding menstruation.

#4: The Uterus is Orgasmic

When a women orgasms, she experiences not just pleasurable and euphoric sensations, but waves of contracting muscles throughout the uterus, as well as the vagina and pelvic floor. The whole uterus has waves of muscular contractions which helps to facilitate the movement of sperm from the vagina into the uterus.

Some women also experience deep pleasure from their wombs during orgasm, and say that relaxing and deepening into the feeling allows a whole body orgasmic release.

#5: The Uterus is Connected to the Universe

A women’s menstrual cycles and stages of life are intrinsically linked to the cycles of the Earth, Moon and Sun. The moon cycle is 29.5 days, and the average woman’s menstrual cycle is 29.5 days. Women who’s cycles are closest to the 29.5 day cycle have higher rates of fertility.

In addition, there are 13 moon cycles in a calendar year, and the average age of menarche (a girl’s first menstruation) is age 13. The average age of menopause is 52, which is also the number of weeks in a year. There are an average of 4 weeks to a women’s menstrual cycle and 4 seasons in a year.

Women’s ancient menstrual calendars consisting of notches carved into bone or stone are said to be some of the earliest forms of calendars known. Women’s wombs hold a powerful connection to the astronomical cycles of the Earth, Sun and Moon.

#6: The Uterus Can Grow a Placenta

The uterus is the only organ that can grow a whole new organ within it. The placenta is absolutely amazing, and is an organ that is grown within the uterus when a woman is pregnant that nourishes and feeds the fetus with exactly what it needs every moment for the entire pregnancy. The placenta connects the mother and baby, through it’s attachment to the uterine wall of the mother and to the baby through the umbilical cord. It’s a physical manifestation of the nurturing of the mother for the child and is released after the birth of the child.

The placenta and umbilical cord have a pattern visible in the arteries that looks like the tree of life and is an ancient symbol of life and vitality. Placentas have been highly honored by cultures around the world since the beginning of humanity. The word “placenta” comes from Old English and actually means “a round flat cake”, and the tradition of honoring our placenta continues today as we celebrate around a birthday cake each year on the anniversary of our birth.

#7: The Uterus Can Grow a HUMAN!

It’s totally mind-boggling but true. Within the womb of a woman it is possible to conceive and gestate a whole new human being! WOW! Every single one of us is here alive on the planet today because we we started life growing within the womb of our mother, and we come from a long-line of ancestors born from the wombs of their mothers.

The first time I ever attended a birth as a doula, I was totally amazed at the power of a woman to birth a baby, and walked around for days in total amazement at every woman I saw, thinking how miraculous it is that women have wombs and that we can grow other humans within us. AMAZING.

Now you know why they called her WONDER Woman! Right?

The Universe Within the Uterus

Women can use the power of our wombs not just to grow babies but to tune into the creative potential of the Universe and birth great ideas, businesses, projects, art and more. The womb is a women’s unique connection to a primal source of creativity and can be used for not just procreation but conscious co-creation with nature and spirit.

Let’s honor and celebrate the wonders of the womb and keep our uteruses healthy and loved!

Many blessings,
Kara Maria Ananda

http://karamariaananda.com

Art by Emma Plunket: http://www.missplunkett.tv/tagged/womb-art/

Go Raw – Find Your Primal

On May 12, 2015 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine, Female Sexuality, Health and Wellness, Indigenous, Inspiration, Muses, Publicity, Suz's Musings, The Authentic Self, Women

let your hair down ~ forget your mask ~ find your primal ~ answer your indigenous

Release Your Raw.

Does your body image, the lumps & bumps, the out of shape, the in-shape-but-not-happy, visible flaws, hair, skin, etc. keep you from getting into water or showing your vulnerabilities? We understand. This is a retreat where we invite you to forget about it and allow yourself to just enjoy. You don’t need makeup or your hair done at this place (it’s also OK if you do want these things).

Breitenbush is a clothing optional retreat center and often there are other retreats happening that have male attendees. We’ve never found it to be a problem—only freeing. The pools are serene, discreet, and separated out into different locations. We suggest bringing a bathrobe and towel. Disrobe, get in, get out, and cover-up. All shapes and sizes take in the healing waters.

Women’s Annual Retreat @ Breitenbush Hot Springs, June 9-12, 2015

Release Your Raw.

Easter and Ovulation: Rebirthing into Your Divinity

On April 5, 2015 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine, Inspiration, Suz's Musings, The Authentic Self, Women

Easter symbolizes rebirth ~ being born again into your divinity.

Perhaps for you it is Passover. Please translate with what resonates.

Today is the best day of the year for asking yourself whether you are stepping into the world in your truest nature.

Today is the day to shed the things that are dead—that no longer apply. Old stories, habits, and ways that weigh heavy on your ability to move forward with what you know to be true and that you need to bring to this world.

Today is the day to rise to, recognize, and honor your higher self; your authentic self.

Today is the day to claim the gifts of who you really are.

Shed the old skin. Bring forth the new, healthy glow.

Step into the world.

In the 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks approach to the hormones, springtime and the full moon are the energies that best represent Ovulation and its subsequent days. Just as the most mature and healthiest egg bursts out of its follicle in the hope of creating someone new, spring is the time to burst out of your shell, stepping into your purest form, birthing a new, healthier version of you. Like the full moon, this is the time to shine your grandest expression of light and love.

You are both innocent and experienced. Birthed or Rebirthed. Each rebirthing is a more experienced and refined version of you. It is perfect earth/spirit alignment.

It’s the Moment of Truth.

Because we women are lunar rhythmic and go through 4 seasons in a month’s time, every female, each month, has the opportunity to revisit this question at Ovulation time: Are you stepping in to your gifts? Are you representing your authentic self? Are you claiming the truth of who you really are and standing in it, walking in it, expressing it in its clean and clear self?

For both men and women, the full moon gives us this opportunity as well, every month. And Easter provides the grandest opening to rebirth, each year.

Does this all make sense? Symbolism teaches us, helps us, reminds us, in this moment, to shed the chaos of the world in order focus inward on the basics. Return to your center where the calm place is.

Full Moon represents fullest expression of light and love: the most magnificent version of you.

The Spring Equinox represents the perfect balance of light and dark, of innocent and experienced, of standing in balance which will always be your strongest and truest, most confident nature.

Easter represents the shedding of the dark to step into the light of who you really are. Who you are meant to be. The gifts that have been inside all along.

The Easter Egg represents Ovulation and bursting out of your shell to possibly create a new life.

April 5, 2015:

The Full Moon’s light, like Ovulation, BURST into its fullest expression last night.

Spring is HERE.

Passover is NOW.

Easter is TODAY.

Your time is THIS MOMENT.

Remove the boulders and other obstacles. Crack the egg open. Step into it. Claim it.

Take the time today to sit quietly for just a few moments. Ask yourself these questions:

1) Am I walking in my authentic self, everyday?
2) If not, what am I presenting to the world?
3) Does it feel good?
4) Where am I squirmy and uncomfortable?
5) What do I know to be true?
6) What is missing?
7) What can I shed that is weighing me down?
8) What wants to come into the light?

See what rises to the surface. How does that make you feel? If the feeling is relaxed, if the feeling opens your heart, it is time to bring this gift forward. It has been waiting a very long time to come out.

Don’t worry about what others think. They have been waiting for this gift of yours to express itself. They just didn’t know it.

The feeling is truth and unconditional love for self, others, and your deepest source. It is perfect earth/spirit alignment. It is Easter.

May you shine your light and love for all to see today and from here on out. Rebirth your unconditional love. Step into the Truth of who you really are. Claim it.

With love and thanks,

Suz xoxoxo

The Archetypes are Here!

On January 13, 2015 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine, Art Gallery

The Archetypes are Here!

Hello Friends!

Well, at long last, the Archetypes are here!

SIGN UP: http://4s4w.com/13days13archetypes/

It’s FREE!

This is simply a fun gift from me to you as a THANK YOU for hanging in with me as 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks develops its products and courses. I so appreciate you—more than you can imagine!

I’m very, very excited about the many things in the developmental stage as we speak. I talked about some of them in the last newsletter, but much, much more is happening. I think 2015 will be an explosive year for 4s4w in terms of reaching and helping more women and couples find harmony by following the female’s lunar rhythmic wisdom.

Even though I use symbolism to convey this wisdom of the hormones, the 4s4w system is very real and tangible. Based on the BASIC and GENERAL science of the hormonal landscape, I talk about something that most medical practitioners DON’T talk about: how the hormones RELATE to our daily experiences as women—the psychological and societal journey of it all and how our individual happiness and ability to manage ourselves influence the world.

It’s been a long project, but one I’ve never wavered on. NOT ONCE. I’m so clear that this is the missing link to our empowerment as women, and something simple, yet life changing. It has been for me. I’ve been tracking and aligning with my cycle for 17 or so years now, and because of it, I understand the super subtle changes in my approaches to my passions.

http://4s4w.com/13days13archetypes/

FOR INSTANCE: In making these Archetype “cards”, I experienced two different creative forces. One, sort of obsessive, and the other, where I had to force myself to sit down and finish. Nothing crazy, just noticeable. And I knew it wasn’t because I was tired of making them. I LOVE THESE CARDS! I knew it was due to my natural rhythm because it happened over the course of a couple of weeks.

When I first began creating them, i was in my first week, a very internal and creative time. I didn’t want to crawl out of my self-indulged, artistic, visual cocoon. All I wanted to do was create these cards from a very connected, ancient place. But because there are quite a few of them (12 archetypes), the project ran into my 2nd week, which is the ACTION week—an extroverted week. When estrogen rises, life gets very colorful and one wants to be moving and shaking. I needed to get back to the cards, but I wanted to be taking care of home, friends, and business in all kinds of active ways. I had to finish but I COULD NOT COMPROMISE the quality of the cards still left to complete.

Sooo, because of my 4s4w system, the template of my female lunar rhythm, not only did I know what it was, but that I needed to bring tools in. And I knew what tools to bring in for finding that sweet creative spot again, even during my active time. I implemented and got right back into my creative ancient zone. loving every second.

The entire 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks “understanding” is about COMFORT and BALANCE. In our day to day lives, when we know it is cold outside, the tool we use for finding comfort and balance is to put a coat on. The fact that winter feels different than summer is not something we think of as crazy! And needing to access a tool for our comfort, such as putting a coat on is not considered crazy, it is considered smart! In the same way, we women experience different seasons in a month’s time because of the radical design of our bodies. It’s smart to understand what tools we need to bring in for our comfort and balance in order to have a smooth experience! We can feel great everyday and be in love with our lives.

The Archetypes are concentrated examples of what most of us morph through every month, however, when we experience them ourselves day-to-day, they will be fleeting and super subtle. You see, it’s the subtleness that creates the need to become pros at detecting our phases so that we recognize what’s happening and master it with skill and ease.

Again, it’s FREE. Sign up to receive a new Archetype daily for 12 days. You’ll also receive 4 extra cards that show the seasonal overview of each week. On the 13th day, you’ll receive a video mini-workshoop to create your own archetype that’s all about you.

http://4s4w.com/13days13archetypes/

Please share the link!! If you feel that you might blast these out to your list, then think about becoming an affiliate (link below). You’ll receive commissions on future purchases of your referrals.

With love and thanks,

Suz
PS: If you’d like to become a 4s4w affiliate and earn future commissions from sales by the people you refer to 4s4w, here’s the sign up link: https://www.secureinfossl.com/affSignUp/5913.html
There is no commission for your friends signing up for this free gift, but if they buy something down the road, you would receive a commission of their purchase.

When Santa was a woman — five Christmas histories you want to know

On December 26, 2014 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine, Inspiration, Men, Muses, Politics, Society, Suz's Musings, The Authentic Self, Women, Women's History

Thank you to iPinion Syndicate for this great post:

When Santa was a woman — five Christmas histories you want to know

2014 Recap in Pics Thus Far – Breitenbush Retreat

On July 26, 2014 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine, Art Gallery, Female Sexuality, Health and Wellness, Muses, The Authentic Self, Women

From June 10-13th 2014, I held a live retreat at Breitenbush Hotsprings and Retreat Center in Oregon. WOW!

HUGE THANKS and tremendous love to my co-facilitators who far exceeded my expectations for carrying out my 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks workshop vision. I only wish we had had more days!

Let me acknowledge Cynthia Salbato for assisting me and leading all movement portions, JayaEagleWoman for opening and closing each day in ceremony and beyond, Amari Gold for her sound code medicine, and Julia Weaver for leading us all in expressing 4s4w in unbelievably gorgeous mandala work!

Breitenbush asked me to come back, so please mark your calendar for June 9-12, 2015. Space will be limited to 18 women.

Suz and Breitenbush sisters and their mandalas.

Mandala Queen, Julia Weaver and the gals.

River Yurt, Breitenbush

Looking at our mandalas laid out on the floor next to stone medicine bowl.

Breitenbush Peaceful Warriors

Perhaps I’ll add more pictures down the road to this post.

2014 Recap in Pics ~ Moon Lodge @ the Goddess Temple of Ashland

On July 26, 2014 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine, Female Sexuality, Health and Wellness, Moon Lodge, Women, Women's History

The Goddess Temple of Ashland is a gorgeous dome sitting on the sacred land of natural hotsprings at Jackson Wellsprings in Oregon. The entire chunk of land at the far corner of the facility is generously donated and dedicated to the Feminine by owner Gerry Lehrberger.

The Goddess Temple was the brainchild of founders Graell Corsini and Jumana King-Harris. Along with a hive of volunteers, these women maintain an incredibly beautiful space within a dome donated by Pacific Domes of Ashland. The Feminine grounds, which are also home to beekeeping, a mikvah, a moon lodge, and an assortment of areas to honor earth and spirit are maintained by all, including a whole lot of supportive men.

Visiting the dome and the grounds is free and encouraged. Women who live in Ashland and visit for the first time can’t believe they didn’t know it was there. It’s meant to be a sanctuary to give time to one’s self.

Because of my work with 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks, I was asked to oversee the moon lodge this year. A traditional moon lodge has Native American origins (other indigenous cultures create something similar as well) and is a resting space set aside for women who are “on their moon” in order to lay low, stay away from chores, and receive the rejuvenation needed during this time. A red tent is basically the same thing only somewhat Hebrew or Middle Eastern in origin.

I explained that what I teach is honor for all 4 phases of the monthly hormonal rhythm, rather than just one week, so I may not be right for the job. But they wanted me to do that and I enthusiastically accepted. So, Moon of the 7 Opals as I call it, is a space for females of any age to honor the phase they are in when sitting inside of the lodge (tipi). There are 4 colors, 4 quadrants to choose from, depending on where a woman is at in her cycle or if non-cycling, what phase the moon is currently in.

Men are welcomed and encouraged to visit the Goddess Temple and DO, and the Moon of the 7 Opals is for females only. I had stepping stones built to lead from the Goddess Temple to the lodge and had moon phases painted on them. Thank you to Steve G for building the path and to Jessica Vineyard (Ms. Galaxy) for painting the 28 phases!

The main alter inside of the Goddess Temple. The decor is always changing and always beautiful.

This is the location of last year’s moon lodge. It is now a mud alter. Shelley Sage Heart is the loving artist who spends time creating beauty with rose petals. This represents giving our blood back to the land, which equates to Mother Nature’s rivers and streams, and vice versa.

This is the day we erected the moon lodge (tipi). We carried it in and stopped to honor the previous year's location, which is now the rose petaled mud alter.

This is the day we erected the moon lodge (tipi). Several of us carried it in and stopped to honor the previous year’s location, which is now the rose petaled mud alter.

Raising the moon lodge

Even the babies help!

Suz given the honor of cinching up the opening of the lodge with the newly made needles. Friend Rico is helping me – wish I wasn’t blocking him!

Finished! Graell – co-founder of the Goddess Temple and Suz, Wisdom Keeper of the Moon Lodge 2014. This tipi belongs to Graell and her daughter.

Beautiful Napili helping to decorate the interior of the moon lodge.

The 4 quadrants of the interior of the moon lodge, looking up.

Suz peeking inside of the Goddess Temple to see if it is available to show to friends.

MoonPath from the Goddess Temple to the Moon of the 7 Opals Lodge.

2014 Recap Thus Far

On July 26, 2014 / Ancient Feminine, Uncategorized, Women

2014 Recap Thus Far

It’s been a busy year for 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks stuff, the stone medicine bowl that I am the Carrier of, and miscellaneous personal interests. First off, 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks has a new website. Go to the HOME page to see how great it looks! It’s an ongoing process of course.

I’ve also been in the process of creating online courses to launch, have been to conferences, have presented workshops at conferences and festivals, and held a live, 4-day retreat at Breitenbush in Oregon. In addition, I am the Wisdom Keeper for the Moon Lodge in Ashland which is the place where I can physically share 4s4w. I’ve been on a fairly extensive radio tour.

Personally, I am also on staff at the annual Ashland Independent Film Festival, which I love being a part of. Right now I’m taking advantage of a short window between gigs in order to move from the home I’ve been in for over 26 years! THAT gets overwhelming at times. So that’s where I’ve been.

I hope your summer is going well too. I’ve got pics that I have failed to pass on regarding some of these events. I’m having trouble putting them all in one blog post, so I’ll create several.

Here is Suz as a presenter and Kris Steinnes as the organizer of Women of Wisdom Conference, Seattle, February 2014.

Enjoy ~ Suzanne

Suz as presenter and Kris Steinnes as organizer and promoter at the Women of Wisdom Conference, Seattle, Feb. 2014

Summertime

On July 25, 2014 / 4s4w Teachings, Ancient Feminine, Female Sexuality, Health and Wellness, Women

Summertime: It’s all about staying cool.

Staying cool = staying in alignment.

The main thing I’ve learned about this summer is that it is hard to get people in the same place at the same time . Everyone is busy going this way and that. It’s not a great time to begin teaching a big course, but good for short, live workshops, so I continue to adjust and go with the rhythm that seems to align best. After all, this is what I teach about natural rhythms, and especially about the “Summer” week, which I call “The Fire Walk”. This is what 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks is about! When we go against the natural flow of energy, we find ourselves stressed out and not knowing why. Better to know what our choices are and how to implement them.

If you’re new to my work or like to have reminders: What I do is demystify the female lunar rhythm (aka, the female cycle) —or her monthly hormonal blueprint—for women, men, and girls (the boys will learn through these other three for now). I have a very specific practice that breaks down the approximate 28 days of the month into 4 guided weeks that I identify with fall, winter, spring, and summer, as well as the moon phases. These 4 phases have different energies to them and tools we can use for them to provide balance and alignment. I’ve discovered that this is a remarkable naviagational system within each woman, that stays even beyond menopause. When women can detect and align with these energies, everything, and I mean everything in her life improves.

Week 4 of the female lunar rhythm identifies with summer because it can feel like the hottest day of the year— the time when people are too hot to be bothered and tempers have short fuses. Sometimes we’d rather just take-on certain tasks on our own.

Just like staying cool in the summer by drinking water or swimming in it, a female needs to know what tools she has available to keep her in comfortable alignment as her body disassembles her uterine lining beneath the surface. The building and taking down of this uterine lining is a radical process! I’m surprised women do as well as they do. When she is mindful of what is actually happening and what she can do about it, with practice, her summer week can go from being hot and irritable to feeling like a nice day at the beach. The book, 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks goes into more depth about this. Upcoming online courses will address this in a richer way.