Navigating life after a hysterectomy can feel disorienting. For many, the removal of the uterus signals not just a physical change but a profound shift in the connection to their cyclical nature and feminine energy. Yet, this transition can also serve as an opportunity to redefine and reclaim that connection. Seed cycling, coupled with aligning to lunar rhythms, offers a gentle, supportive practice to foster harmony and balance, even in the absence of a natural menstrual cycle.
The Challenges of Finding Post-Hysterectomy Support
After a hysterectomy, women often face a gap in guidance. Medical systems frequently focus on symptom management and recovery rather than addressing the emotional, hormonal, and spiritual shifts that accompany such a life-altering procedure. Reclaiming a connection to cyclical rhythms and the divine feminine can be deeply empowering, creating a foundation for healing and wellness.
In many modern medical contexts, hormonal changes—whether from perimenopause, menopause, or post-surgery—are often treated as conditions to be managed with medications. However, the complexity of the endocrine system defies a one-size-fits-all approach. A more holistic perspective acknowledges the interplay between hormones, lifestyle, and emotional well-being. This is where practices like seed cycling shine.
Reconnecting with Cycles Using Seed Cycling and Lunar Phases
For individuals who no longer have a natural menstrual cycle, the moon offers a beautiful rhythm to guide cyclical living. By syncing with the moon’s phases, you can create a structure that aligns with nature’s rhythms while supporting your body’s nutrient and hormonal needs.
Here’s how to use seed cycling to align with the lunar calendar:
Phase 1 (New Moon to Full Moon): Consume Phase 1, certified organic, ground pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds. This phase mirrors the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, supporting the body’s natural processes with nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and lignans to promote estrogen balance and overall health.
Phase 2 (Full Moon to New Moon): Transition to Phase 2, certified organic, ground sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. Rich in vitamin E and selenium, these seeds help support progesterone production, a hormone often in flux post-surgery or during menopause.
By embracing this lunar-inspired rhythm, you create a sense of continuity and flow, reconnecting to the cyclical wisdom embedded in nature.
Why Seed Cycling Works
Seed cycling offers more than just hormonal support—it provides your body with essential micronutrients that are often depleted due to hormonal fluctuations or surgical changes.
Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits:
- Hormonal Balance: The nutrients in seeds help regulate and stabilize hormone production, even in the absence of the ovaries or uterus.
- Digestive Health: The fiber in seeds supports gut health, which is intricately connected to hormone metabolism.
- Emotional Support: Ritualising the practice of seed cycling fosters mindfulness, a sense of routine, and connection to the body.
- Nutrient Replenishment: Seeds are powerhouses of essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins that support overall well-being.
Transitioning to a Holistic Perspective on Hormones
The current medical paradigm often treats hormonal shifts as pathologies. Yet, when we view these changes through the lens of natural transitions, they become opportunities to listen to our bodies and support them in meaningful ways. The endocrine system is an intricate network, and its balance depends on nourishing every aspect of health—from stress management to nutrient intake.
For those transitioning off hormonal contraceptives or recovering from surgery, seed cycling helps recalibrate the body's natural rhythms. It’s a step away from pharmaceutical dependence and toward holistic self-care.
Honoring the Divine Feminine After a Hysterectomy
The uterus is often seen as a symbol of feminine energy, creativity, and cyclical power. Losing it can feel like losing a piece of that connection. Yet, the divine feminine is not confined to physical organs; it resides in every part of us, manifesting in our creativity, intuition, and connection to the earth.
By syncing with the moon and engaging in practices like seed cycling, you can foster that connection in new ways:
- Lunar Living: Observing the moon’s phases fosters mindfulness and attunes you to the natural cycles around you.
- Self-Care Rituals: Incorporate rituals such as journaling, meditative movement, or energy work during the new and full moons.
- Creative Expression: Use this time to explore creative outlets, symbolising the creative power traditionally associated with the womb.
Seed Cycling for All Life Stages
Whether you’re on hormonal contraceptives, navigating menopause, or adjusting to life without a uterus, seed cycling can meet you where you are. It’s versatile and accessible, offering tailored support for every stage of life. Here’s how it can be adapted:
- On the Pill or with Irregular Cycles: Align seed consumption with the lunar phases for a natural rhythm.
- During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: Focus on nutrient-dense seeds to support your body’s heightened needs.
- Menopause: Support declining hormone levels by integrating seed cycling into your daily routine, aligned with the lunar cycle.
Embracing the Wisdom of Cycles
By honoring cyclical living, we deepen our connection to ourselves and the natural world. Seed cycling with the lunar phases isn’t just a practice for hormonal balance—it’s a celebration of our innate wisdom and resilience. Whether you’re recovering from a hysterectomy or simply seeking to reconnect with your body, this practice serves as a reminder that we are cyclical beings, capable of finding harmony and strength in every phase of life.
Start your seed cycling journey today and embrace the rhythm of nature, empowering your health and well-being in every way.
For more, you can now purchase Mel’s book, Seeds of Sisterhood: Functional Nutrition, EFT Tapping, and Seed Cycling for Natural Hormone Balance, to deepen your understanding and embrace the journey of holistic hormonal health.