The Maiden

When a girl experiences her first bleed (menarche), it signifies her entering into womanhood and becoming the Maiden.

Compared to the later archetypal shifts, this one is gradual, as adolescence takes place alongside early periods and other physical changes in the body.

For girls and women everywhere, periods tend to be spoken about in hushed tones, and little is said about the transformation that is taking place.

Negative language and fear based conversations before a girls period comes, means that when it finally does, it is met with dread rather than celebration.

Gone are the days of women entering the red tent in community to collectively bleed together under the full moon.

Rare are the recognitions of this rite of passage where elders share wisdom and stories with the new Maiden…. Until now.