Blood Rites ~ Ancient Practices of offering our Blood back the the Earth

If you’re reading this, I have no doubt you’re on a path to reclaiming your power, reconnecting with your body, and remembering the old ways. You are a rewilding woman. And if you’re a man reading this—well, you’re already ahead of the curve. There’s something undeniably attractive about a man who can embrace the totality of a woman, don’t you agree?

Throughout history, menstrual blood has been honoured as something magical, transformative, and deeply connected to the earth. It’s time to reclaim this knowledge, step into our full power, and honour the wisdom held in our wombs.

Ancient Myths and Sacred Blood ~ Honouring the Divine Feminine

Menstrual blood has long been linked to the divine, woven into myths and ceremonies that recognise its power. In ancient Egypt, the goddess Isis was said to have used her menstrual blood to create magic and healing potions. Her sacred blood, known as “the blood of Isis,” was believed to hold the essence of life itself, capable of both creating and destroying. In this myth, we see blood not as something to hide, but as a potent force of creation, transformation, and divine energy.

Similarly, in Greek mythology, the goddess Hera’s menstrual blood was considered so powerful that it birthed the Milky Way. This cosmic origin story frames menstrual blood as a creative force on a universal scale, connecting women to the cycles of the cosmos. These stories remind us that the blood we carry within us is sacred, imbued with creative and life-giving power.

In ancient India, Kali's devotees would use menstrual blood in rituals to invoke her energy. Women would return their blood to the earth, offering it as a sacred gift to Kali, just as the goddess herself returned the blood of demons to the earth to restore balance. This practice of offering menstrual blood back to the earth honours the cyclical nature of life and death, recognising that the blood shed during menstruation is part of the natural rhythm of creation, destruction, and renewal.

Indigenous Wisdom ~ Returning Blood to the Earth

In many Indigenous cultures, menstrual blood is seen as a powerful connection to the earth. Among Native American tribes, women often retreated to “moon lodges” during their cycles, not out of shame, but in honour of their heightened spiritual awareness. It was believed that during menstruation, women were closest to the earth and the cosmos, aligned with the cycles of the moon and stars. These moon lodges were sacred spaces where women could rest, dream, and receive spiritual guidance.

Across the Amazon, certain tribes believe menstrual blood is a life-giving force, used in fertility and protection rituals. Women would return their blood to the earth, offering it to plants and soil in a ritual that recognised the sacred connection between the body and nature. This practice acknowledges our blood as part of the life-giving cycles of the earth, nurturing the soil as it nurtures us. It is a powerful act of reciprocity—giving back to the earth what has been given to us.

Menstruation in Ayurvedic Tradition ~ A Time of Cleansing and Reflection

In Ayurvedic tradition, menstruation is seen as a natural process of cleansing and purification. While modern society may have stigmatised menstruation, the ancient Vedic texts revered it as a powerful time of renewal. Menstrual blood was viewed as a sacred substance, connected to a woman’s divine nature. Some Vedic rituals even used menstrual blood to bless the earth, returning this potent life force to the soil as an offering.

Ayurveda teaches that menstruation is a time for rest, self-care, and introspection. Women are encouraged to slow down, allowing their bodies to cleanse and release. By honouring this time with rest and reflection, we not only care for our bodies but also connect to the deeper rhythms of nature. This is a practice we, as rewilding women, can bring into our modern lives—honouring our cycles as sacred and recognising the need to slow down and reconnect with our bodies.

African Traditions and Pagan Rituals ~ Menstrual Blood as a Symbol of Power

Across Africa, menstrual blood has long been recognised as a source of power and fertility. In Mali, the Dogon people view menstrual blood as cosmically significant, representing the essence of life itself. In many African tribes, menstrual blood is used in fertility rituals and traditional medicine, often returned to the earth to bless crops and ensure a fruitful harvest. This act of returning blood to the soil reflects a deep understanding of the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth.

In European pagan traditions, menstrual blood was also celebrated as a powerful substance, used in fertility rituals and magic spells. Witches and wise women would offer their menstrual blood to the earth in ceremonies, often under the full moon. These ancient practices were not hidden away or stigmatised—they were celebrated as expressions of feminine power. The blood was seen as a bridge between the earthly and the divine, a symbol of the cyclical nature of life.

Reclaiming Our Power Through Ritual

The power of menstrual blood is not confined to the past—it is here for us to reclaim today. Many women are returning to ancient practices, using their menstrual blood in personal rituals that honour their bodies and connect them to the cycles of nature. One beautiful way to do this is by collecting your menstrual blood and offering it back to the earth. As we’ve seen as a theme throughout cultures. Whether you water your plants with it or pour it into the soil, this act is a powerful gesture of reciprocity—giving back to the earth as it gives to you.

You can also create sacred spaces using your menstrual blood. Some women use it in ritual art, painting or marking objects as a tangible reminder of the sacredness of their cycles. Others incorporate their blood into altars, honouring their connection to the earth and the divine feminine. These rituals allow us to reclaim our blood as a source of creative and spiritual power, transforming something that has been stigmatised into a celebration of our inner strength.

Returning to Our Roots

By embracing these ancient practices, we remember the sacredness of our menstrual cycles and reclaim the power that lies within our blood. Our menstrual blood connects us to the earth, to our ancestors, and to the cycles of life and death. As rewilding women, we have the opportunity to reconnect with this ancient wisdom, honouring our bodies and the life force that flows through us.

Let’s return to our roots, reclaim the sacredness of our blood, and step fully into our power. By embracing the wisdom of our ancestors and honouring the natural cycles of our bodies, we heal the shame that has been placed upon us and stand in the fullness of our feminine strength.

What are your thoughts? How are you reconnecting with your cycle? Let’s keep this conversation going—share your experiences and insights as we continue the rewilding journey together.