Menopause came upon me without me realising. It is only in hindsight that we know when our last period was. After a few months I realised my periods had stopped and I was experiencing menopausal symptoms. Hot flushes, mood changes, inability to make up my mind, joint and muscle pain and dry skin.
And a deep questioning of who am I????
and what is my purpose????

When I realised I was mid way through my menopausal year I decided to do a ritual shaving off my hair to mark this phase. My children had left home and my periods had stopped – it felt right for my long hair to go as well to mark this time of loss and deep change. Thank you Becky for cutting my hair and Adelina for the photos. Thank you Penny and Freya and Oscar for witnessing and dancing with me on this day.

April 5th 2005 was end of my last period. Exactly one year and one day after my last period I had a ritual to mark the end of my menopausal year. I spent the day at Avebury walking and resting with a friend. Then I came to Swallowhead Spring in my red dress. I created an alter on the rocks that step across the river and took all my clothes off. I threw the dress in the water to mark my anger at the ending of my periods and the changes that the menopause entails. I stepped into the cold spring water and splashed myself all over feeling cross at the loss and the things that I had not had time to do.

Swallowhead spring

Going for gold

Menopause ritual

Then I came out of the river and dressed in a new colour – the colour of my choice. I chose Gold to represent going for gold in everything that I do. Feeling cold and exhilarated we rushed home to a massive feast to celebrate this transition with cards and flowers and gifts and delicious food. Thank you Becky, Penny and Adelina for celebrating that special day with me.