In today’s episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth Tidwell, womb guide and menstrual cycle coach at My Club Red. We’ve been in each other’s orbit for a number of years, and it was great to finally get a chance to share about transforming the next generation’s relationship with the menstrual cycle as they navigate a world that is slowly waking up to honoring this rhythm.

This is a refreshingly candid conversation about the ins and outs of understanding the menstrual cycle at a time when we are still unlearning the cultural programing about living in a cyclical body.

If you are a Mother of a Menstruator (MOM) I would love to hear what resources or tools you wish that you or your menstruator could have or what the could have benefitted from when they were younger!

“We haven’t been given a shared understanding of a pattern for our cyclical energy.”- Elizabeth Tidwell

In this episode Elizabeth offers practical advice on how to integrate cyclical awareness into everyday life, making it a powerful tool for personal and collective liberation. She also reveals the significance of cycle awareness for youth through menopause and how it can transform cultural perceptions and practices within families and communities.

Get ready to explore the power of cycle awareness as well as:

* Moving away from “fixing” to befriending

* Working with the menstrual cycle as a compass and anchor

* Self-care through building buffers

* Hyper-personalizing the menstrual cycle archetypes

* What is wrong with me - why can’t I rise to the occasion?

* Removing self blame and shame about fluctuations in energy

* Meeting (and naming) the different versions and parts of ourselves

* Breaking the model of the inner seasons every cycle

* Dealing with deficit and depletion

* Cultural expectations and inner wisdom

* Pay attention to the “Inner Summer Woman” and pleasure receptors

Elizabeth shares her secrets on dealing with energy dips, equipping kids for their first period, and why tracking your cycle is more vital than ever. Be prepared to unlearn, relearn, and laugh along the way!

Ready to practice menstrual cycle awareness on a circular calendar? Head over to the shop to get your copy of the 2026 Lunation Journal for yourself or someone you love here: https://themoonismycalendar.com/new-products

This podcast episode follows a flow through these chapters …

* Introduction and Welcome

* Cycle Check-In: Understanding Our Inner Landscape

* Personal Stories and Cycle Awareness

* Lessons from Cycle Work

* Rediscovering Personal Anchors

* The Power of Integrated Practices

* The Importance of Daily Cycle Check-ins

* Returning to the Moon Calendar

* Working with Youth on Menstrual Awareness

* Family Dynamics and Menstrual Cycles

* Supporting Families and Community

* Practical Tools for Cycle Awareness

* Final Thoughts and Resources

Hope you benefit from listening to this episode, if you do - please leave a review and share it with a friend.

Show Notes:

Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer of Red School: https://www.redschool.net/wildpower

Connect with Elizabeth…

Website: https://myclubred.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myclubredFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/myclubred

Elizabeth Tidwell helps women and menstruators discover and live in alignment with their menstrual cycle superpowers. She helps adults and children learn vital body literacy and facilitates a deeper relationship between menstruators and their cycles, bodies, and whole selves.

As a former university educator, Elizabeth loves to bring menstrual cycle awareness to both her local community through live workshops and the broader international community through individual client work, virtual workshops, and My Club Red.

What are some resources or tools that you wish you or your menstruator could have or wish the would have had when they were younger? Feel free to share in the comments!

“Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.” — Thich Nhat Hanh How To See

On today’s episode we explore the themes of navigating life transitions, big and small as well as rituals for renewal within the lunar cycle. We delve into our connection with impermanence, focusing on the theme of sensing endings.

If you loved these themes and want more, you’re invited to join me tomorrow Friday Nov 21st from 1-2:00pm Pacific for the New Moon Workshop for Scorpio: https://themoonismycalendar.thrivecart.com/new-moon-mandala-workshop-in-scorpio/

I share insights on how the lunar cycle can support us in navigating these transitions and the importance of creating space for new beginnings. I also reflect on personal experiences illustrating the cyclical nature of life, like dealing with a difficult landlord and the recent passing of my beloved grandmother. Throughout this heartfelt episode, I invite you to trust you intuition and the wisdom of cycles to find balance and continuity in your lives.

These time stamps may be a little off due to editing:

00:00 Introduction to The Between the Moon Podcast

00:41 Exploring the Theme of Sensing Endings

01:41 The Importance of Recognizing Endings

01:51 Personal Stories and Reflections on Change

02:20 The Concept of Impermanence

03:49 Practical Examples of Sensing Endings

06:29 The Role of the Lunar Cycle

10:16 The Practice of Letting Go

11:33 The Intersection of Love and Grief

17:30 Cultural Perspectives on Cycles

21:50 Final Thoughts and Invitation to Reflect

This episode is a farewell to Scorpio Season as the sun enters the sign of Sagittarius Nov 21st. It is a reflections on the lessons of life and loss and how to practice saying goodbye with the moon. My hope is that there is sweetness and insight that flows through this transmission to offer a sense of belonging within cycles; to yourself, to nature, to the cosmos.

“A linear society that thinks in terms of ‘cradle to grave’ will have an endpoint. It won’t be sustained. However, a culture that thinks cyclically and reinvests all ‘waste’ into its livelihood will continue like a circle, it will never end.” - Dr. Lyla June

Visit https://themoonismycalendar.com to purchase you Lunation Journals and Lunar Wall Calendars today!

In today’s timely episode, we explore the role of entropy in Virgo's nature-based themes, touching on how to connect these experiences connect with the upcoming eclipse, and some of the challenges and gifts. There is poetry in how we choose to embody this mutable earth sign.

I share some insights I received during an acupuncture treatment about the connection between the zodiac and the nervous system. If you like unusual ways of relating to the astrological archetypes - this episode will not disappoint!

At the heart of this exploration is understanding Virgo's energy and role in keeping the rhythms of life in balance and digesting our experiences. No one escapes entropy, and you can see if that feels like a relief or cause for grief, but the eclipse asks us to face it either way.

There are some personal stories to illustrate these concepts, like looking back to the 2006 eclipse through forgotten photos on an old external hard drive and seeing how past cycles shape us and invite deeper integration.

I also propose a potential lunar astrology challenge—like a fun experiment to observe how the sign that the moon is in affects our lives. Let me know what you think about that idea in the comments, pls :))

00:00 Welcome and Announcements01:34 Exploring the Moon Mandala Workshop03:24 Lunar Astrology Challenge06:12 Introduction to Virgo Themes07:06 Virgo and the Rhythm of Life12:56 The Poetry of Entropy24:19 Eclipses and Life Review26:04 Personal Reflections and Astrology41:06 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Announcements

The Lunation Journals and Lunar Wall Calendars are available for presale in the shop!! Thank you to everyone who has purchased yours so far!!! Your support makes this printing of this publication possible.

Link to pre-order: 2026 New Moon Calendars https://themoonismycalendar.com/new-products

Moon Mandala Workshop

Don't miss the Equinox Moon Mandala workshop this Tuesday September 23rd from 9-10:30am Pacific. We’ll be focusing on turning points, rebalancing, and the zodiac's connection to seasons. I have a great slideshow to share along with a activity to access your intentions.

This workshop is based in expressive arts practices that connect us with the healing potential of creativity by moving energy through color and form. If you aren't able to make it live, replays will be sent within 24 hours of workshop.

More details here: Registration for Moon Mandala Workshop https://themoonismycalendar.thrivecart.com/new-moon-mandala-workshop-equinox/

Dear Moon,

There is beauty in allowing ideas develop in their own time. So often we only get to see the final product, and we miss out on all the twists and turns that the creative process takes us on to arrive at that particular finished form.

This can give us unrealistic expectations of creativity, and so I was inspired to share some behind the scenes insider lore about how this year’s cover artwork and theme actually came into being. The episode is an exploration of artistry, vulnerability, and the cyclical nature of creativity.

But first, oh my goodness, have you heard? It’s Virgo season and time to launch the pre-sale of the 2026 Moon Calendars!! There’s a discount code at the end of this episode, take a listen :)

traveling the distance from this…

… to that…

Where you begin is not where you end up! Seems obvious, but the creative process is designed to change you. This is inherent to the transformational practice of creation.

let’s dive in!

In today’s episode, you’re invited to join me for an intimate look at the journey of creating the artwork for this year’s Lunar Wall Calendar as I share about the messy process of going from rough first “bad” drafts to a finished piece.

You’ll hear about the ups and downs: the excitement of new ideas, the frustration when things don’t go as planned, and the patience it takes to let inspiration unfold in its own time. You’ll get to hear about how themes like the harvest cycle, the symbolism of blackberries and bears, and even lessons learned from gardening — all found their way into the artwork. There’s a beautiful story I share about how a simple flower essence session sparked a creative breakthrough, and how the reciprocity between bears and blackberries brought all the themes together.

weaving it all together

Throughout the episode, I reflect on the importance of embracing imperfection, letting go of impossible standards, and trusting the creative process—even when it feels like, as I call it “a blindfolded wrestling match or an unpredictable dance with the muse”. You’ll get a sense of how astrology, nature, and lived experience all weave together in the making of something personally, and hopefully, universally meaningful.

Whether you’re an artist, a creative soul, or just someone who loves a good story, this episode is a gentle reminder that creativity is cyclical, sometimes clunky, and always full of facing the unknown. I hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes journey—complete with all the doubts, discoveries, and little victories that make the creative process so worth the struggle of turning the irritation of a grain of sand into a pearl.

Thank you for being here, your presence is a gift! April

p.s. I started putting together a post with images of the creative process I describe in this episode … would you be interested in seeing more of the bad first drafts? Feel free to reply or lmk in the comments.

the pre-sale sale has begun!

Are you as excited as I am? I just updated all the listings for this year’s calendars — visit THE MOON IS MY CALENDAR and and pre-order yours today, yippee!

On today’s episode we explore the Taurus-Scorpio axis in astrology and ground it into the context of seasonal cycles, creativity, the houses in the birth chart, and personal lived experiences. I am delighted to have Bronwyn Simons Astrology back for our ongoing conversation of the Lunar Currents series!

Learn about the interplay between "roots" (Taurus) and "blooms" (Scorpio), and how these are not separate entities but parts of a continuous process of fertility and growth related to creative practices, personal journeys, and the cyclical nature of life. We both give examples of the alchemical experience of integrating these seemingly opposing forces and how this also relates to the houses in the birth chart.

Bronwyn and I also discuss the challenges of harmonizing seemingly opposing forces, particularly in relation to health, spirituality, daily life, family, and creative pursuits — and why every full moon plays a big role in the alchemical process.

This episode explores themes that we will personalize and go deeper with in our upcoming workshop: Stars and Roses: Astrology and Creativity for Maytide

WORKSHOP LINK

Friday, May 2, 1 -2:30 Pacific Time and by replay.

You can join us by registering here: https://astrologygoddess.mykajabi.com/offers/gLqLsZoL/checkout

Or, the workshop is FREE for all our beloved paid subscribers on Substack. Become a paid subscriber today and you’ll automatically be registered for the workshop!

We would love you to join us for this hands-on exploration to celebrate the Taurus cross-quarter holiday (known to some as Beltane or May Day), one of the most fertile and creative points in the Wheel of the Year.

Bring a journal, your birthchart, and something to write and draw with.

If you love this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or refer a friend - thanks so much for listening!

Links and Mentions

* Upcoming workshop: Stars and Roses: Astrology and Creativity for Maytide

https://astrologygoddess.mykajabi.com/offers/gLqLsZoL/checkout

* Book of Houses by Robert Cole and Paul Williams

* Bronwyn Simons and the Esoteric Zodiac on substack

* Previous episode about the Harvest Cycle and the Lunar Cycle

https://themoonismycalendar.substack.com/p/10-decoding-the-lunar-and-harvest-78c

Thanks for reading Between the Moon! This post is public so feel free to share it.

On today’s episode I have the pleasure of speaking with the founder of the Way of Yin, Kris González about the lunar new year and how we can learn from the wisdom of the snake to know when to use energy and when to conserve and reserve.

I loved this conversations and I could honestly listen to Kris talk forever — her voice is so calming and so grounding.

As she writes in the newsletter that inspired me to reach out to record this episode: “2026 will be the Year of the Full Fire Horse, bringing major transformation and change. As a result, 2025 is a year of transition. We must be careful not to burn out. It's important to nurture and take care of ourselves in 2025 to endure the fire ahead. I hope this season brings you deep rest, a touch of magic, and time to spend with the people and activities that keep your spirit alive.”

Kris takes us on a journey through the elements starting with water with a special emphasis for women in their metal years (think Queen of Swords). She really helps connect the dots of how the energy of the elements comes alive in our lives at every phase.

In this episode you’ll learn about how the five elements give insight into the many ways life is sustained and maintained with extra special importance of the kidneys. At the end I weave it all back into the moon and how this all connects with the lunar cycle.

For those of you who don’t know her yet, Kris is a dedicated Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Herbalist, passionate about the Nourishing Life Tradition (養生 yǎng shēng). She founded The Way of Yin, a lifestyle education company focused on bridging the wellness gap in reproductive health through timeless wisdom.

Her courses integrate insights from Chinese Medicine Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, The Five Elements, Herbalism, and Longevity Practices. Kris aims to share the profound wisdom of East Asian Medicine, particularly in the realm of the Womb Continuum.

The Way of Yin offers guidance to help you journey with more ease and grace, all while embracing nature’s wisdom and helping you connect to your body, cycles, and rhythms.

)) If you love this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - thanks so much for listening! ((

LINKS

* Kris González, L.Ac ∘ Chinese Medicine Practitioner 𖣊 Reproductive Health + Longevity Medicine ✨ website www.thewayofyin.com

* The New Moon Calendar Journal is available in the shop! This simple and beautiful circular calendar and journal establishes the new moon as the starting point for each monthly cycle. It provides a structure for connecting to your inner wisdom and natural rhythms. Order your copy https://themoonismycalendar.com/new-products

Thanks for reading Between the Moon! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Welcome back to Lunar Currents, a special feature of the Between the Moon podcast with your host April McMurtry of THE MOON IS MY CALENDAR and award-winning predictive astrologer, psychic medium, mentor, and astrology teacher Bronwyn Simons.

Today’s episode is like 3 mini-episodes in one!

To begin with, Bronwyn and I discuss practical wisdom for developing and sustaining a lunar tracking practice and why it is so important for these times.

We also share some personal experiences with our Progressed Moon Signs (link below to look up yours) as an example of tracking our awareness with a particular cycle that brings us into deep relationship with each of the signs.

And then we play a little guessing game with two of the planets who are preparing to make some big moves next year. The suggestion we offer to track when the moon moves from Pisces to Aries each cycle is one way to get a sense of the upcoming conjunction of Saturn and Neptune.

Join our Mercurial minds as we explore how Standing on the Seawall is more than just a metaphor for the interplay between these planets as we navigate unprecedented times in deciphering illusion and reality.

Here is a timeline of dates for the the interplay of Saturn and Neptune as they approach a new synodic cycle at the Big Bang Degree of 0 degrees Aries in Feb 2026.

Saturn & Neptune both in Pisces: March 2023 - March 2025Saturn in Pisces, Neptune in Aries: March 2025 - May 2025Saturn & Neptune both in Aries: May 2025 - Sep 2025Saturn & Neptune return to Pisces: Oct 2025 - Jan 2026Neptune enters Aries again: Jan 26 2026Saturn enters Aries again: Feb 13 2026Saturn/Neptune conjunction at 0 Aries: Feb 20 2026Saturn & Neptune both in Aries: Feb 2026 - Apr 2028

Dates drawn from the Lady Cazimi article linked below.

)) If you love this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - thanks so much for listening! ((

The New Moon Calendar Journal is available in the shop! Order your copy today.

This simple and beautiful circular calendar and journal establishes the new moon as the starting point for each monthly cycle. By using a circular calendar you perceive time in relation to nature more clearly, and patterns in your own experience become more apparent. It provides a structure for connecting to your inner wisdom and natural rhythms.

LINKS

* Join me for a Calendar Countdown for the New Moon after Solstice. Sign up for my newsletter:https://themoonismycalendar.com/moonletters-sign-up

* Calculate your Progressed Moon Tutorial: https://themoonismycalendar.com/articles/find-your-progressed-moon-sign

* Link to order your copy of for lunar tracking:https://themoonismycalendar.com/new-products

* For more in-depth analysis of the planetary interplay check out the article by Steph Koyfman - Reality Undefined: The Saturn/Neptune Years (2023-2028)https://www.ladycazimi.com/blog/saturn-neptune-conjunction-pisces-aries

* We mention AI art and our visions of reality towards the end of the episode, and I just came across an episode of the All My Relations Podcast for anyone who might not be aware of the devastating impacts of data and the heat it produces to engage with AI and all the devices that are a part of daily life. The conversation is super smart and funny/not funny at the same time!https://www.allmyrelationspodcast.com/podcast/episode/7b45f1e5/indigenous-ai-revolution-or-colonizer-b******t