Women's Energy Cycle — Limited Edition Print on Paper
A stunning calendar print of an original pen drawing on high-quality laid or hammered paper. Signed and editioned by the artist Emily Robyn Archer. Suitable for framing or display in our bespoke magnetic print hangers.
Wheel image is 29cm diameter on SRA3 Paper. Print Size 45cm x 32cm. Printed on Conqueror Vellum Chamois Paper 250g/m2 at Dublin Print Co. The frame is 34cm width, 47cm height, 4.2cm depth
This is for anyone who wants to connect more deeply with their inner cycle. Learn to retreat, grow, bloom and rest in time with your body's natural rhythms.
This wheel is designed to handle and turn with your menstrual cycle. While I named this wheel "Women's Energy Cycle," this wheel is for anyone who menstruates and wants to get to know their inner cycle better and thrive as a woman or menstruating person. This wheel can also be a valuable tool to help families or partners understand where their loved ones are in their cycle.
We may be aware of the outside cycles of the natural world, but we sometimes forget the powerful cycles unfolding within our own bodies. Many of us learned to hide our cycle and bear it as a burden or nuisance. But what if we appreciated the menstrual cycle as a vital source of energy, wisdom and creativity?
I collaborated with womb yoga teacher Lou Horgan on this print (read the story here [link]). This was the first circle I created, and Lou's wisdom and insight helped make this wheel a powerful tool for anyone with a menstrual cycle. Connecting with my own cycle as a woman and artist helped me embark on my journey to create Native Circles.
Take a closer look
At the centre of this wheel, you'll notice a motif of two snakes sharing a head. It forms a heart shape with its nose outstretched to touch a furled fern head and its two tails meeting at the base of the fern plant. Lines radiate around this image, leading to a circle of petals. This is a South American folk symbol that Lou and I decided to use when we co-designed this wheel. If you look closely, you'll find 28 petals, representing the average length of a menstrual cycle.
Your inner seasons
When beginning the journey to better understand our cycles, it can be helpful to think about your cycle as seasons, from the peaking energy of summer (ovulation) to deeply inward winter (menstruation).
Menstruation or bleed phase: your inner winter
The menstrual cycle begins in deep winter. Like winter, we retreat back into our depths while things shed away. Both oestrogen and progesterone are low now, making us feel tired and inward-focused. Winter is when the natural world slows down, and similarly, our bodies ask us to do the same when we bleed. If you can, clear the social calendar, look after yourself, and try to keep this time free of any big challenges.
Follicular phase: your inner spring
This is the time of the birds and the bees. Flowers are blooming, and like spring, energy rises and life re-emerges. Inside us, our follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels increase to prepare for ovulation. A rise in oestrogen starts to lift our energy, mood and brain function. We may feel more confident, powerful and willing to take risks.
Ovulation phase: your inner summer
This season is a time for celebration and dance. The sun is out and it feels like everything in the natural world is thriving. There’s an oestrogen surge at the end of the follicular phase followed by a sharp peak in luteinising hormone, which causes a follicle to burst open and release its egg. Many people notice feeling their most confident at this point in their cycle.
Luteal phase: your inner autumn
This is the season of ripening, rich colours and a winding down of summer's energy. The follicle that released the egg produces progesterone, causing levels to rise and thicken your womb lining. As progesterone increases, you might find your energy lowering. This stage is best known for PMS and anxiety, but if we're well-resourced, rested and in tune with our cycle, this can be a time of deep intuition and power.
Why follow these cycles?
Why follow these cycles?
Native Circles invites you to slow down and notice natural phases and seasonal changes around you. These cycles offer us perspective, opportunities to reflect, and a sense of grounding in nature. Think of them as a field guide to a simpler life more connected with the wonder of the natural world.
About Native Circles
About Native Circles
Native Circles are a set of simple illustrations that create space for connecting with nature and self-reflection in our homes. The prints are mounted onto a birchwood wheel that you can place on a table or easily install on a wall. They can be turned by hand with the changing seasons.
I recommend choosing one of the specially designed wood stands to display your new wheel - this lets you interact with your wheel by turning it with the change of the season or cycle. Choose a small stand to hold one wheel or a large stand that can hold three wheels, allowing you to build a collection of your favourite cycles.
Unique Elements
Unique Elements
- Hand-drawn by artist Emily Robyn Archer
- Created in Wicklow
- Consciously produced
- Interactive, collectable set
- Native Irish tree planted for every set purchased
Dimensions
Dimensions
- Wheel Image: 29cm diameter
- Print Size: A3 / 45 cm x 32 cm
- Frame: is 34 cm width, 47 cm height, 4.2 cm depth
Specifications
Specifications
Printed on Zeta Ivory Hammered Paper 250g/m2
Returns & Refunds
Returns & Refunds
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