Seed Cycling
The magic of the moon, and of four little seeds
I have included an alternative way of seed cycling that aligns with the moon’s cycle instead of your own, if that is something that could be more useful to you. I feel that aligning with the Moon’s Cycle is more inclusive, and gentler for those who have PCOS and do not identify as CIS.
Remember that the information found on this blog post, across this blog website, and any associated social media profiles is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not meant to replace advice provided by licensed professionals, and astrology is not intended to diagnose illnesses or prescribe treatments. Do not self-diagnose. You can cause serious harm to yourself. Please work with a licensed professional. For more information, please see my Terms & Conditions Page.
As a genderqueer, femme-leaning person myself, living with the symptoms of PCOS is very confusing. Finding my balance is really tough, but it is something I truly have been working on my entire life. All of my energy is devoted to researching when I can, recording symptoms, making informed decisions about what I put in and on my body, and researching what herbs and essential oils will alleviate my symptoms. Even after all of this expended energy, I still battle with body dysmorphia, and not being comfortable in my body or gender. There is just simply not enough information out there for people with PCOS who do not identify as cisgender. I find this to be completely baffling and frustrating.
I’ve mentioned this before, and I probably will very many times, but in my frantic quest for healing my hormonal imbalance and the chronic pain I deal with, I stumbled upon Bailey Haddad’s PCOS Reversal Program. This program includes, but not limited to, diverse and plentiful resources, actionable methods to implement in your life immediately, and a by-symptom-directory. I have walked away with so much information from diving into this program, and started making plans to slowly enforce lifestyle changes. One of those changes was sleep, which I wrote about in my previous post The Wisdom of Sleep. In this post, I refer to Haddad’s advice about encouraging a healthy relationship with sleep cycles. I explain that by doing so, you nurture the body’s healing process, aid the brain’s natural detoxification function, and if you’re into it- begin a pattern of precognitive dreaming. I have also written about the safety of Melatonin supplementation, which is being prescribed for people with perimenopause and menopause. Melatonin also expresses properties to help improve the menstrual cycle. Please click here to read more.
I found that approaching my relationship with sleep is the easiest task to tackle first. My next task was something that Haddad mentions in Chapter 3 of her PCOS Reversal Program called seed cycling. Seed cycling is essentially splitting your menstrual cycle in half [ follicular and luteal phases ], and consuming four different seeds according to which phase you are in. These seeds perform different tasks during each phase, help balance your hormones, ease menstrual and chronic pain, and lessen the effects of the symptoms of PCOS. If you are triggered by m*nstrual cycles, or if you do not have a predictable one, you can use the cycle of the moon to begin your seed cycling. I will also cover seed cycling with the moon’s cycle later in this post.
I will walk you through one rotation of Seed Cycling
As you can see, the cycle is split in half. You have:
Follicular/New Moon, which are days 1-14
Luteal/Full Moon, which are about days 15-28
You will need the following seeds:
Follicular Phase (Days 1-14, or alternatively New Moon Phase)
Flax Seeds
Pumpkin (Pepita) Seeds
Luteal Phase (Days 15-28, or alternatively Full Moon Phase)
Sesame Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
In most resources I have read, they advise to ground your seeds to get the full effect. The body will be able to absorb the nutrients better if they are ground. This is especially true if you have a sensitive digestive system like I do. You should also store them in air-tight containers to prevent them from going rancid quickly.
Follicular Phase / New Moon Phase : Days 1-14
In this phase, you will want to regulate your estrogen. From days 1-14, the body is producing a lot of estrogen, and it needs the help of progesterone to ovulate. Consume 1 tablespoon of flax seeds and 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds daily. Flax seeds are a phytoestrogen, and work to block excess estrogen. Pumpkin seeds have ample amounts of zinc. Zinc works to aid testosterone levels. Here is an excerpt from the PCOS Reversal Program:
“Here’s how seed cycling works during the first half of the cycle:
Estrogen starts out low at the start of your cycle and steadily rises, eventually spiking to trigger ovulation. Testosterone also rises around the time of ovulation, which is why you may notice an increase in sex drive.
- Flax seeds: During this time, flax seeds help regulate estrogen levels. Flax seeds contain lignans, a phytoestrogen, that help balance estrogen levels where needed.
- Pepitas: Pepitas, which are high in zinc, help support testosterone levels during the first half of your cycle and progesterone production during the luteal phase.
Both flax and pepitas are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation and regulate FSH levels.”
Luteal Phase / Full Moon Phase : Days 15-28
In the Luteal Phase, progesterone levels increase. You will want to support your estrogen levels by consuming a tablespoon of sesame seeds and a tablespoon of sunflower seeds daily. Sunflower seeds are high in selenium which support the thyroid and liver functions. Here is what Bailey Haddad says in this same chapter for the Luteal Phase:
“Here’s how seed cycling works during the second half of the cycle:
After ovulation, progesterone levels begin to rise, followed by a rise in estrogen toward the middle of the luteal phase. Adequate progesterone levels help to keep estrogen levels in check, thereby reducing unwanted PMS-related symptoms.
- Sesame seeds: During this time, sesame seeds help regulate estrogen levels, as they also contain lignans.
- Sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds, which are high in selenium, help support liver function and estrogen metabolism.
Both sesame and sunflower seeds are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which convert into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and support progesterone levels.”
I usually put my seeds in oatmeal, salads, and smoothies. I imagine you can top your soups and sandwiches off with them, or even create a sauce or dressing. It is a little difficult to consume these seeds everyday, so give yourself grace if you skip a day or two.
I wanted to make sure that seed cycling doesn’t infringe upon any hormone treatments that people with PCOS could be taking, especially trans men with PCOS. I tried to find anything online that could help me understand how it could effect trans men, but I could not find a single article. Frustrated, I reached out directly to Bailey Haddad. She referred me to one of the experts who worked on the PCOS Reversal Program, Sarah Petty, who is a Non-diet Nutrition Therapist and Movement Coach. I sent Sarah a message on Instagram asking her my question, and described my endless search for answers with no findings. Sarah was so kind, and helped me to understand seed cycling a bit more. Here is what Sarah has to say about seed cycling for trans men:
”Essentially, seed cycling is providing the body with nutrients it needs to make hormones.”
“…seeds are super nutrient-dense (minerals, phytoestrogens, and essential fats). In culinary amounts (1-2 TBSP/day) this will not cause any concern for people taking testosterone, and can be supportive of overall hormonal health. The phytoestrogens in flax specifically may assist in reducing unnecessary estrogen, which may be of interest to trans men.”
She has also mentioned that she is willing to help out the PCOS Community by giving resources where she can. If you are able, please give her a follow on Instagram, where she is constantly posting valuable content!
Aligning with the Moon’s Cycle
I want to expand on seed cycling with the alignment of the moon’s cycle for those who do not identify as cisgender, don’t find calling attention to their m*nstrual cycle to be effective or beneficial to their mental health, or for those who do not have predictable cycles, full p*riods, or p*riods at all. This is also helpful for those who want to honor the moon with Moon Magic. Moon worship was so important in ancient cultures. Our ancestors honored Sun and Moon Gods. They were in tune with their bodies and with nature. We have so much to learn from them.
Essentially, follow the cycle starting with the new moon. This will be your Day 1, and continue until Day 15, where you switch to Full Moon Phase until the next new moon. For days 1-14, following the new moon, attempt to consume 1 tablespoon of flax seeds and 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds daily, and also try to be easy on your body. If you have a calling for Moon Magic, now is a good time to research more into it, and find rituals that work for you. I have subscribed to the Chani App, which makes tracking the moon’s cycle so much easier. Chani is an amazing astrologer and activist. She is queer, inclusive, and her perspectives of spirituality are interwoven with ideologies and actions that support the community. Within the app, you can check what sign and phase the moon is in, and you can read how each lunar transit affects you, since the app is tailored to your specific rising sign. I highly recommend this app.
An easy lunar ritual that will help manage stress and allow you to relax, is to take an Epsom salt and essential oil bath. If you only have a standing shower, a good salt scrub with essential oils is perfect. New moons represent beginnings, so a helpful ritual could include journaling your intent for the phase you are entering. I enjoy planners and writing. I found a magic planner that has important astrological dates, moon cycles, and journal prompts. You can find it here: Magic of I. Planner. Keeping a planner is so helpful to keep track of the phases you are in, as well as which symptoms occur. I know journaling may seem silly to some people, but it encourages the practice of being present in your body. Being present in your body allows you to listen to your body’s natural cues, which I feel is so important in the quest for healing.
In the Full Moon Phase, which should be days 15-28, consume 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds daily, and indulge in activities that make you feel good. Do you like to dance? Do it! Read a good book, create art, or clear out your space. Some easy Full Moon rituals include lighting a candle, writing what you are grateful for, or going outside at night and basking under the light of the moon.
For my entire life, I ignored my cycle because directing my focus on my body, spiraled into body dysmorphia, which resulted in staring in the mirror and crying for hours, and reminded me that I have always known that I was born in the wrong gender. When doctors and friends suggested that I should track my cycle, I would get genuinely offended. Regardless, I am at the point in this pattern of daily intense pain that I wanted to try almost anything. However, I do realize this is a place of privilege, as not everyone is able to transcend their own personal triggers with gender and PCOS. All of this is to say that if you struggle the same way I do with body and gender, I feel it is more effective for mental health purposes if you take the focus off of your cycle, and center your attention on the moon’s cycle. Bonus points for connecting with ancestral magic and moon magic, as this is something I am constantly learning about and heavily interested in. However, of course it is not something you have to honor at all, if it is not something you’re attracted to!
Final Thoughts
For me, seed-cycling was the biggest stepping stone on my path to healing. When I began tracking my cycle, it suddenly started aligning with the moon’s cycle. In this way, it became easier to listen to my body’s language, and tune into its “seasons”. I started to notice that my cycle slightly veered from the moon’s when I neglected self-care. It was an innate cue that my body was telling me to focus on myself again. If small daily rituals are your thing, I would consider giving it a try! However you intend to track your cycle, I encourage it.
Please consider subscribing to my newsletter, by entering in your email below. I only send out emails when I publish a new blog post, or I make significant changes to the website.
Alternatively, you can subscribe to my Substack, if you have one. Click here. The SubStack is a subscription-based extension to the Holographic Phytomancy blog website.
My luminous offerings include:
Herbal Monographs, revealing their chemical constituents and planetary rulership, enriched by my personal experiences with these mystical herbs.
Musings on Medical Astrology, unveiling the celestial secrets behind your well-being.
Unveiling the lost language between plant and human: Phytonutrients.
The Zodiacal Color Wheel, illuminating the magical hues that connect us to the cosmos.
Dive into the world of Flower Essences, and learn to harness their transformative powers.
Explore the realms of Hypnagogic and lucid dream experiences, as we venture into the realm of the subconscious.
Messages from meditation, dreams, and encounters with my personal deities, offering profound insights.
Herbal, Healing Food, and Self-care ideas tailored for Creatives, Artists, and Magicians, fostering your creative and spiritual gifts.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I lost all of my jobs, and had to completely restart my life. Things are so much better than three years ago, because I decided to go to school to pursue a very old dream and passion of mine: becoming a Holistic Practitioner and merging Science with Spirituality. I am still in school, and have two years left until I reach my certification. There are diploma courses afterwards that I would like to take to ensure I get the most out of my education. I am still, however, unemployed. I’d like to ask, if you got something out of this post, and you are financially in a place to donate, please do. Every bit counts. It takes a lot of energy, time, and resources to research this much into the blog posts I create, and sometimes I have to take independent courses or purchase books to go beyond my studies. With your help, I can optimize my education by obtaining a diploma, and in turn, can continue to share everything I learn on this website. Click the button below to donate to my Ko-Fi.
