🌿 Women: Taking Ayahuasca during your Moon (Menstruation)

One of the most discussed and sometimes misunderstood topics in Ayahuasca (Yagé) traditions is how to approach women participating in ceremony during their moon. Different lineages hold very different views on this, and at Ocóyái we want to honor tradition while also respecting each woman’s sovereignty.

Different Perspectives Across Traditions

• Traditions that restrict participation
  Many Indigenous lineages in the Amazon—including the Shipibo in Peru and the Cofán in Colombia—traditionally ask women not to drink medicine while on their moon. The reason is not rooted in shame, but in spiritual protection. The moon time is considered powerful, and mixing those energies with the medicine can be seen as disruptive or dangerous for the woman herself or for others in the circle.

• Traditions that allow participation
  Some lineages, particularly in Colombia and Brazil, may allow women to drink on their moon with certain restrictions or additional guidance. Often, these lineages frame menstruation as a sacred cleansing process that can align with the medicine’s work if held with care.

• Shared principles
  Across traditions, there is a common thread: menstruation is a time of heightened sensitivity and spiritual power. It is treated with reverence, and decisions around participation are never casual.

Our Approach at Ocóyái

We believe it is up to each woman to decide for herself whether to participate in ceremony during her moon. Some may choose to drink, others may choose to honor their moon time separately. Either choice is valid and supported.

To make this decision with confidence, every woman will have an initial call with one of our female facilitators before the retreat. During this call, we explore:

• What different traditions say about women on the moon.

• How you personally feel about it.

• What options are available if your moon arrives during your stay.

If You Choose to Participate During Your Moon

For those who decide to drink medicine while on their moon, we offer special preparations to honor and protect your process:

• Plant baths before ceremony for cleansing and grounding.

• A separate space within the Maloka so you can focus on your journey while also protecting the energy of the group.

• Ongoing support from our women facilitators to make sure you feel safe, clear, and cared for.

Final Thought

Every woman’s path with Ayahuasca is unique. By creating space for informed choice and by honoring the wisdom of both tradition and personal sovereignty, we aim to ensure that every woman feels supported, respected, and empowered in her healing journey.

Explore this topic further

If this resonated, you can continue exploring this theme here:
→ www.ocoyai.com/eight-gaps

These ideas sit inside a broader orientation to healing — one that values stability, community, and long-term change over peak experiences.

If you’re new to Ocóyái, the best place to understand that orientation is the Start Here page:
→ www.ocoyai.com/start-here