One thing to remember about periods is than in most traditional societies they were not a monthly experience for most women. Pregnancy and prolonged breastfeeding meant that fertile, sexually active women would not be in the menstrual hut for 5 days out of every month. OTH menstruation and childbirth were both seen as times of uncontrolled female energy that men should stay away from. I remember reading a monograph about a SouthWest US desert tribe. A woman interviewed told the anthropologist that men were careful not to offend wives because a woman could drain the power from their hunting weapons by stepping across them while on her period. Every indigenous culture had its own beliefs, practices and taboos about the subject. As for the effects on magic, well women's magic wasn't written magic for most of history, so that research remains to be done.
As for the ick factor, there is a fantasy novel I saw--Perilous Times -- in which a women's resistance group is hiding their activities behind distribution of menstrual supplies in refugee camps.
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branchandroot
Menstrual cycles
Date: 2025-03-04 02:00 am (UTC)As for the ick factor, there is a fantasy novel I saw--Perilous Times -- in which a women's resistance group is hiding their activities behind distribution of menstrual supplies in refugee camps.
Rita