The lifelong cycle is a reflection of the threefold nature of the moon's phases of new, full, and dark. Ancient peoples personified these three phases as the Triple Moon Goddess. The embodiment of this Goddess is found in the Virgin, the Mother, and the Crone. These phases of a woman's life are marked by, what the ancients called, the three blood mysteries, which include menarche, the triad of pregnancy, birth, and nursing, and menopause.

The nature of the waxing new moon is personified in the Virgin. This moon phase mirrors the growth of a girl and culminates in the first menstruation or menarche. Menarche symbolizes the innocence and hope of a girl making the transition from childhood into the secrets of womanhood. She has come of age to be sexually active and her psychic energy can be activated and developed. The waxing moon grows toward fullness and, likewise, the Virgin matures into a full-bodied sexually mature woman.

The full moon corresponds to the next phase of a woman's life, the Mother. The functions of her body, as well as her emotions, become geared toward the cycle of pregnancy, birth, and nursing. More modern women may enter into this full moon phase without giving birth to a child. They may instead choose to redirect their energies toward creative pursuits, a career, a committed relationship, or co-parenting a partner's child. In such cases, the woman dedicates herself to nourishing and sustaining her "creative" children.

The nature of the waning moon is personified in the Crone. This phase of a woman's life is marked by menopause. Ancient peoples believed that, after menopause, a woman retains her "wise blood" and reaches her peak as a source of wisdom. While this phase is generally marked by menopause, it also can occur earlier, when a woman begins to benefit from the store of wisdom that she has developed from her life experiences.

The threefold rhythm of a woman's life is also mirrored in the three progressed moon cycles of a woman's life span. Each of these cycles lasts 27 years. The halfway point of each cycle, when the progressed moon is opposite the position of the natal moon, is a key point in the timing of the fertility cycle and its corresponding emotions.

The halfway point of the first progressed moon cycle occurs at 13 years, which is the average age of menarche. At this time, a girl experiences her body becoming that of a woman, and she feels the stirrings of sexual awakening. The age of 27 corresponds to the mother stage of a woman's life span. If she has not already had children, she experiences the "ticking" of her "biological clock" and must decide whether to have them.

The second progressed cycle begins after 27 years, and the halfway point of this progressed cycle occurs at 41 years. For most women, the choice of whether to bear children is now closed to them. Emotionally, a woman who regrets her choice not to have children may need to go through a grieving process.

From the halfway point until the next progressed cycle that begins at 54 years, a woman generally culminates her role as a mother and comes into her fullest power in her creativity, career, and community. She also encounters the first changes in her body that will move her into the third and final phase of her life, menopause. As women confront these bodily changes, they tend to be rejected by society. Nevertheless, this can be the best time of life for women.

Margaret Mead is reported to have said that "the greatest creative force in the world is a menopausal woman with zest." We're not getting older, we're getting better!