User:Arrshley/Metaformia Draft

Metaformia
Metaformia, sometimes called metaformic theory, or metaformic consciousness, is a theory of origins to which menstruation is central. This ideology is outlined by Judy Grahn, in her book Blood, Bread, and Roses: How Menstruation Created the World. In her own words, metaformia is the theory that "all metaphor, all measurement, and all cultural forms, could they be traced far back enough, would lead us to menstruation and menstrual rite.". It is an interdisciplinary theory, which relies mostly on anthropology; myths and folk stories as well as religious practices. But especially important to its underpinnings are menstrual rites performed by various cultures all around the world.

Grahn calls forms born from powerful metaphors or ideas and originating in menstruation, metaforms. Metaforms are physical, as well as mental, holding the idea behind the form. She states that women, from ancient times onward, realized that menstruation was synchronized to the lunar cycle, a unit of measurement and metaform in and of itself, and menstrual rituals were developed, often involving periods of seclusion. Therefore a metaform might be, for example, a pot, symbolizing the womb. Red rice, symbolizing menstrual blood, and boiled in the pot in the context of menstrual ritual then, takes on a deeper meaning than the resulting rice porridge. These elements are important in the creation of culture and present still in modern day forms.

There are several benefits to the new way of thinking known as metaformia. For one, it is story of origins that is feminine. Deborah J. Grenn has even developed a metaformic theaology as an extension. Her spiritual beliefs, centered in the existence of a Divine Feminine, are strengthened by metaformic theory, which has allowed her to think about and identify with her belief structure in everyday life and in a whole new way. According to Grenn, metaformic consciousness could lead to a "major paradigm shift", for two reasons. First men may understand female rites of passage better, leading them to understand and value women more. And second, women themselves, may learn to to view the world and themselves in an entirely different, more positive light. Menstruation, for example, could be celebrated with positive, self esteem reinforcing menarche rituals, empowering young girls to see their own self worth.

This re-valuing of menstruation in different terms is not a new one. Anthropology has long studied "the menstruation taboo" and concluded that menstrual ritual across culture was the result of menstrual blood viewed as defiling or polluting. However powerful symbols are often dualistic in nature. In fact, taboo, derived from the Polynesian word, tapu, does not stress positive or negative value. It may mean sacred as well as defiled. Therefore, one might propose just as easily that menstrual ritual, including periods of seclusion, was the result of menstruation seen as powerful and/or holy.

Metaformia has inspired a number of writers and intellectuals to envision their world. From metaformic theaology, to childbirth, to Queer Theory , and even to economics