PMS

last night or two nights ago, i really can't recall, there happened to be a lunar eclipse.

the moon is a heavenly body which is most usually associated with women. this is because, like a woman, the moon goes through several phases/cycles, such as new moon, quarter moon, half moon, full moon. what is most disconcerting about this connection is the fact that, when the moon turns full, it is said that women goes/experiences a sort of temporary "lunacy." i really don't know if this is empirical science or just folk lore. but nick joaquin's summer solstice is a good exemplification of this notion.

so, why am i even broaching on the subject with such sexist overtones? well, just a night or two ago, my boyfriend happened to note how my moods are affected by PMS, with an insinuation of course at how the lunar eclipse might have also played a role on my ever-changing moods. i lament the fact that only women have menstrual periods. but hey, i guess that is what sets women apart from men. in several primitive societies, when the women have their periods, they are being quarantined because the menstrual cycle is believed to be a disease. much to the dismay of the men, the women end up enjoying the experience because they get to chat with each other and they also get to plot how to make their men do their bid come the time for the society to meet. how about that for women empowerment?

anyway, i have really no wish to wage a battle of the sexes. after all, such a battle is only futile. what is of more import is the recognition of the fact that, each gender has its own idisyncracies. what i would readily fight for is the identity of women and not equality with men. this is because, it would be pointless to clamor for equality.

going back to the topic of PMS, i think that at the start of my cycle, my mood has changed to normal. after all, PMS stands for pre-menstrual syndrome syndrome. the prefix "pre" being the operative word.