FAQs
What is a Volvelle?
1
Glad you asked…it is one of our favorite things to explain. A Volvelle is an ancient rotating paper instrument that has been around since the medieval period. Astronomers used them to chart the stars. Physicians used them to understand the body. Mathematicians used them to calculate the tides.
Sister Moon took that same idea and made one for the most important cycle in a woman's life, the Infradian Rhythm. You hold it in your hands, turn the inner discs to your cycle, and use it to navigate each phase of your Infradian Rhythm alongside the moon. Think of it as a compass for your body. On paper. It is like the original computing system, but no Wi-Fi required. It is a physical, analogue tool that develops a certain patina over time.
What is the Infradian Rhythm?
2
Your infradian rhythm is your monthly hormonal cycle. It is the biological clock that governs your body across approximately 28 days, including changes in energy, mood, metabolism, creativity, libido, and immune function. Unlike the 24-hour circadian rhythm most people have heard of, the infradian rhythm has four distinct phases: Follicular, Ovulation, Luteal, and Menstrual. Each phase comes with its own hormonal profile and its own strengths. Most wellness advice, including fitness, nutrition, and productivity research, was developed using male subjects whose hormones reset every 24 hours. The infradian rhythm is why that advice often does not quite fit. Understanding yours is one of the most practical things you can do for your health.
Why do I need something to tell me how I feel?
3
This analog tool does not tell you how to feel. It helps you understand the context of your cycles through the waxing and waning energy each month. Most of us were never taught to read the signals our body sends throughout the month. So we spend a lot of energy being confused, frustrated, or hard on ourselves for “feeling off”. The Volvelle is not an authority, but rather a translator and tool to recognize patterns and rhythms. Think of it less as being told what to do and more as finally getting the footnotes to a book you have been reading your whole life.
How do I use the Infradian Rhythm Volvelle?
4
There are nine steps printed right on the Volvelle itself, so you never have to remember them. But here is the simple version. You set the dates at the start and end of your bleed as well as Full and New Moon phases across the month. From there, the tool shows you how to estimate your next cycle phases: Follicular, Ovulation, and Luteal.
Then you simply use the guidance printed on the inside panels for each phase: movement, food, mood, energy levels, and self-care suggestions to orient your week. That is it. You check in with it the way you might glance at a calendar. Briefly, intentionally, and with a little more grace for wherever you are.
You can still use the Volvelle. Irregular cycles are actually one of the best reasons to start tracking, because patterns that feel random often become more readable over time when you are paying close attention. The Volvelle works by helping you identify where you are based on physical signs and symptoms, not just date counting. The inside panel lists the physical clues for each phase including energy shifts, cervical mucus changes, mood patterns, and body temperature signals. So even if your cycle does not follow a textbook 28-day schedule, the Volvelle gives you a way to orient yourself based on what your body is actually doing right now. As always, if you are experiencing significant irregularity, it is worth talking to a healthcare provider. The Volvelle is a wellness tool, not a medical device.
Honestly? It works as well as you work it. The Volvelle is a tool, not a magic fix. But here is what we know: women who pay attention to their cycle consistently report better energy, clearer decision making, and a lot less self-judgment. Because when you understand that your capacity genuinely shifts throughout the month, you stop expecting the same performance from yourself every single day. That alone is worth quite a bit. The Volvelle gives you a beautiful, tactile way to build that awareness into your daily life and meaningful routines. The rest is up to you.