Diwali (or Deepavali) is a very significant five day festival in the Vedic tradition. This year, the festivities begin on the November 7th in the USA, and continue until the 12th. The most significant day of the Diwali festivities is on the 11th because of the new Moon.

This five day celebration honors light, Lakshmi, and the divine resources available to us. Lakshmi is the giver of health, vitality, nourishment and wealth. The festival of light spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. Three of the most important days are dedicated to Dhanvantari, Hanuman and of course the new moon being the most important of all, which is solely dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

Diwali is the celebration of light conquering darkness and the increase of positive, life supporting forces in our life. Multiple traditions celebrate Diwali, from Hindu, Jain to Sikh; over 15% of the world's population. During Diwali, Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Rama from his exile- a reflection of good over evil. Legend has it the kingdom was adorned in lights upon his return! Jain's celebrate the moksha of their guru, Mahavira, and his attainment of enlightenment during this time. Sikhs celebrate the sixth Guru who was released from capture and returned to the Golden Temple during Diwali. Plenty of stories to celebrate and honor!

For the USA, Dhanvantari Trayodashi is Sunday, November 8th. This is a day of celebrating the father of Ayurveda, Lord Dhanvantari, physician to the gods and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A day dedicated to health and wholeness, as well as praying for longevity. Health is the biggest form of wealth and we can use this as a powerful reminder for total being, as well as a day to resource inner and outer balance. Seek balance on the inner and outer levels of life today. Eat lightly today and follow Ayurvedic routine and guidelines. Ask Dhanvantari for tools, wisdom and the ability to take action towards health and well being.

Monday, November 9th is Hanuman Puja, a celebration of Lord Hanuman, the much loved and revered monkey god. His strength and devotion to Lord Rama, are honored today. (Some celebrate Kali on this day instead). Devote your efforts today to dharma, creating bold action steps towards actualizing your full potential and pray for the strength of Lord Hanuman. May we each awaken to the compassion, strength and love within us!

Lakshmi pujas continue from the 10th to the 11th at the height of the festivities, finally ending on the 12th. This exuberant festival of lights, is a powerful time of cultivation and celebration. Moon will be reaching towards its darkest, most inward point, in the 15th tithi (Amavasya), on the 11th. At this time we celebrate the light of lights within all of us.

During this time, it is advised to light candles, leave a light on over night, buy new clothes, make offerings to Maha Lakshmi, eat sweets and enjoy the sweetness and abundance of life that she so generously offers us. Wealth, prosperity (material and spiritual), as well as beauty (inner and outer) are aspects of Lakshmi that are to be honored and treasured. She is also the giver of health and vitality- the most important health of all!

In the days to come, let in the light, the abundance that is present in your life- no matter how small or nuanced. Turn on the light switch of your soul and let this be a poignant moment, intentionally driving out the shadows and inviting in more light to your life. Possibility, hope and joy are significant resources. Honor Lakshmi, light a candle at your altar and invoke her spirit of abundance and wealth. Make your altar dedications to her and sing your prayers and desires to her.

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Moon is waning and our energy is slowing down, turning inward and instigating potential. Attend to and surrender to this vital release process stirring within you and the cosmos. There are ample invitations of transformation occurring through letting go and endings right now. Removal and release of relationships and that which no longer serves you in nourishing and supportive ways, must be severed and set free.  Mercury is now transiting Libra with debilitated Sun. Mars and Venus move to Virgo on Monday, Venus's debilitation sign. This creates two debilitations that will influence simultaneously. Relationships will require extra attention in the coming weeks. Challenges and conflicts are likely. What resources can you harvest?

Monday begins with Moon in its own sign of Cancer and transiting from Punarvasu into Pushya nakshatra in the early hours of the morning. Expand and contract, open and close, find balance between your polarities. Seek balance and harmony within and track the breath closely today. How can you land in your heart more intentionally? Bring your focus to your emotional body wisdom, your feelings, and deepen your connection to home, grounding and well being. The wisdom you seek is within. Attend to home and heart matters.

Feelings and creativity further shift as Venus moves out of the passionate and empowered Leo and into Virgo on November 2nd at 17:39 PST. As Venus lands in its debilitation sign, Virgo, joining shadow planet Rahu here, it's a time to be diligent with relationships, feelings, creativity and finances. Two planets  are now debilitated simultaneously in the weeks to come- our light source, Sun, and the life force energy within, Venus. This is not a time to push the physical body. Take care of your health diligently. This Venus cycle will proved challenging to all things Venus, in that you may miss or neglect resources for support due to Rahu's clouded vision. Simultaneously there will be opportunities to strip away the veils of illusion that are holding you back from fully being nourished by our connections, creative powers, finances, relationships and commodities. Challenge is always an opportunity for deepening change and transformation- so if you notice issues and obstacles, look beneath the surface. Look beneath your mundane existence and take note of the old stories and paradigms running you on auto pilot. How are these stories influencing how you connect as well as who and what you connect to?

The lack of clarity and certainty in this Venus cycle is prevalent, yet we can choose how to respond to the calamities, discord and discomfort. Do you further separate and disconnect yourself, or do you lean in, find ways to deepen connection and get your deeper needs met? It will be necessary to strive for balance- inner and outer. One of the ways this can be supported is through stringent self care and taking care of your needs on the four levels of your being- mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. The conjunction of debilitated Venus and shadow node Rahu can increase the use of intoxicants and "feel good" remedies that mask your ability to deeply feel. Old patterns with drugs, alcohol, sugar, food etc. can be activated at this time so be mindful of what the underlying needs are. These addictive patterns are a cry for deeper nourishment on some level of your being. How can you get your needs met in healthy, balanced and nourishing ways? What support do you need for your process? Ask for guidance, support and assistance. Deepen your relationship with self and others. There is an opportunity for deep healing in this cycle if we choose to step towards this as Virgo correlates to the sixth house of healing and healer.

On the heels of Venus's shift into Virgo, Mars moves to this earthy, focused, mental body sign as well. Both Venus and Mars are tightly conjunct, tracking each other closely as they both move from Leo into Virgo. Mars follow Venus into Virgo minutes after it moves at 17:59 PST. Both remain fragile the days following and continue in close proximity through the duration of this cycle. This conjunction, in addition to Rahu's influence, provides a heated and potentially challenging combination. Conflicts and fiery emotions may be felt. What is the root of the anger? What is the underlying need? What passions are stirring that need your attention and focus? There is a powerful opportunity in this cycle to address anger, rage and the often toxic cycle of this emotion. If the underlying root cause, or need, can be found and honored, an unraveling can take place. In the unraveling, there is opportunity for healing and transformation to arrive.

Relationships are vulnerable and fragile in this cycle. Think before speaking, more importantly pause, wait, and take time for reflection before responding. It will be too easy to speak words that you may later regret. If you are feeling strong emotions, pause for 24 hours at least before responding. Give yourself time to meditate, contemplate and release the emotions before sharing your thoughts, needs or motives. At the same time, this can be a powerful cycle of healing for those inclined to do the inner work this time period will provoke. Healing with anger, relationships, power and authority figures are possible. Let your stomach guide you and invite in opportunities for healing your relationships with inner power and emotions, while helping you integrate and digest the messages arriving. Relationship challenges are opportunities for mirroring what we need and also reminding you what needs to shift within you. As Eckhart Tolle says, "Relationships do not cause pain & unhappiness. They bring out the pain & unhappiness that is already in you."

As challenges arrive, identify parts of yourself that need to grieve and release. Past hurts, pains, disappointments, sorrows and heavy emotions are all places within you that didn't get the necessary love that was needed. By attending to these parts of your being now, you can help to move, shift, heal and transform the old pain, bring it to the light and allow this part of yourself to be well fed now. Let yourself grieve and peel back the layers of pain that are asking for your attention. Your are being offered powerful opportunities for releasing the sadness and losses that are masked by anger, rage, and frustration. Lean in and tend to these parts of yourself with compassion, rather than resistance and avoidance.

Tuesday mid morning, Moon arrives in Ashlesha nakshatra, Sarpas domain. The mind and body are fragile today and can be easily fried. Don't push or force actions and agendas. What stories are ruling you and keeping you away from your light? Let challenges and obstacles be resources for transformation and change. Take time for meditation and contemplation today. Walk in nature and find ways to calm, re-center and refuel your body and mind. Use creative energy as a resource. Venus and Mars are still very sandhi and have newly arrived in Virgo. Relationships require extra awareness and are vulnerable.

Wednesday, late morning, Moon jumps the challenging gap between Cancer (water) into fiery Leo, arriving in the bold Magha nakshatra- Pitr's domain. Father, authority, power and lineage matters present themselves today. There is a certain vulnerability in the coming days as Leo's ruling planet, Sun, is currently debilitated. Notice where you are pushing or forcing. Let your body remind you when to slow down, pause or stop. What are you trying to prove? And to who? What stories have you using "shoulds" and "have to's" as well as "supposed to's" on auto pilot? Father issues arrive as reminders of your lineage programming. How can you re-write the story? Honor and give gratitude to your ancestors and lineage today. Ask for their support.

Late morning on Thursday, Moon joins Jupiter in Purvaphalguni nakshatra. Potent creative energy and Shakti are the gifts of this constellation. Ruling deity, Bhaga, gives enjoyment and pleasures- worldly, sexual and sensual. Ruling planet of this nakshatra is Venus, currently debilitated in Virgo, sandhi, and closely conjunct Mars and Rahu. Saturn also gives his gaze to the Moon, yet another reminder to go slow. Today may give support with pleasurable resources or give challenges with them. It's important to go slow and notice what your needs are very acutely. Relationships may feel taxing or burdensome today, or even under nourishing. Let challenges and resources alike, offer you some insights into your need for comfort, safety and security. Where are you in the dark or letting shadow influence you? Identify excessive wants and what the underlying need truly is.

Just after noon on Friday, Moon shifts to the last nakshatra of Leo and the second half of the Phalguni constellation, Uttaraphalguni. It is another sensitive and fragile day as this nakshatra is ruled by the planet Sun, currently debilitated in Libra. Ruling deity, Aryaman, requests support, stability, commitments and provides resources when we agree to his requests. He is also connected to the ancestors and the support they can provide us. He rules over family life, marriage, love and pleasure- the kind we get from working through challenge, putting in effort and making commitments. Ample creativity and resources are available here, yet may be softened at this time. Frustrations and challenges are a reminder to slow down, pause, listen and surrender wherever possible. Where are you forcing an outcome? Where can you release?

Moon moves to Virgo early evening, joining debilitated Venus, Mars and Rahu here. The coming days could be challenging, so don't plan on doing too much or forcing extra activities. Less is more.

Saturday, Moon transits Virgo with debilitated Venus, Mars and Rahu- all in tight conjunction. The Moon is a magnifier and increases and filters whatever comes into contact with. The soft, gentle and sensitive nature of the Moon may feel frazzled and overwhelmed in the coming days. Today is particularly delicate and extra precautions are necessary for the sensitive Moon children. Moon continues through Uttaraphalguni until the afternoon. Connect and create with others. Find resources through relationships. Network, co-create and let foreign or unusual connections be of help or support. Moon is in tight conjunction with Mars, Rahu and Venus today, while Rahu and debilitated Venus are in exact conjunction. Pause and check in on the four levels of your being- mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Notice when you're forcing or pushing. Slow down and pause. Avoid intoxicants, overstimulation, excesses of all kinds and toxic people. As Moon shifts to Hasta nakshatra, early afternoon, light and insights arrive.

The first day of the five day Diwali festivities begins today. Devotion to Lakshmi, the giver of health, vitality, nourishment and wealth takes place over the course of the coming days. Diwali is the celebration of light conquering darkness and the increase of positive, life supporting forces in our life. Multiple traditions celebrate Diwali, from Hindu, Jain to Sikh; over 15% of the world's population. During Diwali, Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Rama from his exile- a reflection of good over evil. Legend has it the kingdom was adorned in lights upon his return! Jain's celebrate the moksha of their guru, Mahavira, and his attainment of enlightenment during this time. Sikhs celebrate the sixth Guru who was released from capture and returned to the Golden Temple during Diwali. Plenty of stories to celebrate and honor! Light your lamps at dusk and honor Lakshmi and her powerful nourishment in the coming days. The most potent night is on the new Moon, Amavasya, November 11th.

Sunday, Moon continues through Hasta nakshatra, moving away from the tight conjunction with Rahu, Venus and Mars. New insights and awareness may arrive with Savitr's light. What shadows are keeping you from your light source and from shining brightly? It's a powerful time to work diligently on removing the obstructions and hindrances that keep you from your power and purpose. How can you be more deeply nourished and in what ways are you resisting the gifts of life? As evening arrives, Moon shifts to Chitra nakshatra and Vishvakarma arrives with passion and purpose.

This is the second day of Diwali and Dhanvantari, god of Ayurvedic medicine is honored for his gifts of health and well being. Vitality is truly the best gift of wealth!

Monday continues the action-oriented power of Chitra and Vishvakarma. Ruling planet, Mars, may be pushing his agendas with force, anger, agitation and frustrations. Notice where you are holding and not able to surrender. Attend to calculated, steady action steps. Where there is force, there will be frustration or challenge. Go slow and soften your steps today. Attend to physical body and self care attentively. Moon is moving into the final phase of the waning cycle. Turn your gaze inward and attend to your relationship with Self.

Today is the third day in the Diwali celebration and is dedicated to Hanuman, the much loved and revered monkey god. His strength, and devotion to Lord Rama, are honored today. May we each awaken to the compassion, strength and love within us!

Monday arrives with a waning Moon transiting Chitra nakshatra. New Moon is Monday, October 12th at 19:05 CDT while Moon is in Virgo and Chitra Nakshatra. The new Moon arrives on the final day of Pitr Pakshu, a fifteen day celebration that honors the ancestors and increases their presence in our lives. The following day, October 13th, begins the nine day celebration of Navaratri. This is a sacred time of year- a gap between seasons- which is considered a sandhi time. The veil is very thin between realms and we can access our connection to inner wisdom and Nature more easily. The new Moon always encourages a more inward awareness. I encourage you to work with the intention of connecting with spirit and Nature's wisdom at this time, while also inviting in the power of the goddesses- Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

This new Moon is a particularly complex one. As Moon arrives in Virgo, it joins shadow planet Rahu, as well as exalted Mercury and Sun here as well. Powerful depth is available to us, if we choose to navigate our inner terrain consciously. There is opportunity to transform old, mental body stories and bring them to the light for more awareness. A strong yet intimate dance between the mental body and the emotional body surfaces at this time. Wild stories and inner shadows may provoke strong emotional responses. This is a reminder to do personal development work- so that the illusions and imaginal realms can find clarity and more light. Do you stay in the dark or do you transform the darkness into light? The pain, struggles and obstacles are an illusion. Use them for awakening.

Moon in Chitra nakshatra at the time of the new Moon invites in potent action steps and support for forward momentum in the coming cycle. Ruling deity Vishvakarma, is the "celestial architect" who loves to build methodically and count his action steps.

Use the coming weeks, especially the sacred portal of Navaratri (October 13th to 22nd) to clarify your dharmic intentions. Who and what are you aligning with for greater power, support and nourishment?  Cultivate presence with what is working and consciously attend to challenges and obstacles as these are resources in disguise. Ask for support and more connection. Your consistent, methodical action steps will take you far.

Tuesday arrives and Moon moves from Chitra to Swati nakshatra late afternoon. The Navaratri festivities are well under way as we usher in the first full day dedicated to goddess Durga. Ruling Deity of Swati nakshatra, Vayu, the wind god, invites in swift movement and change. Whether it's a gentle breeze or huge gusts, winds of change are ushering in transformation. 

On this first day and night of Navaratri, notice what's arriving. I have noticed that the first three days of Navaratri initiate the changes and transformations we are working with in this release cycle. Often we must confront challenges and obstacles as a result. More nourishment and support is coming, but we can't receive it without this important step. What is arriving? What parts of your personal mythology are showing up as a mirror for you? Let Durga's fierce warrior energy initiate and provoke awareness.

Emotionally, we may feel anger, pain, frustration or sadness emerge in the coming days. Physically we may need more rest or silence. Mentally we may need more inward reflection as well as time for meditation. Spiritually, we may need time with nature and to attend to rituals that help us land in deeper presence. Understand that this is a part of the change and transformation process. Where can you land into deeper presence with your needs?

As you deepen your intention for this Navaratri celebration, find meaningful rituals for yourself that bring you closer to spirit. Listening to Durga mantras right now is excellent for inviting in her presence. Traditionally, listening to Chandi Path recitations is also encouraged.

Moon continues to transit Swati nakshatra on Wednesday until evening when it arrives in Vishaka nakshatra. It is the second day of Navaratri and the second day dedicated to Ma Durga. Recite Durga mantras and listen to Chandi Path recitations for extra support. Today, use connection as a way to transform. Dual gods, Indra and Agni rule over Vishaka and instigate the need for partnership and co-creation. Agni, the ultimate transformational element provides the spark for change. What are you burning and releasing? Allow the strength of Indra to supply you with the strength you need to use the wisdom.

Thursday continues with Vishaka's requests. Connect and collaborate, co-create and gain resources through networking and reaching out. What extra support do you need right now? It is the third day of Navaratri and the final of three dedicated to Ma Durga. Continue to use Durga mantras and Chandi Path recitations for extra support with transformation and change. As afternoon arrives, Moon moves into its debilitation sign, Scorpio, joining Saturn here. Notice depression, the need for silence and any grief emerging. Don't push, go slow and allow extra time for activities. Mars gives his drishti as does Ketu. Anger, agitation, frustrations and emotional outbursts may be arriving. How can you attend to your emotional body needs for expression, movement and release? As Moon shifts to Anuradha nakshatra late in the evening, find ways to get extra physical support. Rest, restore and honor your physical body's needs. Listen carefully for messages.

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Friday carries through themes of a debilitated, aggravated Moon as well as Anuradha's nature. Today is the fourth day of Navaratri and the first of three dedicated to Maha Lakshmi. Recite Lakshmi mantras and listen to Chandi Path recitations for extra support. Let nourishment be a theme for you in the coming days. How can you allow in more nourishment and support for yourself on the four levels of your being- mental, emotional, physical and spiritual?  Allow friends to be a resource of support and reach out to those who can walk with you, but not force their agendas upon you. What does support feel like in your body? What body part is a resource for you to befriend right now as a way to deepen your own inner support and stability? Just before midnight Moon shifts to Jyeshtha nakshatra, Indra's domain.
Sun is at the very edge of Virgo, preparing to move into its debilitation sign, Sun. Be gentle with body and spirit right now. Go slow and listen carefully.

Saturday is the fifth day of Navaratri and the second of three dedicated to Maha Lakshmi. Themes of nourishment, health, vitality and wellness intensify. The waxing Moon transits Indra's nakshatra, Jyeshtha, today. The mental body is activated and enlivened. Mercury, the symbol of our mental body, is currently exalted, conjunct Sun and Rahu. It's an ideal time to be working with shadow and light and the old programming in the mind- that which keeps us from being in the light. Make self development work and self care a strong priority today. Move towards the nourishment. Use Lakshmi mantras and Chandi Path recitations for increasing Lakshmi's abundant support and vitality.

Sun shifts to Libra, its debilitation sign, at 11:23 and will be here until November 16th. Our light source will be dimmed and vulnerable in this cycle. It is not a time to push or force actions, outcomes or agendas. Notice where you are forcing, self isolating or staying in the dark. For the majority of the signs, it is a rest cycle and must be treated as such. It's a time for inward introspection and attending to your inner needs. The physical body will require gentleness, extra support and smaller, quieter attention. We will all need to ask for support and gather extra resources at this time. Notice where there are holes in your self care and what is asking for your attention.

The gift in this fragile transit is more receptivity. Do you take the time to listen and hear its messages or cut and paste over them with business, force or bypassing? The emotional body will also require extra listening and release during this cycle, so let the physical body be a resource for attending to feelings carefully. Spiritual receptivity will be alive and awakened, but only for those who create the space to hear. Inner work will be potent at this time so call upon extra support and use your resources for transformation, healing and change diligently.

Diving within will allow you to increase creativity and life force energy in the coming months. Ingenuity, entrepreneurialism and innovation will be served from meditation, retreats and alone time. The body can get drained and experience burn out more easily at this time. Less is more- on all levels. Go slow and attend to the wisdom moving through you. Work with shadow issues and inner darkness. Honor your steps.

Sunday arrives with Moon jumping into Sagittarius. This is a delicate gandanta between water (Scorpio) and fire (Sagittarius). As Moon lands in this Jupiter ruled sign, it arrives in Mula nakshatra. This is a challenging constellation, one that amplifies chaos and calamity. Its ruler, Nirrti, is a dark goddess that pulls one off the path of truth, dharma and purpose. She does it by stripping you of trust and stability, leaving you raw and fragile. Simultaneously there is a lot of spiritual potential in this star. From challenge and obstacles, come great strength, vision and purpose. How do you use your misfortune? Where are the gifts? Are you available to receive? Find your gratitude and walk with it closely today. Notice where you're addicted to your own darkness. It's the sixth day of Navaratri and the final day dedicated to Lakshmi. Use Lakshmi mantras and Chandi Path recitations for increasing nourishment and support. Make self care a priority to increase her health giving potency.

During the early hours of Monday morning, Moon shifts to PurvaAshada nakshatra. The water goddess, Apas, arrives to re-fill our cup. Invite in receiving of abundance, creativity, receptivity and emotional body wisdom. As the Navaratri celebrations continue to unfold, deepen you attention and intention during this sacred time. What are you releasing? What are you inviting in? What is arriving? Monday begins the first of three days dedicated to Maha Saraswati. Her wisdom, creative potency and nourishment through spiritual resources can be a powerful guide right now. Use Saraswati mantras to connect with her gifts as well as Chandi Path recitations for support with transformation.



* Timing used is Pacific Daylight Time.