Diwali (or Deepavali) is a very significant five day festival in the Vedic tradition.The most significant day of the Diwali festivities is on 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!

Dhanvantari kicks off the celebrations. 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.

Hanuman Puja comes next- the 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 throughout  the festivities. 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). 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.

The October New Moon occurs at 11:38 MDT on Sunday, the 30th, Coinciding with Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Moon is transiting Libra and Swati nakshatra at this time. This constellation is ruled by Vayu, the wind god, who brings powerful forces of change and movement with him. He is cosmic breath, prana, supporting all the internal Vayus. He is your breath of life, the breath of the gods, the breath of Nature. The immense strength of the Rudras comes from Vayu. Hanuman is a Rudra, who proved his extreme powers when he leaped to Lanka, saving Sita and upholding dharma. This right action was an act of devotion towards Lord Rama.

This new Moon sparks an immense change process, spearheaded by Vayu himself. Deep uprooting takes place in this waxing cycle. Expect transformation and release to intensify in the coming days. The changes coming will be swift, sudden and unexpected. This process is dharmic, but uncertain, spiritual, yet may be confusing and uncomfortable. Release is occurring, which supports opening to new space, potential and possibility. Attending to the letting go process with intention is vital. How do you want to attend to the new, sacred space within you? What are you inviting in? Let it be conscious.

At the time of the new Moon, Mars is on the horizon at the very edge of Sagittarius. The doorway is open between fire and earth, as Mars prepares to shift into its sign of exaltation. The cycle to come jump starts some courageous leaps. What are you leaping towards? What are you leaping away from? Gather momentum, take action, create and co-create. Above all, clear and release stagnation and that which doesn't honor your basic needs for nourishment and support. This includes relationships, behaviors, limiting beliefs, grief and emotions, You will need to dig very, very deeply to find the pearls, but it will be well worth your efforts.

Saturn and Venus are also in exact conjunction at the time of the new Moon, as they transit through Scorpio right now. Pain, darkness and grief may rise to the surface. Be gentle with relationships and ask for extra support in the coming days. You'll need it, but may resist it simultaneously. The need for structure and flow becomes self evident. This influences your relationships greatly. Attend to dark matter that is rising to the surface right now. Your hidden grief is requesting you look closely right now. Keep it moving. This is a time of deep integration and increasing inner/outer harmony with shadow and light, as well as all polarities. Attend to the integration process diligently. 

The first night of Deepavali, or Diwali, begins October 26th. This is a five day celebration of Maha Lakshmi, honoring her divine abundance. Goddess Lakshmi blesses us with wealth on all levels of life- through health, vitality and wellness, as well as monetary abundance, resources and riches. She supports the flow of love to the heart and brings harmony, balance and integration to the entire body. The most significant day of Diwali is on the new Moon day, Amavasya. Honor and celebrate Maha Lakshmi on the 30th with sweets, new clothing, chanting, and many lights! Light your lights! Traditionally we leave candles lit or lamps in your home turned on all through the night. This will beckon more light to greet you in the coming months and signals Lakshmi to visit you! Open the doors of your heart and allow the nourishment of beloved Lakshmi to wash you with her generosity and gifts.

Use this two part process to clear, release and transform old, stagnant mental and emotional body energies into space, opening and possibility. Start with the Tapping Meditation to clear big emotions and then move into the Creative Ritual in order to deepen your creation process and manifest more love, gratitude and nourishment into your life. Share your comments, questions and experiences below!

Step 1

Use this podcast as you tap through these points:

Karate chop point (side of the hand).
Crown of the head.
Eyebrow point (above the eye).
Side of the eye.
Under the eye.
Under the nose.
Chin point (crease of the chin).
Throat point (collar bone/throat chakra).
Heart point (center of chest).
Stomach point (above the navel).
Side body (nipple line at side of chest).

Tap six to ten times on each point and just keep cycling through the points. Repeat the phrases I use aloud. Notice any thoughts, stories, memories or emotions that emerge as you tap. These are important pieces to return to, do more tapping on, as a way to clear blockages. As always, if the words I use don't work for you, change them to support your process more fully.

Part 2

1) Using craypas, paints or pencils, create an image of what you are moving towards in order to create more nourishment and pleasure in your life. What does nourishment within you feel like? How does it arrive? Create an image that expresses this feeling using colors, textures and shapes. Allow 10- 20 minutes at minimum for image. Title your image.

2) Use your image to inspire a movement exploration. Let your body move in response to your nourishment and pleasure image with an intention of creating more inner awareness. What sensations emerge for you during your dance? What messages? Allow 5 to 10 minutes for this movement exploration. I encourage you to extend this time frame as you recycle this process.

3) Harvesting. In your journal answer these questions:
I am, I want, I need, I sense, I feel, I imagine.

What deeply nourishes me and brings me pleasure?
What no longer nourishes me or honors my need for pleasure?
Where do I feel support in my life? Where do I need more support?
What am I opening to? What am I closing to?

It is a new Moon week, which deepens feelings and the inward gaze. Diwali also begins this week, which honors and celebrates the abundance of Lakshmi, her wealth and vitality. As the week begins, Moon leaps through a challenging gandanta (gap) which triggers a powerful week ahead. Watch ego, father and masculine issues as well as your power in the coming days. Debilitated Sun and Mercury are in a fierce conjunction the entire week. The mind is focused and critical at times. Simultaneously, Venus and Saturn are also in tight conjunction this week. Pain, darkness and grief may rise to the surface. Be gentle with relationships and ask for extra support in the coming days. You'll need it, but may resist it simultaneously.


Monday, October 24th
Moon in 10th tithi
Dashami

Late morning, Moon leaps through the tricky gandanta (gap) between Cancer and Leo. The Moon will feel as though it's jumping from water to fire. Once in Leo, Moon enters Magha nakshatra, which connects to the ancestors- specifically the father's lineage. There's a certain magnanimous flavor to this star. It's bold, powerful and showy. As Moon arrives in Leo, it joins Rahu here as well. Tomorrow, it will move to the inside of Rahu, re-starting the Kala Sarpa yoga effects taking place on and off until January. Today, allow a final release to take place. Get clear on needs, action steps and choices. Commit and land within your power place. Allow your heart and feelings to guide you. There's a certain stripping away of the ego taking place. Shred and let go of what is not serving you. Unmask yourself.

Tuesday, October 25th
Moon in 11th tithi
Ekadashi

Magha's powerful influence of change continues until midday. Attend to ancestral support and honor the wisdom of Spirit arriving. Once Moon shifts to Purvaphalguni, Bhaga lends his abundance, comfort and support through resources and relationships. He is famous for offering sensuality and sexuality, as well as the pleasures of life. Right now, these needs will require you dive deeply into your unconscious terrain and clean up resistance, shadow and hidden grief. Make more space for the pleasures of life by clearing out your inner realms. This is a time of deep release, albeit painful at times. What are you inviting in? What is sacred enough to be in your life?

As Moon moves into Bhaga's nakshatra, he will be in exact conjunction with Rahu. Once Moon shifts to the inside of the serpent's head early evening, a two week period of Kala Sarpa yoga begins once again. Since Moon and the other planets are moving towards Ketu, I'm considering this an Kala Amrita yoga. Deep liberation is available right now, but only if you allow the process to fully take place. Gather resource, support and guidance for deep awakening. Let go, let god. Debilitated Sun and Mercury are also in exact conjunction at this time. Mind is sharp, yet very inward and introspective. Meditation is a good use of your time.

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Wednesday, October 26th
Moon in 12th tithi
Dvadashi

Moon continues through Purvaphalguni the majority of the day. Bhaga is one of the 12 Adityas, which means his purpose is to bring resources and support- especially through wealth and happiness. He connects to the 9th house, which brings luck, resources and fortune through dharma and right action. Spend time working on relationships today. Resources will come when you attend consciously to how you relate to others. Everyone is a mirror of yourself. Notice who walks in.

Late afternoon, Moon shifts to the latter half of the Phalguni constellation and Aryaman brings another level of support and resources. As an Aditya, his assistance comes through sustenance, health and physical strength. He also supports lasting unions and upholding lineage through marriage and children. Sun rules this constellation and is currently debilitated in Libra. Be gentle and kind to others right now. Relationships are fragile and require extra attention. Sun and Mercury continue in exact conjunction today. Mind is sharp and over heated. Stay calm, cool and relaxed as much as possible. Don't push too hard. Late evening, Moon arrives in Virgo, Joining Jupiter here. Soften and expand.

The first night of Deepavali, or Diwali, begins tonight. This is a five day celebration of Maha Lakshmi, honoring her divine abundance. Goddess Lakshmi blesses us with wealth on all levels of life- through health, vitality and wellness, as well as monetary abundance and riches. She supports the flow of love to the heart and brings harmony, balance and integration to the entire body. The most significant day of Diwali is on the new Moon. More details below.

Thursday, October 27th
Moon in 13th tithi
Trayodashi

Moon moves through Virgo today with Jupiter, the guru. Emotions need grounding and extra resources. Watch for an overactive critic. Gather guidance, resources and support in the coming days. Uttaraphalguni rules the majority of the day, offering wealth and abundance. His blessings can come in many forms, but often through lasting relationships, love and harmony. Relationships are delicate right now though and they require your attention and focus. With Sun currently debilitated and in exact conjunction with Mercury, there may be an extra critical glare mirrored to others, and yourself. Even still, gather your fruits and honor your rich harvest. Gratitude is the nectar of the heart and will feed you for life times. Late afternoon, Moon moves to Hasta nakshatra and Savitr brings light and awakening. Recite Gayatri Mantra for extra support. Saturn and Venus move into tight conjunction today. They will be tracking each other closely in Scorpio over the coming days. Relationships may feel more challenging as a result as hidden grief rises to the surface of your awareness. Attend to feelings and emotions diligently.

Friday, October 28th
Moon in 14th tithi
Chaturdashi

Hasta nakshatra is the main constellation of the day. providing awareness and insight, awakening and light. Magic from the hands is activated. Share it! Savitr is the ruling deity. He brings light and life, just as the light of the day awakens new possibility and potential. Bring in the light and invoke your desires, intentions and right action through dharma. Early evening, Moon arrives in Chitra, sparking Vishvakarma's action oriented approach to creativity. Vishvakarma is a master planner and builder who built the entire zodiac. There is ample creative potential available through this constellation. Use it!

Saturday, October 29th
Moon in 15th tithi
Amavasya

Moon moves to Libra late morning, joining debilitated Sun and Mercury here. Ketu gives his gaze, insuring sudden changes- especially emotionally. Sun and Mercury are still only a degree a part. The mental and physical bodies are in a battle of strength. The only way to arrive in the now is through the body. Get embodied and keep the mind in check. Creativity continues today under the gaze of Vishvakarma. Put your ideas into action and start building! Take a leap, take a step, move forward. Create, plan, set intentions and awaken through your creative powers. All the arts are supported by this constellation, especially those that utilize the hands. Masterful handy work and visual mediums come to life under this star. Late evening, Moon arrives in Vayu's constellation, Swati. Air, prana and wind are stirred. Take a deep breath. Mars moves to the very edge of Sagittarius. Big, bold leaps are on their way!

Sunday, October 30th
Moon in 15th tithi and 1st tithi
Amavasya to Pratipad

Saturn and Venus are in exact conjunction today. The need for structure and flow becomes self evident. This influences your relationships greatly. Attend to dark matter that is rising to the surface right now. Your hidden grief is requesting you look closely right now. Keep it moving.

The October New Moon occurs at 11:38 MDT on Sunday, the 30th, Coinciding with Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Moon is transiting Libra and Swati nakshatra at this time. This constellation is ruled by Vayu, the wind god, who brings powerful forces of change and movement with him. He is cosmic breath, prana, supporting all the internal Vayus. He is your breath of life, the breath of the gods, the breath of Nature. The immense strength of the Rudras comes from Vayu. Hanuman is a Rudra, who proved his extreme powers when he leaped to Lanka, saving Sita and upholding dharma. This right action was an act of devotion towards Lord Rama. This new Moon sparks an immense change process, spearheaded by Vayu himself.

Read more about the New Moon in Libra

Monday, October 31st
Moon in 2nd tithi
Dvititya

Just as Monday begins, Moon arrives in Vishaka nakshatra, activating the dual god, Indragni. This dual rulership between the king and high priest, represents the necessity for co-creation in order to sustain life. Indra and Agni are separate deities, but when they combine, they increase their individual power. Indra is the king of the gods, while Agni is the transformational energy of fire- king and priest. Each supports the other and makes their roles in life possible. Moon is still seeking balance, integration and harmony today. Support your emotional body with grounding and stabilizing resources.

At 20:35 MDT, Mars moves to his exaltation sign, Capricorn, until December 11th. This begins many fiery days ahead, with potent action oriented expression, as the warrior planet steps into his most powerful sign. There is much movement in the weeks ahead. The intention and driving force is nourishment and attaining the nectar of life. However, this process must be done with balance and attention to integration and harmony. If there is imbalance within physical, mental, emotional or spiritual bodies, challenges, pain and hardship will arrive. Pay close attention to your inner aggression and force. At the same time, notice where you are resisting the nourishment you crave. 

Read more about Mars in Capricorn

Moon continues to wax as the sacred nine day celebration of Navaratri continues to unfold. The week begins with the last day of three dedicated to Ma Durga. Cutting, clearing and transformation abound! What are you releasing and letting go of? Work actively this week to change and release that which is not serving you on the psycho/emotional levels of your being. The coming days offer support from exalted Mercury. This is a short window of time to accomplish tasks, clarify needs and take potent action steps. Make hay while the Sun shines (literally- Sun will be debilitated later this month, becoming dim and inward).

As you enter the sacred gap of time that is the 10 day Navaratri celebration, notice what's arriving. I have experienced that the first three days of Navaratri initiate the changes and transformations you are working with in this release cycle. Often you must confront challenges and obstacles as a result. More nourishment and support is coming, but you 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? How can you clear more space within? Let Durga's fierce warrior energy initiate and provoke awareness.

Read more about the power of Navaratri

Monday, October 3rd
Moon in 3rd tithi
Tritiya

Swati nakshatra continues to bring powerful changes to feelings and emotions. 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. What are you tracking within your own personal landscape? Use your emotional body as a resource for discerning your needs. What is working? What is not? What resources and support are you missing? Late evening, Moon moves to Vishaka nakshatra. It is the third day of Navaratri and the third day and night dedicated to Ma Durga. Recite Durga mantras and listen to Chandi Path recitations for extra support. Today, use connection and integration 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 power you need to awaken your inner wisdom. Clarify, purify, release.

Mercury moves back into its favorite sign, Virgo today. As he re-enters his sign of exaltation, he joins Jupiter and Sun as well. At this point, we may finally get the positive effects of an exalted Mercury, with the expansive wisdom of Jupiter and the illumination of the Sun to support the awareness. A strong mind will bring more clarity, purposeful communication and potent resources. For the benefits of exalted Mercury to be felt, it will require patience and strong intentions.

Stay true to your direction and continue to take action towards goals and desires. Increased financial support will come with your diligence. Work consistently and pro-actively on clearing limiting beliefs and mental/emotional blockages during this cycle- all that is hindering your ability to step more powerfully into financial abundance. Gather resources and support for this process. Jupiter will be activating your expansion, but only with the right guidance and support.

Tuesday, October 4th
Moon in 4th tithi
Chaturthi

Moon continues through Vishaka nakshatra today, increasing the need for co-creation and collaboration. Gather, collect, connect, get support. What resources are you missing for more nourishment and holding? More guidance and wisdom? Say yes to what you need. Where are you blocking this receptivity? Where are you not allowing in what you need? Notice your inner battle with power and step into your vulnerability. Late afternoon, Moon moves to Scorpio, its sign of debilitation, joining Saturn here. As Moon and Saturn conjoin, grief and emotion are released. Where are you suppressing, avoiding or resisting this natural process? What undigested grief are you holding onto? What unprocessed losses continue to impact you- consciously and unconsciously? Late evening, Moon shifts to Anuradha nakshatra and Mitra brings his support through friendship, connection and relationship. He allows deeper connection to take place. Where are you resisting feeling, connecting, allowing and aligning with love? Hint: resisting your grief will keep you from being able to feel more love.

It is the first day of three dedicated to Maha Lakshmi in the Navaratri celebration. It is a time of gathering resources for deeper nourishment- physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Lakshmi will be soothing you in the coming days. A washing of your wounds will take place. Her abundance, nurturing, and wealth offer nourishment and support to us on all levels of life. Health is the ultimate wealth and Lakshmi brings this support at this time. Be receptive and receive her gifts. During the three days of Lakshmi, bring sweets and flowers to your altar, cook nourishing foods for your Self, decorate and adorn your body, the physical temple. This is a time to focus on self care diligently. Listen to Chandi Path recitations and use rituals that honor Lakshmi's nourishment and abundance.

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Wednesday, October 5th
Moon in 5th tithi
Panchami

Moon moves through Anuradha nakshatra, debilitated in Scorpio and conjunct Saturn. This is a powerful time to release undigested, unprocessed grief. Ruling planets of Scorpio, Mars and Ketu, provoke deep clearing, cutting and purging of embedded emotions. Mars is still moving through the challenging constellation Mula, which is dedicated to uprooting and harsh release. Ketu is transiting Satabisha nakshatra, a constellation that offers depth, healing and intense confrontation with the shadow. Be gentle with yourself today and tomorrow as your darkness will be meeting the light, coming to the surface- your conscious awareness. Use resources, gather support and take action steps that help you get your needs met. Consider this a wake up call.

It is the second day of three dedicated to Maha Lakshmi in the Navaratri celebration. It is a time of gathering resources for deeper nourishment- physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Today, it is especially vital to soothe mind and emotions. Lakshmi will be soothing you in the coming days. A washing of your wounds will take place. Her abundance, nurturing, and wealth offer nourishment and support to us on all levels of life. Health is the ultimate wealth and Lakshmi brings this support at this time. Be receptive and receive her gifts. During the three days of Lakshmi, bring sweets and flowers to your altar, cook nourishing foods for your Self, decorate and adorn your body, the physical temple. This is a time to focus on self care diligently. Listen to Chandi Path recitations and use rituals that honor Lakshmi's nourishment and abundance.

Thursday, October 6th
Moon in 6th tithi
Sashthi

Just as Thursday begins, Moon moves to Jyeshtha nakshatra, in exact conjunction with Saturn. Mind and emotions will be feeling the pressure directly today. Indra will be provoking high sensitivity, while simultaneously bringing depth, power and clarity. How do you use this wisdom for empowerment, rather than self destruction? Honor your senses today and avoid over stimulation. Spend extra time with Nature and stay as close to the body as possible. Get embodied, rather than letting the mind win the battle.

It is the third day of three dedicated to Maha Lakshmi in the Navaratri celebration. It is a time of gathering resources for deeper nourishment- physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Today, it is especially vital to soothe mind and emotions. Notice how mental body stories can dis-empower you. Lakshmi will be soothing you in the coming days. A washing of your wounds will take place. Her abundance, nurturing, and wealth offer nourishment and support to us on all levels of life. Health is the ultimate wealth and Lakshmi brings this support at this time. Be receptive and receive her gifts. During the three days of Lakshmi, bring sweets and flowers to your altar, cook nourishing foods for your Self, decorate and adorn your body, the physical temple. This is a time to focus on self care diligently. Listen to Chandi Path recitations and use rituals that honor Lakshmi's nourishment and abundance.

Did you miss my *free* Class? Use this resource to navigate Grief, Loss and Big Emotions. Listen Now

Friday, October 7th
Moon in 7th tithi
Saptami

Early in the morning, Moon leaps into Sagittarius and Mula nakshatra. This is a gandanta point, a gap, which is notorious for being extremely challenging. Moon conjuncts Mars here, and receives gaze from Rahu, which heats and agitates the emotional body. It can also bring powerful experiences of the Divine Mother. The entire constellation of Mula is considered a gandanta point which can feel very ungrounded, overwhelming and traumatic. Ruled by Ketu, this nakshatra is notorious for disconnection. Its symbol is a bundle of roots. Uprooting is synonymous with Mula nakshatra. Consider today as a potent day of change and transformation. This process will likely be uncomfortable and challenging. Release is often painful. What are you releasing and letting go of? What grief and big emotions have you been avoiding, resisting? Now is the time to allow the flow, the waves, the crash. Trust you will find your way back to shore. For now attend to the letting go. 

It is the first day of three dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.  She gives us knowledge, understanding, wisdom, creativity and artistry. She is the rasayana (or healing balm) if you will to close this sacred nine day celebration. Remember that together, all three goddesses bring wholeness, renewal, and the life giving offerings of Shakti. This creative life-force energy is truly what inspires life, living and abundance. How are you clearing space within your body and life for more Shakti, life-force energy? For the final portion of Navaratri, which is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, music, dance, art and poetry can be a good way to focus your energy, efforts and intentions. Use creativity, artistry and embodiment resources for grounding and landing in your intentions. Use one of my Creative Rituals for support with this process. Activate and align with your creative intelligence. What are you creating in your life? How are you creating more space for this? Use your creativity as a resource for transformation.

Don't Miss my *free* Grief Class on Sunday, October 9th. Gather resources, guidance and support during this powerful time of Navaratri. Join Now

Saturday, October 8th
Moon in 8th tithi
Ashtami

Early Saturday, Moon and Mars shift into PurvaAshada nakshatra almost simultaneously. This marks a big shift in the transformational energy of this time. The uprooting comes to a close, and Apas, the water goddess, brings in rejuvenation and restoration. Consider this the wave that brings you back to shore. There will be emotional body waves, as Apas connects to flowing water. Your job is to do whatever it takes to keep your inner waters flowing, moving, transforming. Let dance, yoga and the arts support the movement, creativity and change process taking place within you. Allow the waves to come. Let your emotional body flow. Use resources that encourage your creative intelligence to bubble up to the conscious awareness. You have been clearing a lot of space within your bodies recently. How are you attending to this space within? Don't fill it too quickly. Stay here and linger a while longer.

It is the second day of three dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.  She gives us knowledge, understanding, wisdom, creativity and artistry. She is the rasayana (or healing balm) if you will to close this sacred nine day celebration. Remember that together, all three goddesses bring wholeness, renewal, and the life giving offerings of Shakti. This creative life-force energy is truly what inspires life, living and abundance. How are you clearing space within your body and life for more Shakti, life-force energy? For the final portion of Navaratri, which is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, music, dance, art and poetry can be a good way to focus your energy, efforts and intentions. Use creativity, artistry and embodiment resources for grounding and landing in your intentions. Use one of my Creative Rituals for support with this process. Activate and align with your creative intelligence. What are you creating in your life? How are you creating more space for this? Use your creativity as a resource for transformation.

Don't Miss my *free* Grief Class on Sunday, October 9th. Gather resources, guidance and support during this powerful time of Navaratri. Join Now

Sunday, October 9th
Moon in 9th tithi
Navami

Moon moves to UttaraAshada late morning, yet Mars and Rahu still give their influence. There's a strong energy of anger and deception touching the emotional body. Where do you feel this in your body? Ruling planet of this nakshatra is Sun, who brings the light. Seek illumination, resources, answers and explanations. UttaraAshada is ruled by the Vishva Devas who seek right action and dharmic alignment. Where are you honoring your dharmic path? Where are you resisting or avoiding your ancestral power? As Moon shifts into Capricorn early afternoon, Saturn's influence returns. Both Saturn and Jupiter give their gaze to the Moon as well. Seek steadiness, balance and integration. The physical body is your entry point for these resources. Get into the body and land within.

It is the third day of three dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.  She gives us knowledge, understanding, wisdom, creativity and artistry. She is the rasayana (or healing balm) if you will to close this sacred nine day celebration. Remember that together, all three goddesses bring wholeness, renewal, and the life giving offerings of Shakti. This creative life-force energy is truly what inspires life, living and abundance. How are you clearing space within your body and life for more Shakti, life-force energy? For the final portion of Navaratri, which is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, music, dance, art and poetry can be a good way to focus your energy, efforts and intentions. Use creativity, artistry and embodiment resources for grounding and landing in your intentions. Use one of my Creative Rituals for support with this process. Activate and align with your creative intelligence. What are you creating in your life? How are you creating more space for this? Use your creativity and your body as a resource for transformation.

Monday, October 10th
Moon in 10th tithi
Dashami

Just as Monday begins, Moon arrives in the six degree range of Capricorn and moves into the sacred 28th nakshatra, Abhijit. This is a spiritual gap that supports healing, awakening and resources that support the inner realms. Use this time for aligning with your inner knowing and inner abundance. Rest, meditate, restore. Use the space you've created over the past days of clearing and cutting away the excess, with intention. What seeds are you planting? How do you want to honor this new space? Let your creative life force energy fully awaken. This is a very poignant time in the Navaratri celebration. A time of closures and completion. As moon shifts into Sravana nakshatra late morning, Vishnu arrives with his dharmic support. He brings alignment and clarity with your path and purpose. Pay attention to how he arrives and what resources he offers you. Expansion and awakening are happening right now. The extent to which you have been clearing and cleaning out the shadow recently, will determine the space in which you have to receive the gifts. Make room for more. 

Continue to attend to goddess Saraswati and her wisdom today, until midday. As Moon shifts into the 10th tithi, Dashami, around noon, the inner battles begin to find their resolution. The 10th tithi (Moon phase) is aligned with dharma and right action. Aryaman is the ruling deity, who connects to the ancestors and carrying forth the lineage. Once Moon lands in Dashami, there is a 24 hour cycle that enlivens Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura. The  battle between light and dark, good and bad, masculine and feminine, transformation and healing, is finding closure within you right now. Polarities begin to integrate and find harmony. Notice how this arrives within physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. Where do you feel this gentle balance arriving within your body? Listen to its wisdom? Use rituals to support your integration process, especially those that include breath and embodiment.

Tuesday, October 11th
Moon in 11th tithi
Ekadashi

Vijaya Dashami, the day of victory, continues today until Moon shifts into the 11th tithi midday. Celebrate the power of Durga and her fierce energy of awakening. She represents the light within and this resource will always win over the shadow and darkness. We need the darkness to arrive into the light; both must be honored equally as they support the nature of each other, they express the wisdom of Nature and her laws. Day brings night, and night brings day. Death is life and life is death. Today, Durga overtakes the demon Mahishasura, representing this powerful truth within us and within Nature! Notice clarity, resources, peace, wisdom and unification arriving. Use rituals that support your integration and alignment with Nature. Spend time outside touching the earth and finding grounding. Meditate, chant, dance and sing. Celebrate! Awaken your inner light and align with your pure truth.

As the Moon shifts into Dhanishta nakshatra late morning, the Vasu Devas bring increased light (jyoti) and awaken resources of support. The eight Vasu Devas are sources of illumination and prosperity. Their light illuminates the world and each one of us is illuminated by them. They dwell within us and help us awaken to our own light, while also showing us our light externally. Their light is two fold. Through their brilliant light and resources, we are able to manifest and create on the material plane of existence, thus they uphold dharma, truth and support the activation of right action. Move towards your dharmic path with conviction today. Use the resources arriving actively. Gather guidance, support and the wisdom you need to continue your path of awakening, healing and transformation. Thought the work is never complete, rest in this moment where light has for now, re-established its rightful place within.

As the Moon shifts into the first tithi of the waxing Moon cycle, the sacred nine day and night celebration of Maha Navaratri begins.

Nava means nine and ratri means night in Sanskrit. Each day and night of this powerful junction point, correlates to the epic battle between the goddess Sri Devi Mahatmyam and the demon Mahishasura. Maha Devi Mahatmyam is connected to both Durga and Shakti, powerful forms of divine feminine energy that awaken, clear, transform and heal. Sri Devi is understood to be the supreme creation power of the universe, the Tridevi, or triple goddess, as she expresses the creation, sustaining and destructive energies that perpetuate all forms of life. In the sacred text known as the Sri Devi Mahatmyam, composed between 400 and 600 CE, the many forms of the goddess are expressed.

"She is presented, through a language of praise, as the one who dwells in all creatures, as the soul, as the power to know, the power to will and the power to act. She is consciousness of all living beings, she is intelligence, she is matter, and she is all that is form or emotion." - Via Wikipedia

During the nine day and night Navaratri celebration, the battle between light and dark forces enlivens, ending on the 10th day with Victory Day, Vijaya Dashami. This  battle between light and dark, good and bad, masculine and feminine, transformation and healing, is taking place within all beings at this sacred junction point. It is a time to heal and integrate polarities within.

During Chaitra Navaratri in the spring, the ninth day is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Ram, called Ram Navami.

The Navaratri celebration is an expression of what is taking place within Nature, through the Laws that govern Nature, marking an important transition within us and around us. These important junction points (know as a gap, or sandhi in Sanskrit) happen multiple times a year, however, the Shardiya, or Maha Navaratri, junction point is considered the most powerful. This is a death cycle for both Northern and Southern hemispheres. As life is being called into silence in the North, and called into action for the South. In either case, doors are opening and closing.

Align with Nature and Her powerful energy of change and transformation during Navaratri. Ritualize your connections with Nature- in order to land more closely to your own inner wisdom, to Her wisdom. Strengthen your connection to self and Spirit.

Navaratri is a poignant time in the Vedic Calendar. This ancient calendar is one that is dedicated to Nature and her cycles and rhythms, the planets, and most importantly the Moon. In the Vedic Calendar, time is connected to what Nature and the cosmos are doing, and these elements are intimately related. Navaratri occurs several times a year, though the main celebrations are twice a year- in the "gap" seasons of spring and fall. These times are considered sandhi times; delicate times that feel like you are neither here, nor there. We might call it the netherworld. This time, though delicate, is considered sacred.

In the spring, Navaratri marks the "waking up" of the devis or the goddesses; the aspects of Natural Law that enliven growth, abundance, prosperity, learning, well being, change and transformation. In the fall, Navaratri invites in destruction, removal, change, transformation and healing. The goddesses Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi symbolize these parts of life and Nature, while also being parts of our own innate being. The three of them together represent our wholeness, the trinity of life, alive in and around us. These three goddesses also connect to Shakti, the goddess who gives the spark of life to every being, to Nature, and to existence.

Fall Navaratri, or Maha Navaratri, is by far the most potent as it brings deep transformation and the ability to remove, destroy, release and transform, our darkness into light. The holy trinity of goddesses supports this process and allows us to let go of what needs to be released in order for greater nourishment. As we let go of our darkness, an increase of light and wisdom can take its place. This process is marked by Durga's powerful battle against the demon Mahishasura. On the 10th day, she destroyed him and was victorious. This day is called Vijaya Dashami (Dashami is the 10th lunar day of the Moon cycle, connected to dharma).

This is a nine day and night celebration that is divided into three parts. The first three days are dedicated to the goddess Durga. Her warrior spirit cleanses, shifts, uproots, changes and transforms. Think of her as tilling the soil, prior to planting seeds. The next three days of celebration are dedicated to Lakshmi. Her abundance, nurturing, and wealth offer nourishment and support to us on all levels of life. Health is the ultimate wealth and Lakshmi brings this support as well. Finally, we have three days dedicated to goddess Saraswati. She gives us knowledge, understanding, wisdom, creativity and artistry. She is the rasayana (or healing balm) if you will to close this sacred nine day celebration. Together, these three goddesses bring wholeness, renewal, and the life giving offerings of Shakti. This creative life-force energy is truly what inspires life, living and abundance.

It is at this time that we can connect to these three goddesses most easily- inside of us, and around us. Because of this, Navaratri is considered a very sacred and powerful time of year- one that influences our inner and outer experience of life for months to come. To connect with the goddesses more closely, make special offerings on your altar for them during the nine days. You can also dedicate your actions and intentions to them for greater communication.

Connecting to fire and stoking the internal flame (or agni) can be valuable for the first three days of Durga. You may wish to write intentions that focus on empowerment and action steps for the coming months as well. Using self development tools to transform negative thoughts and mental body stories, will be well supported at this time. During the three days of Lakshmi, bring sweets and flowers to your altar, cook nourishing foods for your Self, decorate and adorn your Self. This is a time to focus on self care diligently. For the final portion of Navaratri, dedicated to Saraswati, music, art and poetry can be a good way to focus your energy, efforts and intentions. Use creativity, artistry and embodiment resources for grounding and landing in your intentions. Use one of my Creative Rituals for support with this process.

On this first day and night of Navaratri, notice what's arriving. I have experienced that the first three days of Navaratri initiate the changes and transformations you are working with in this release cycle. Often you must confront challenges and obstacles as a result. More nourishment and support is coming, but you 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? How can you clear more space within? Let Durga's fierce warrior energy initiate and provoke awareness.

Emotionally, you may feel anger, pain, frustration or sadness emerge in the coming days. Physically you may need more rest or silence. Mentally you may need more inward reflection as well as time for meditation. Spiritually, you may need time with nature and rituals that help you 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. Spend time in nature and in meditation. Listening to Durga mantras right now is excellent for inviting in her presence. Traditionally, listening to Chandi Path recitations is also encouraged.

During this sacred and potent time, treat your Self like the goddess that you are and share your abundance with others. May we each remember our abundant true nature, our immense creative life giving energy!


Read more about Navaratri from Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra, renowned Shaka Vansya Ayurvedic Doctor.