 Align With Durga and Her Powerful Energy of Change and Transformation During Navaratri.
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. The main Navaratri celebrations occur 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, of Shakti; 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). Vasant Navaratri, or spring Navaratri, begins with the new Moon this year, on Thursday April 7th at 04:24 am PDT. Sun and Moon are in Revati nakshatra, the final star of the zodiac, signifying endings and beginnings. This is the mark of the Vedic Lunar New Year and the beginning of the sacred nine day celebration of Navaratri as well. Durga is enlivened at this time! The battle between good over evil intensifies in the coming days as Durga battles the demon Mahishasura. This battle takes place within every human being. The conflict between light and dark forces, polarities, is expressed through this sacred and timeless battle. It also mirrors the conflicts stirred between the masculine and feminine energies within. This battle is a wake up call, a clearing of old, stagnant beliefs, patterns and behaviors. Pay close attention during this sacred nine day celebration as inner and outer conflicts intensify. What does this conflict share with you about your polarities? What mirrors are being held up in order for you to make lasting change and transformation? Nava means nine in Sanskrit while Ratri means nights. This is a nine day 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. She is your Creative Intelligence. 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 to them during the nine days. You can also dedicate your actions and intentions to them for greater communication. Use this time for self development practices and sacred pause. Slow down and notice what is stirring within you and around you. 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 my Creative Rituals for support with this process. 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 and the power of the Divine Feminine for healing and transformation! Read more about Navaratri from Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra, renowned Shaka Vansya Ayurvedic Doctor. Ready to take your inner growth to the next level and deepen your relationship with your inner feminine wisdom? Join me for my Jyotish Astrology Classes for Transformation and Healing. Classes begin April 2016. Get the Details
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 Who is She? She is wild, untamed and unpredictable. She is your divine, feminine wisdom. Your emotional body. Your intuitive guidance and creative intelligence. She is your inner Moon. She rules receptivity and She will determine your feelings of nourishment in life. Know Her and know your divinity. Understand Her wisdom and become the magic of life! But how do you know if you're in right-relationship with Her? With your Divine Feminine Self? The truth is, most humans are in some state of conflict with various parts of themselves, especially their inner feminine wisdom. Here are some signs you might be in conflict with Her: - Confusion about choices, answers or solutions. - In a state of chaos or overwhelm. - Over stimulation or over activity causing heightened stress in the four bodies. - Excess emotion, extreme emotional sensitivity. - Living in black and white with no space for the unknown. - Taking in too much, overly receptive- resulting in depletion of one or more of your bodies. - Challenges and obstacles with all things Venus and Moon (Money, food, comforts, relationships, creativity, flow, emotions, health, vitality, female organs). - Lack of ideas, creative activation, not feeling excited or passionate about life. - Little to no intuitive awareness or wisdom. - Problems with your mother, female figures or female relationships. - Resistance to pleasure, joy, abundance, flow, creative intelligence. If you answered yes to one or more of these signs, you are likely in conflict with your inner feminine wisdom- on some level of your being. Often these vows are taken at a very young age. Later on in life, the suppression of your divine feminine wisdom will result in systemic issues on some level of your being. This is not unusual since the Western-centric culture is predominantly rooted in the masculine energy of product instead of process, external focus rather than internal focus. The feminine is more responsive, receptive and therefore in tune with process, flow and surrender. In truth, we need balance between both the masculine and feminine energy within, but so often there is a conflict keeping us from experiencing this inner harmony. When the issues with your feminine wisdom come to the surface of your awareness, when they become conscious, they can be identified and confronted. This usually arrives as some challenge, obstacle or conflict within you- or with another person. Are you experiencing an inner conflict? Part of you desires surrender, but the rest of you is terrified of letting go. You tell yourself you should slow down and listen, but you keep pushing past the signals anyway. Maybe you don't hear the signals at all. Often there's a terror about "losing control" or being in the unknown, the grey territory of life. You are afraid of vulnerability and see the receptive, the feminine, as weak. Resistance to change or receiving support. This conflict with your feminine wisdom is keeping you from feeling deeper nourishment and harmony within you and your life. The truth is, it's a very old story. If you're ready to re-write this story, reclaim your divine feminine wisdom, follow along with me in the coming days. I will be sharing some potent resources to help you connect with your Divine Feminine wisdom, your inner goddess. Join me for a *free* New Moon + Navaratri class this Sunday. Deepen your relationship with your inner goddess and release the past cycle more fully. Join the Class List. As I shared in my last newsletter, suppressing my wild, creative wisdom has cost me dearly. Touching Her wisdom within me these past few weeks, jolted me back to life and helped me gain clarity about my next offering. As a result of this clarity, I won't be offering any new Jyotish Basics Classes this year. But something even more potent has been created! I am teaching a new, powerful Jyotish Astrology Course starting in April. This course is open to only 25 woman- who want to dive more deeply into their own healing journey. If you are ready to deepen your relationship with your inner, wild feminine, your immense creative powers, and transform your shadow into light, please join me for my 2016 Spring/Summer Jyotish Astrology Course. Get the Course Details. There is so much creativity enlivening in the environment and the cosmos in the coming weeks. I'm here to insure that you catch the wave of this abundance and don't miss out on increasing your resiliency and thriving! Swati* Goddess Integration Tapping Meditation To support your inner growth and integration process, I've created a tapping meditation for you. This particular process will support the current transits as well as the harmonizing of masculine and feminine energies within you. Use it as a resource for stepping into your healing and transformation process. In the podcast below, I share a tapping (EFT) sequence with you that will guide you through transforming and releasing the old stories and invite in more receptivity. Remember, we start with identifying the challenges, then moving into possibility and desires in order to transform our shadow into light. 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. Share your experiences below! What emerged for you in this process? Excited to hear from you! * One of my favorite things to do is hike in the woods. Often I tap and walk. This is a recording I made on one such hike. It was windy and snowy, so you'll here the elements along the way! Ready to take your inner growth to the next level and deepen your relationship with your inner feminine wisdom? Join me for my Jyotish Astrology Classes for Transformation and Healing. Classes begin April 2016. Get the Details Don't miss my *free* new Moon Creative Ritual Class. Honor this cycle of release and the upcoming Navaratri celebrations. Join the Class List. Align With Nature and Her Power of Change and Transformation During Navaratri. 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 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 year, Navaratri begins on the evening of October 12th in the USA- as the Moon enters the first tithi and begins to wax. The celebrations start just as the sacred fifteen day celebration of the ancestors, Pitr Pakshu, ends. The final day of Navarati is October 21st, as Moon moves through the ninth tithi, Navami. Vijaya Dashami (Victory Day) is on October 22nd. Though the entire Navaratri celebration is dedicated to Durga and her many forms (including shakti), many honor the expressions of her power through Lakshmi and Saraswati as well. Nava means nine in Sanskrit while Ratri means nights. This is a nine day 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. 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. Discover how your jyotish chart is the ultimate healing and and awakening resource. Join my Jyotish Basics Class Study Group. Get the Details.
Need some extra guidance and clarity? I am scheduling November sessions. Schedule a session with me. Plan your week in tune with nature. Never miss a planetary update. Sign up for my weekly newsletter. Was this post helpful? Please share it with a friend! Thank you.  Feel Like A Goddess Inside and Out With these 10 Simple Self Care Steps Beauty is essential for life. It brings us joy, a sense of contentment, and I’ve come to realize it is valuable for our sense of well being as well. We need to feel good in our bodies- inside and out! Here's my list of musts when I need a pick me up, a mood shift, or a reminder of my innate goddess Self: 1. Bring the beauty of spring alive all year round by giving your Self fresh flowers. Whether a single stem rose, a lovely bouquet you gathered in the woods, or a large arrangement of your favorites, it's worth it to have the sight and smell of Nature nearby. It's amazing how walking into a room with fresh flowers can bring a mood shift. 2. When things seem pretty dismal or days have been long and unrelenting, I need a good pat on the back for my efforts and a reminder of what my inherent values are. I can't count on others to give me all the messages I need, so I remind myself. Simple and sweet is all I need. "I am enough and I am loved. Thank you for being." Want the world to go 'round? Share your affirmation with someone special. 3. My bath rituals are a weekly, personal necessity and they are part of my list of recommendations to clients for clearing energy and promoting inner peace. The maha version includes an abyangha (Ayurvedic self massage) with Vaidya Mishra's Rasayana Oil and then a soak in the tub with sea salt (clears energy) and my favorite essential oils (usually lavender). Don't forget a mud mask if you have time! 4. Along with my weekly rituals, I include a minimum of one day per week of "light eating" as a gentle detox. This is part of a standard Ayurvedic protocol, but is excellent for feeling tip top from inside out. I eat kitchari several times a week to help keep my belly in check. The best part? It cooks while you do other things and then voila! It's ready to eat when you are! 5. Take a walk in the fresh air and move your body! Nothing says "goddess" like the energized feeling you get from moving your inner prana and getting your circulation going! 6. Just a touch of rouge and lip gloss will do! No need for a heavy make up routine. A quick brush of blush on the cheeks and a hint of gloss on the lips will brighten your look and your mood. It feels good to look good. 7. Walk barefoot outside and hug trees. Ground through your feet and soak up earth's natural ability to clear EMF's and stress by touching the earth with your bare feet. Hugging trees is also a great way to ground, defrag the system and get close to Nature. 8. When I've been sitting in front of the computer too long, my eyes begin to glaze and my body says stop. My favorite way to pause is with a good spritz of Vaidya Mishra's Blissful Awakening spray. Don't have any on hand? Plain rose water will do! It is a great facial toner and also helps calm Pitta dosha as well as the eyes. For the maha version: put your feet up, spritz two cotton pads with rose water and put them on your eyes. Rest for ten minutes while taking deep breaths. This is the ultimate pick me up. Your eyes will thank you. 9. Dance and sing. As the saying goes: "dance as though no one is watching and sing as though no one can hear you." It's good for you and uplifts the spirit. As a student of body-centered Expressive Art Therapy, I will vouch for this! 10. Adorn your Self! Put on earrings. Drape your Self in layers of necklaces. Wear jewels and malas. No place to go? No worries! Do it because you are a goddess and you deserve to look good and feel good from the inside out! Ready to take your inner growth to the next level and deepen your relationship with your inner feminine wisdom?
Join me for my Jyotish Astrology Classes for Transformation and Healing. Classes begin April 2016. Get the Details Don't miss my *free* new Moon Creative Ritual Class. Honor this cycle of release and the upcoming Navaratri celebrations. Join the Class List. A Celebration of the Goddess Inside and Out 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 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. 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. Vasant Navaratri (or spring Navaratri) begins this year on March 21st and ends on the ninth day, March 29th. This year the celebrations fall in the gap between the new Moon total solar eclipse on the 20th and the full Moon lunar eclipse on April 4th. This heightens the fragility of this period and invites us to attend to our fragility, our vulnerability, at this time. It is an excellent time for self care practices, gentle cleanses and rituals for release, renewal and rejuvenation. Nava means nine in Sanskrit while Ratri means nights. This is a nine day 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. During the three days of Lakshmi, bring sweets and flowers to your altar, cook nourishing foods for your Self, decorate and adorn your Self. 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 this nine days for treating 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! The nine day celebration of the Divine Mothers, Vasant Navaratri, begins Saturday March 21st. I'll be sharing a 10 Day Self Care Challenge during this sacred time. Look for special self care reminders and resources in my newsletter. Are you on my list?! My next *free* Jyotish Basics Class is March 21st. Don't miss out on this transformational and healing class to help you track the Moon and its influences upon you. Sign up for details. Need some extra guidance and clarity? Schedule a session with me. Plan your week in tune with nature. Never miss a planetary update. Sign up for my weekly newsletter. Was this post helpful? Please share it with a friend! Thank you. |