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. 



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Moon is waxing and enters the seventh tithi (phase) as the seventh day of ‪Navaratri‬ begins. Monday is the first of three dedicated to my favorite ‪goddess‬, Maha ‪‎Saraswati‬. Goddess of nourishment through wisdom, sattva (purity), satya (truth), the arts, creativity and ‪dharma‬. She provides us with support through knowing and seeking, while giving resources for our efforts. During the early hours of Monday morning, ‪Moon‬ shifts to PurvaAshada ‪nakshatra while in Sagittarius‬. 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.

Early morning Tuesday, Moon shifts to the latter half of the Ashada constellation, UttaraAshada, then into Capricorn mid morning. Rahu and Saturn give their gaze, offering shadow and restriction to the emotional body. The Vishva Devas rule this constellation and provide goodness and truth, among other resources of purity. Often called the "all gods," the Vishva Devas connect to universal principles that align us with dharma and the right path. Among these are goodness (Vasu), truth (Satya), determination (Kratu), Talent (Daksha), Time (Kala), Enjoyment (Kama), Firmness (Dhriti), Ancestors (Kuru), Abundance (Pururavas), Joy (Madrava), Pleasantness (Rochana), Sight (Lochana), Fame (Dhvani), Leadership ( Dhuri). There are strong ethics and right-action attributed to this nakshatra and a desire "to do the right thing." Ruling planet of this constellation is the Sun, the light giver for our dharmic path, our purpose for being alive. Sun is now debilitated in Libra and requires are gentle attention and intention at this time. Forcing agendas and outcomes will be met with physical exhaustion. Attend to spiritual desires and the inward pull. As the second day of Navaratri dedicated to Maha Saraswati arrives, it is an ideal time for aligning with dharma and purpose. Invite in deeper nourishment through knowledge and wisdom, creativity and the arts. Use Saraswati mantras to connect with her gifts as well as Chandi Path recitations for support with transformation.

Late evening, Moon shifts to the sacred 28th nakshatra, Abhijit. This is a spiritual portal that can increase divine connection with Source, spirit and Natural Laws. Take time to meditate and set an intention this evening for deeper alignment and nourishment during this Navaratri celebration. This portal stays open only until the first few hours of Wednesday morning.

Wednesday begins with the Moon transiting Abhijit nakshatra, then moving to Sravana after 03:25. Ruling deity, Vishnu, offers his expansive support with knowledge, wisdom, growth and dharmic alignment. Sravana nakshatra provokes a certain element of power and purpose, with a strong propensity for learning and inner growth. As Moon enters the auspicious ninth tithi (phase), wisdom and purpose are strengthened. Listen for insights and resources coming to you. Are you able to receive the support? What are you resisting and pushing away? How are you keeping yourself from being deeply fed in your life? What are the resources? What are the challenges? It is the final day of Navaratri and the last day dedicated to Maha Saraswati. Her guidance and wisdom bring deeper alignment with truth, awakening and divine support. Open and receive her support and nourishment. Use Saraswati mantras to connect with her gifts as well as Chandi Path recitations for support with transformation.

Moon transits the tenth tithi, Dashami on Thursday, guru's day. Dashami is connected to dharma and our path of truth and awakening. Moon transits Dhanishta, the domain of the Vasu Devas who bring light (jyoti), illumination and Dharma to those who align with their potent creative forces of manifestation and creation. Midday, Moon shifts into Aquarius receiving direct gaze from Jupiter, Mars and Venus. Passions stir within the emotional body. Let your creativity flow!

It is Vijaya Dashami, the tenth day of the waxing lunar cycle during the Navaratri celebration. On this day, fierce warrior goddess Durga, defeated the demon Mahishasura. Her transformational energy overcame the darkness, and light conquered the powerful demonic energy with lasting change. This battle of light and dark is at play within each one of us every day. We have choice to align with positive inner forces or dark, destructive forces within. The epic battle reiterated during the Navaratri celebration is a reminder that we too have the power of Durga within us- at all times. Her strength, passion, divine purpose and commitment to life is happening internally for every human being, though often subconscious. We are alive, breathing and able to align with our purpose for being in a human body each and every day. Do you take this on consciously and with right action? Or do you let your dark, demonic forces overcome your light? Are you honoring your deep desires for truth and ultimately your dharma, divine duty?  Or do you let fear, uncertainty, resentments and old mental stories keep you from your truth, purpose and path? It is a choice. Make it conscious.

As Venus (god of the asuras, demons) nears exact conjunction with Jupiter (god of the devas, gods), we may feel this battle of light and dark increasing within us. There is an ongoing dance of good vs. evil happening within us every day as we dance with positive, life supporting thoughts, or negative, fear driven thoughts. Be vigilant with self tracking at this time and use resources and tools to consciously navigate this inner dance. Just as Thursday ends, Moon shifts to Satabisha nakshatra.

Friday begins with Moon transiting Satabisha nakshatra in the early morning. Varuna is the ruling deity of this constellation and he provides clarity through vision, as he sees all. This vision can also be deemed a "critical gaze" because he notices all that is right and wrong, often increasing the critic within. Ruling planet Rahu can increase shadow, illusion and intensity. Where can you loosen and let go? What needs to be surrendered so that the fierceness can be dropped? How can you allow healing and transformation instead of rigidity and harshness? Let the light in through gentleness and compassion. Find ways to soften.

Moon moves to PurvaBhadrapada nakshatra just before midnight.

Saturday requires us to take extra rest and attend to the physical body in very conscious ways. As Moon finishes its transit through Aquarius and moves through PurvaBhadrapada nakshatra, a need for inner and out balance develops. Meanwhile, debilitated Sun moves into a new nakshatra in the early hours of the morning. We will notice a shift in our physical and spiritual bodies as a result. As Sun shifts into Swati nakshatra, a new power enlivens. Movement, change and transformation intensifies in the coming weeks. Creative courage through subtle, gentle and nourishing ways should be attended to. Attend to your inner strength and let it be the catalyst for lasting change.

Moon shifts into Pisces, joining Ketu here, early afternoon. Both receive gaze from Rahu, Mercury and Mars. Notice where you are pushing for outcomes in the coming days. What are you forcing? Where can you drop, release and surrender? What nourishment are you resisting? Allow for the change to take place.

Meanwhile, Venus and Jupiter are in exact conjunction today and tomorrow while in Leo. The battle between light and dark continues. Polarities are alive and well right now. Where can you drop your arms and let in more light? Attend to material vs. spiritual matters with diligence. We need both and we need them to be in balance for inner and outer harmony. Notice when and how your masculine energy takes over and keeps you from being nourished by the feminine. Self care will help you return to a sense of feeling and receptivity. Attend to your emotional body wisdom. Pause and listen.

Sunday, day of Sun (Surya) illuminates the wisdom of the Sun, yet its debilitation currently in Libra requests inward reflection. Moon is waxing and in the 13th tithi (phase) today which invites bigger emotions and feelings. How can you invite in slower, gentler steps? Moon transits the latter half of the Bhadrapada constellation today giving us the opportunity for to dive deeply into our inner realms. If we create a solid and safe place to attend to our inner landscape, we can traverse this territory more powerfully. Find ways to land within and make this your intention for the day.

Late afternoon, Moon shifts to Revati nakshatra and the mental body requests attention and deeper nourishment. What energetic cords need to be cut, severed and released for more clarity and receptivity? Where are you still holding on when you should be releasing? What stories is the mental body stuck in and repeating on autopilot? Set yourself free. It's a perfect time to be working with self development resources that help you unravel the mental body programming. Continue this theme through Monday and note where the mind is stuck, resistant and rigid.

Moon is waning and empties this week. New Moon is on Wednesday early morning at  01:14 am CDT signifying the beginning of the fall Navaratri celebrations. This nine day festival honors the holy goddess trinity of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The festivities culminate on the 10th day (Vijayadashami) which honors Durga's defeat of the demon Mahishasura. The sacredness of this time period is explained more in my Navaratri article. You’re invited to participate in my 10 day Self Care Challenge as a way to honor this important passage into fall and winter. Join the FB Group here.

Monday, September 22nd

Today’s Intention: Find nourishment in relating and co-creating.

Moon transits Leo and moves into Purvaphalguni nakshatra at 01:47 am CDT. This enlivens Venus and Bhaga, the deity of love, relationship and creativity. Bhaga is an Aditya, one of the twelve gods who provide us with resources for this life experience. He dispenses wealth and happiness, luck and fortune, as well as blessings from our past incarnations. He presides over love and marriage and is associated with pleasure, sensuality and sexuality, thus relationships are his domain- mainly the spark of new and budding relationships.

Today, create, connect and share. Work consciously on relating and co-creating. How can your relationships provide a sense of nourishment and support? Which ones soothe and support? Which ones feel toxic? Pay attention to your senses and what arrives through your interactions.

Venus moves into the latter half of Phalguni, Uttara, at 04:58 am CDT. Shift into a role of connection and sharing over the next 10 days. Create, express, share and connect. Create and co-create and let your relationships be part of your expansion. Let your love shine! Not feeling it? What relationships need to be pruned and removed from your life in order to create more space for the more nourishing and supportive ones? What shifts and changes need to take place within your existing relationships in order for more nourishment? Take charge of your comfort and what supports and nourishes you. This is an ideal time to be conscious of your self care needs. As we move into the beginning of Navaratri on Wednesday, now is an essential time to be intentional with our needs. Be sure to join my 10 day Self Care Challenge via FB.

Tuesday, September 23rd

Today’s Intention: Get your shine on! From the inside out.

Today is Fall Equinox for the Northern Hemisphere. It is also Mahalaya Amavasya (Pitri Paksha), the sacred celebration of honoring the ancestors who have passed and are no longer with us. Be sure to commemorate your loved ones who have passed by lighting a candle and saying a prayer in their honor, as well as through gratitude for their many gifts to you.

Moon moves to Uttaraphalguni at 04:32 am CDT, joining Venus and Sun in this nakshatra as well. We get three levels of support from Aryaman today. He is also one of the twelve Adityas like Bhaga who rules the front half of Phalguni. Like Bhaga, Aryaman gives resources, but does so through sustenance- mainly health of the body and physical stamina and strength as a result. Additionally, he also nourishes through relationships, but does so in the ways that last. Not through sensuality and sexuality, but through time, perseverance and pleasing the ancestors. As Bhaga relates to the past and past karmas, Aryaman relates to the future and what is to come; as a result he is mostly concerned with long term outcomes and situations.

Moon moves to Virgo at 11:10 am CDT, joining Sun and Rahu here. These planets receive drishti from Ketu seven houses away. Be precise with your actions and relations today. Step carefully, but get noticed. Share, connect and create through relationships today. Shine brightly- inside out! Feeling shadowed or extra inward? Moon is in the 15th tithe (Moon phase) today. It’s a time to be self reflective and tend to your inner needs. Plant your seeds of desire and make your intentions known. As we move into the beginning of Navaratri tomorrow, now is an essential time to be intentional. Be sure to join my 10 day Self Care Challenge via FB.

Venus is sandhi, at the edge of Leo right now. Be delicate with your relationships- both your relationship with others and with your self.

Wednesday, September 24th

Today’s Intention: Take an intentional pause and mark it with poignancy.

Moon nears conjunction of the Sun as it becomes completely new in the wee hours of the morning. New Moon is at 01:14 am CDT in Uttaraphalguni nakshatra while Moon is in Virgo. The details of yesterday are pertinent for our coming waxing Moon cycle. The coming weeks are potent- and a poignant time for working with our long term sustainability. What steps do we need to take in order to insure sustainability and more lasting support and nourishment? What fruits are we hoping to harvest in the coming weeks and months? Our intentional action steps right now make or break the richness of our harvest. Aryaman is alive and well within us and around us- encouraging health, well being, as well as inner and outer sustenance- if we align with his offerings. Connect, co-create and use relationships intentionally in the coming weeks. Do your relationships nourish and inspire you? Or do they zap you and harm you? If you want potency and power, it will take potent and powerful actions to get different results. Sow the seeds you want right now and ask the ancestors for help with the process. Aryaman is aligned with the ancestors to insure that your lineage is well nourished and protected so make sure you ask for dharmic wisdom to help you on your journey, with choices and your action steps. Think in terms of aligning with long-term sustainability, not short term gratification. Aryaman will provide for you. Trust the process and ask for support.

In addition to the New Moon, this marks the beginning of the Navaratri celebrations and the first day of three that honors Ma Durga. This is an especially potent and powerful time period, where we celebrate in the Vedic calendar, the holy trinity of goddesses: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The veil is thin right now between realms, and is an especially powerful time for being inward, cleansing, nourishing and meditating. If you haven’t joined my 10 day Self Care Challenge, you can do so here.

Moon moves to Hasta nakshatra at 06:59 am CDT, activating Savitr and his shining light into our day. You may awaken with sparks today and find some new purpose for your actions. Allow a glimpse of awakening to inspire you through intelligence, ideas, new awareness and gratitude. Flourish through wisdom and knowledge and take time for pausing, listening and invoking your inner light with the Gayatri Mantra today. Since the Moon is passing through the middle of Sun and Rahu today, a sense of shadow can creep in as well. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain or overstimulated, be sure to use a 3 level check in for getting in touch with your felt senses. Use this inner harvesting process to get creative. Write, draw, express through your hands. Your Self Care Journal might just be the trick. Have you signed up for my 10 Day Self Care Challenge yet?

Venus is sandhi, at the edge of Leo right now and hops into Virgo, its sign of debilitation at 21:14 CDT. During this 23 day transit, be delicate with your relationships- both your relationship with others and with your self. This transit re-iterates my new Moon details for the coming waxing cycle and our attention/intention to relationships of all kinds in our lives. What needs our focus in the coming weeks in regard to self care and putting our needs first? What details within your relationships needs extra TLC? How can you improve your inner nourishment and self care focus? What boundaries need to be re-established in order for your needs to get met? What re-structuring needs to take place within your relationships- personal and professional- in order for greater clarity and purpose? This is a time of getting present to your individual needs and what nourishes you. It is not a time to be using up your energy frivolously; though you may be noticing leaks more clearly at this time. Right now it’s all about the details. Let this be a resource for getting priorities and business in order. If it becomes unhelpful, then zoom out and get a bigger picture. Take a break or time out to re-center. This doesn’t have to be a time of discomfort and overwhelm; just get resource oriented. Need a reminder about self care? Be sure you follow along with my 10 day self care challenge and work intimately with your self care journal right now.

Thursday, September 25th

Today’s Intention: Step wisely and with purpose.

Navaratri Day 2 and second day of the Durga celebrations. Have you joined my Navaratri 10 Day Self Care Challenge yet?

Moon moves into Chitra nakshatra at 09:07 am CDT, joining Rahu here as well. Virgo is a full house right now with Moon, Sun, Rahu and Venus there now. Be aware that highs and lows may feel extreme- emotionally, mentally and physically. It is important to take care of health and wellness on all three levels of your being. Vishvakarma, the celestial architect, as well as Mars, play an important role in our experience today. He is a worker, the divine architect, and very product oriented. His extreme creativity, as well as action orientation (karma is a part of his name) reminds us to take potent action steps to align with our creative powers. What are you building in your life? For your life? Attend to your inner and outer needs today. As Moon passes over Rahu, don’t get lost in the mire of details and self critic. Instead, get action oriented. Take a step in the right direction today and focus on what is doable.

Moon moves to Libra at 22:02 CDT, joining Mercury and exalted Saturn there.

Need a reminder about self care? Be sure you follow along with my 10 day self care challenge and work intimately with your self care journal right now.

Friday, September 26th

Today’s Intention: Adjust your sails with intention and harness the power of the wind.

Navaratri Day 3 and final day of the Durga celebrations. Have you joined my Navaratri 10 Day Self Care Challenge yet?  

Moon transits Libra with Mercury, and exalted Saturn, then moves into Swati nakshatra at 10:51 CDT. Both Vayu and Rahu enliven and the winds- both inner and outer- bring shifts and changes with them. The mental and emotional bodies may be in overdrive. Feeling overstimulated, excessively anxious? Not only is attention to your prana important today for calming the inner winds, but also attending to the messages of the mental and emotional bodies. Separating these two will bring greater clarity to their different messages and likely bring more awareness to what you need. Be sure to sign up for my online 3 Levels of Awareness Immersion in order to learn how to incorporate this technique into your self care practices.

Saturday, September 27th

Today’s Intention: Balance creates harmony.

Navaratri Day 4 and the first day of the three day Lakshmi celebrations. Have you joined my Navaratri 10 Day Self Care Challenge yet?  

Sun jumps into Hasta nakshatra at 00:37 am CDT, offering greater insight and wisdom to us in the coming days. Tend to this flicker of light, the inner flame. Nurture it, nourish it and honor it with gentleness. Attend to this small flame with intention and recite Gayatri Mantra in the coming days as a way to cultivate your inner light and spark magic. Attend to your sensitivity with gentleness and compassion.

Moon moves to Vishaka nakshatra at 12:10 CDT, enlivening Jupiter and Indragni- the dual god who attends to our sense of nourishment through alliance. Yet another opportunity to give presence to what, and who, we are aligned with in our lives. Indra and Agni remind us that two are often better than one- as long as they work in harmony and are aligned properly. Feeling pulled in too many directions? Overwhelm settling in today? Balance is key. Clear off your plate and prioritize. What are the essentials? Where are your self care needs on this list? Put your self first and then let the other pieces fall in place more naturally. Make sure physical movement is incorporated into your day. Get embodied!

Sunday, September 28th

Today's Intention: Zoom in and zoom out. Harmonize polarities.

Navaratri Day 5 and the second day of the Lakshmi celebrations. Have you joined my Navaratri 10 Day Self Care Challenge yet? 

Moon has crossed over Saturn now and moves to the edge of Libra, jumping into its debilitation sign, Scorpio, at 06:51 am CDT. Moon joins Mars in Scorpio and our internal waters get charged. Expect an extra layer of sensitivity today and emotional body awareness. At 13:01 CDT, Moon moves into Anuradha nakshatra and Mitra provides increased awareness of fine detail, friendship and connection, as well as travel and adventure. Get into the details, but don't get lost in them! Feeling agitated or angered? Look for the underlying need and find solutions.

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The last few week's we've been working with our inner warrior. During the Navaratri festivities, the epic battle of goddess Durga fighting and overcoming the rakshasa (demon) Mahishasura, has been enlivened within us and around us. The planets continue to cultivate this theme for us, refining our inner work and calling us into action. This is a time of deep inner work and it requires us to be courageous about it.

As per this week's horoscopes:

Full Moon is on 10.18 at exactly 18:37 CDT as Moon enters Aries. It joins Ketu there and will receive drishti from four planets: Rahu, Saturn, Sun and Mercury. Moon will be transiting Ashwini Nakshatra at the time of the full Moon. Healing comes to the forefront for each of us. Health and rejuvenation of mind, body, soul and pysche are themes for the new waning Moon cycle and will effect our choices and actions in the coming weeks. The creative arts can also be used as healing tools and are enlivened with Ashwini Nakshatra.

You will need the mask that you created last week for this activity. Need the details? Find them here.

This week is about "unmasking". Beginning with gentle movements that awaken somatic awareness, lie on your back and gently lift the chest with an inhale, relax on the exhale. Repeat several times until you feel the chest opening and the shoulder blades responding. Next rock the pelvis with gentle tilts coordinating your movements with inhales and exhales. Find a gentle spinal twist and then move into any series of poses that bring more awareness to breath, spine, and grounding. Take a 5-10 min sivasana to close.

When your body excavation is complete. Come to your drawing pad. With your warrior mask in mind (or nearby), complete a drawing of what is behind the mask- or the unmasking of your warrior. Who is behind the mask? What is there? What messages does it have for you? If your unmasking could speak, what would it say?

Keep your work. We will build on this again next week.

10.14.13 ::: Depending where you are in the world, today (in India) or yesterday (in USA), is the celebration of Vijayadashami- or Victory Day. This day is the 10th day- after the culmination of the 9 day Navaratri celebration- and the day when we celebrate Goddess Durga's powerful victory over the rakshasa demon Mahishasura.

This week, Moon is waxing and passes through Aquarius, Pisces, Aries and into Taurus, its sign of exaltation.

Full Moon is on 10.18 at exactly 18:37 CDT as Moon enters Aries. It joins Ketu there and will receive drishti from four planets: Rahu, Saturn, Sun and Mercury. Moon will be transiting Ashwini Nakshatra at the time of the full Moon. Healing comes to the forefront for each of us. Health and rejuvenation of mind, body, soul and pysche are themes for the new waning Moon cycle and will effect our choices and actions in the coming weeks. The creative arts can also be used as healing tools and are enlivened with Ashwini Nakshatra.

This Full Moon we will also have a penumbral lunar eclipse. Beginning at 16:53 CDT and ending at 20:48 CDT. In the Vedic tradition, eclipses (even partial) have symbolic meaning. Moon (intuition, intellect, connection to Source or MA) is being shadowed and can effect our ability to think clearly. It is not recommended to be out under the eclipse, nor is it a time to start new projects or ventures. The time period between lunar and solar eclipses is considered a delicate time. Until the total solar eclipse on 11.03, keep these thoughts in mind.

[For more info on lunar eclipses: http://www.space.com/15689-lunar-eclipses.html]

This two week period between eclipses is a good time to "clean things up" internally and externally and will culminate on Diwali, the Vedic celebration of light where we honor goddess Maha Lakshmi. Think of the next few weeks as creating space for more light to enter, more wealth to flow, more creative abundance to course through you. Clear, clean, purge, and cut out all that is not working in your favor. This will be happening for you on a conscious and unconscious level as well as on multiple levels of existence. Surrender to the uprooting process.

Sun moves into sandhi (the gap) this week and changes to Libra on 10.17 at 01:07 am CDT where it joins Mercury, Saturn and Rahu there. Sun is debilitated in Libra though it will be receiving drishti from the benefic Jupiter and sitting with an exalted Saturn. Sun will be in weak degrees as the Moon goes full and the eclipse occurs. The theme at this time (especially when Mercury goes retrograde next week) is cleaning up the soul and taking slow, structured and steady steps towards goals, desires, and aspirations. This is the perfect time for soul retrieval, excavation and revival. With all the movement in Libra, change and transformation is inevitable. Let the Rudra energy happening in Libra move you- and ask your ancestors for assistance as you build and re-build your life journey.

Utilize the creative arts and art as therapy practice through my Jyoti/Expressive Art Therapy Creative Engagement Activity for the week of 10.14 :::

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your “Western Sign” as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart.

Aries: This is a time where relationships get re-evaluated. See them as a mirror for your own work. Want something to shift? Change your Self. Fearing the old patterns and a closet full of haunts? Time to call in some helpful healing assistance. Take a step in a different direction with all your relationships. Ask for help. Trust that things can get better than they are, than they have been thus far. But all of this will require your effort.

Taurus: You are digesting some big pieces of the past right now. Try taking smaller bites. It's very important for you to work with your anger and your emotions of rage. Find your fierce button and safely let the steam out. Relationships, mother, home, early childhood, insecurities, vulnerabilities and security issues are red hot issues for you right now. Don't run from the work- go into the emotions and dig around. Find out what is the core of these old haunts. They keep returning in your relationships and won't go away until they get some attention. Remember, small bites, chew carefully.

Gemini: The self expansion continues. Courage and bravery are moving you forward and lessons abound. There may be confusion with decisions, making the right choices and trusting your gut instincts. Sometimes you are on it, and other times it feels like you are taking a shot in the dark. This month continues to test your abilities. Doubt may creep in and overshadow you ability to trust your Self. Watch for enemies and vulnerabilities but use this time for growing in Self awareness and learning how to ask for help. This is a great time to create alliances and build support in new ways. Think outside the box.

Cancer: Your work is centrally located- in your chest. Heart and home matters continue to take precedence for you. The same old feelings, issues, haunts seem to plague you and your relationships. Want something different? Angry that you are attracting more of the same? Can't seem to find what you are looking for? Quit taking it out on others. It's you, dear one. You need to change. You need to re-evaluate your relationship with your mother, with your emotions, with your heart and need for security. Only you can make the necessary changes. Quit asking others to do all your work for you.  #ToughLove

Leo: Your lion power is heating up. Courage, self-activated action, and personal effort seem to be paying off for you. Think about how you are effecting others though. Notice if your fierce Self power is working well in your work and personal relationships. See if there might be a better way to channel your power and your efforts in order to harmonize and create peace with the whole pack. Let your lion lay with the lambs. Find your inner Lion Tamer.

Virgo: Work and career continue to move forward and expand, but some feelings of discomfort are still having their way with you. Taking courageous steps towards creativity and relationships are part of how you can find more sustainable forms of comfort and security. Work with early childhood experiences, familial patterns, ghosts and haunts from the past that keep offering their messages. There's some rage hiding in your closet. Might as well bring it out in the open and find a way to dance with it. It wont be going away any time soon.

Libra: This is not the time of year that works in your favor dear Libra. It's the one month for you when Sun goes debilitated in your first house and you get the opportunity to re-evaluate life from the inner to the outer. Call it a soul overhaul, even though it may feel more like a depressive time where you lose a bit of your chirpiness. Best to think in terms of rest, restoration and rejuvenation for your soul. Lay low, and clean your soul from the inside out. It's time for a complete overhaul. Scrub and scour.

Scorpio: Endings. It's all about endings right now. So much upheaval, chaos and churning- but all internal. On the outside it looks like your life is rosy and powerful, but on the inside, in typical Scorpio fashion, it is anything but. Believe it or not, you are finding inner and outer balance right now, digging up the old and the dark, while finding new sources of light and life. Keep going. You are on a powerful journey that will certainly give rewards- even if it feels like you are fumbling around in a never ending dark tunnel right now.

Sagittarius: You are likely learning a lot from friends and older siblings right now. Some gains from your long, hard work give a bit of pay back right now. This month though may bring feelings of weakness and confusion with your sense of purpose and power. You are learning and growing from others and from your efforts, but something is missing still. There seems to be a war with your wisdom. Will you fight to your death, or find a way to surrender on the inner battle ground? Lay down your arms and see what happens.

Capricorn: Career will be bringing some twists and turns this month. You may be questioning your Self a lot and second-guessing your abilities. This is a time when you have options. You can reach deep within your soul and find the missing pieces to fill the holes within you. You can also start asking for help from others more, learning to trust the support systems in place all around you. Or you can keep burning your Self out. Your choice.

Aquarius: Lessons, learning and growth are coming in strange and challenging parcels. Hard knocks. There are also some trustworthy landing pads that are cushioning your falls simultaneously. Relationships are charged, passionate and are vulnerable to anger and rage. What parts of your self are you avoiding, refusing to look at? Ask for help. This month brings lessons to the soul, to the ego, and will give you opportunities to re-evaluate your actions. Ready to make some changes? Trust your Self and trust the lessons.

Pisces: This is an especially solitary month for you- a time for deep inner work- the kind that goes unnoticed by others. The work you are doing on your soul is very hidden, and the darkness is pushing you to look into corners of your soul that you'd rather not look at. A certain discomfort is having its way with you. The chaos may be feeling overwhelming at times. This is the reality of life- learning to dance with chaos and destruction as well as growth and harmony. You are learning to dance in the dark right now- so that when the lights come back on, you'll be ready.