This Week's Intention: Use your grief as a resource for awakening. Honor your emotional body wisdom fully and allow it to teach you about your deepest needs. 
Ask for extra support and find simple steadiness within.
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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, moving through the 4th to the 10th tithis (phases) this week of the bright half. Sun is leaving Scorpio and moves into Sagittarius midweek, bringing chaos and transition with it. Continue to uproot and remove that which doesn't serve you. Use ample amounts of surrender as you courageously move forward.

Moon continues to transit Capricorn and UttaraAshada until early afternoon on Monday. Saturn gives his drishti to the Moon, causing grief to surface. Rahu gives his gaze, activating uncertainty, confusion and amplified emotions. Notice where you are resisting and refusing your own awakening. Align with purity and purpose today. Once Moon shift to Sravana, Vishnu arrives to help us expand and awaken with his dharmic forces. Challenge what you think is possible and open up all-possibilities for yourself and your life. Seek inner and outer harmony through knowledge and wisdom. Listen to positive messages and release the harmful and hurtful inner dialogue. Be conscious of what you say and how you say it.

Tuesday, Moon moves to the final portion of Capricorn and into Dhanishta nakshatra. Saturn continues to bring his grief inducing tendencies to the Moon, inviting us to look at places we are resisting our emotional body and feelings. Rahu's gaze on the Moon increases these tendencies and intensifies the emotional body. A certain piercing nature arrives today- do you use it to penetrate your masks and illusions? To awaken parts of yourself that need more light and clarity? The Vasu Devas can support your efforts. Where are you resisting being seen, noticed, heard, witnessed and fully self expressed? Shine the light into your darkness and stand in your power.

Sun moves to sandhi degrees, opening the gap between Scorpio and Sagittarius. This challenging gandanta (gap) merges water and fire. The spiritual body and physical body are delicate right now. Attend to needs intentionally. Vulnerability will be heightened and more rest will be necessary. Find ways to slow down and allow for more pauses.

Just before midnight, Moon moves to Aquarius, now receiving gaze from Jupiter.

Wednesday brings an Aquarius Moon with Jupiter's softening, expansive gaze. Where there was contraction being felt in the previous days, today brings a new awareness. Wherever you have been closing, Jupiter will invite an opening to you. You may still resist or refuse this expansion and the expanded awareness. Look for the challenges and the obstacles as these are sure signs you are resisting the growth. Where do you need greater release and surrender in order to make space for the new? Midday, Moon shifts to Satabisha nakshatra and these themes amplify. Ruling deity Varuna can intensify the critic, the all-seeing and watchful eye- inner and outer. Let support, guidance and healing come in new ways. Notice where your critic keeps you malnourished and under supported. Make changes accordingly and be radical with self development work.

Just as Wednesday begins, Sun makes its challenging shift through the territory between Scorpio (water) and into Sagittarius (fire). This gandanta is often felt with turmoil, challenges, crisis- which will especially be activated on the physical and spiritual body levels. Protect yourself with slow, steady and intentional steps. Get extra support and make time for meditation, being in nature and extra self care.

Sun arrives in Sagittarius at 00:49 PST, landing in Mula nakshatra as it enters this one-pointed fire sign. Mula can add to the chaos and calamity that may be stirring within, so take active measures to find greater calm. Sun remains in Sagittarius until January 14th, receiving the gaze of Jupiter all the while. Jupiter offers expansive, wisdom oriented support, which provides spiritual awareness and supports the spiritual body. Jupiter is akasha (space) and aligned with dharma. Pay close attention to dharmic messages arriving at this time. Can you hear the pure messages of your soul helping you to awaken from within? 

This is a spiritual and heart awakening transit if used as such. It's also a transit for deep shadow work in order to heal, transform and awaken from illusion. The critic will be strong and amplified in this cycle so be actively noticing where there's resistance to hearing new wisdom or getting different types of support. Notice where the ego gets in your way of compassion and liberation- both internally and externally. This includes spiritual ego and the "know it all" that keeps you away from new growth and possibility.

Prepare for more release and letting go- especially with relationships. Gather resources and support from spirit and those aligned with spiritual wisdom, but make sure you're doing the necessary personal development work on the levels of mental body and emotional body. Spirit helps those who help themselves. Use consistent action steps and trust these steps will add up with time. Activate healthy boundaries.

There's a certain impatience with the heart which may cause more suffering than nourishment. Try more compassion for your efforts and lean in with softening and deeper listening. Fearlessly look at parts of yourself that need more light. Heart wisdom arrives when the mind is quiet and calm. Bring more light to your emotional body and allow grief to wash away the years of darkness, pain and suffering. Grief has the ability to heal and soften old wounds, allowing us to deepen our presence and patience. Ask spirit, therapists, healers and guides for support with your release process. Soften the ferocity and action-oriented agenda with cycles of strategy and release. Take focused action, then let go of outcome; repeat.

Find balance with your words, money and nourishment. Feed yourself well on all levels of life and notice how this feels in your body. Let the wisdom of your pelvis be a resource for deepening your stability, self trust and life balance. 

Thursday morning Satabisha's healing gaze continues. Start  your day off right with self care. Take extra time to get your needs met. Late morning, Moon shifts to Purvabhadrapada and inner/outer balance becomes essential. Where are you pushing too hard and forcing outcomes and agendas? What do you really need for more stability and support in your life. Dive deep. Is your ego (spiritual ego included) getting in the way of what you truly need?

Just as Friday begins, Moon moves to Pisces, joining Ketu here. Both receive gaze from Mars and Rahu. The emotional body will be extra heated and agitated in the coming days. Take necessary precautions and attend to self care. Move, process and transform anger into passion and power. Feel the charge. Late morning, Moon shifts to the latter half of the Bhadrapada constellation. Uttarabhadrapada helps us dive more deeply into our subconscious terrain. Gather pearls as you traverse the inner waters of your being. Be sure to come up for air.

Jupiter is now sandhi, at the edge of Leo, intensifying his transit through this passionate sign. We are all working with power in new ways. January 7th Jupiter will retrograde for five months. Look for signs right now as you'll be working with these themes more closely once Jupiter begins is backward dance. Want more details? Check out my Jupiter in Leo articles- Part 1 and 2.

Saturday mid morning, Moon moves to the final nakshatra of the zodiac, Revati. Release, endings and conclusions may be found today. Ruling deity, Pushan, supports resources and finding support along ones path. He shares the fruits of our efforts and requests simplicity, purity and compassion. How can you surrender and soften with yourself and others? Where can you find a bit more release and letting go? Keep it simple and land within. Meditation, time in nature and writing can be helpful today.

Mid morning Sunday, Moon leaps through the challenging gap between Pisces and Aries- from endings to beginnings and water into fire. Emotions will be in a state of release, so let them flow, move and shift. Watch the wave patterns moving through you. Moon receives multiple gazes in the coming days- from Venus seven houses away, Mars and Jupiter. Let your anger and passion teach you. Let your wisdom move more and expand what you think is possible for yourself. Seek stability, integration and creative flow. Moon moves through Ashwini today and the 10th tithi, Dashami, which connects to dharma. Transform, heal and rejuvenate through releasing and letting go. Move towards what serves you and your path.

Early Monday morning, Moon shifts to Bharani- offering possible restriction, constriction and difficulties with relationships and money. This is a reminder to find more balance with both. Where are you out of alignment and not in right relationship with wealth and love? Where are you giving too much and neglecting deeper needs? Where are you starving yourself for false gratification? Say yes to nourishment by aligning with love, gratitude, creativity and your passion for life. Keep it simple and let go of the extras, the distractions, the false nourishment that keeps you in lack. Say yes to your transformation and allow in new possibilities. As winter Solstice arrives, the darkness deepens. Light your lights and call upon the Sun to bring you resources for growth.

*All timing is given in Pacific Standard Time Zone.

Moon is waxing and yet the inward pull continues. Monday begins with two wild planetary shifts as Sun and Mercury both move simultaneously to Scorpio. This leaves only one debilitated planet to contend with. However, the fierce conjunction of Venus, Mars and Rahu continues. Sun and Mercury will no longer be hemmed in by malefics, but they will conjunct Saturn in Scorpio and receive drishti from Ketu. Sensitivity is high in the coming cycle and we will all benefit from extra rest, self care and attention to the four bodies- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Go slow and don't force.

Late morning on Monday, Moon moves to the latter half of the Ashada constellation, UttaraAshada, and the Vishva Devas arrive to lend their support and assistance. When we align with right action, dharma, Nature aligns to support us with her power and abundance. The All Gods, or Vishva Devas, who rule this nakshatra, remind us of this need. Natural Laws are the supreme laws of the universe and keep us connected to Source, our ultimate alignment with life and spirit. Make you actions count today. Notice where you may be out of integrity- with yourself and spirit. Make the necessary adjustments to get the power you seek. Where is ego pushing you away from Source? What stories in the mind are keeping you from ultimate nourishment and divine connection? With debilitated Sun and Mercury in exact conjunction today, mental body work is necessary. Clean up, purify and burn away illusions and old chitta vrittis, mind stuff. Purify and transform through right relationship with Self and life.

Sun leaves its sign of debilitation where a certain slow, inward climb has been present. The tight conjunction of Sun and Mercury continues as Sun and Mercury leap almost simultaneously into Scorpio on November 16th. Scorpio is known for its depth, deep inner power and passions. The inward focus of the past cycle deepens, clarifies, and transforms in the cycle ahead. The combustion of Sun and Mercury continues through December 6th- when Mercury moves to Sagittarius. With Sun and Mercury continuing to travel in close proximity, the mental body stays hot, focused, critical and oriented towards order and organization. Use this time to gain clarity and attend to finances, old karmas, shadow work and stories from the past. Mental and imaginal realms will be illuminated. What is coming to the light?

Though Sun and Mercury will no longer be hemmed in by malefics, they will conjunct Saturn in Scorpio and receive drishti from Ketu. Sensitivity is high in the coming cycle and we will all benefit from extra rest, self care and attention to the four bodies. Go slow and don't force. This is also a prime opportunity to attend to physical and mental bodies and deepen the mind/body connection. With mental body rigidity and resistance present, use the physical body as a resource for staying in the present, rather than traversing the past. All four bodies- spiritual, mental, emotional and physical- will be extra sensitive in this cycle. Pushing, forcing or fighting this will lead to unnecessary struggles and obstacles. Health issues are a reminder to slow down and listen more deeply. Mental and emotional body struggles are a request to look at parts of yourself that need your attention. Spiritual concerns request deeper surrender and trust. Gather resources and extra support for this cycle and notice where you are resisting or refusing the nourishment you need for safety and support.

Relationships continue to prove insightful and a potent mirror for inner growth and healing. In this cycle it's vital that illusions are clarified, brought to the surface and transformed. Notice where you are staying out of integrity and giving your power away. Focus on inner support and stability rather than mindlessly pleasing, dis-empowering yourself, and deflecting the nourishment you need.

Early afternoon, Moon moves to Capricorn, receiving drishti from Saturn and Rahu. Watch for inner storms.

Late morning Tuesday, Moon shifts to Sravana nakshatra, a constellation of the Moon. Saturn and Rahu give their gaze to the Moon, transiting a Saturn sign, Capricorn. Watch for depression, fear, and anxieties to surface. What is keeping you from feeling safety and security? What action steps need to take place in order to create different possibilities and options for yourself? There's a certain and necessary expansion that needs to take place in order to move forward and receive more nourishment. Where are you resisting and neglecting extra support and guidance? Vishnu gives his dharmic support today. It's time to make different choices, in order for different results. Start noticing where there are holes in your life and where needs are not getting met.

Sun and Mercury travel in tight conjunction today. The mind is focused yet critical. Stay out of the impossible and re-frame for yourself. Be solution oriented.

Wednesday mid morning, Moon moves to Dhanishta nakshatra, the shining star. The support of the Vasu Devas arrive to help increase the light and visibility. Take the dharmic awareness that emerged yesterday and let it inform the action steps you make today. Get focused, clear and align with your desires, passions and possibility. Open and awaken the rigidity and resistance. Find ways into the these parts of yourself and shine the light. Where do you need support? Where are you not showing up for yourself? Where are you playing small and down playing your desires? It's time to start shining brighter.

Wednesday evening, Moon arrives in Aquarius. Saturn and Rahu continue to give their effect as ruling planets of this sign. Moon only receives gaze from Jupiter which can feel extra supportive and nourishing.

Thursday, Moon transits through Aquarius, receiving the softening support of Jupiter and his wisdom-enhancing nourishment. Mid morning, Moon shifts to the often intense nakshatra, Satabisha. Though the critic and its chaos inducing ways may increase with Varuna's all-seeing nature, there is also opportunity here for healing to take place. When we honestly look at our shadow parts, we can transform and awaken them. Today, find opportunities for deepening your listening capacity. Find compassion for yourself and others. Seek guidance and support from healers and therapists- those who can provide resources, guidance and support, transformation and healing. Identify and confront your shadow parts and bring them to the light through wisdom and awareness.

Early morning on Friday, Moon shifts to Purvabhadrapada, a nakshtra ruled by Ajaikapada, a form of Nataraja. Seek balance, movement and transformation today. Take your struggles into your dance. Let your dance be a metaphor for your life process. Step and ground, land and leap. Life is both opening and closing, seeking deeper resiliency in the process. This nakshatra reminds us to find balance within light and dark, happiness and sadness, the full spectrum of our being. We are all of it and how well we integrate and dance with our extremes, our polarities, is actually how we find balance.

Late evening, Moon moves to the final sign of the zodiac, Pisces, joining Ketu here. Both planets receive gaze from Rahu, debilitated Venus and Mars. Be diligent and gentle with all relationships during the coming weekend- including yourself.

Saturday morning, Moon shifts to the last half of the Bhadra constellation, Uttarabhadrapada. Serpent of the deep, Ahirbudhnya, beckons us to traverse our inner netherworlds. Our uncharted territory is enlivened today and requests that we look more deeply at layers we may have neglected. The often unseen and hidden parts of ourselves will be magnified today. Use this as an invitation for looking at your shadows, inner illusions and the parts of yourself that keep you in the dark. The critic is high and intensifies through the weekend. Whether you turn this inward or outward, notice how your critic keeps you from being deeply nourished, supported and feeling safe. How does your critic keep you playing small, rather than stepping into your power? What does your critic need? What is it asking of you? Honor it without it ruling your life.

Just as Sunday begins, Moon shifts to Revati nakshatra, the final constellation of twenty seven. Ruling deity, Pushan, supports and guides us on our path- with nourishment, resources and fruitful harvesting. He likes intention and provides safety and comfort when we honor our steps with diligence and compassion. Endings and release are afoot as Moon moves to the edge of Pisces. What support and guidance can you gather for yourself as you move forward? What resources have you encountered recently? What challenges? How can both inform your action steps and momentum?

Moon crosses the tricky gandanta between Pisces and Aries just before midnight. Surrender to release, loss, endings and letting go. Purge emotions and let grief move through you. Prepare for a new cycle to come by letting the old move out and through you. Moon arrives in Aries and Ashwini nakshatra as Sunday comes to a close. Fresh starts begin the week ahead.

Monday, allow the vulnerability of beginnings settle in as you move through your day. There's a freshness, a vitality, an awakening and enlivening occurring. Calculate your steps and be poignant in your choices. Attend to rejuvenation and revitalization. Awaken and refresh yourself with new actions. Declare your inner power and orient yourself around this core of truth within. Mars gives his gaze to the Moon today. Take the passion into action. If you are feeling anger stir, notice where you need to create healthier boundaries. What does your anger need? Lean in and listen carefully.


*All timing is given in Pacific Standard Time Zone.