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.

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.