The new moon is my monthly time for “seeding” intentions. I write down what I hope to focus on in the next 30 days or so, and then give my ideas a period of gestation, like seeds in the soil, before I take action. Having this regular time each month to focus my goals has helped to give me clarity of purpose.
Agenda for today:
1. Journal:
What might give my life more wholeness?
What am I hungry for?
What are my next steps in life?
What does prosperity look like for me now?
Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, so this is a good time to seed intentions of prosperity and good fortune. List my intentions for the next month in these areas-
Self, Friends and Family, Teaching, Artwork, Writing, Home and Garden, Work/Business, and Volunteer work.
2. New Moon Meditation:
Light a small white candle. Center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.
Remember: Prosperity is a sense of peace and well being within, enough money to pay my bills on time, and the support I need to make my dreams come alive.
3. Plan:
As the moon waxes, I expand-- plant seeds, make connections, and begin new projects. Today I will plan my first small steps.
This October has been very busy- I've been stressed, exposed to chills, mold spores, and lots of kid germs. I am also expending a large amount of mental energy making plans and worrying about details. It’s easy to become impatient and grouchy, catch a cold, or fall into a blue mood at this time of year. When the season changes, I need to adapt- I need to remember to cover my head when it’s cold out, get more rest, find comforting ways to care for myself, and open myself to love, health, and happiness.
4. Make dija lamps:
5. Make a Mandala:
To prepare for Diwali, Hindus clean and decorate their houses with flowers and tinsel. They also paint designs on the ground in front of the door of the house, as a sign of welcome to Lakshmi.
Floor painting is an art handed down from mother to daughter in India. Many women make designs every morning, by sprinkling white or colored rice flour with their fingers- rice flour is thought to have protective power. The artist starts her painting with a period of meditation and works in a prayerful way.
6. Make Almond Katli:
On Diwali, Indians also give gifts to each other, especially big trays of candy! Almond Katli is a traditional Diwali sweet, and it’s easy to make. The recipe is here.
What might give my life more wholeness?
What am I hungry for?
What are my next steps in life?
What does prosperity look like for me now?
Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, so this is a good time to seed intentions of prosperity and good fortune. List my intentions for the next month in these areas-
Self, Friends and Family, Teaching, Artwork, Writing, Home and Garden, Work/Business, and Volunteer work.
2. New Moon Meditation:
Light a small white candle. Center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.
Remember: Prosperity is a sense of peace and well being within, enough money to pay my bills on time, and the support I need to make my dreams come alive.
3. Plan:
As the moon waxes, I expand-- plant seeds, make connections, and begin new projects. Today I will plan my first small steps.
This October has been very busy- I've been stressed, exposed to chills, mold spores, and lots of kid germs. I am also expending a large amount of mental energy making plans and worrying about details. It’s easy to become impatient and grouchy, catch a cold, or fall into a blue mood at this time of year. When the season changes, I need to adapt- I need to remember to cover my head when it’s cold out, get more rest, find comforting ways to care for myself, and open myself to love, health, and happiness.
4. Make dija lamps:
The word Diwali is short for Deepavali, which translates into "row of lamps"; people set out hundreds of small diya lamps filled with oil for this festival, to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
A diya lamp is easy to make- you will need a little bit of self-hardening clay. Form a small egg-shaped container, with a shallow bowl to hold a tiny bit of oil, and a lip to hold the flame.
When the clay is dry, twist a wick from half of a cotton ball, and fill the bowl with a bit of vegetable oil. It will burn for quite awhile.
When the clay is dry, twist a wick from half of a cotton ball, and fill the bowl with a bit of vegetable oil. It will burn for quite awhile.
To prepare for Diwali, Hindus clean and decorate their houses with flowers and tinsel. They also paint designs on the ground in front of the door of the house, as a sign of welcome to Lakshmi.
Floor painting is an art handed down from mother to daughter in India. Many women make designs every morning, by sprinkling white or colored rice flour with their fingers- rice flour is thought to have protective power. The artist starts her painting with a period of meditation and works in a prayerful way.
6. Make Almond Katli:
7. Make a Puja:
A puja is a ritual of reverence or celebration. At Diwali, I add some coins to my altar, and light a diya to welcome Lakshmi.
Then I focus on my idea of prosperity, and chant-
A puja is a ritual of reverence or celebration. At Diwali, I add some coins to my altar, and light a diya to welcome Lakshmi.
Then I focus on my idea of prosperity, and chant-
- Om - the primodial sound
- Shreem - from which beauty and feminine energy eminates
- Ma-ha - great
- Lak-shma-yai - goddess of wealth
- Na-ma-ha - I pray.
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