Navratri is celebrated at least twice each year in India- in the spring and fall- because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Autumn (Sharad) Navratri begins on the day after the rise of the new moon in late September or early October.
Agenda for today:
4. Set up an altar for Mother Nature
I continue to focus on my image of Durga and chant-
- Om - the primordial sound,
- Dum - the energy which protects from all negative influences,
- Dur-ga-yei - goddess of strength,
- Na-ma-ha - I pray.
I often make a rangoli on the silver plate that holds my diya lamps, but this year I'm keeping everything simple and toddler-friendly, so I used one I made on cardboard with glue.
For more about rangoli and how to make them, see my Rangoli page.
3 - Plant grain seeds:
My three grains, soaking overnight. |
I often use three kinds of grain seeds: Wheat for the sun, rice for the moon, and corn for the earth (corn is not a Hindu grain but it's important to me!) I remembered to start soaking these a couple of days ago, so they are good and ready now, and starting to sprout.
The sowing, sprouting and growth of the grains is intended to bring peace, abundance, and joy to the household-- as they grow during the nine days of the festival, they will remind me of the vibrancy of life and the creative energy of the Shakti.
4 - Set up an altar for Mother Nature:
This year I simply added Navratri items to our nature tray:
- my rangoli - to welcome the Shakti
- a diya lamp and a candle - for the Light of God
- a bell - to keep me awake to the Spirit
- and a bowl of seeds - for the creative energy of the Shakti
At the new moon I set some goals for October, and today I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I chose a few to write today - those I might act on today - then I'll work on a few more each day this week.
I intend to continue to write a guide to a Medicine Art process for how to practice everyday creative activities in a reverential way, that will help to heal our self-focus and sense of overwhelm and re-connect us to the earth and nature, because this draws on my strengths as an artist, writer, and teacher, and promises me a uniquely proactive response to climate change.
I intend to persistently complete my fall cleaning, and batten down the hatches for winter: Clear out all our storage spaces, clean and paint outside windows, and finish garden projects before the rainy season hits in force, because maintaining my property in good order is the honorable and sustainable thing to do, and is one way that I create a home that is a peaceful and well-ordered sanctuary for those I love.
I intend to practice equanimity and present-centeredness (stay calm and patient with people and problems, not obsessed with any thought, not acting with aggression or anger, and remembering to tolerate my uncomfortable feelings), because I am ruled by my heart and soul, not my impulses, and my equanimity in times of stress will heal the world, and serve my family best.
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