Diwali and New Chrysanthemum Moon

Endurance- acrylic and collage on canvas.

Tonight is the night of the new moon. The Chinese call this ninth new moon the Chrysanthemum Moon. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of long life and endurance because of its ability to withstand colder temperatures. According to Chinese scholars, it shows the virtues of one who can endure temptations and maintain grace.

The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new.

This is also the start of the five day Hindu Festival of Diwali, which falls on the new moon of late October or early November. Diwali is the festival of good luck and prosperity- one of the most important festivals of the year for Hindus. On Diwali, people wear new clothes, clean and decorate their homes, go to fairs with music, dancing, fireworks, jugglers and snake charmers, and give gifts to each other.

1. Retreat Day

2. Choose a month theme

3. Puja for prosperity

4. Read "Focus on the Good Stuff"

5. Start an Abundance Journal

6. Make almond katli

1. Retreat Day:

If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. I took my retreat days this last weekend.

2. Choose a month theme:

My theme for the next 30 days is abundance: Abundance is like a gentle wind of blessings blowing with determination into my life. The wind is all the fortunate influences that shape my life - my friends, family, society, and outside forces and situations. Abundance blows steadily, and over time will influence and shape me. I need to maintain integrity and awareness to avoid being swayed or blown in the wrong direction, but I achieve the greatest success by yielding to prospects brought on the wind. 

My abundance goals might be to become more open and accepting of opportunities and alternative ways to proceed; to find ways to draw in more cash and other less tangible kinds of wealth; to become clearer about my finances, what I value in my life, and how I define success; to be more generous and giving of my time and resources; or to better show thankfulness for the flow of blessings and prosperity in my life.

My abundance practices this month are:

1. Read Focus on the Good Stuff

2. Morning Abundance Journal: Answer daily queries.

3. Blessing Walk: Acknowledge my blessings, visualize the blessings I want today, set intentions for service, and open to the movement of abundance.

4. Creativity Challenge: Creativity supports abundance. Each day pick one thing to make with my hands with care - a pot of soup, a painting, a kid craft, a felted bee.

3. Puja for prosperity:

A puja is a ritual of reverence or celebration. Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, so today I say a prayer to welcome Lakshmi. 

Om - the primordial sound

Shreem - from which beauty and feminine energy emanates

Ma-ha - great

Lak-shma-yai - goddess of wealth

Na-ma-ha - I pray.

4. Read "Focus on the Good Stuff":

I've just started this book by Mike Robbins (2007), with the sub-title "The Power of Appreciation". In the introduction he says, "Underneath every dream or goal we have is a desire for appreciation. We want to feel good about ourselves and our lives." He's not talking about being appreciated, but about appreciating ourselves, our own lives, and everyone and everything that surrounds us. Along with appreciation he uses words like empowerment, effectiveness, confidence, clarity, and success.

Chapter One is What's Wrong Out There?, about all the pervasive negativity in our lives. The impact is that we can't have meaningful relationships with people we judge, criticize, and gossip about, and we can't influence or inspire the people for whom we show contempt. "We all engage in this two some degree or another. When we can bring our negativity towards others into the light, tell the truth about it, and look at the impact it has on us and those around us, we can start to do something to alter it."

5. Start an Abundance Journal:

To attract abundance into my life (and into the world), I need an abundance consciousness: That is, I need to be aware of the abundance already in my life, connect with it, feel grateful for it, and be ready to accept more of it. 

Abundance consciousness opens my mind and helps me to operate at a higher-level; I see my prospects clearly and welcome obstacles as opportunities. When I believe there’s enough for everybody, I will take it as a challenge to figure out how to make it so; I will work harder to create a bright future for myself, my family, and my world.

Today I start this Abundance Journal practice that I will continue through the month. I started with a few minutes of quiet meditation to expand my awareness of what I want for myself and for others in my life. “Expansion is the great friend of abundance. It brings in the light, opening up new possibilities. In a relaxed, open state, your awareness sees farther, and life isn’t so confined.” (Deepak Chopra)

Then I write very short, simple answers to these queries:

1. What do I want today, for myself and for others?

Today I want everyone to get attention and appreciation.

2. What step can I take today towards abundance?

Bring moment-to-moment attention and appreciation on tender moments with my family.

3. What one thing could I create today, to expand abundance in the world?

Opportunities for 2-year-old autonomy, along with a fun kid-craft experience. 

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 pretty easy to make. It's like almond fudge or marzipan- sweet and yummy. The recipe is here.