Navratri, Part 3

Navratri continues for three more nights, with the arrival of Saraswati. 

Navratri 2015

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights, which are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon. We honor Saraswati during these final three nights; Saraswati means "the essence of self".

Agenda Today:
1- Add to my altar
2- Morning meditation on wisdom
3- Make moong dal (yellow lentil) sundal
5- Evening visualization and prayer
6- Lakshmi mantra

Navratri continues

Navratri continues tonight with the visit of Lakshmi, the Goddess of success.

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. 

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights which are broken up into sets of three, and during each set a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon. We honor Lakshmi during the middle set.

Agenda Today:
1- Make a new rangoli design
2- Add to my altar
3- Morning meditation on creative growth 
4- Make sweet corn sundal
5- Evening visualization and prayer
6- Lakshmi mantra

Autumn Equinox

The autumn equinox occurred at 1:02 p.m. this afternoon in the Pacific Northwest. Summer is over and darkness has again caught up to the light.

Canadian geese are on the move south, the leaves are turning and beginning to drop, and night temperatures are cooler. Everything in nature is paring down, and moving energy to the roots and into the earth.

This is the second balancing point in the year, when we might gently shift our attention from the physical side of life to the spiritual and mental, to indoor projects and thoughtful pursuits. As the nights lengthen, we have more dark time available, to be alone and to think; to become clear about our intentions; to nurture inner seeds that may not sprout until spring.

Mark the Start of Autumn:
1. Journal queries
2. Fall possibilities list
3. Fall cleaning and decorating
4. Make a straw doll

Al Higra

Photo by Alan Gilespie.

Al-Hijra is the first day of the Islamic month of Muharram; it begins at sunset tonight, when the crescent moon is sighted. 

Hijra means migration, and also an escape from a dangerous situation. The original hijra was the journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, after he learned that another Arab tribe was trying to assassinate him.

This date became the Muslim New Year, and Islamic years are calculated from 1 Muharram, 622 CE. They are followed by the suffix AH, which stands for "After Hijra". (Tonight begins 1438 AH.)

Al-Hijra is celebrated quietly, with prayers, readings, and reflection, not the hoopla we associate with the western New Year. Muslims tell the story of Muhammad’s flight through the desert on camel-back with sword-wielding thugs in pursuit. They reflect on their own migrations, actual or of the soul. 

Agenda:
1. Journal queries
2. Prayer

International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by a resolution of the UN General Assembly. In 2001 the date was fixed on September 21. 

The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.”

The theme honours the spirit of TOGETHER, a United Nations campaign that promotes respect safety and dignity for refugees and migrants; its aim is to counter the rise in xenophobia and discrimination.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says, “In times of insecurity, communities that look different become convenient scapegoats. We must resist cynical efforts to divide communities and portray neighbours as ‘the other’. Discrimination diminishes us all. It prevents people — and societies — from achieving their full potential...Together, let us stand up against bigotry and for human rights. Together, let us build bridges. Together, let us transform fear into hope.”

Peace Day Agenda:
1. Journal queries
2. Raise awareness
3. Peace paintings
4. Peace vigil

Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. 

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights, symbolic of the nine months in the womb.
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:
1- Make a rangoli design
2- Plant grain seeds
3- Set up an altar for Mother Nature
4- Morning meditation on strength 
5- Make channa sundal (spicy chickpeas)
6- Evening visualization and prayer
7- Durga mantra

Rosh Hashanah

This is the first evening of Rosh Hashanah (Roash hah-shah-nuh), which falls near the new moon of late September or early October. The observance begins at sundown tonight and lasts for two days, but it's actually the start of a ten-day period called the Days of Awe that ends with Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year”; it’s the Jewish New Year for the Spirit. The focus of this festival is repentance for wrongs you have done, and reaffirmation that you will take the honorable path in the future.

Agenda Today:
1. Journal queries
2. Make challah
3. Share a Seder

New Harvest Moon

My late summer garden: September’s color is golden-yellow for the ripe grain,
success, and balance at the center.

Tonight is the new moon. The Chinese call the eighth new moon the Harvest Moon, because it's harvest time!  

On my road towards enlightenment I harvest little pieces of wisdom each day, as well as friendship and all the other fruits of my labors. Today I will take stock of my bounty.

Agenda for today:
1- Journal queries
2- New moon harvest meditation
3- Set intentions
4- Dry herbs

Paitishem

The Zoroastrian community honors the six seasons of the year by celebrating six Gahambars- the word gahambar means "proper season". Each of these six festivals is celebrated for five days, and each honors one of the six material creations: The heaven, water, earth, flora, fauna and man.

Paitishem is the third Gahambar, celebrating the creation of the earth, the end of summer, and the harvesting of crops. It takes place each year from September 12th through the 16th.

Agenda this week:
1. Recite prayers
2. Make papeta-ma-ghosh (stewed meat with potatoes)
3. Work in the late summer garden

Full Harvest Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

The full moon rose very early this morning. This full moon is called the Harvest Moon, because it rises obliquely, close to the horizon, and remains big and bright for a long time, giving extra light to harvesters.

Agenda for today:
1. Update my altar
2. Journal queries
3. Set my theme for the month

Hungry Ghost Festival

My hungry ghost altar

Today is the Hungry Ghost Festival. The ghosts have been wandering the land since the beginning of Hungry Ghost Month, 14 days ago at the new moon; by now they must be very hungry, so it's a good idea to offer them food.

In China both Taoists and Buddhists perform rituals to soothe the sufferings of the dead. The Taoist name for the Hungry Ghost Festival is the Zhong Yuan Festival, and Buddhists call it the Yulanpen Festival. Think of it as a summertime Halloween celebration!

Agenda:
1. Family feast
2. Prepare offerings to burn
3. Hungry ghost ceremony
4. Make a floating lantern

Labor Day

Endurance, 2016 (acrylic on canvas)

The first Labor Day was held on September 5, 1882, started by the Central Labor Union in New York City. In 1884, it was moved to the first Monday in September, to honor the American labor movement, the workers, and contributions we make to the strength of our country. If you work at anything, in or outside the home, this holiday is dedicated to you. 

Labor Day is, ironically, a day off from labors. Most schools start soon after Labor Day, so many people view it as the end of summer, and the last chance for a camp-out or picnic.

Agenda Today:
1. Journal queries
2. Review my Mission
3. Dabble
4. Make apple cider!