Navratri, Part 3

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

The word navratri means nine nights; on each set of three nights we meditate on a different aspect of Shakti, the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. For these final three nights we honor and thank the Divine Mother as Saraswati, who is "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

Autumn Equinox

 

The autumn equinox occurred this morning at 6:30 a.m. in the Pacific Northwest. Summer is over and darkness will again catch up to the light.

We have had a violent end of summer this year: The entire state is still on fire, smoke covered the sun, and ash rained down on us. 

Now, as the air quality settles back down to "moderate" and we can go outside again we see that it does seem like fall - the rains have begun, 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. We will recover eventually.

This is the second balancing point in the year; in the fall 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

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. 

This year's Day of Peace celebrates the theme: Shaping Peace Together. The UN web site says:

"This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security and very way of life. COVID-19 has thrown our world into turmoil and forcibly reminded us that what happens in one part of the planet can impact people everywhere.

In March, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and focus on the battle against this unprecedented global pandemic. While the message is intended for armed parties, solidarity and cooperation across borders, sectors and generations are also needed to win this new fight against the worst public health crisis of our time.

As we struggle to defeat COVID-19, your voice is more important than ever. In these difficult times of physical distancing, this International Day of Peace will be dedicated to fostering dialogue and collecting ideas. The world will be invited to unite and share thoughts on how to weather this storm, heal our planet and change it for the better. Even though we may not be able to stand next to each other, we can still dream together.

The 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Shaping Peace Together.” Celebrate the day by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred. Join us so that we can shape peace together."

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

Navratri Continues

 Navratri continues tonight with the visit of Lakshmi. 

The word navratri means nine nights; on each set of three nights we meditate on a different aspect of Shakti, the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. Tonight we honor and thank the Divine Mother as Lakshmi, the Goddess of success. 

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

Rosh Hashanah

Tonight is the first evening of Rosh Hashanah (Roash hah-shah-nuh), which falls at or 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 for today:
1- Journal queries
2- Make challah
3- Share a Seder

New Harvest Moon and Autumn 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.

The new moon rose this morning at 4 a.m. The Chinese call this eighth new moon the Harvest Moon, because it's harvest time!

 
Agenda for today:
1. New moon harvest meditation
2. Set intentions

3. Make a rangoli design
4. Plant grain seeds
5. Set up an altar for Mother Nature
6. Morning meditation on strength 
7. Evening visualization and prayer
8. Durga mantra

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

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. Hold my Grandson

Full Harvest Moon and Hungry Ghost Festival

The full Harvest Moon rises this evening-- obliquely, close to the horizon-- and remains big and bright for a long time, giving extra light to harvesters.

Today is also the date of 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. 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 for today:
1. Update my altar
2. Journal queries
3. Practice Stillness

4. Prepare offerings
5. Family feast
6. Hungry ghost ceremony
7. Make a floating lantern