Diwali and New Kindly moon

Tonight is the night of the new moon. The Chinese call this tenth new moon the Kindly Moon. In China, this is the season for winter crop planting, and this month brings the first “little snow” which gently (and kindly) moistens the winter wheat seedlings. We don't have snow yet, but we've had some rain finally.

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. Set intentions

4. New moon altar and puja for prosperity

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 a retreat day this past Sunday, and it was regenerative.

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 thoughts this month are:

• What abundance do I want for myself and others in my life?
• What are the habits I can practice to expand abundance in the world?
• How can I express my gratitude to people, the earth, and to God?

3. Set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for November, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I've written just two intentions, the ones I might act on today, and will write more later.

I intend to invite abundance into my life, and into the world, by cultivating an abundance consciousness; that is, I will acknowledge the blessings I have already, find a multitude of ways to express my gratitude, get clear about what blessings I want to see for the world, and challenge myself to help to create them, because if I can truly believe that there’s enough for everybody, I will find ways to make it so. 

I intend to create an abundance of opportunities for family connection, completely open myself to the win-win solutions for family harmony, and not allow our differences to prevent my cooperation, because my family is my wellspring for love, and I know in my heart that defending my idea of fairness is what causes me pain, and letting that go creates space for peace, and because love is our connection with God, and the only thing that will save us.

4. New moon altar and puja for prosperity:

It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next four weeks. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke? I will keep from last month:

• a God's eye - to watch over us
• dried corn - for the harvest
  
• my straw doll- for luck and protection

I added:

• a purple candle - for abundance and gratitude
• A bowl of coins - to welcome 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.

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; I see my prospects clearly and welcome obstacles as opportunities. It helps me to operate at a higher-level: 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 started an 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 wrote very short, simple answers to these queries:

1. What do I want today, for myself and for others?
2. What steps can I take today towards abundance? 
3. What one thing could I create today, to expand abundance?
4. What one gift could I give today, to make the world better? 
5. How can I express my gratitude today?

My answers always surprise me, and set me on a course for abundance. For example, today I answered:

1. I want joy!
2. Play with my grandson.
3. Cookie dough.
4. Undistracted attention.
5. Laugh!

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.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 c. sliced almonds1-1/4 c. sugar1/4-tsp. cardamom powder1-Tbsp. ghee or oilYield: 20 pieces-

1- Measure almonds and grind in a food mill. Set aside.


2- Oil a cookie sheet and set aside.

3- Put 6 Tbs. water into a saucepan, and add sugar and cardamom powder. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, then bring to rapid boil.

4- As soon as sugar begins to boil, remove from heat and add the almond powder. Mix well to break up the lumps, then add ghee or oil.


5- Return the pan to the stove and cook again on medium until the batter becomes thick but is still liquid. 

(The first time I made this it got stiff and when cooled it shattered into bits. The second time I poured it out too soon and it didn't hold it's shape, so I put it back in the pot and cooked it a minute longer-- success! It was just right.)

6- Transfer batter to the pan and use a spatula to turn it and knead it to get a smooth dough.




7- When it's done, shape it into a rectangle.

8- Cut into diamonds with a pizza cutter and decorate each piece with an almond slice.