First Quarter Moon and Navratri Part 3

Navratri continues for the final three nights. The nine nights of Navratri are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon. For these final three nights we honor and thank the Divine Mother as Saraswati, who is "the essence of self". Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.

And Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

I use this March quarter moon's energy to create hope.

Agenda Today:

1. Morning meditation and mantra

2. Journal queries

3. Make a full effort plan

4. Add to the altar

5. Proaction and reciprocity plans

1. Morning meditation and mantra:
During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). For these last three days I honor the intuitive aspect of the Mother.

Saraswati is dressed in white, holds a scroll and plays music on a veena. She is called the Flowing-One because she comes from the river, and offers the gift of fluidity in speech and thought. She is the embodiment of the knowledge of Truth and spiritual wisdom. Saraswati shines with the pure light and uplifting energy of sattwa.

On my path I pass through the stages that everyone has to pass through - one naturally leads to the next. As I eliminate an undesirable quality, I develop the virtue opposite to it. Each time I succeed in developing and strengthening my good qualities, I am ready to receive another bit of the Light, moving towards enlightenment - that's what the nine days of Navratri are all about.

On each morning of Navratri I light a small white candle. For these last three mornings I meditate on my inner wisdom, and the new light and understanding I have received this season. 

I picture this Mother spirit sitting on the blossom of my heart, sprinkling me with cleansing waters, and shining the light of wisdom, peace, and Truth.

I continue to focus on my image of Saraswati and chant- 

• Om - the primordial sound 
• Aim - from which knowledge and powers of speech emanate 
• Sa-ra-swath-yai - goddess of wisdom 
• Na-ma-ha - I pray.

(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)

2. Journal queries:

Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities; I remember that for each opportunity in life there is a challenge. My theme this month is joy and creativity; the challenges are limitation, lethargy and procrastination; if I feel restricted in any way, or stuck in place, I’m not acting in the now. I will practice opening doors, stepping through, and proceeding one step at a time.

Which of my priorities am I having the most trouble acting on this month?

What do I need (tools, information, allies) in order to best practice the habits of joy (contentment, creativity, playfulness, curiosity, and humor)?

What do I need to do or learn in order to express myself fully?

 

From my journal: Even when my plans go sideways and I get to hold a sick kid all day, and offer sips of water, I can take some daily time to open the door to curiosity, creativity, and joy.

3. Make a full effort plan:

At the new moon I set some intentions, and one is "I intend to find contentment in the garden, with daily planting and care, and take time each day to be quiet and aware, in unity with nature, because my spirit needs attention and care in order to grow, and I especially want to grow my connection to the Earth and the Sky, as a little part of nature myself."

Today I make a full effort plan for the garden. I have lots of small tasks that can act as first steps, and lead to the main thing, which is to take time each day to be quiet and aware, in unity with nature. 

Every morning I will review my intended first step, then picture myself opening the door:

• Today: Duck care and compost... time in duck yard.
• Th: Weed and fertilize rhubarb... time in veggie bed.
• F: Watering, make sand pit... time in west side garden. 
• S: Plant beets, onions, carrots... time in veggie beds.
• Sun: Watering and zen gardening... time in front yard.
• M: Prune tree and mount trellis... time in duck yard.
• T: Weed neighbor bed... time in front yard.

4. Add to my altar:

2024 puja

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, wisdom, speech, music, and all the creative arts. Hindus often put books and art tools on the puja so that Saraswati can bless them.

Today I added paintbrushes to rededicate myself to creative expression.

4. Proaction and reciprocity plans:

On Wednesdays I often journal a bit about the future, and my dreams and goals: What GREAT things do I want to accomplish? How will I serve people? How will I use my talents? How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential?

Then I try to define achievable, meaningful goals and prioritize the goals and tasks with the greatest long-term impact.

In the next week I hope to:

• Attend the Interfaith Earthkeeper meeting; update the calendar, and communicate with faith groups to advertise it.
• Next steps for the Little Plant Library: Make signage and web info. 
• Attend a discussion of the Clean Water bill. Become more well-versed and educated in the facts.
• Begin to visualize next steps I want to take this spring to advocate against the climate and biodiversity loss crisis: Focus on forests? Climate cafe?
• Make a "Free Native Plants" sign.
• Schedule tree walk with Carrie, and medicinal plant walk with Wren + medicinal give-away.
• Write an agenda for the Earth-care Meeting that includes a discussion of a tree walk, plans for a climate cafe and ceremony, and a social time for team members.