Navratri, Part 3, and September First Quarter Moon

 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".

And this 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.

Agenda Today:
1. Morning meditation on wisdom

2. Journal queries

3. Make a full effort plan

4. Add to my altar
5. Evening visualization and prayer
6. Lakshmi mantra

Navratri Continues and Waxing Crescent Moon

 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.

Now the moon is waxing until it's full again; it's building light and building energy. Astrologists say that it’s important to expend your energy now to honor this cycle of expansion, and also let the brighter moon shine a light on challenging areas in your life to aid personal expansion. 

In these first days of the waxing crescent moon, I'll tap into this metaphor and give attention to my own growing energy, take first steps towards my intentions, and find my motivation to follow through with persistent action.

Agenda Today:
1. Morning meditation on creative growth 

2. Plan first steps

3. Make a new rangoli design
4. Add to my altar

5. Mindfulness

6. Evening visualization and prayer
7. Lakshmi mantra

Navratri Continues

Navratri continues tonight with the visit of Lakshmi, the Goddess of material and spiritual wealth, and 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

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

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

Navratri Continues

Navratri continues tonight with the visit of Lakshmi, the Goddess of material and spiritual wealth, and 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

Spring 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. For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Lakshmi, goddess of material and spiritual wealth. 

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

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

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

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

Navratri continues

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Lakshmi, goddess of material and spiritual wealth. She is a beautiful golden woman with four arms, sitting on a fully bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. Cascades of gold coins flow from her hands, and she wears gold embroidered red clothes. Lakshmi brings prosperity, and the growth and unfolding of whatever will enhance life: spiritual and material wealth, good food, health, and happiness. She heals and nourishes my spirit and brings me steadiness of mind.

Lakshmi is in the center.

Agenda Today:
1- Add to altar:
On the fourth day of Navratri I add a crystal bowl of coins from around the world, as a symbolic form of Lakshmi.

2- Journal:

The word Lakshmi comes from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning aim or goal. Durga is breaking down the old structure of my personality, and I am working to rebuild. For the next three days I will write about my inner life-giving force of creativity, and the qualities and habits I wish to cultivate.

3- Visualization and prayer:

For these next three nights I honor the constructive aspect of the Mother. 

I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me to develop and maintain patience, forgiveness, compassion, loving-kindness, and integrity. Give me the persistence to succeed at my goals, and bless me with abundant health and happiness.”

Then I picture Lakshmi sitting on the blossom of my heart, gently opening it to accept love and happiness into my life.

4- Lakshmi Mantra:
I focus on my image of Lakshmi and chant-

• Om - the primordial sound 
• Shreem -  from which beauty and feminine energy eminates
• Ma-ha - great
• Lak-shma-yai - goddess of wealth
• Swa-ha - create abundance.

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

5- Rangoli:
Today I made a rangoli of Lakshmi's  footprints on the threshold of our front door, with chalk and rice flour, to welcome the Goddess of success.

6- Make sundal: 

Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I made Sweet Corn Sundal.

Ingredients:

2 c. frozen sweet corn
1-2 green chilies
1 small carrot
2 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
1/4 c. grated coconut
salt to taste

1- Steam the corn in water according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2- Finely chop chilies and carrot.

3- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan; add mustard seeds and stir until they start to pop, then add chilies and carrots and sauté for a minute.

4- Add the cooked corn, salt to taste, and coconut. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes until all is combined. Serve hot or warm.

Navratri continues

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Lakshmi, goddess of material and spiritual wealth. She is a beautiful golden woman with four arms, sitting on a fully bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. Cascades of gold coins flow from her hands, and she wears gold embroidered red clothes, indicating her offering of prosperity. Lakshmi brings the growth and unfolding of whatever is life enhancing. 

The word Lakshmi comes from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning aim or goal. After Durga has destroyed the old structure of my personality, a constructive process can begin. Lakshmi heals and nourishes my spirit and brings me steadiness of mind. She bestows spiritual and material wealth, good food, health, and happiness. 

Lakshmi is in the center, above the bowl of coins.

Agenda Today:
1- Add to altar:
On the fourth day of Navratri I add a crystal bowl of coins from around the world, as a symbolic form of Lakshmi.

2- Journal:

For the next three days I will write about my inner life-giving force of creativity, and the qualities and habits I wish to cultivate.

3- Visualization and prayer:

For these next three nights I honor the constructive aspect of the Mother. 

I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me to develop and maintain patience, forgiveness, compassion, loving-kindness, and integrity. Give me the persistence to succeed at my goals, and bless me with abundant health and happiness.”

Then I picture Lakshmi sitting on the blossom of my heart, gently opening it to accept love and happiness into my life.

4- Lakshmi Mantra:
I focus on my image of Lakshmi and chant-

• Om - the primodial sound 
• Shreem -  from which beauty and feminine energy eminates
• Ma-ha - great
• Lak-shma-yai - goddess of wealth
• Swa-ha - create abundance.

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

5- Rangoli:
Today I made a rangoli of Lakshmi's  footprints on the threshold of our front door, with chalk and rice flour, to welcome the Goddess of success.

6- Make sundal: 

Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I made Sweet Corn Sundal.

Ingredients:

2 c. frozen sweet corn
1-2 green chilies
1 small carrot
2 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
1/4 c. grated coconut
salt to taste

1- Steam the corn in water according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2- Finely chop chilies and carrot.

3- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan; add mustard seeds and stir until they start to pop, then add chilies and carrots and sauté for a minute.

4- Add the cooked corn, salt to taste, and coconut. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes until all is combined. Serve hot or warm.

Navratri Continues

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. This is the second set, when Lakshmi visits.

Agenda Today:
1- Rangoli:
Today I made a rangoli of Lakshmi's footprints on the threshold of our front door, with chalk and rice flour, to welcome the Goddess of success.

2- Add to my altar:
For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Lakshmi, goddess of material and spiritual wealth.

I added a bowl of coins from around the world, for the nurturing quality of the Shakti. (Notice that the seeds have sprouted!)

3- Meditation:
During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). Each of the three goddesses signifies a stage of the spiritual journey we all go through: Durga’s strength and energy creates an opening, Lakshmi’s success and fortune nurtures growth, and Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.

The word Lakshmi comes from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning aim or goal. After Durga has destroyed the old structure of my personality, a constructive process can begin. Lakshmi heals and nourishes my spirit and brings me steadiness of mind. She bestows spiritual and material wealth, good food, health, and happiness. 

On each morning of Navratri I light a small white candle, center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life. For these next three mornings I meditate on my inner life-giving force of creativity, and the qualities and habits I wish to cultivate in the days ahead.

4- Make sundal: 

Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I plan to make Sweet Corn Sundal.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. frozen sweet corn
• 1-2 green chilies
• 1 small carrot
• 2 Tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/4 c. grated coconut
• salt to taste

1- Steam the corn in water according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2- Finely chop chilies and carrot.

3- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan; add mustard seeds and stir until they start to pop, then add chilies and carrots and sauté for a minute.

4- Add the cooked corn, salt to taste, and coconut. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes until all is combined. Serve hot or warm.

5- Visualization and prayer:

I end each day of Navratri with a prayer. For these next three nights I honor the constructive aspect of the Mother. 

Laksmi is a beautiful golden woman with four arms, sitting on a fully bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. Cascades of gold coins flow from her hands, and she wears gold embroidered red clothes, indicating her offering of prosperity. Lakshmi brings the growth and unfolding of whatever is life-enhancing. 

I picture this Mother spirit sitting on the blossom of my heart, gently opening it to accept love and happiness into my life.

“Thank you, Great Spirit, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me to develop and maintain patience, forgiveness, compassion, loving-kindness, and integrity. Give me the persistence to succeed at my goals, and bless me with abundant health and happiness.”

6- Lakshmi Mantra:
I continue to focus on my image of Lakshmi and chant-

• Om - the primodial sound 
• Shreem -  from which beauty and feminine energy eminates
• Ma-ha - great
• Lak-shma-yai - goddess of wealth
• 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.)

Navratri Continues

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Lakshmi, goddess of material and spiritual wealth. She is a beautiful golden woman with four arms, sitting on a fully bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. Cascades of gold coins flow from her hands, and she wears gold embroidered red clothes, indicating her offering of prosperity. Lakshmi brings the growth and unfolding of whatever is life enhancing. 

The word Lakshmi comes from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning aim or goal. After Durga has destroyed the old structure of my personality, a constructive process can begin. Lakshmi  heals and nourishes my spirit and brings me steadiness of mind. She bestows spiritual and material wealth, good food, health, and happiness.

Lakshmi is in the center, above the bowl of coins.

Agenda Today:
1- Add to my puja:
On the fourth day of Navratri I add a crystal bowl of coins from around the world , as a symbolic form of Lakshmi.

2- Journaling:

For the next three days write about my inner life-giving force of creativity. 

Write down the qualities and habits I wish to cultivate.

3- Visualization and prayer:

For these second three nights I honor the constructive aspect of the Mother. 

I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me to develop and maintain patience, forgiveness, compassion, loving-kindness, and integrity. Give me the persistence to succeed at my goals, and bless me with abundant health and happiness.”

Then I picture Lakshmi sitting on the blossom of my heart, gently opening it to accept love and happiness into my life.

4- Lakshmi Mantra:
I focus on my image of Lakshmi and chant-

• Om - the primodial sound 
• Shreem -  from which beauty and feminine energy eminates
• Ma-ha - great
• Lak-shma-yai - goddess of wealth
• 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.)

5- Rangoli:
Today I made a rangoli of Lakshmi's  footprints on the threshold of our front door, with chalk and rice flour, to welcome the Goddess of success.

6- Make sundal: 

Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I made Sweet Corn Sundal.

Ingredients:

2 c. frozen sweet corn
1-2 green chilies
1 small carrot
2 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
1/4 c. grated coconut
salt to taste

1- Steam the corn in water according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2- Finely chop chilies and carrot.

3- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan; add mustard seeds and stir until they start to pop, then add chilies and carrots and sauté for a minute.

4- Add the cooked corn, salt to taste, and coconut. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes until all is combined. Serve hot or warm.