10/03/2024
Today marks the first night of ‘Navaratri’ so Happy Navaratri to those who celebrate!
Navararti which literally means ‘nine nights’ and is a celebration of the feminine in Indian culture.
Not in terms of gender but the qualities in nature which have been identified as feminine which every aspect of life has.
This is a big festival which lasts nine nights and ten days and celebrated across India.
The first nine nights after a new moon are seen as feminine in this culture and many ancient societies too.
You will see traditions and rituals that focus more feminine and nurturing aspects.
The nine nights after the first new moon which proceeds the autumnal equinox, is seen as the most significant of them all which is known as ‘Sharada Navaratri’.
Sharada is Sanskrit for Autumnal but is also another name for Goddess Saraswati who represents learning and knowledge.
This acknowledges one of the greatest powers of human beings which the enhanced ability to learn.
The nine nights splits into three which celebrates the three main Goddesses in ancient Indian culture.
The first three nights celebrate Durga Devi (also known as Shakti) who signifies power & strength.
The next three celebrates Lakshmi Devi who signifies wealth and material prosperity.
The last three days celebrate Saraswati Devi who as mentioned signifies learning and knowledge, which comes at the end.
The on tenth day, it is seen as the day of victory of being able to transcend everything towards something beyond that.
In the legend that accompanies this festival is about the battle between an empowered Goddess Durga and a powerful demonic being known as Mahishasura.
This battle took nine nights and then victory over Mahishasura came on the tenth day.
I won’t go into the story (unless anyone really wants to hear it), however during this period, the celebrations are exuberant!
With amazing colours, dancing and generally celebrating the beauty, creativity and uniqueness of life.
Wish everyone to feel exuberantly alive over the next nine nights and imbibe what is available. Just lean into the play softness and fierceness of the feminine...
