New Moon in Hasta & Durga Navaratri!

This New Moon will take place at 2:11 pm here in Hawaii on Friday, September 30th in sidereal Virgo. This is the cycle of the Moon where we focus on the details and find practical applications for our mental energy. The Sun has already been in Virgo for a couple weeks, so we have been experiencing some level of this already, especially since Jupiter moved into Virgo in August. Our sense of power is challlenged here, as it is difficult to rise to great heights when we are bogged down in the nitty-gritty. There is a desire for everything to be just right, that we may have to overcome if we want to actually get anywhere in our pursuits. Especially when connecting with others, as the Moon so desperately wants to do. Our psyche is caught up in how things should be, and our endless struggle to have our own efforts make it so. We may find we are overly critical with ourselves and others and wasting our precious energy on details that would eventually work themselves out if we could just take our gaze off the ground and look up every now and again. Virgo is a tamasic sign, which means that it has an inert energy and is self-protective. The inertia with Virgo is interesting because there is so much mental energy in this Mercury-ruled sign that it is almost like frenetic standing-still. Paralyzed by too much doing and thinking in too many different directions, and by self-doubt.


The first luanr phase, or Pratipad, of this New Moon cycle marks the beginning of a nine night celebration of the Goddess Mother called Navaratri.  In this celebration, people from India and Nepal and now all over the world, honor the cycle of fertility and harvest through an epic battle where the Hindu Goddess Durga, rides her Tiger and saves the three worlds from a shape-shifting Demon. This battle, of course, also represents the battle within with our own shape-shifting Demons that take on different personas as soon as we become comfortable. The Goddess is able herself to manifest in many forms from gentle to terrible and the people hear the stories, go to various temples to pray and some even take on these energies into their own beings. What a beautiful time to honor the Divine Feminine in ourselves and in the world and to reflect on what seeds we have planted over the last year and are pulling from our own fertile soil this fall.


The nakshatra this New Moon takes place in is Hasta...the open hand that releases its firm grasp and allows your vision to manifest in its upward-facing palm. This star is ruled by Savitar, the god of the sunrise who awakens us. Here we are inspired by our long-term visions and are able to bring them to reality. The Gayatri Mantra is an ode to him and his manifestation in each of us.
Om Bhur Bhuvaha Swaha
Tat Savitur Vareniyam
Bhargo Devasya dhimahi
dhi yo yo nah prachodayat.

As mentioned, Jupiter has been in Virgo since August, somewhat constricting our beliefs and higher ideals. Jupiter is where we expand and experience the larger spiritual picture, and in Virgo, we have a tendency to get caught up in the words and dictates and debates and miss the higher aim of our spiritual goals. It is a good time to get back into psychical health as Virgo is an earth sign, and also a sign of anxiety about health, wanting to purify ourselves in any way we can. Eating healthy foods, exercising and using natural healing techniques are all supported here, although we can get carried away in the details of these practices and miss overall balance in our health also involves a calm mind. Breath work is encouraged here to balance the brain and bring yourself to a state of peace that might allow for deeper meditation. Having the Sun and Moon joined Jupiter is a party of sattwa in Virgo. All harmonious and high-reaching grahas, in the tamasic sign of Virgo makes our inspiration and higher selves both insecure and practical. This allows us to stay grounded and humble in our approach, but also to let our lack of confidence get in the way of real connection, leadership and expansion.


Venus has moved into her own sign of Libra, and out of debilitation in Virgo, so we are at least feeling less constriction as we relate to others both romantically and in other partnerships. There is more ease and grace here as we truly want to find balance and harmony in our interchanges with others and it is more effortless to do so. Our sense of happiness is appeased here and we are able to make nice with others and create beautiful environments wherever we go.


Mars has also since moved signs, finally exiting Scorpio where he was joined Saturn since February and moving into Jupiter's own sign of Sagittarius. This will motivate us to have more action and discipline towards our spiritual or religious pursuits and to be pysically aligned with our higher beliefs and ideals. The main thing we will notice here is the tumult and intensity of Mars and Saturn conjunction in the emotional playing field of Scorpio is now over and we are more empowered towards external action than fighting our inner fears and demons.


Mercury has moved direct again and is now heading back into its exalted placement in Virgo on October 3rd. We will again see mental acuity and discernment at its height, although this will further hinder the Sun and Jupiter's ability to reflect their highest natures.


As always, New Moon is a time for inner reflection and meditation as our mind winds down to dark along with the Moon. Find time in nature, if possible during the day and in the evening, try to de-stimulate as much as possible. If you wish to follow along with puja, or ceremony during Navaratri, there is a wonderful online opportunity I recommend with Priestess Laura Amazzone. Go to http://www.lauraamazzone.com/classes to register. Blessings on your New Moon, and Jai Ma! Victory to the Divine Mother!


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