Vasanta Navratri

Vasanta Navratri March 31, 2014

Today begins the spring Navratri. Nine nights of honoring Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. It’s very similar to Mahanavratri, which occurs in the fall, and is the major Shakti festival of all the Navratris.

I’ve had this on my calendar for months. But for the last week or so I thought I would pass on observing. There’s just so much on my plate right that I really don’t feel I can keep up. My family is buying a house and moving in two weeks. I’m fully pregnant with two kids already to care for. More things to keep track of right now seems more than I can take.

But as I looked ahead to my week, I realized that I need this festival. I need the color, the meditation, the extra observance and mantras, because of all the reasons I mentioned above. Extra prayers for protection, beauty, and wisdom are needed now more than ever. Part of this festival is about purification, which makes sense given that I’m shifting into spring. More kala is never a bad thing!

My observance for the next 10 days involves 3 days of honor each to Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, plus a personal bonus day to Kali. I will make kala. I am fasting – but as I’m fully pregnant I’m just giving up beef, sugar, and dairy. I will make offerings. I will invoke the qualities of each goddess, for me, for my family.

May Durga bless you with protection, fierceness and strength so that you may face all your challenges. May the Most Auspicious One bless you with the abundance of all good things!

Jai Ma!

 


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