Navaratri and Venus Retrograde
Dear Yoginis,
This essay is based on the Vedic interpretation of the stars, the sidereal system and is known in India as Jyotisha, which means to cast light upon or to bring enlightenment.
This year the Nine Nights of the Goddess or Navaratri will be celebrated from October 11-20.
This celebration commemorates the allegorical battle, in which Devi Durga (the Supreme Mother Goddess ) conquers the demon Mahisashura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
This “Sharad” Navaratri aligns with the autumnal equinox, a significant time of shift energetically in the world and brings us the opportunity to honor and align with the Divine Mother who brings blessings of healing, abundance and wisdom, much needed in these times.
It is also known as the “Maha” or great Navaratri as it occurs in the more spiritual, reflective time of the year between the summer solstice and the winter solstice, known and Dayshinayana and it also comes on the heels of a period of ancestral honoring called Pitru Paksha.
In Vedic tradition the masculine principal is the unmanifest energy of sublime stillness (Shiva), while the creative energy of the manifest world is Shakti another name for the divine Goddess energy. She manifests in many forms and archetypes. The primary form recognized as the supreme mother Goddess is Durga.
The deeper meaning of Navaratri is the awakening of the powerful, transformative and sublime energy of spiritual awakening called kundalini and those that honor the Goddess during these important 9 nights are blessed to tap into this energy to propel their evolution forward with her Grace. Navaratri is a time when yogis can receive a great boost to their connection to source inspiration, guidance and clarity.
The first three nights are dedicated to mantras to Ma Durga for cutting the cords of illusion and attachment, freeing us from ignorance and bringing protection from negative influences as we are guided across the worldly ocean of Maya.
The second three nights are given in prayer to Ma Lakshmi, she who is the embodiment of Sri (light) and brings beauty, harmony and abundance to our lives.
The third three nights are dedicated to Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of Wisdom, Self-Knowledge and all of the creative arts, including music, sound, language, writing, poetry, painting, sculpture and divine manifestation on earth.
Venus who is another embodiment of Lakshmi energy is currently exalted in one of his signs, Libra, the mid point of the zodiac. Libra is about balance, compassionate communication, diplomacy, integrity, honor and justice.
Venus is retrograde in the Nakshatra Swati which is short for Saraswati. Swati is ruled by rahu, the north node of the moon which is a creative, avant garde, rebellious connection to science fiction, media and visionary missions. Swati carries the energy of the delicate flower growing through a crack in granite, thus showing us that purity and the force of nature is relentless in its nature to grow and express beauty despite the odds. Swati is also ruled by Vayu, the Lord of the winds and can withstand the challenging winds of change.
When Venus is retrograde he is intensified in all his qualities of grounded beauty, abundance, harmony and love. Retrograde, he asks us to look back at the last period in which he held this position and that would be in 2018. What was occurring in your life and innermost consciousness at this time. Perhaps a love from the past will return or deep memories will surface reminding you of who you are, your dreams and your potentials.
In summary, this month is time to focus on the Divine feminine and welcome her loving power in all dimensions of your life. Ask for her assistance to traverse this worldly ocean with honor, dignity, humility, gratitude and most of all her Grace.
To understand how these dynamics affect you more personally according to your birth chart please reach out.
Much love
Neva