Held four times a year, Navaratri is the sacred celebration of the goddess represented in 9 avatars of Shakti or Durga. “Durg” means a state which is impossible to win over. Durga is this fierce but loving mother goddess riding forth of a lion, holding up many weapons against avidya (ignorance) and dukkha (suffering that comes from ignorance). This festival stretches across nine radiant nights, each one holding the essence of the Divine Feminine. During these nine nights, we honor Shakti, the embodiment of strength, abundance, wisdom, and ascension through the avatars of Durga. These include avatars of Lakshmi and Saraswati as well – the goddess wears many masks. Navaratri invites us to step into our own power, to nurture our inner light, and to honor the sacred feminine that flows within each of us. These days are more than a ritual; they are a journey—a blossoming. The goddess tiptoes into our home and whispers her wisdom in each present moment, reminding us of the strength we hold, the love we deserve, and the wisdom we already carry. Let's embrace the poetry of each day, the rhythm of ritual, and the medicine of self-love. Day 1: Rooted in Strength Shailaputri – The Daughter of the Mountain Symbolism: In the Devi Mahatmyam, Shailaputri is revered as the first form of Durga who helps the soul begin its spiritual ascent. Translated as the “Daughter of the Mountain,” Shailaputri greets us this first day with her indomitable strength. She reminds us that we are unshakable, deeply rooted in the earth’s wisdom. Her presence whispers, "You are strong enough. You are grounded enough. You are enough." Self-Love Ritual: Begin with gratitude for the body that holds your spirit. Stand tall, barefoot on the earth, and feel the ground beneath you. Imagine roots growing from your feet, connecting you to the heart of the earth. Wear something red, the color of power, to honor the fire within you. Offer a bowl of ghee into a ritual space to invoke inner radiance, good digestive fire, agni, and mental fire, tejas. Affirmation: "I am grounded. I am steady. I am held by the earth beneath me." Day 2: The Path of Devotion Brahmacharini – The Ascetic Symbolism: The Markandeya Purana mentions Brahmacharini as a barefoot goddess who performed severe penance to attain Lord Shiva (ultimate consciousness) as her consort, symbolizing unwavering devotion and perseverance. “Charini” means that which follows. Brahmacharini graces this second day walking the path of devotion with unwavering commitment, reminding us that self-love is an act of devotion to our own journey. She is the silent meditation, the quiet prayer, the slow blooming of trust in ourselves. Self-Love Ritual: Embrace simplicity. Take a moment for stillness today—whether through meditation, deep breathing, or sitting with a cup of tea in silence. Offer yourself time, your most precious gift. Wear white, symbolizing purity and the soft whisper of devotion to your own heart. Affirmation: "I am devoted to my growth. I honor the sacred within me." Day 3: Courage in the Face of Fear Chandraghanta – The Courageous Warrior Symbolism: The Devi Mahatmyam portrays Chandraghanta as a fierce protector, invoked for blessings of courage and victory in battles, both external and internal. Chandraghanta, with her crescent moon crown, rises into our lives on the third day. “Chandra” meaning crescent moon (or a crescent smile) and “ghanta” meaning bell, this goddess wears a wry, subtle crescent smile on her face as she easily faces the demons (our negative thoughts) and vanquishes them with the light of truth. The bell she rings is soft and provokes a great peace for those who hear it. She teaches us that we too can be warriors, brave enough to face the fears that hold us back, and enjoy the peace we get once we’ve defeated these inner demons. Self-Love Ritual: Today, face one small fear, even if it is the fear of loving yourself fully. Speak kindly to the parts of yourself you’ve neglected. Wear golden yellow to radiate your own inner courage and remind yourself that you are your own protector. Affirmation: "I am courageous. I face my fears with love and strength." Day 4: Creation and Light Kushmanda – Creator of the Universe Symbolism: “Ku” meaning little or tiny, “Ushma” meaning heat, and “Anda” meaning cosmic egg, Kushmanda is the creator of the universe from the cosmic egg. She brings light into darkness on the fourth day. She is the goddess of creativity, reminding us that we are constantly creating our world—our thoughts, our emotions, our lives. She whispers, “Create beauty, create love, create joy.” Self-Love Ritual: Let your creativity flow today. Paint, write, dance, cook—whatever fills your heart with joy. Light a candle to symbolize the light of creation within you, and wear something that feels as radiant as your precious Self. Affirmation: "I am a creator. I bring light and beauty into my life." Day 5: Nurturing Love Skandamata – Mother of Skandha Symbolism: Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda), represents nurturing, motherhood, and unconditional love. She is often depicted riding a lion, holding her son, symbolizing both protection and maternal care. Skandamata brings us to the essence of nurturing on the fifth day. She teaches us that motherhood is not just about bearing children; it’s about mothering ourselves, holding ourselves tenderly with love and compassion. Self-Love Ritual: Today, nurture yourself as you would a beloved child. Take a warm bath, feed yourself nourishing food, and speak sweetly to your heart. Wear green, the color of growth, or white, the color of purity, and offer flowers to your ritual space to remind yourself of the garden you are tending within. Offer gratitude to the mothers in your own life and reflect on how you can continue to mother yourself. Affirmation: "I nurture myself with love and care. I am worthy of tenderness." Day 6: Fierce and Free Katyayani – The Fierce and Focused Symbolism: Katyayani arrives on the sixth day, fierce and focused. From the text Durga Saptashati, Katyayani is depicted as a great warrior who defeats a most fearsome demon, Mahishasura. Embodying the power of transformation, she slays the demons of doubt and fear. She is the part of us that knows we are wild, powerful, and untamable. She teaches us to embrace our wildness, to be focused, to be unafraid of our own power. Self-Love Ritual: Dance today – let your body move as if no one is watching. Feel the freedom in every step, every breath. Do something vigorous to remind yourself of your power! Chanting or meditating on mantras that invoke courage, such as "Om Dum Durgaye Namah," can be a part of the practice. Wear red, Katyayani’s favorite color of power. Wear orange, the color of fire and passion, to awaken the warrior within you. Light a candle and stare into it to build focus and tejas, the fire of intellect and insight. Affirmation: "I am fierce. I am powerful. I embrace my wildness." Day 7: Embracing Darkness Kalaratri – The Dark Goddess Symbolism: On the seventh day, Kalaratri, the goddess of darkness, walks with us. Kalaratri is the purifier, destroying negativity and ego. She teaches us that it is in the darkest nights that we find our deepest strength. She reminds us that to love ourselves, we must also embrace our shadows, our fears, and our imperfections. Self-Love Ritual: Sit with your shadows today. Write about the parts of yourself you struggle to love, and offer them forgiveness. Light a candle to symbolize the light you carry, even in darkness. Wear black to honor the beauty in your own depths and to celebrate traversing the scary or unknown within. Affirmation: "I embrace all of myself, even the parts hidden in shadow. I am whole." Day 8: Purity and Peace Mahagauri – The Radiant Goddess Symbolism: Mahagauri, the goddess of purity and peace, graces the eighth day with her serene presence. The Shiva Purana describes Mahagauri as the goddess who grants her devotees purity of thought and spirit, leading to moksha (liberation). She teaches us that beneath the layers of pain, fear, and doubt, there is a place within us that is pure, untouched, and always peaceful. Self-Love Ritual: Cleanse your space, declutter your mind. Take a moment for silence, for stillness. Offer yourself forgiveness for all the times you’ve been unkind to yourself. Wear white, the color of purity, to reflect the peace within. Affirmation: "I am pure. I am peaceful. I am enough as I am." Day 9: The Gifts of Practice Siddhidatri – The Giver of Siddhis Symbolism: On the final day, Siddhidatri arrives, offering the gifts of wisdom, intuition, expanded consciousness, and grace. “Siddhi” means the boons, victories, magical gifts and “datri” means the giver of. The Skanda Purana speaks of Siddhidatri as the goddess who bestows enlightenment on those who seek her out in deep earnestness. She embodies the divine gifts we all hold within, waiting to be unwrapped. She reminds us that we are powerful creators, full of magic and wisdom. Self-Love Ritual: Honor the gifts within you today. Write down three things you love about yourself and read them aloud with reverence. This is also a great day to focus on spiritual practices, such as reading sacred texts, chanting, or engaging in gratitude rituals. Wear purple or indigo to represent spiritual awakening or wear something that makes you feel magical. Let yourself bask in your own light. Affirmation: "I am wise. I am powerful. I embrace my gifts with grace." Navaratri is not just a festival but a journey of self-discovery, an invitation to love ourselves more deeply with each passing day. As the goddess dances through these nights, she reminds us that we are divine, we are powerful, and we are worthy of love—exactly as we are. Through our rituals, we awaken the goddess within us, embracing our strength, courage, wisdom, magic, and radiant beauty. Let each day of Navaratri be a soft unfolding, a tender reminder that you are the embodiment of the Sacred Feminine, the Divine disguised as a human for awhile. I hope this Navaratri nourishes you deeply with the fruits of personal practice, reflection and devotion.
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AuthorDesert-Dwelling, Life-Loving, Globe-Trotting, Food-Adoring, Yoga Educator, Health Coach. Passionate, affirming, intuitive listener and guide for those seeking more health and happiness in their own Journey! Archives
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