So much Abundance - New Moon in Virgo

The new moon this morning, October 10th, in Virgo, initiates Navratri, the nine nights of the goddess Durga in all her forms. This is a time of reflection, a time to face our inner battles and courageously release what no longer serves us. As we purify, we make room to experience a lighter version of ourselves.

The sun and moon conjoin in Virgo, the sign of purity, where we take care of day-to-day life and manage the details. Hopefully we learn to do it kindly, as a service to life and to humanity, and to do it in gratitude. In Virgo we often find stress, because we become overwhelmed by the details of life and react with worry. Navratri reminds us to pause and have reverence for nature and all its abundance, and to remember that we have nothing without the generosity of the planet, the divine mother.

When we redirect our energy toward the cleansing that naturally happens at this time of year, we release our burdens along with our toxins. We hang on to so much waste in our body and mind. Everything we consume through food, drink, TV, social media and stress must be digested and evacuated. If we aren’t aware of how to let it go, it stays stuck within us. That is why it’s important to release psychic debris through meditation and to purify our temple.

To detoxify, drink more water and herbal teas, eat less, and minimize acid-forming foods (meat, dairy, flour and sugar). Make your plate look like a rainbow of organic greens, fruits and vegetables. Then declutter your space, get organized, and make your home a sanctuary.

Breath work is a potent cleanser too. Our lungs are our inner forest, purifying us as we inhale oxygen and exhale CO2. Daily deep breathing can help expel toxins from both body and mind, leaving you feeling renewed.

The nakshatra, or star section, of Virgo behind this new moon is called Hasta, and it is symbolized by the hand of destiny. Our hands are skilled, and they create the material life we experience. We make offerings, pray and give with an open palm, not a clenched fist. This is yet another sign that with this lunar cycle we are meant to detach, let go, release and open.

Blessings,

Elise