Gaṇeśa Caturthī

Gaṇeśa Caturthī

गणेश चतुर्थी 

Artwork: Basohli miniature, c. 1730. National Museum, New Delhi

Beginning on the fourth day (caturthī) of the bright fortnight (shukla pakṣa) in the month of Bhadrapadā (Aug-Sept), Gaṇeśa Caturthī is a festival that lasts for ten days, September 6/7 through Anant Caturdaśī (fourteenth day).

Salutations to Śrī Gaṇeśa who has a curved trunk, who has a large body and whose splendor is similar to that of a million suns; who is the son of Śiva and Pārvatī, the remover of obstacles and the writer of the story.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

O Deva, lord of new beginnings, please make my undertakings free of obstacles, by extending your blessings in all my works, always and may I remember to trust that when you place obstacles in my way, that you’re gently guiding me back to my most aligned path.

As the lunar cycles shift towards the waxing moon, the energy of Gaṇeśa Caturthī invites us to reflect on the celestial rhythms that mirror our inner journey. Gaṇeśa, revered as the deity who governs the threshold of beginnings, wisdom, and intelligence, represented by the brain stem in our physiology, the lord connected to Jyotiṣa (Vedic astrology) and the one who is associated with Ketu and Mercury. He rules over the planetary vibrations that guide us through transitions—encouraging us to see obstacles not as hindrances, but as divine redirections towards our true purpose. 

On this sacred day, devotees immerse themselves in fasting, chanting Vedic hymns and Hindu texts, offering sweets such as modak—believed to be the favorite of Lord Gaṇeśa—as prasada. The festival culminates on the tenth day with visarjana, when the Murti (depiction of a deity) is carried in a grand procession, accompanied by music and chanting, and immersed in a nearby body of water, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.

May this sacred festival remind us to surrender to the dance of the cosmos, trusting in the wisdom of Gaṇeśa to illuminate the path toward our highest purpose.

ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः

New Moon in Pūrva Phalgunī: The Fruit of the Tree

NEW MOON

अमावस्या

September 2, 18:56 PDT

The new moon (amāvásyā) of September aligns both the sun and moon in the Vedic lunar mansion of Pūrva Phalgunī पूर्वफल्गुनी (Leo), the Fruit of the Tree.

This lunation cycle invokes a powerful new beginning — a heightened sense of creativity, sexuality, desire, and passion that encourages us to express ourselves, lean into life's comforts, and follow the joy of our heart's desires.

In Sanskrit, phal means fruit, and guni relates to the gunas, or qualities. Represented by the legs of a bed or a hammock and activated by Venus, this constellation symbolizes a place of rest and relaxation, where we can enjoy the fruits of our labor and the merits of past-life good deeds.

Pūrva Phalgunī holds the power of procreation and the capacity to unify polar opposites, which enlivens our creativity and sensuality. This asterism is also connected to Bhaga, the god of wealth, known for bestowing pleasure and delight, and for fulfilling desires on the material plane.

The star of fertility is both courageous and visionary, much like its bird medicine, the eagle. This new moon awakens within the heart the courage to face the tests and initiations presented to us, urging us to rise above the mundane, break free from the shadows of past experiences, and open our eyes to a higher perspective.

When we pursue what we truly desire, tests and traumas often arise to meet us. Recently, I have observed common themes of major transition, a sense of standing at a crossroads, and the challenge of confronting the unknown. All activity depends on periods of non-activity.

After facing worldly battles and fulfilling our duties and responsibilities, there follows a period of rest, relaxation, and enjoyment. This period is associated with Pūrva Phalgunī and serves as the muse that kindles the impulse toward enlivening our creative intelligence and effortless action.

Pūrva Phalgunī reminds us that complex problems can be solved in a relaxed mood and that the practice of yoga ultimately teaches us how to be at ease in the presence of the Unknown. The deeper we go and the more we attend to the stillness within, the more dynamic and effortless our activity becomes.

The Yogasūtra (2.47) states that it is through the relaxation of our effort and our capacity to become absorbed in the infinite that we achieve effortless action — action which is rooted in being, or yoga (union).

The energy of this time is lively and ripe for cultivating creative pursuits, building momentum toward set goals, deepening love and following your heart’s true desires, all while striking a fine balance — merging practicality and function with enjoyment.

All My Relations

For more personalized guidance on navigating these celestial waters, please visit the link in my bio to book a consultation. Love Always

Artwork: British Museum | Pinterest 

Rūmī // “In the house of lovers, the music never stops. The walls are made of songs and the floor dances."

Mercury Stations Direct in Āśleṣā: The Embracing Star

MERCURY DIRECT

Āśleṣā आश्लेषा | August 28th

Artwork: Pinterest

Mercury has danced over the gaṇḍānta point—the juncture between water and fire—twice in the last month, engaging with that karmic knot which holds immense potential. This retrograde has delivered the profound energy promised, urging many of us into deep introspection and processing. This subtle influence continues to invite us to remain open and patient as we learn the art of transmutation.

Mercury stationed retrograde in Maghā (Leo) on the 5th, moved back into Cancer on the 24th, and will station direct on the 28th in Āśleṣā, the Embracing Star (the position of August’s New Moon).

As Mercury stations direct in Āśleṣā, the celestial serpent releases its coils, inviting us to shed old patterns and embrace clarity. Āśleṣā, with its profound connection to the subconscious mind and the transformative power of the Nāga, asks us to reflect on the truths we’ve unearthed during Mercury’s retrograde journey.

Now is the time to communicate with authenticity, letting our words become vessels of healing and renewal. The subtle impulses of your intuition are reawakening now. Continue to distill down the wisdom and lessons that have been presenting themselves in the past few weeks. Trust in what lands and allow it to guide your path forward and establish a foundation of emotional resilience and intuitive insight.

Expect clarity to return to matters of home, family, and emotions. Communication will flow more smoothly, facilitating heartfelt connections and nurturing domestic harmony. On September 2nd, Mercury will once again cross into Leo (Maghā), revisiting the energies that carried over from July. For most, it would be wise to wait another couple of weeks for Mercury to move out of its retrograde shadow period before committing to forward momentum.

-All My Relations- 

To book a private consultation please visit: Jyotish Consultations

Slow things down and the before more beautiful - David Lynch