Happy Fall Navaratri!
September 28 through October 6

Navaratri (Nine Nights of Divine Mother) is broken into three parts. We'll be talking about each of the parts and what each day represents for each of the 9 days.

We hope you'll celebrate with us.

Navaratri is a special time of year when Divine Mother makes Herself available to us. In the Fall, we are giving thanks for the abundant harvest.
Whether we planted a physical garden/field or not, we have certainly planted ‘seed thoughts’ and seen the results.  We give thanks for the manifestation of what we have focused upon and we resolve to focus upon the higher good for the future.

                     The world is awash in Blessings!!!

KALI: The first three days are devoted to Kali, the Goddess of Destruction and Restoration, wife of Shiva; it is a time of purification, a time to let go of all that is not "on purpose" for your life. This is an opportunity for "cleaning out your closets" to make way for new things.

Night and Day One:
Sailaputra - Daughter of the Himalayas
Sailaputra begins at Sunset Tuesday, September 27, and ends at Sunset on
September 28. The First Havan is performed on the morning of the 28th.

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This little story tells us more about Kali Ma:
There is a Kali Temple in South India where non-Indians are taken as a 'test.' They are shown the figure of Kali Ma, with all of the 'horrific' aspects in full view. If they show fear rather than devotion, it is a sign that they have 'evil' inside of them. Those who show pure devotion are clean and clear, since Kali only attacks EVIL and not purity or goodness.
Another of Kali’s aspects is that She strikes like a lightning bolt, with life changing completely overnight, seemingly. (I have had several of those in this life! How about you?) She only destroys that which was not built upon a proper firm foundation so the healing and re-construction can begin. (The Tower in the Tarot deck depicts the same concept.)
Mantra: Om Shri MahaKali Namah

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Sivananda's explanation of Navaratri:
http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/religions/navaratri.htm

Swami Chidananda's book: God as Mother
http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/download/godmother.htm

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HAPPY NAVARATRI TO ALL!!!

The cyber ashram is here to support you. The e-mail lists are hosting several hundred people for Navaratri, and this is my 28th year of performing the Navaratri ceremonies which take place in the Spring and Fall.
As a member of the cyber ashram e-mail list you know we regularly distribute the teachings of Babaji among many other spiritual and holistic points of view in alignment with the teachings. The website (www.babaji.net) is full of inspiration and spiritual support. The Gift Shop at www.vishwagifts.com has a variety of supplies to support your spiritual practices.

If you feel you have benefitted from being a member of the list, please consider a financial gift to the ashram at this time. You can support us by sponoring the following activities during Navaratri: $108 for a Havan/Fire Ceremony or $36 for an Arati devotional service for your intentions, or sponsor a 5-day Votive Candle on the altar for $12. Any amount of donation is appreciated. There is a DONATION button at www.babaji.net which will process the amount you'd like to give through Paypal.

****SPECIAL BONUS ***I have a small number (just 4 left) Rudraksa Beads from a Mala that was worn by Shri Babaji in 1983. They still hold His sacred vibration. Each of the Havan/Fire Ceremony sponsorships of $108 or more will receive one of these Beads as a special blessing. Let me know which day you would like to sponsor and send the $108 through the donation button, or call with credit card information, or let me know you are sending a check/money order, etc.

If you like, the bead can be blessed each day during the ceremonies before I mail it out to you (or it can be mailed immediately).

Please send in your prayer requests, with or without donation. These are placed upon the altar in front of Babaji and Divine Mother, Shri Rajeshwari, plus the 'entourage' of Shri Hanuman, Shri Kalbhairav, and Shri Ganesh. Together, they make up a full team of Divine Energy working on our behalf.

The daily Havan/Fire Ceremony takes place at 10:08 a.m. Central Time. September 28 is the first Havan. Days ONE, FIVE and NINE are said to have the most ‘power’ in them, each with a slightly different purpose. One is the “cleanse;’ Five is the “gifts;” Nine is the “completion.”

You can make a Navaratri donation at http://www.babaji.net, on the home page, or by going to www.paypal.com sending your gift to vishwagifts@gmail.com. By telephone, call 877-642-9238, with Visa or Mastercard. Through Paypal, you can pay any way that works for you.

Our mailing address is:
Universal Peace Center, PO Box 21994, Lincoln, NE 68524

Many blessings to all during these special days devoted to Divine Mother!
Love,
Marge

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INTRO TO NAVARATRI...
NAVARATRI is September 28 through October 6

First Night begins at sunset on September 27

by Marge DeVivo

Navaratri is the time when Divine Mother makes Herself more available than usual---are you available to HER?
It's a two-way agreement or contract that requires surrender and devotion to make the most of this auspicious time.

Navaratri is a very special time of honoring the Divine Mother. Exact translation of the word "Navaratri" is "9 nights".

Navaratri happens in Spring and in Fall of every year. It begins on a New Moon.

Each of the days honors a certain aspect of Divine Mother and gives a focus to the energy of that day.

These are known as the Nava Durga (9 Names of Durga).

Day One:
Sailaputra - Daughter of the Himalayas

Day Two:Brahmacharini - She Who remains celibate

Day Three:Chandraghanta - She Who is Beautiful as the Moon

Day Four:Kusmanda - She Who brings happiness

Day Five:Skandamata - Mother of Skanda, the leader of armies against evil

Day Six:Katyayani - Aspect of Mother Kali

Day Seven:Kalaratri - Kali Night of no Moon

Day Eight:Mahagauri - The Great White Goddess

Day Nine:Siddhidatri - She Who is of great spiritual Powers and knowledge

Traditional Ways to Honor Divine Mother during Navaratri:

Usually, certain "sacrifices" or personal offerings are made during the nine days, such as giving up some certain food or drink or something you are accustomed to having or doing each day. Some people restrict themselves to only one
meal per day throughout the nine days. Some give up their favorite beverage, like coffee or tea; in the West,  some give up watching TV or some other daily ritual they usually engage in.
(All of you Catholics can relate to "giving up things" for Lent.)

You could also add something you don't usually do, such as reading the "Sapta Sati" or parts of the "Ramayana" or "Mahabharata"  or other sacred scripture for 20 to 30 minutes each of the nine days.

Whatever it is you choose, the idea is that each time you think of this sacrifice

you are making, you offer up that thought and say a prayer to Divine Mother to increase your devotion to Her.
f you can continue your "Sadhna" for the full 9 days, there is a special reward from Divine Mother that happens on either the 9th or 10th day. She promises "a personal physical experience" of Her.

This is individualized and only you will know what it is and when it has happened. It is up to you if you want to share it with anyone else after it happens. For some people it makes it more "real" to share, for some it is more powerful to keep silent about it.

The fifth day is considered to be the "turning point" day, when the cleansing/purification aspects are complete. The rest of the 9 days get a little easier to handle on the day when the Celebration is more than half completed.

The energy of each day is building so that by the end of the Navaratri there is much energy generated, each Fire Ceremony and Arati becoming more filled with Shakti (Divine Energy).

For the highest benefits and greatest results of Navaratri, it is best to begin with the first day of Navaratri and go all the way to the end without missing any of the ceremonies. You can listen to the Arati each day, morning and evening; read the mantras that will be said at the Havan; do Japa with the Name of Divine Mother; read the Sapta Sati; sit before a candle if you don't have a firepit. You can make this time as elaborate or as simple as your heart desires. You decide.

This requires some personal commitment for nine days and is definitely worth whatever it takes from your daily routine.

Think of the great personal commitment and sacrifice performed by Divine Mother in Her care of each of us each day!

You are free to follow as many of these practices at home as possible to observe the 9 Days of Divine.

Suggestions:
**Put your commitment/contract into writing NOW, before Navaratri begins.
**Write down your intentions for this auspicious time and what you are willing to do as your personal 'sacrifice.'
**Keep a daily journal of what you learned about yourself and your situation during this blessed time.

**Keep track of how many special prayers or malas of Divine Mother Mantras you have said.
**Look at the aspect of Divine Mother each day and notice how that energy can enhance your everyday life.

BE ALERT BE AWARE

There is always more to learn about yourself and your SELF (Higher Self) each and every day.
Divine Mother imparts a special blessing during this time. Be willing to take what She offers and use it for the Highest Good.

Om Namah Shivaya

Jai Maha Maya ki Jai!

Love and light,
Marge

p.s. Thank you for your support.

Havan sponsorships are available for each of the 9 days.

10:08 Central on each day start time.
Send donations and intentions here:http://www.babaji.net/donations.html