The Feminine…

This year Navratri occurs October 17 – 26th.

Navratri means “Nine Nights” and is a Hindu festival dedicated to the feminine form of the Divine known as Shakti energy.

There are 3 forms of Goddesses and each are celebrated on 3 nights each, and all connecting together on the last night (10th) known as Dusshera.

The 3 Goddesses are:

• Durga represents the feminine power to destroy and create;
  • Focus: a lioness protecting her cubs
    • From Compassion arises great strength to destroy evil
    • She is a protector
    • She represents a goodness of consciousness over evil

• Lakshmi, represents the qualities of wealth, love and prosperity;
  • Focus: In your heart area
    • She is called upon for harmony in relationships, wealth, beauty, power, fame, royalty, recognition, and regal grace.
    • She is the divine inner spark, the radiant power of grace, and the ocean of abundance within every single person.

• Saraswati embodies the qualities of knowledge, wisdom and expression through music and art.
  • Focus: In your throat
    • She is associated with the creative arts, inspiring and supporting writers, musicians and other artists.
    • She is known as the goddess of learning, knowledge and wisdom.

On the last evening this is a good time to meditate on the Sri Yantra, representing a union of masculine and feminine energy. (Girish)
Yantra is a diagram of nine interlocking triangles creating layers and all are centred around the central point of Bindu.
In metaphysics, Bindu is considered the point at which creation begins and may become unity.

Source: Yoga Teacher Central