Be Still. Let it Be.

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In Honor of Women’s History Month:

While separated by over 2,000 years, the transition from Minoan snake-reverence to the St. Patrick snake-banishment legend perfectly illustrates the shift in the Western perception of the serpent: from a symbol of life and the Divine Feminine to one of evil and paganism.

Consider the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico. Replacement of Deities: Tepeyac Hill, where the Virgin appeared, was previously a site of worship for the Aztec mother goddess, Tonantzin.

Fun fact: I visited the Basilica housing the cloth Juan Diego wore and also climbed to the top of the Pyramids outside Mexico City. The year Mexico beat France in the World Cup. Watched the game at a restaurant near the plant we were working at.

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Goddess Kali:

Kanaka Durga is closely associated with Kali, as both are considered different forms or manifestations of the same supreme feminine energy, Shakti.

Significance in 1995

The 1995 festival took place immediately following the Ganesha Milk Miracle, which occurred on September 21, 1995. This global event, where statues of deities were reported to “drink” milk, led to a massive surge in temple attendance and religious fervor across India just days before the Navaratri celebrations began. (Source:Wikipedia)

Key Festival Highlights

• Ten Forms of the Goddess: During the festival, Goddess Kanaka Durga is adorned in different manifestations (Alankarams) each day, such as Bala Tripura Sundari, Lalitha Tripura Sundari, and Saraswati Devi.
• Theppotsavam: The celebration traditionally concludes on Vijayadashami with a grand boat procession (Theppotsavam) on the Krishna River.
• Saraswati Puja: One of the most important days during this period is the Moola Nakshatra day, dedicated to Saraswati Puja, which draws the largest crowds of the ten-day event.

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Mom: Moment of Calm.

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