At FARA we honour both the light and the dark. We cherish the gifts of illumination and clarity that light bring and of the healing, life giving energy of the sun. We also treasure the lessons, the contemplative energy and the potential of the darkness – we are reminded of how all cycles of life emerge from and return to the darkness within the soil, the earth or the cosmic womb.
So, although darkness is descending with the nights growing longer in the Northern hemisphere, this upcoming Harvest New Moon carries a spark of inner light which we are excited to harness. Here in India it is soon to be Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light, a celebration of the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
Diwali, is in remembrance of Sita’s rescue from the evil Lord Ravana. When her beloved Ram brought her home from captivity, oil lamps werelit to light the way, (the name Diwali comes from ‘row’, avali, of ‘clay lamps’, deepa), and the tradition continues to this day. For many, the festival also honours Lakshmi Ma, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and abundance and traditionally this new moon celebrates a successful and abundant harvest whilst also being an auspicious time to refresh visions, start new projects and launch business ideas.
The ritual of lighting rows of oil lamps reminds us that we each have the power to find light in the darkness and that we can begin inside of ourselves. When we light and steady our inner flame, we can be a lamp for others. It’s as if the darkness creates a cocoon for the flame to blaze within – in the same way that the stars can only be seen when wrapped in the inky night time sky.
How can we harness the energies of this time? We can ask ourselves how we can bring more light into our own lives and where can we shine light to illuminate areas that we are stuck, what we are ready to let go of and what is longing to be seen and celebrated.
With the support of Goddess Lakshmi, also known as Sri, the radiant or effulgent one, we can turn on our inner light and shine even brighter from within.
Diwali is celebrated over 5 days and there are many different rituals and traditions carried out over this time. These include cleansing and purifying your home, making sweets, dressing in new clothes, sharing gifts with loved ones and, of course, lighting up the home with lines of oil lamps.
We invite you each to attune to these magical energies, drape yourself in your favourite FARA robes, light an oil lamp or candle, offer prayers and let your inner light shine.
