siva ratri

The “Auspicious Night” of Siva Ratri is almost here, jaya tandava! This holy-day falls on the first new moon of early spring (in California and all points west, it lands on Saturday, February 25th and all places to the east will be observing it on Sunday, February 26^th).

This festival honors the quiet, introspective moment just before the seeds crack open, the blossoms unfold and life begins anew. Hibernating animals are yawning and stretching, tiny creatures are churning underground, sap is beginning to flow upwards from the earth and life prepares for the warm embrace of springtime. This sacred astrological alignment is a delicate but mighty moment when Pure Consciousness (Siva) touches the Mother (Shakti), waking her into creation.

Only when Siva is united with Shakti does he have the power to create.
- Saundaryalahari

In this mysterious darkness before life begins, there is a silent in-between time, a gap that separates the death of winter from the life of spring. This is when we gaze upon the limitless potential of the divine as it awakens to it Self. By drawing completely into the deep interiors of the heart we wash away delusion and ignorance.

In this season, when everything in the world is reduced to darkness, the goddess Parvati worships Lord Siva with her illuminated devotion. He is pleased by her love and promises her that whoever surrenders to him on this day will be blessed with Moksha (ultimate freedom and liberation). Like the archer, we pull back the bow of the spine and release our spirits into divinity. All surrendered efforts and actions are blessed by infinite of grace.

Siva is playing the damaru (drum), which is creating the rhythm of the cosmos.

All of this is Siva’s Dance, taking place within each of us in every moment.

He is the beating of our hearts.

Happy Siva Ratri!!!

*A few of the devadasis from Koothambalam are meeting @ The Denver Yoga Shala on Friday @ 1pm to host an informal celebratory dance/puja, please let me know if you would like to attend/participate.