It is interesting that after Navrathri - the festival of nine nights that embodies protection and goodness - we have Halloween in the West.

It is celebrated each year on the 31st of October. Its roots are in the Celtic Festival of Samhain (pronounced SAH-win) where people gathered to pray for protection, connect to their deceased ancestors, wear costumes and light bonfires to ward off ghosts. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory II assigned November 1st as All Saints Day. The traditions of Samhain got integrated into the All Hallows Eve, the eve before All Saints Day, to become known as Halloween. All Hallows Day was derived from the middle English word Alholowmesse which meant all Saints day.

The interesting thing is that, like Navrathri, Samhain was also celebrated for a week where there was feasting, invocations and strengthening oneself to last the winter which ended with a big bonfire. In Durga puja, also in some parts of India, fires are used to symbolise burning away of the old darkness.

As Navrathri continues, the beautiful essence and power of the divine feminine continues to shine forth. The festival has its traditions and activities for the general population where many look at these beautiful representations as Gods and Goddesses and some can also get attached to their form.

Then there are the deeper mystical aspects which help us tap into the energy and vibration of Shakthi or power. We will understand this embodiment better as we deepen the connection and do the practice. When we have a true best friend who loves us and does not judge us, then we will share our deepest fears and needs to this person. When our relationship to these energies deepens we can be more transparent with ourselves and our so called darkness and shadows, so it can be transmuted into the light. Then we will vibrationally start to match and embody what these Shakthis or powers hold as they become role models for what is possible. This enables us to fully rise to our potential.

Nav means “nine” and rathri means “nights.” The divine mothers come to us in the night, to protect us, to be the light in the darkness, to help us face our fears, to nurture us and to help us participate in this play of light and shadow.

This festival is celebrated all over India for nine nights to honour the sacred feminine and welcome the power of the goddesses into our hearts. Ultimately it is a state we evoke from within or a vibrational quality we learn to tap into.