A Journey of the Feminine, Across Hemispheres for Navaratri
Navaratri has always held a special place in my heart. Ever since I began dropping deeper into the body of wisdom that is the Vedas, this sacred festival has found its way into my life in the most organic ways.
It began years ago, while I was teaching and sharing Kundalini Yoga with women. I found myself instinctively wanting to fast, cleanse, and purify during this time, and lingering on discovering more about each archetype.
Only later did I discover that Navaratri is, in fact, one of the most sacred times for women a celebration of the divine feminine energy, and a portal into deeper alignment with our own cycles and seasons.
This year, my Navaratri experience unfolded on the other side of the equator—in Canada, to be precise. It began when I was invited to co-host a retreat on Salt Spring Island. Imagine Waiheke Island meeting Matakana, only amplified by the energy of an entire landmass built upon rose quartz.
The retreat centre itself was no exception—20 rooms 20 bathrooms and 9 addtinal toitels complete with a private chef who was very inspiring she lives in a van and is writting her own cook book.. in addition to the retreat social rooms, we had a hydrotherapy circuit of pools, mineral spa, steam, and sauna, and an octagonal room called Delphi, where we gathered each morning for sound healing, embodiment practices, and live talks.
I had the honour of holding space for 14 retreat guests, offering 3–4 daily sessions of somatic bodywork, energy realignment, and inner alchemy. Some of the women have since continued working with me privately, moving into Ayurvedic upgrades to rebalance hormones, address hair thinning, and regulate their cycles. The whole retreat was woven with sweetness, grace, and a sense of divine orchestration. For me, it was a deep initiation into greater trust, competency, and presence in my work.
Afterwards, I visited what I can only describe as a biohacker’s botanical dream—a bespoke wellness spa designed for deep restoration. (I’ll share more about this soon in an upcoming vlog, as the design itself deserves its own spotlight.) As a former spa designer and now wellness consultant, I am endlessly fascinated by the architecture of spaces that hold healing. You Can
Then came a private invitation to a hidden ashram community. The experience was humbling in its simplicity. Together, we prepared Ayurvedic remedies, shared stories of India and ashram life, chanted mantras at dawn and before sleep, and sent cleansing vibrations through body and mind. One of the guides walked me through the community farm, where garlic is grown and exported worldwide, and where nine shrines stand in honour of Goddess Durga—each offering a place of prayer and pūjā during this sacred time. To be invited into their rituals felt like a true blessing.
For those of you unfamiliar with Navaratri:
Nav means nine
Ratri means night
Tri speaks to the three aspects of our being—mind, body, and soul
This festival honours both spring and autumn, marking the cycles of sowing seeds and harvesting. It is dedicated to Goddess Durga in her three forms: Kali (strength and destruction of illusion), Lakshmi (abundance and prosperity), and Saraswati (wisdom and creativity). Together, these aspects embody Shakti—the divine feminine energy that births all creation.
What does this mean for you…? Well, my inspiration is, as always, to cultivate to embody, and then to share enriched offerings…
In the meantime, we still have two more nights of Navaratri, so I ask ..
✨ How might you honour your own feminine energy during this time?
✨ What inner seeds are you planting, or harvesting, right now?
✨ Where might fasting, cleansing, or simply creating stillness support you in aligning with your higher self?
Navaratri is not only a festival, it is an initiation into your own inner strength and luminosity.
As I continue to walk this path, I’ll be sharing more soon through a vlog on my retreat, but for now I’ll hold the ashram experience as sacred.
Until then, may you feel the presence of Durga within you, guiding, protecting, and empowering you to embody your fullest expression.
With love,
