For thousands of years, the sages of India have used the cycles of Nature to mark time and regulate the course of daily events. They recognized that all of creation moves according to inherent cyclical patterns which can be observed in such occurrences as the rising and setting of the sun, the waxing and waning of the moon, the ocean tides, the seasons, and the movement of the planets and stars. They acknowledged the importance of living in harmony with these deep rhythms of nature and understood that when we conduct our activities aligned with the cycles of the natural world, we experience auspiciousness-the energy of our actions is blessed by the energies of Nature.

For this reason, the ancient sages of India developed principles to guide people in the optimal use of the forces of Nature when planning for significant activities, from religious rituals and observances to business affairs. In determining the auspicious time for a given activity, the relationship between the sun and the moon was considered crucial, since these are the "lights" in our sky, the astral bodies most visible from the Earth with great energetic influence on physical life. Unlike the Western calendar, which is based on the sun, the ancient calendars devised by the sages were based upon the relationship between the sun and the moon and are called lunisolar calendars.

These principles, based on the wisdom of ancient sages, help us discover how to conduct our activities in a way that is more deeply supported by the movement of the natural world. You might want to consider incorporating this guidance when planning significant events in your life, such as travel, marriage, major purchases, significant business transactions, studies, elective medical treatments, or entering a new house. It is important to consider these principles as guidance and not rules, using them as a resource in the process of making decisions about what works best for you in each situation.

The day of the full moon is very auspicious. The luminous fullness of the moon represents plenitude, abundance, and generous blessings. For this reason, it is considered a good time to initiate and to accomplish significant activities. The only exception to this guideline is Holi Purnima (usually around March) and the day following. These days should be avoided for new beginnings.

The new moon, as well as the day before and the day after it, are not good times to initiate a significant activity. Other than the Indian New Year's Day, which starts the day after a new moon, the day before and the day after the new moon should be specifically avoided. The new moon is considered inauspicious for new beginnings and significant activities as it represents the pitch-blackness of the night, when the beneficial forces of light are negated.

Of even greater significance are eclipses, both lunar and solar, which are good times for spiritual practices, such as chanting, meditation, and mantra repetition, but are considered inauspicious times for initiating significant activities. It is also a time to refrain from travel and beginning long journeys, and if you find that you must travel then it's especially good to be vigilant and alert.

During an eclipse, there is a heightened level of energy that impacts both the world environment and our own internal environment. Whenever an eclipse takes place there are many effects on the natural world. For example, our digestive power is greatly reduced therefore it is best to eat lightly, many animals and birds stop eating and go to sleep; nature turns within.

The energetic effects of the eclipse can occur between 2-3 days before and after the eclipse. Due to the potent energy released during this time, emotions (both positive and negative) can be heightened and mishaps can happen more easily. Therefore, it is important to be especially mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions during this time. In this way we can contribute to the welfare of the whole universe.

An eclipse has a profound inward pull on our consciousness, and it is an ideal time to do spiritual practices, offering beneficial energy to ourselves and others.

More information about eclipses, including eclipse dates, can be found on the internet.

The two weeks of Pitru Paksha (generally in mid-September) are a time to honor our departed ancestors. The energy around this time is focused on departed family, friends, and ancestors, with the vibrations of death, and thus is not auspicious for beginning activities that require vitality and longevity. The only exception is travel for the purpose of going on a pilgrimage or initiating spiritual practices.

For initiating significant activities, the bright half of the month, when the moon is waxing or increasing in light, is preferred to the dark half of the month, when the moon is waning. The increase of luminosity until the moon reaches fullness is equated with the forces that promote growth and prosperity.

The day of the burial or cremation of a relative or loved one and the day after are not auspicious for significant activities, again, because the energy of such a day does not carry vitality and longevity needed for initiating new activities.