New Moon in Krittika: the Protective Heart

New Moon in Krittika: the Protective Heart
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May 22 at 13:39 eastern time: This New Moon in Krittika in sidereal Taurus cuts to the core and reminds us of what the world needs most now: love and leadership. It asks us to show up for others, with courage and truth leading the way. Krittika celebrates those who step up without fear or ego – the leaders, caretakers, and protectors – the ones who keep us going when the light within starts to dim. This can be on a global level, but more importantly in our direct communities, in our relationships, and within our own mindset. ✨
We are each called in different ways to lead, guide, and engage. What matters now is that we show up for who we love and fighting for what we love. As Krittika is an activist at heart, it needs to keep its fire going to stay the course. Krittika directly connects to “agni,” the digestive fire in Ayurveda that helps us to digest and assimilate everything in life – not only our food but our daily life events and our emotions. Agni is the key to health and longevity. Given how overwhelmed many have been, it is likely our agni is low or imbalanced. Here are some Ayurvedic ways to support the digestive fire physically which will in turn help you digest all that is on your “plate” these days:
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1) Take 3 deep belly breaths before eating. This will shift your body into rest and digest.
2) 20 minutes before a meal, take a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger (or a thin slice), a pinch of mineral salt and a squeeze of fresh lime. This will help to ignite a weak or out of balance agni.
3) Drink ginger tea. Ginger is considered “tridoshic” (balancing for all) and its natural pungent taste will kindle low agni which can show up as various forms of indigestion (gas, bloating, burping, heartburn, slow digestion).
4) Drink “agni tea” www.ayurveda.com/online_resource)
5) Do spinal twists or lay on top of a bolster placed directly under your ribs to help stimulate the digestive enzymes in the stomach, gallbladder and liver.
6) Eat only when you are hungry. You can extinguish agni when you overeat, eat on the go, eat too little or when you aren’t hungry.
7) Eat plain yogurt in between meals. To make a “lassi” mix 1 part yogurt with 1 part water, and add some powdered cumin and a pinch of salt for a savory lassi, or some honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a sweet lassi. FYI: never eat yogurt after sundown or with any kind of fruit, especially sour fruits. This can create indigestion, which if it becomes habit can create deeper imbalances down the road. (See the “incompatible food combining” chart on www.ayurveda.com/online_resource.) 8) Avoid drinks with ice when you eat! This will extinguish your agni and create indigestion. If you need internal cooling, try drinking fresh coconut water or adding lime to your water (lime is slightly cooling, whereas lemon is slightly heating). Be well, and stay healthy and centered.