Calendar of the Moon 14 Gort/Puanepsion Durga's Day
Colour: Red Element: Fire Altar: Upon a red cloth place many sticks of incense, bowls of saffron rice, spears, and the figure of Durga riding her tiger. Offerings: Acts of courage. Daily Meal: Indian food. Invocation to Durga Hail to Durga, Warrior Goddess Of the Hindu people! Uma the Maiden gives way to Parvati the Mother Who then give way to you! Slayer of Demons Inaccessible One Who defends her children Shasthi, Queen of the Mothers We call you on this day To protect mothers and babes. For she who knows how to live can walk abroad Without fear of rhinoceros or lion. He will not be wounded in battle For in him rhinoceri Can find no place to thrust their horn, Lions no place to use their claws, And weapons no place to pierce. Why is this so? Because she has no place for death to enter. Tiger rider, many-handed one, Your serene gaze comforts women And causes oppressors to quail Before your feline steed. (The hour should end with drumming and dancing with spears.) [Source:paganbookofhours.org]