Rosh Hashanah which started this year on Friday, September 15th, marks the beginning of a ten-day purification and re-alignment process. Just like nature is getting ready to shed and move into a renewal pattern, the human soul is preparing for another spiritual growth cycle. The soul yearns to shed old or negative constricting patterns and usher in life-affirming insights, positive commitments and new possibilities. Rosh Hashanah honours this natural cycle of the soul. We are given 10 days between the start of the process, which is, the Jewish New Year Yom Kippur, and the Day of Atonement, which is really a day of attunement. In these ten days, we have the opportunity to engage in introspective soul searching, a time to forgive and be forgiven, a time to receive and release. These ten days are said to be the most auspicious days to draw closer to the Creator, as well as to reconcile our relationships with ourselves and each other. In the course of the year, we may have hurt others, and we may have been hurt by them. We draw closer to our nature when we open our hearts and our minds to forgiveness. We get ready to renew our commitments to ourselves and our community. Opening ourselves to this process enables us to receive a higher vibration of the life force energy and blessing. It is said that on Rosh Hashanah, we open up to who we really are and at Yom Kippur, we let go of who we are not. Rosh Hashanah might be likened to the inhalation of the breath bringing in new vitality and Yom Kippur may be likened to the exhalation of same, releasing what is no longer needed and what does not serve us. Both processes are related and intimately connected. Other traditions honour a similar process. For example, the celebration of Maha Navaratri is also a ten-day process of letting go of earthly bondage and connecting with the power of Shakti. Whether the cycle of nature calls to your soul or your cultural tradition, I hope you take this time and make it your personal period of inner cleansing and strengthening. If you are ready to start a new beginning and make a positive change in your life. Take the first step towards your potential life.