Celebration of Navratri

I have had a passion to dance for as long as I can remember. I have done hip pop, modern, Indian, break, and salsa. One of my favorite dances is Garba, which is a type of Indian dance. Garba is a type of dance that anyone can do however they want, as long as they dance in a circle. Most of the time Garba is performed at weddings or any celebration, for competitions, and especially during Navrarti, which is one of most important festivals in Hinduism.  

Navarti is celebrated for nine nights since “nav” stands for nine and “ratri” means night. Depending on lunar calendar Navratri is celebrated in September to October. Indians celebrate Navratri to worship the Goddess Druga, who is a form of divine power. Navratri has a traditional story like other Indian festivals.  Long ago, there was a king demon Mahishasur, who had body of a human and head of a buffalo. He prayed and mediated hard for many years to please Lord Brahma. Seeing this, Lord Brahma was pleased and granted Mahishasur’s request that no human or god should be able to kill him. Soon after he became a demon and started to spread terror on earth. 

Devi Druga defeating Mahishaur

Seeing this, the Goddess Pravti became angry and took the form of Devi Druga, a goddess with many arms, to be able to battle with Mahishaur. She fought Mahishasur for nine days and nights. At the end of ten nights, she won the battle, and restored the balance of life. Hindu celebrates Navrati to worship Devi Druga.

To celebrate Navratri women and men wear traditional Indian clothes. They dance the Garba in circles with different styles. The best part about Garba is, except for when doing competitions or performing on a stage, there are no rules at all. Dancers at festivals and celebrations can perform any style they please.

After the puja, which is the main prayer for Devi Durga, is finished, music will begin to play and people will begin to dance in circles. The music can be of different types, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, with the dance changing to fit the music. The lyrics for the music is a prayer for Devi Durga.  The traditional dance steps are simple, though over the years people invented more complex steps. The music is loud and people of all ages are dancing and sweating, happy and celebrating. 

by D. Patel

A NIGHTMARE ON PINE STREET!

Hey guys and gals, I will be part of the haunted trail at Wayne’s World of Paintball. The event will be fun, if you like to get scared. I’ve been told that even grown-ups have peed their pants, so if you’re a scaredy-cat be aware that this event it’s not about puppies and unicorns. We are doing this for a good cause, to benefit Toys for Tots. Last year the event raised more than $15,000.00; we hope to raise more than that amount for this year.  

 

Come join us at: Wayne’s World of Paintball 4841 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34480

This is not a paintball event.

It is 2 ½ Acres of Haunted Attractions, so we recommend proper footwear.

Dates and prices:

October 14-15, 21-22, & 28-29

8:00 P.M – 11:00 P.M

$10 Per Adult

$5 Per child (12 & under)

I’ll be happy to scare you guys, please join.

By: Gerkary B.

 

The Supernatural Stole My Life

by Summer L.

Being an Indigo Child¹in this modern concrete age isn’t always the easiest thing, but it’s definitely something to be passionate about, or even celebrate. Similar to caring for a flower, one must cater to the needs and requirements of being moon-called. Luckily for me, I am not reliant on others to recharge my batteries. No, it’s the fairies in the garden, the whisper of the wind, and the smiles of flowers that aid in my psychedelic survival. 

Unchained from the contemporary mindset of our generation, there is elation to be found in the simplest of things. Sunshine, moon light, rainbows, and flowers growing in between the slats of asphalt are little miracles that will forevermore elicit a smile. The positive, productive energy the earth provides zings across my skin like a livewire, or a companionable kiss. Clouds in the sky stop by for a quick “hello." Water nymphs dance and play in rain puddles whilst waving as I pass by. Forest trees offer perpetual hugs. Rain falls, temporarily washing away the effects of man until the next shower.

You will find me there, dancing blissfully in the rain, rejoicing in our joint cause. Come nightfall, the stars beck and call to me until they switch to singing a goodnight lullaby upon the moon’s sweet command. She and I are always in touch with one another, always celebrating the other’s existence. Together, we live in symbiosis with all the other fairies, wildflowers, and creatures of all kinds-even the shapeshifters and wandering spirits. Together, we bring love, passion, and fascination back to the otherworldly beings such as ourselves.

1 Indigo Child: one who possesses supernatural abilities and is separated from other individuals by a different wavelength of thinking

1101-10 Our Passions! (Part 2)

Finally!! The much anticipated Part 2...

Everyone has that special activity, object, or hobby that they are passionate about. I personally have a deep passion for photography. Being able to make something as simple as a leaf just define the beauty of nature makes my very proud. I work as a photographer at BMW and Porsche of Ocala and I love my job because I make beautiful and luxurious vehicles look spectacular, from the curves on the hood of the car to the rims and tires. … Starting off at BMW and Porsche I did

not even have the same idea of photography that I do now, passions are things that can come upon you at any instant. It  gives me an amazing feeling every time. Everybody has a passion, everyone has something that gives them that special feeling inside every time. The only challenge is trying to figure out the passion. – Quentin L.

The feeling I get going camping, kayaking, fishing or just taking a walk through the forest or woods is very relaxing. As soon as I am deep enough in the woods, away from civilization, I like to take several minutes of silence and just use my senses to become a part of the environment that surrounds me. Feeling the breeze hit my face as the birds and insects make beautiful music looking at the landscape of greenery in front of me smelling and tasting the pure air with a hint of dirt and wood. Nature is my second home and my favorite, being that I feel so relaxed, comfortable and happy as if I was at peace, as if I was one with nature. – Gilbert S.

 

I was twelve years old when I took my first hip hop class. That was all I needed to get started. From that point on my life revolved around dance… Dance can be used in so many ways. It is a way to express yourself through movement, exercise, even a social outlet. You can make a lot of new friends by taking dance class. You become a family because you all share a passion for dance. Dance is an art that you create with your body. There does not have to be music, movements do not have to be constant, or flow together in a smooth way. Dance can be what ever you want it to be. Dance is life.  -- Alexis W.

1101-14 Our Passions! (Part 2)

Finally!! The much anticipated Part 2...

My passion in life is wakeboarding, and I am relatively good at it. I have been wakeboarding for about a two years now. There is something about being on the water with the wind in your face that just gives me such a adrenaline rush, the thought of being thrown off the wake at any time just makes my body get goosebumps. 

It took my about 22 times to finally be able to stand up on the board then I would ride for about 30-45 seconds and fall, I kept getting so frustrated with my self and the board and would blame the board for my screw ups, then eventually I got to the point where I would calm down before my attempt and would be able to ride for a five minutes then I started trying different tricks such as switching feet and being able to jump the wake and now I am able to tantrum roll with ease and it is the most incredible feeling in the entire would. It helped me get over a break up because it took my mind off everything it was only me and the water and me faceplanting it all the time.  -- Austin R.

What is my passion? What fascinates me? What do I love to do? What is captivating to me right now? Well… there’s an amazing spectrum of things that I can say that I love to do. But there are a couple of things that will forever have my heart and soul and will always be a part of who I am. 

First, I love singing, especially to music in Spanish, which my husband cannot understand. And I adore the fact that he is sweet enough to dance with me with his two left feet and repeat whatever it is I’m singing even though he has no idea what he’s saying; it’s amazing. 

Part of that singing passion includes dancing, I can dance to anything, anywhere, with anyone, and not be ashamed of it and love every second of it. It makes me feel alive, happy, like I have no cares in the world even when I feel like it may be crumbling on me. 

I honestly don’t know if it has something to do with where I am from, because Puerto Rican culture is very musical, and we’re very welcoming to one another when it comes to dancing and singing. That’s something else that simply reaches the bottom of my soul and brings out the real me, the love I have for my home, Puerto Rico. I can talk about my island all day. I can talk about our people, our food, our native music called "Bomba" and "Plena," about how it doesn’t matter what time it is you can always pack up and go to the beautiful beach (without having to worry about shark attacks), or go to the rainforest and walk around barefoot and feel the soft mud in between your toes

without having to worry about venomous snakes, spiders, nothing… Just enjoy yourself with nature. I haven’t stepped foot back home since 2013 and every day I think about it and I get homesick. Hopefully soon I will be able to go and feel our rainforest around me, sing, and dance to ‘Salsa’ all night with my husband without a care in the world for that one moment. --  Genesis B.