Introduction
Ādi Amāvasyā falls on the new moon day of the Tamil month of Ādi (July/August). In many Indian traditions it is a powerful time to honour one’s ancestors, heal generational patterns and reset your own energy. The absence of the moon invites introspection, while the beginning of a new lunar cycle offers a chance to start afresh.
Why ancestors matter
- Roots and branches – We are the latest expression of a lineage. Our thoughts, behaviours and even health are influenced by the unresolved stories of those who came before us.
- Unconscious inheritance – Unprocessed grief, trauma and vows can travel down family lines. Honouring the ancestors acknowledges their contributions and frees us from carrying what is not ours.
Rituals for Ādi Amāvasyā
- Tarpanam (libation) – Offer water, sesame seeds and rice to your ancestors while chanting their names or simply holding them in your heart. Perform this near a body of water or at home with intention.
- Lighting a lamp – Light a ghee lamp facing south (the direction of the ancestors) and pray for their peace and guidance.
- Feeding beings – Prepare a meal and offer it to birds, cows or people in need. Feeding others symbolises nourishing the lineage.
- Fasting and silence – Observing partial fasting and maintaining silence helps clear karmic impressions and creates space for reflection.
- Journaling and forgiveness – Write letters to ancestors, expressing gratitude or releasing resentment. Forgive yourself and your lineage for past mistakes.
Yogic practices for ancestral healing
Kundalini Yoga teaches that ancestral imprints reside in the eighth chakra (the aura). Meditations like “Meditation to Heal Ancestral Karma” and breath practices focusing on the navel centre can help clear ancestral blocks. Spending time near rivers, oceans or in moonlight amplifies the clearing.
Closing thought
Ādi Amāvasyā is a reminder that we walk with many unseen companions. By pausing to acknowledge them, we transform heaviness into blessing. Use this dark moon as an opportunity to lay down inherited burdens, honour the wisdom of your elders and plant seeds of intention for the cycle ahead. As you heal backward, you light the way forward.
