Are any Ashtamis or Amavasyas inauspicious?
In popular Indian tradition, days such as Ashtami (8th), Chaturdashi (14th) and Amavasya (New Moon), are sometimes held to be “inauspicious” (“ashubha”) on account of certain Spirits (Ganas) said to become active at this time, rendering these days perilous to man. The truth of the matter is that physical activities such as manual labour were originally prohibitted at important points in the lunar cycle in order to provide an opportunity for man to commune with the Divine through worship, prayer and meditation. The original holy day was without doubt New Moon or New Moon Eve and Day, taken together. Due to a decline in man’s Spiritual faculties, it subsequently became necessary for this to be observed more frequently, that is, once a week instead of once a month. The observance of Saturdays, Sundays or Fridays in Western faiths is based on the same Original Tradition (Adi Dharma) that was once prevalent throughout the World. As for the Ganas or Spirits, they are in fact but the children
