For most people, a moonless night or the Amavasya is just that dark, quiet, and ominous night. But in Indian spiritual traditions, it carries a different kind of weight altogether. Also known as the New Moon day, it has held a special place in yogic and meditative practices for a long, and is seen not as an absence to overlook, but as a presence to pay attention to.As September’s New Moon is just around the corner, let us understand why this particular day is treated so differently from an ordinary night.Sadhguru, the yogi and mystic, has often spoken at length about what Amavasya actually represents, and how it is not just limited to being a ritual but something more experiential.So what does he actually say about it? Let us dig to find out
When is Amavasya in September 2026?
As per the Drikpanchang, the Amavasya tithi begins at 10:33 am on Sep 10 and ends at 08:56 am on Sep 11.Sadhguru says that Amavasya is not about emptiness but presenceSeptember 2026 is set to witness Amavasya in the upcoming days as the New Moon in Virgo approaches. While most of us have a foreboding for the night, Sadhguru’s take offers a different lens to view the moonless night, not as emptiness, but as a different kind of presence.According to Sadhguru, on the Isha Foundation’s official website, “Amavasya means no moon day or new moon day. Whenever something or somebody becomes absent, through that absence, their presence always becomes more powerful.”He illustrates this using the example of someone you love, as their presence often goes unnoticed while they’re around, but the moment they’re gone, that absence itself becomes impossible to ignore. He applies the same logic to the moon, explaining that on Amavasya, its absence makes its presence “felt even more” than on any other day, including the full moon.
Sadhguru explains the change in energy on the day
For Sadhguru, this isn’t just poetic imagery; he connects it to a real change in energy. He explained that “the earth broods on Amavasya” and that the planet’s life processes slow down on this day, creating better conditions for inward integration.This, he says, is precisely why the day holds such significance for those on a spiritual path, particularly for people seeking deeper stillness or dissolution.Importantly, Sadhguru doesn’t associate Amavasya with wish-making or manifestation, but with awareness and turning the attention inward instead of outward.How to spend the New Moon night
- Sit quietly for a few minutes without any distractions
- Reflect on what you’d like to let go of or change
- Spend time in meditation or quiet prayer
- Observe your thoughts instead of reacting to them right away
- Create a small gap between yourself and your usual routine
None of this requires a massive preparation. You could simply put your phone away for a few minutes, sit in silence, and notice how you feel, without forcing any particular experience.
