Kali, Black Mother Time

Kali Ma. Black Mother. Death Goddess. To those that do not understand her, she is a frightening Goddess never to be tampered with. For those of us that do understand her... we love and honor her in many ways. We are not afriad of her for we understand what she really is. We ask her to join us in our rituals for we know what lies deep within her.

Kali's Death is not a physical one, but a death of the ego. Of falseness. Of unjustified brutality to women. Her protruding tongues states "GO AWAY IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO KNOW THE TRUTH."

Throughout time, there have been many reasons to pray to Kali. A battered wife will pray to Kali for the courage to leave her husband. A woman that has been raped or molested will ask Kali for retribution against those that harmed her. A young woman not happy with her life will ask Kali to see the truth, allowing her ego to be put on the back burner.

Kali's truest meaning is TRUTH. Being honest with ourselves and those we love can be so difficult. Especially if it puts us in a bad light. But without the truth, without the honesty, what are we really living? Our lives take crazy turns and have uncontrollable twists, but in the end, we usually end up having more than we ever did before. With the destruction of our old selves, we build new, better selves.

Kali is also the Goddess of Sexual Love and Mysteries. "One worships Kali Ma with thoughts, sounds, touch, smell, taste, vision, and sex... the cultivation of her presence in the world results in happier lives, increased resistance to illness, and longevity."*

Kali is often represented by a sword. Cutting away the truth!

Suggestion for a Tarot Mediation:
Items:
The Tower tarot card
1 Red Candle
Matches/lighter

Sit comfortably in front of the red candle. Hold the Tower card between the palms of your hands. Breath in deeply and release. Feel your entire body begin to relax. As you begin your meditation, allow the Tower card to enter your subconscious. Allow the different images and words to penetrate your mind. Taking you to your deepest truths. Remember that the Tower represents the breaking down of false structures and belief. See yourself as the wonderful and beautiful person you ARE without the false pretenses. Enjoy the real you. Let her out. When you have finished meditating, keep the Tower card on you, as a reminder of your truth.

Chant the following to raise energy during Ritual (especially those on the Dark or Full Moon). Begin softly and picking up volume as you feel your energy raising.

I-sis, As-tar-te, Di-ana, Hec-ta-te, De-me-ter, Kali, In-an-na**

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*Grandmother Moon by Zsuzsanna E. Budapest, page 204

** Original Arthur unknown.

Sources:
Grandmother Moon by Zsuzsanna E. Budapest
Motherpeace - A Way to the Goddess through Myth, Art, and Tarot by Vicki Noble
The Goddess Path: Myths, Invocations & Rituals by Patricia Monaghan