Kali, Black Mother Time

(picture from Sacred Source)

Theme: (from The 356 Goddess)
Rebirth; Cycles; Joy; Courage; Hope; Cleansing; Change

Symbols: (from The 356 Goddess)
Jasmine flowers, Dance; Iron; Sword; Peacock Feathers: Honey

Colors:
Black, blue, and red

Kali having killed Shiva after one of her wild dances (picture from Sacred Source)

It is said that a demon named Daruka threatened the heavens. The Gods tried to fight him, but whenever a drop of his blood touched the ground a new demon was born. In her fury and frustration, Parvati (Shiva's wife), knitted her brows together and Kali was born with swords in hands. She danced her dance of death and rid the heavens of all demons… making them all safe once again.

According to the Witches' Goddess by Janet & Stewart Farrar "Kali herself, in her positive and non-terrible aspect, is a spiritual figure that freedom and independence has no equal to in the West. To her worshippers, for example, violence against any woman is forbidden, since all are representatives of the goddess."

Kali is often depicted as either a black or blue woman with a bright blood red protruding tongue. She wears a necklace of bloody heads, earrings of dead bodies and holds a sword in each 4/6/8 hands.

Kali is often referred to as a "death Goddess," yet she is so much more. She is a Goddess of death and destruction. Of birth and rebirth. Of light and dark. Of freedom and independence. It is through her destructive dance that we find a new path. She is the Goddess we turn to when we need strength, power, and passion. Kail, which translates into "The Black One", is one of the most popular of Hindu Goddesses.

This is a statue I made.

Kali Ritual For Gathering Strength

Items needed:
Red Goddess Candle
A fireproof container or cauldron (for burning incense)
Charcoal block
Jasmine dried herb
Matches

Light the Red Kali Goddess Candle
Purify yourself
Cast the Circle
Invoke Kali

Great Kali, Goddess of Strength and Power
Be with me now in my darkest hour
Your courage and hope are what I need
Bring your passions here to me

Call the Elements

Hail to the Spirit of Earth
For beauty and abundance in my home and hearth
I ask that you join me in my sacred space
Be with me now at this time and this place

Hail to the Spirit of Air
For creativity and awareness in all that I dare
I ask that you join me in my sacred space
Be with me now at this time and this place

Hail to the Spirit of Fire
For strength and courage for passion and desire
I ask that you join me in my sacred space
Be with me now at this time and this place

Hail to the Spirit of Water
Bring intuition and cleansing to me your daughter
I ask that you join me in my sacred space
Be with me now at this time and this place

Purpose of the Ritual
The purpose of this ritual is to gather strength from Kali in a time of need. To use her strength and passion through the difficult phases in our lives.

Body of the Ritual
Light the charcoal block. While the block is heating up, concentrate on the areas in your life that you need strength. Once the block has heated, take a pinch of the jasmine and throw it on top of the charcoal. As you watch the flowers burn, inhale the smoke, gathering Kali's power into yourself. Do this for each aspect you require strength. For extra added power…once the ashes have cooled completely down, gather them together in a spill proof container and carry them with you where ever you go.

Ground

Release the Elements

Thank you Spirit of Earth
For bringing beauty and abundance in my home and hearth
Hail and farewell

Thank you Spirit of Air
For bringing creativity and awareness in all that I dare
Hail and farewell

Thank you Spirit of Fire
For bringing strength and courage for passion and desire
Hail and farewell

Thank you Spirit of Water
For bringing intuition and cleansing to me your daughter
Hail and farewell

Open the Circle
"The circle is open, but unbroken. May the strength and passion of Kali remain with me. Merry meet and merry part till we merry meet again. So mote it be."

Kali Chant
Round and round Kali did go
Death and destruction allowed life to grow
Round and round Kali does go
In the darkest of hours Kali will glow
Round and round Kali will go
Be not afraid and freedom you shall know

Kali Incense
1oz oak moss
1oz dried jasmine flowers
3 drops of honey (yes... honey)
3 drops of your own menstrual blood
Blend and use for private meditation during the onset of menstruation.

This is my altar at home.

Simple Altar Dedicated to Kali
Metal or case iron plate
Feather and/or knife (athame)
Dried jasmine flowers
Red candle
Black candle

Place your feather and/or knife in the center of your plate. Place the red candle on the left and the black candle on the right. Sprinkle the dried jasmine flowers over the altar.

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Sources:
The Witches' Goddess: The Feminine Principle of Divinity by Janet & Stewart Farrar
365 Goddess : A Daily Guide to the Magic and Inspiration of the Goddess by Patricia Telesco
The Goddess Path: Myths, Invocations & Rituals by Patricia Monaghan

Click [here] to go to my second level final project