Friday Finds - Kali

I've been thinking a lot about endings & beginnings lately. I've been told for a few months now that things are changing and not to worry about an ending because with an ending comes a new beginning. With all of the layoffs that happened at work recently and the impending threat of more, change certainly does seem to be in the air but hasn't touched me... yet. It certainly does feel, however, that things are coming to a head so only time will tell at this point.

The goddess Kali is commonly known as the destroyer. But, she's misunderstood really. Sure she looks kind of frightening with her four arms (one wielding a sword, another with the severed head of a demon), the garland of skulls, her tongue sticking out, and her girdle of human arms; but two of her hands bless her worshipers and the symbology of her representation isn't quite that scary at all. Her black complexion symbolizes her all-embracing and transcendental nature. Kali is free from the illusory covering of clothing, for she is beyond the all maya or "false consciousness." Kali's garland of fifty human heads stands for the fifty letters in the Sanskrit alphabet, symbolizing infinite knowledge. Her girdle of severed human hands signifies work and liberation from the cycle of karma. Her sword is the destroyer of false consciousness. So even with the death and destruction comes creation.

Dance With the Deva in the Pale Dark Night Dark Goddesses Kali Digital Art Print by Carapace

Kali Skull Bone Wrist Mala by meditation

4 1/4 inch Purple Yantra Bowl by De Baun Fine Ceramics

Darkening of the Days

The Autumnal Equinox is upon us, dividing the day and night equally, preparing us for the long, dark days of winter. I am ever grateful for the bright, energetic days of summer and the revitalizing feeling of the powerful sun. But, I also equally look forward to the period of rest and reflection that comes with the darker days of winter.

This time of year, although busy at work, is a nice winding down period at home as I prepare to hibernate and stay indoors more for the coming colder (yes, even in Florida it gets a bit cooler) months. This time of year, the cyclic nature of the universe serves as a reminder that endings are also beginnings. That although things may become dark, there is yet a sense of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

This is the perfect time for balance since the day and night are of equal length. It is a time to focus on eliminating the bad and strengthening the good. Let your baggage go and know that for every dark night of the soul, there will be a sunrise the next morning.