Kali's Sacred Chaos: Embracing the Creation and Destruction

Embodying Her sacred No as Fierceness and Love.

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Today, we're once again diving into the enigmatic world of the Dark Feminine. Kali was my first introduction to this realm. A fierce and transformative Goddess! Here she is…

The Power of Kali

Kali is a powerful aspect of the Divine Feminine. A Dark Goddess often misunderstood because she’s seen as an angry vengeful destroyer rather than the fiercely protective and compassionate mother that she is. Yes, she’s wild, instinctive and unpredictable, she’s a destroyer! But what exactly is she destroying?

Kali, the Dark Mother, isn’t about destroying the soul or the person that makes up what we are. Instead, she removes the obstacles that interfere with our inherent nature and expression of it. Supporting us in breaking through our unconscious and riveted patterns that cause suffering. This transformative process can be challenging. But the majority of this discomfort comes from our attachment to not letting go. In this case her compassion shines through for she invites us not to deny our pains but to be present with them.

Her appearance is a reminder that we can be fierce too. Not through wrathful anger or aggression. But as the sacred “No”! At times we need the roar of the mother to call out fear and hate, to reveal the harm caused by manipulation, dishonesty, and inauthentic living. Both within ourselves and outwardly in our world. Kali will protect us when we cannot protect ourselves, but ultimately teaching us how we can do this for ourselves.

With one hand she wreaks havoc as divine disruption while with the other she holds space, guiding us to confront our dysfunctions and sort through our thoughts and feelings. With another hand, she feeds herself our pain and ego structures. Her outstretched tongue devouring them. Symbolized also by her wreath of skulls and demons. Then with another hand she shares love with boundless generosity.

Kali as Kundalini Shakti

Collage by me

My first encounter with Kali occurred nearly four decades ago when I became involved in a Hindu tradition called Siddha Yoga. I experienced what many would describe as a “classic Kundalini awakening”. The Kundalini Shakti, coiled at the root of my spine rose up and spiraled through my chakras (energy channels). Eventually rising to the top of my head as the sacred union of Shakti and Shiva in their eternal dance. At that time, I was unaware of all these specifics. I only knew I was having a powerful and dramatic experience that continued for three days, resulting in a profound shift in my being that remains with me to this day.

For those unfamiliar with these terms, there’s quite a bit to unpack. The tradition I entered was devoted to the teachings of Kashmir Shavism. To summarize (which hardly captures the depth of this philosophy), Kashmir Shavism is a threefold path:

1. SHIVA, as supreme consciousness and transcendent energy.

2. SHAKTI, as immanent material energy. The Spanda or heartbeat of life, the ongoing dance of creation.

3. NARA, as the liminal energy that bridges the two and as the individual soul.

Shakti is the all-pervasive energy of the divine feminine.¹ When manifesting as Kali this can awaken the serpentine energy known as Kundalini. As this transformative power moves through the body, it helps the aspirant awaken to their divine essence and rise above the contracted ego structures.

As this energy was moving though my chakras, it felt both exhilarating and unsettling. Thankfully this happened while I was meditating, because I was both calm and observant. I also sensed a deep trust within, I just knew something amazing was unfolding. While at the same time not knowing at all WTF was happening. Along with all this came sensations that ran the gamut of painful to pleasureful.

After years of self-reflection, I see that Kali gave me the initial shove. She began the process of dismantling my false foundation, while showing me an undeniable sense of freedom that results from that. And I’m responsible too, I need to continue doing the work of meeting the ingrained patterns and limiting beliefs that are still active in my being. She also showed me how to channel Her fierce “No”. Thankful for this particularly, for this has supported me through the years of standing up to CHIP (Capitalistic Hierarchical Imperialistic Patriarchy) both outwardly and inwardly. One must be a badass to walk this path of vehemence and love.

Movements of the Snake energy

Artist: Ross Bannister

Years later, as I began working with the dark feminine as Inanna, Lilith and the Cailleach (whom I see as different manifestations of Kali), she took the snake energy and brought it back down into the heart of Eros and compassion. Then into my womb and belly, allowing me to not only perceive beauty in transcendence but immanence too. The sacred liminal as an ongoing invitation to rise above my identifications while consecrating my interconnectedness as human.

The sacred liminal is where polarities do more than co-exist, they sing and dance together in ecstasy. Light and dark, masculine and feminine, creation and destruction, all united in the divine marriage of Shiva and Shakti. The liminal as a vibrant holy union. The snake undulating as the many sacred feminine codes, that of mystery, death and rebirth, the underworld, wisdom and transformation.

A Reading from the Kali Oracle:

DURGA KALIKA

Here we see Kali as sacred justice, our guiding light, keeping us on the path when all seems hopeless. Reminding us that even in our darkest hour, a new dawn awaits.

This card depicts an epic tale about a terrible battle where the Goddess Durga was fighting with the demon Raktabija, whose blood when spilled only spawned more demons. To counteract this Durga called forth Kali from her third eye. Kali’s ferocity was unmatched, her outstretched tongue began devouring all the blood as well as the demons.

Just like the demon in this tale, the obstacles in our life like CHIP can find new ways to derail us. Yet Kali devours these by showing us that for every insurmountable problem, there are countless solutions. The key is what do we trust more, our fear or our intuition and faith. To create the change we seek in the world, we must transform internally, cultivating the strength to confront injustice. Utilizing the sacred “NO” that is grounded in faith, hope and resilience.

KALI MAHAMAYA (KALI MA)

Here Kali is an embodiment of universal truth, inviting us to see beneath outer appearances to the deeper integrity that resides there. By looking beyond the surface, the confusion of our clouded heart begins to clear. Kali helps us cut through illusion and deception, like seeing the man behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz (or the orange man in office), revealing the reality behind the illusion.

When we stray from our true nature, she is divine disruption. By returning to our true purpose and passion for being here, we are liberated from the constraints that bind us. Our nervous system recalibrates leading us back to the wisdom of our heart. Kali encourages us to trust the unfolding, and to be patient. This does not follow the fast-paced clock of the world, but a timeless rhythm that is eternal.

HER MESSAGE

Made with AI Image Generator

We are at a pivotal moment of radical transformation, where Kali stands as both protector and destroyer. What is transpiring in our world right now seems horrific, where the CHIP forces are in full swing with their own destructions. Kali reminds us to look beyond the surface. Up till recently, humanity has had a solid chance to change. But now, like a pressure cooker on high, we’re being forced to confront what we’ve been running from.

Kali is that force, destruction with purpose. Calling us to face what we fear and to shed the layers of conditioning. Encouraging us to speak our fierce “NO” to the outdated structures in both society and within ourselves. She reminds us that destruction isn't the end, but the beginning of something more authentic, aligned with love, nature, and our true selves. We can create fertile ground for a more awakened and unified world.

May the fires of Kali Ma feed your passion and her love soothe you heart and soul.

I offer both tarot readings and personalized one-on-one sessions. Both designed to support and nurture your inner explorations, helping you gain deeper insight into the movements of your life. If you're interested, feel free to reach out to me via direct message or email. Love and Blessings to you!

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1. https://www.astroculture.in/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-devi-shakti-and-kali/