Kali Ma!

[skyler]

I know many here have worked with her so I have a couple of questions:
1. How has your personal experience with this Goddess been?
2. If it's not a very private matter, would anyone care to describe an experience or how she chose or came to you?

I ask because I've very recently become interested and I'd love to hear some personal opinions instead of the generalized description.

Thanks! :)

[BrigidMoon]

Bump.

[Toby Stimpson]

:) good Kali. Anyone who reads my posts know she is very important to me...and she is generally very good. Theres been soem great talks on her, and I know there are some great alters to her in the Alter of Ancients, Anubis Rainhawk's alter has a very nice image of her. I'm a little tired right now, but Im going to just poke right now...:D. Namaste

Tobias

[argento_occhi]

Yes, Kali... fascinates me. Together with Ares and Kwan Yin, they're the only non-Kemetic Gods I feel drawn to. Not that I've ever met Her. But, She certainly fascinates me.

Argent

[RowanMegaera]

I am going to cheat and copy my response to a question about patron gods and goddesses:

I grew up agnostic, my parents were not religious and taught me to look for my own answers, always encouraging me to read or research anything that drew me. I attended sunday school for a few years when I was little but always felt closer to god in nature. I found the pagan path when I was 12 and began my studies in earnest. I had my dedication at 14 and practiced quite happily for 12 years. For me the Goddess and God were Mother and Father. I had studied mythology for ages and could recite the pantheons like my own family trees, but I never felt the need to limit myself to one set or the other. I had always felt "all gods are one god" and left it at that. A few years ago I discovered tribal style belly dancing and became enthralled! I felt so powerful dancing. I could lose myself for hours, coming to my senses in a heap on the floor panting, sweating and exhausted. For me, dancing was my way to worship. Then, for my birthday my friend and dance teacher gave me a beautiful lithograph which she said reminded her of me. It was Todd Lockwood's drawing "Kali" I broke into tears, it was Mother! From that moment on, Kali has been my life.


As far as my experiences with her go, she has been a driving force of change in my own life always pushing me to realize what was important. She brings great peace when things are right, but great energy and restlessness when things need to change, at least for me.

[KaliGiri5]

I know many here have worked with her so I have a couple of questions:
1. How has your personal experience with this Goddess been?
2. If it's not a very private matter, would anyone care to describe an experience or how she chose or came to you?

I ask because I've very recently become interested and I'd love to hear some personal opinions instead of the generalized description.

Thanks! :)

for me she taught me history of my family I never knew...
I am of Latin background yet I was drawn to India & Egypt.
which seemed odd to some of my friends.
always seen India as the mother land..
by chance my mother mention some things about our family..only a year ago
her grandfather who I assumed was pure Taino Indian was only half and half Gitano(gypsy)
my father is also half Gitano half African.
his gitano side called each other Kale/Kali..
I knew of Rom people but I like most people assumed it was for Romania or Rome and it's not... it's for Lord Rama.
their Goddess is saint Sara Kali or Black Sara of Egypt also said to be the daughter of Christ & Mary.
she is the "black" mother yet she's a little girl/virgin.
the black not being a metaphor but she looks like a south Indian or Dravidian like the Roma people did.
more like this-
http://www.worldsmiles.org/felizitas/photos/gypsies-cr.jpg
than this-
http://www.theeasylifesite.co.uk/Extras/images/gypsies_fire.gif

[Toby Stimpson]

Thats fascinating...I knew the Roma people were originally from india...but I had always assumed that was a thousand or so years ago. I also knew that Black Sara, the Black Madonna, was a form of Kali...but I had always assuemed she was a watered down version. I didn't realize however that there were still Romany people in India...after all the skin colour of the Romany Gypsys in Europe right now is dark...but it isnt quite as dark as the Aryans in North india. Interesting, :). namaste

Tobias

[KaliGiri5]

Thats fascinating...I knew the Roma people were originally from india...but I had always assumed that was a thousand or so years ago. I also knew that Black Sara, the Black Madonna, was a form of Kali...but I had always assuemed she was a watered down version. I didn't realize however that there were still Romany people in India...after all the skin colour of the Romany Gypsys in Europe right now is dark...but it isnt quite as dark as the Aryans in North india. Interesting, :). namaste

Tobias

I felt like that too...
I knew of Sara but basic stuff I didn't know how important she was to the gypsies.

as far as darkness..
there seems to be two groups..
one mixed with the blacks from Africa while the other mixed with the whites in Europe
although both can be found in Europe.
there is a conflict between the two groups That I don't understand.

[skyler]

I grew up agnostic, my parents were not religious and taught me to look for my own answers, always encouraging me to read or research anything that drew me. I attended sunday school for a few years when I was little but always felt closer to god in nature. I found the pagan path when I was 12 and began my studies in earnest. I had my dedication at 14 and practiced quite happily for 12 years. For me the Goddess and God were Mother and Father. I had studied mythology for ages and could recite the pantheons like my own family trees, but I never felt the need to limit myself to one set or the other. I had always felt "all gods are one god" and left it at that. A few years ago I discovered tribal style belly dancing and became enthralled! I felt so powerful dancing. I could lose myself for hours, coming to my senses in a heap on the floor panting, sweating and exhausted. For me, dancing was my way to worship. Then, for my birthday my friend and dance teacher gave me a beautiful lithograph which she said reminded her of me. It was Todd Lockwood's drawing "Kali" I broke into tears, it was Mother! From that moment on, Kali has been my life.

That was beautiful, RM! Thank you for sharing that.

[skyler]

for me she taught me history of my family I never knew...
I am of Latin background yet I was drawn to India & Egypt.
which seemed odd to some of my friends.
always seen India as the mother land..
by chance my mother mention some things about our family..only a year ago
her grandfather who I assumed was pure Taino Indian was only half and half Gitano(gypsy)
my father is also half Gitano half African.
his gitano side called each other Kale/Kali..
I knew of Rom people but I like most people assumed it was for Romania or Rome and it's not... it's for Lord Rama.
their Goddess is saint Sara Kali or Black Sara of Egypt also said to be the daughter of Christ & Mary.
she is the "black" mother yet she's a little girl/virgin.
the black not being a metaphor but she looks like a south Indian or Dravidian like the Roma people did.

That's interesting, thank you for sharing this!

I have a few more questons for anyone who cares to answer:

Did you choose Kali? or did Kali come to you?

What are your thoughts or advice on me calling Kali into my life?

[Toby Stimpson]

Well, here's a little advice on the last question. When it coems to you drawing Kali into your life...what I did and what I recoemmend to many others is to find a simple image of her and paste it onto your wall or somewhere you will be able to see it but not notice it. if you start to take a liking to India and the East, and find yourself looking up Tantra or other related topics on Hinduism...then it is safe to say that Kali has tried to make a link with you. She isn't for everyone, but simple devotion to hr will yield results...after all soem see her as a Guru and a Guru will take on students regardless. As for your other questions, well, im sure the other Kali worshippers here will agree that a relationship with kali isnt as simple as you choosing or she coming to you. I think in many ways she doesn't really care if people choose her or not, but places herself out there for anyone to come to her. As with many other Devas, continued worship will yield results as there is a certain mindset that is attained through reading stories, worshipping with Puja, and singing Bhajans and Mantras...soemtimes there may not be any real evidence that she is there until ofcourse you learn and start to learn lessons from bad experiances in your life. I hope that sort of answered your question. Namaste :)

Tobias

[skyler]

That's good advice and easy to understand. It helps a lot.
Thank you very much!

[Toby Stimpson]

Anytime hunny, I always enjoy talking about her and the other Sanatan Dharma Crew...they're so cute, sitting crossed legged with flowers and long hair...they were the ORIGINAL hippies, I tell you ;). Except Indra, who has one of those 'problems' with a beverage calld Soma...poor Indra...*shakes head*. Anyways, yeah ! :D Namaste

Tobias

[argento_occhi]

Well, here's a little advice on the last question. When it coems to you drawing Kali into your life...what I did and what I recoemmend to many others is to find a simple image of her and paste it onto your wall or somewhere you will be able to see it but not notice it. if you start to take a liking to India and the East, and find yourself looking up Tantra or other related topics on Hinduism...then it is safe to say that Kali has tried to make a link with you. She isn't for everyone, but simple devotion to hr will yield results...after all soem see her as a Guru and a Guru will take on students regardless. As for your other questions, well, im sure the other Kali worshippers here will agree that a relationship with kali isnt as simple as you choosing or she coming to you. I think in many ways she doesn't really care if people choose her or not, but places herself out there for anyone to come to her. As with many other Devas, continued worship will yield results as there is a certain mindset that is attained through reading stories, worshipping with Puja, and singing Bhajans and Mantras...soemtimes there may not be any real evidence that she is there until ofcourse you learn and start to learn lessons from bad experiances in your life. I hope that sort of answered your question. Namaste :)

Tobias

Seriously considering doing this. Kali's been on my mind a LOT lately for several months now. Perhaps I began this subconsciously. I've been interested in India and Hinduism for several years, though it's never been an obsession seeing as though Egypt kinda dominated. Now I have trouble not thinking about Kali. Hmm.. I think I have a lot of htings to ponder. I live Egypt, but ... then there's Kali. Grr. What's a girl to do? We'll just wait and see what happens.

Argent

[Cielamara]

I've always had a fascination with Hinduism and India...it started when I was a small child. But it wasn't until last fall that I began to look at it from a spiritual standpoint. A lot of the philosophy just made sense to me--I was in a Philosophy class at the time, taught by a Bengali. And I developed a fascination with Hindu philosophy and then I kept finding myself pulled to Ma. Eventually, I said goodbye to the Morrigan, and turned Eastward to Kali.
She has been very good to me. She is a very raw, potent force in my life, almost sexual. She is incredibly maternal. The first encounter I had with her, she led me through a dark, dark forest to a house--more like a temple than anything, as it was open-air and large and spacious, but most definitely a house. And she told me it was mine, that it was okay that I needed a "shell" to feel safe, but that I would also have to be able to venture forth on my own, unguarded. It was a very poignant experience, to have my need for a nest acknowledged and taken care of.

[Toby Stimpson]

I would not be surprised if that Temple you experianced was her womb. She has a tendency to do that soemties...with soem people I find. Shelter them enough until she has the chance to work with you and then like a mother bid send you from that nest. Thankyou for sharing that experinae :).

My advice argent would be to emvbrace both spheres...and see where it leads to. Egypt and India were not that far apart...you may find a commonality between the two ;) Namaste

Tobias

[argento_occhi]

Thanks for the advice. I'll follow this path of mine and see where it leads. Something about India has always fascinated me, just as something about Egypt has always fascinated me. Thanks again.

Argent

[Flar's Freyja]

Kali-Ma came into my life about six months before Flar died. She was giving me a glimpse of things to come, and is very motherly.

[DixieWitch]

Well, here's a little advice on the last question. When it coems to you drawing Kali into your life...what I did and what I recoemmend to many others is to find a simple image of her and paste it onto your wall or somewhere you will be able to see it but not notice it.

Not to OT and totally take from this thread, but do you think this would work for any diety?

[Toby Stimpson]

I do not see why not...although with soem deities it is a little more difficult. The main thing with Hindu Poster Art is it is so vivid and colourful that it really does capture a piece of the essance of the Deva inside it...umm, also the Devas are able to inhabit those images soemwhat. However, an image is more of a connection piece than anything...it is a good and a bad thing...it brigns the deity down to a level that is personal and material. We all want deities that we can connect with on a material plane, and so a picture is there to help us. Also, physical symbols...like certain arrangements of flowers or objects can symbolically represent any God...but an image is much more clearer and it goes more subconsciously becasue it is so vivid. I for example keep an image of Morgan Le Fey on my alter...and I can soemwhat feel her through it...Namaste

Tobias

[Kalika]

For me... she kept popping up in suprising places... books, movies, stories, poems... dreams. She kind of had to beat me over the head with it before I started looking for her. :)

All in all, my experience with her has been a good one, and she's been with me for a long time now, and a tremendous help overall. She's helped guide my path and help me to grow into the person I've become. I've become better because of many of the choices I've made, and I truly believe that she's had a hand in that.

She's not for everyone. She can be harsh, hard to live with, and demanding. But she can also be loving, generous, kind.

She chose me, not the other way around, and I'm glad daily that she did. :)

I hope that you have a wonderful experience as well.

[celticfire]

i've not dedicated myself to one deity before...nor have i yet. about a year ago, i began a very strong pull toward's Pele (i know the discussion is Kali-Ma...i'll get there!LOL). my husband and i had worked through some very hard times (moving, family stuff, etc). my stepdad left my mom of 20yrs and i had sought student status w/a coven. alot going on. my pull to Pele has not changed...i love her and know that it is she who gifted me (well, actually played the practical joke on me) with my pregnancy. my son is 5 now, and we weren't to have anymore children...he was actually a miracle.

the night i asked to join the coven, Imbolc, (from student status to initiate status), we had done a "i am the goddess..." and I honored Pele in my dress and decorations i had made for my alter rock. that night, i conceived. i had asked her to give me my heart's desire...thinking that was a stable, solid job.LMAO

anywhoo...

it wasn't until late March i realized i was pregnant. i kept having dreams of Pele, but in them, there was another figure just as powerful with loving arms that protected me and surrounded me. even in waking, there were times when i'd feel 'surrounded'. i mentioned this at our beltaine celebration and the high priestesses in unison said that they had felt that protection around me at times and believed it to be Kali-Ma. i had never thought of her as motherly or protective...more vengeful and fierce. i began to read on her...and realized my ignorance (outside of Pele, i haven't strayed far from the celtic deities). as Pele was/is my playful partner, i also saw her as the creator of life (her lava does become land and eventually is lush and vibrant).

anyway, that is my story of Kali-Ma...she is warm and caring, but a fierce protector of what is hers. i love them both equally and hope to continue to grow in my relationship with both as equally.:)

bb

[Seshata]

There are three books I'd like to recommend on Kali if that's ok

Kali's Odiyya - A Shaman's True Story of Initiation by Amarananda Bhairavan, publisher Nicholas Hays ISBN 0 89254 048 6 - this is someones experience of the Lady from childhood.

Kali - The Black Goddess of Dakshineswar by Elizabeth U. Harding, publisher as above ISBN 0 89254 025 7 - this is chock a block with really useful information about her, telling you why she sticks out her tongue and what the difference is when she stands on Lord Shiva with her right or left foot.

Kali - The Feminine Force by AJit Mookerjee, published by Destiny Books ISBN 0 89281 212 5

Hope this helps!

BB

Seshata