Chamunda

Her unerring instinct for spiritual protection arises spontaneously, even when we do not realize we need it. Sometimes, we don’t realize just how far we’ve become entangled in that which is not good for us. We do not realize we need Kali’s powerful intervention. Knowing what to allow, and what to fight for or against, requires wisdom. Holding the space for an inner or outer conflict to be resolved involves discipline. Chamunda is the fearlessness, wisdom, patience and discipline needed to conquer a difficult situation. She is with you now.

Wild black Chamunda is a ferocious warrior goddess. She takes her name from Chanda and Munda, two great demons whom she defeated. Thus, her name is a symbol of gaining power. Her presence indicates that you shall not only overcome an obstacle but gain complete mastery over the energies that gave rise to it. You shall never be troubled by it again.

Swathed in blood-red light, representing her life force and power, Chamunda has multiple arms which indicate her divine activity. The skull and crescent moon resting atop a funeral pyre form her crown, symbolizing her status as a goddess of death and karmic retribution. Yet, she is protective. Her three deeply-socketed eyes are so intense they are said to burn away the evil in all worlds and dimensions. She provides protection from destructiveness, including gossip and other kinds of black magic (which, not unlike gossiping, uses intention, words and action to work against another’s wellbeing).

Chamunda is referred to as queen by her soul tribe, a group of ancient mother goddesses known as the Matrikas. She is the only one worshipped independently and the only one not connected to a masculine consort. She is an independent, fierce and unique emanation of the wild feminine power of Devi, the great Divine Goddess’. She is an expression of Kali, referred to interchangeably with Kali Ma in the Puranas, ancient Hindu texts that date back more than two thousand years.

The Matrikas express a consciousness that is potentially protective and destructive, depending on your actions. These beings are particularly upset by negative expressions of masculine energy. Whether expressed by a male or female human, the masculine energy can be healthy or toxic. When it is healthy, it is strong, creative, protective and generative. When it is toxic, it is exploitative, dominating and damaging, seeking progress at any cost. This is profoundly disruptive and, rather than the positive destructive power of Kali Ma, is the unchecked demonic destructiveness of greed. The Matrikas are fierce and Chamunda, in particular, will retaliate against toxic masculinity, causing havoc in the lives of those who live by such values.

Chamunda is worshipped as the ruler of the sacred erection. This is symbolic of her power over masculine energy. When the feminine has been desecrated in any way, she will not hesitate to retaliate with fierce compassion – which from our human perspective may seem like chaos. Yet, the phallus is also a symbol of her honoring the potential power and creativity of healthy masculine energy, facilitating its safe development in the human psyche.

Despite her inherent drama and intensity, Chamunda is beloved by the heroic heart. She assists us when we need to find the strength to overcome our psychological limitations and inertia to access, integrate and sustain higher frequency states of being. Bringing about a permanent structural change of the psyche is hard work. It requires commitment. However, bullying ourselves into being different or applying more and more willpower, only tends to create resistance, adverse reactions and exhaustion! It is more a case of applying wisdom, finding the balance between persistence, determination and compassionate rest and release, so we can integrate and rebuild from within. For some personality types, taking rest can require as much discipline as engaging in activity! Learning to move between the two as appropriate takes strength and wisdom. Mastering the balance to nudge ourselves forward on our path and facilitate change, but not so much that we feel defeated even before we gain traction, is advanced inner work. Chamunda is the power to accomplish it. Her presence in a reading is a portent of a truly exceptional breakthrough on your path, the healing of masculine energy and the protection of the Sacred Feminine within your heart.

Invocation Ritual

Visualize, intend or imagine that you are held within the sacred space of blackest night. A blood-red slither of a crescent moon shimmers, bringing the barest warm-red glow to the otherwise inky-black sky. Feel a connection to your heart. Sit comfortably so you can rest your hands at your inner thighs, the part of the body associated with Chamunda. Say this prayer:

Yogini of extremity, Chamunda Kali Ma, I bow to your wisdom, your protection and your love. You who are the dark mother and the queen of the wild feminine. I recognize your ferocious devotion when it arises as needed. To gain release from false structures and renewal of life force, I humbly return to the source of mother wisdom, seeking refuge in you. May I mature and develop spiritually to become a true, faithful and effective devotee of the Sacred Feminine and the Sacred Masculine, in divine relationship for the spiritual benefit of all beings. Jai Ma Kali!

Place your hands in prayer at your heart and continue by repeating the following mantra sequence as many times as feels good. It is a powerful mantra. Once may be enough. Speak it gently.

Chamundayeyei Kali Ma! Jai Ma Kali!

(Sounds like, CHA-MUN-DAI-YAY CAR-LEE MA! JAY MAH CAR-LEE!)

With reverence, bow your head to your hands in prayer at your heart.

You have completed your sacred ritual.