Chinnamastra

Sacred severance is her radical grace. She is our soul’s power to shed and survive, to outgrow and evolve. When the soul needs to separate itself from that on which it once relied-be it a view of ourselves or the world, or a group or belief system that cannot support the truths of the heart-she is the capacity, sovereignty and courage required for self-liberation. Systems of oppression within your mind and your world will be overcome. You have the power to sever your attachment to the past and focus on inner regeneration and reorientation, healing into a path that is worthy of your heart.

The fifth of the Mahavidya wisdom goddesses is a most shocking form of Kali, Chinnamasta. She is the divine feminine avatar, self-decapitated and partaking of the blood that emerges from her throat. The name, Chinnamasta, translates as ‘beheaded. She signifies a powerful activation of the spiritual path through the confrontation of oppressive behaviors, self-limiting attitudes and intellectual dominance of intuition. The head is the symbol of the known, of thinking, of forms of authority. It is the head that wears the crown, the sign of status and power. Unrestrained by authority, she is able to overpower it. For our human selves, the head is the locus of control, so during a Chinnamasta initiation, you will not understand what is happening, and you won’t know how everything is going to turn out. This is as it is meant to be and not something you need to worry about or fight against.

Chinnamasta is potent medicine for liberation. Her graphic iconography differentiates her from other forms of Kali that wear her favorite accoutrements of severed heads and skull garlands. Chinnamasta’s severance is of her own head. This represents self-liberation. We do not need to wait for another to intervene. She shows the way to save ourselves, to move from inner courage and inner wisdom. Her presence can indicate a time when you must trust yourself completely, without external support systems to rely on. The beliefs and constructs that once supported you will no longer be able to do so. Success cannot come from the tried and true paths of the past. You are evolving beyond that. It is time to rest in the void and allow for a new way to emerge.

Despite the inherent violence in the image, Chinnamasta is not dead. Blood is flowing. She is very much alive. No matter how severe the challenges you are encountering, no matter what you let go of which you once identified with or cherished, your life shall continue. You—the real you, which is not who you thought you were-is breaking free into more life, not less. Sometimes, the old systems have to fall for the new order to be established. Things will never be the same because your real self is powerful enough to shed the false layers and radiate its inner beauty and wisdom more freely.

Her partaking of blood symbolizes the capacity to be nourished and fed by change rather than devastated or destroyed by them. It is reassurance, that at a deeper level, you are gaining something from the chaos and deconstruction in your being and your life. As you continue to move through the process of change, you will gain energy for something new. Chinnamasta is self-nourishing through the spiritually conscious application of destructive energy.

Chinnamasta shows us that transformation is not about trying to change others – it is about tackling our views, our fixed identities, and our attachments to power and status. Even if a situation is causing us pain, and it appears to be under the control of another person, Chinnamasta initiates us into using our spiritual power to free ourselves. Her teaching is that we have the means to become free within us. We do not need to control outer circumstances or other people. Within us is the energy we need to continue on our path. We can draw what we need from within. Chinnamasta leads us into deeper terrain where we can release tendencies to self-sabotage through ignoring our intuition, truth and needs. We have the power to get out of our own way!

Invocation Ritual

Say the following prayer aloud:

Chinnamasta, self-decapitating one, fearless freedom and honoring of the truth is your way. You gift me with protection through the necessary endings I initiate based on the truth of my heart. You guide me to draw from the power within to fuel the necessary healing. Under your protection, I shall come back to life in a new way. With your unflinching honesty and unwavering courage, I am filled with inspiration and readiness. My blood is rich, flowing and desirous of new life. I embrace the path before me, letting go of what I have known myself to be. I place myself within the beauty of your wild and unconditional wisdom. I trust in the new destinies now ready to unfold for the spiritual benefit of all beings. Jai Ma Chinamasta! Jai Ma Kali!

Gently place your hands on your head for a moment. Then say:

Through the wisdom and grace of Kali Chinamasta, I release all attachments and conditioning that no longer serves.

Flick your hands away from your head as if flicking off the shreds of bondage that no longer serve your awakening. Repeat that movement as many times you like. Allow it to feel good, relaxing and releasing for your head. Repeat this action again, but at your throat, and then finally at your heart.

When you are ready, end with your hands in prayer. You have completed your ritual.