Mahakali

Her magnificence steadies the anxious mind and reassures the heart of the empowering grace that arises through trust in her. Attempting to fathom the wisdom behind the workings of the Divine Mother would be like trying to cram the entire ocean into a Mahakali teacup. Such wisdom is vast, and our perspective is limited. Yet, we don’t need to understand divine will to benefit from it. Better to allow her creativity, resourcefulness, and unlimited vision to take effect in our lives, bringing us every grace necessary for our blessed fulfilment.

First of the ten wisdom goddesses, or Mahavidyas, is the ten-armed Mahakali. She is laden with her sacred weapons. Many arms and weapons symbolize the capacity of the Divine Mother to work beyond human limitations. The contrast is not intended to diminish the dignity of our humanity. Humans have a tremendous capacity for heroism, kindness, love, grace and generosity. Rather, it is an encouragement to engage with the Divine with perfect trust in our hearts. Multiple weapons represent multiple creative powers to conquer multiple issues. More than two arms indicate that divine workings are not limited by our human perspectives or capacities. This is reassuring. The Divine can accomplish works beyond what would be possible through human effort alone.

Mahakali means ‘great Kali’. She is known as the guardian of the cosmic order, the one who selects the timing for all unfoldment. Nothing can be accomplished without the necessary preparation, and not before it is the right time for it. Such process and timing are determined according to higher wisdom capable of assessing and meeting the spiritual needs of all beings simultaneously. We cannot know what the order of events must be to accomplish the Divine Mother’s purpose. In hindsight, we may attain glimpses of her unfolding genius, but to live in harmony with her requires us to trust in what is unfolding and to work with that – even when events seem to be going against us or we cannot see the way to succeed. How do we proceed with such trust? There is no magic to it. It is a choice we make again and again. When we sense the next step is before us, we proceed. When we need to wait, we wait. We do not try to force, but we tune in to our hearts and sense what is guided in each moment. We allow ourselves to feel intimately known and connected with the Divine as our ally. We recognize that a sequencing of certain events needs to happen. This enables lessons to be learned, so we are ready at every stage for what needs to come next. We are not being denied or blocked. We are being loved.

It is protective compassion that prevents us from seeing anything other than the next one or two steps ahead. To know more is not always helpful. Although, if specific knowledge would support us on our path, then we can be sure it will come to us. When will that happen? Mahakali reminds us it will be at the best time. It may be after we have acknowledged there is a problem we need to resolve, or when we have created some mental space, so an essential understanding is not lost in psychological clutter. If you have ever felt like you have your best insights after a shower, or after you switch off during a yoga class or exercise session, then you have experienced how much easier it is to access inner guidance when you switch off and empty the mind.

Be here now, and attend to what you can attend to now, leaving all else until the right moment is upon you. Your heart shall instinctively know that moment without needing to be told. Al that is happening now is growing you toward that moment. All that has happened before has grown you into capacity for this moment. This is as it is, in Mahakali’s beautiful wisdom dance as she wields the weapons needed to provide the right conditions, the right endings, the right beginnings, within which the soul can flourish. Trust that what is happening now will give way to a new expression when the time is right. This will be when your readiness matches the requirements for success, and when those who can benefit from your increasing soul-awakening have awoken sufficiently, also. Attend to your work with determination and hope in your heart. Trust that the Divine is taking care of everything else.

Invocation Ritual

Say the following prayer, aloud if possible:

Mahakali, Adi Shakti, queen of cosmic order, I bow to your wisdom. I humbly acknowledge that the closest I can come to understanding your workings is to show reverence for the mysteries of life. And so, I love and accept who l have been, who I am now, and trust in the continued unfolding of my being under your skillful care. I open to the blessing of the needed thing, the needed task, the necessary knowledge, and your sublime, generous grace. I summon the courage within my heart and the trust in your love for me, and I proceed for the spiritual benefit of all beings. May all beings know your loving presence and embrace their divine destinies as prescribed by your wisdom-bearing heart. Jai Ma Kali!

Be seated or stand comfortably. You can now honor the ten-armed Mahakali with the following mudra dance. Start with both hands in prayer above your head. Inhale, exhale. Move both hands apart above your head, as if receiving abundant blessings from the heavens. Inhale, exhale. Extend both arms out to either side of you, palms facing outward, fingertips facing up. Inhale, exhale. Extend both arms facing downward, as if blessings are dripping from your hands, palms facing forward, fingertips extended down. Inhale, exhale. Place both hands in prayer before your heart. Inhale, exhale. Pause for a moment. Honor her presence within you and in all lives. Within your heart, choose to trust in divine timing

You have completed your sacred ritual.