The Great Kali - Goddess Of Time

 

Goddess Kali is a Hindu deity who symbolizes the dark and contradictory elements of the universe. She is one of the most unusual and popular goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. Her naked appearance, as well as her associations with violence, blood, and gore, call into question the entire notion of divinity. Despite this, she has grown to symbolize a wide range of imagery throughout the years, from murderous ogress to gentle goddess. So, although she is revered as Chamunda, who is gruesome and monstrous, she is also loved in family shrines as Dakshina-Kali, one of her gentler forms. This work aims to examine the origins of Kali in the scriptures and lore, the evolving rituals, rites, and customary practices of Kali worship, and Her beginnings as a Tantric Goddess to Her transformation into a deity in mainstream Hindu religion.

Note Benign: At the time of writing this book I had planned to finalize and publish at least one book a month among the thousands of drafts and concepts that I had started over the past decade. Since I published this work I haven't been inspired to do so. Satiated by the Goddess, as she questions why I think it right to share the arcane. 

Concealed in Western clothes and a western way of life was the ever present Kali worshipper in me. A strange man from a strange land with equally strange beliefs was understandably not the most welcome thing one can be. Somethings never change while others always remain, like unspoken words and thoughts that exist in the ether. As 2021-22 went by, I've realized the many who have read this book, and I am truly grateful that they have gotten to know my Dear Goddess a little better as a result of it. I am delighted and joyful for those who welcome this Great Goddess into their hearts. May Her eternal blessings always rest upon your Soul.

Brahma - The Self Born

 

Within the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme Hindu Gods, Brahma is referred to as "The Creator." Brahma formed himself in a golden egg known as Hiranyagarbha, a body or saguna of the otherwise formless or nirguna brahman, the supreme spiritual truth in Vedantic Hinduism. He is usually portrayed as a red or golden complexioned bearded man with four heads and paws, born in a lotus and rising from Vishnu's navel. His four heads, which point to the four cardinal directions, signify the four Vedas.
His vahana or mount is a hamsa or swan, and he is sitting on a lotus. Brahma's consort, Goddess Saraswati, and she embodies his creative spirit, or Shakti, as well as the wisdom he possesses.

Brahma does not receive widespread worship in modern Hinduism, and he is regarded as less important than the other members of the Trimurti. While Brahma is worshiped in ancient scriptures, he is scarcely worshiped in India as a primary deity. In India, there are only a few temples dedicated to him, the most prominent of which is the Brahma Temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Outside of India, Brahma temples can be in places like Bangkok's Erawan Shrine. This is a short reference to Lord Brahma and Goddess Sarawati's myths and theology.

Vishnu - The Lord of Sacrifice

 

Under the Hindu Trimurti or Trinity, Vishnu is regarded as "The Preserver or All Pervading.", the supreme being who makes, preserves, and transforms the World, according to Hinduism. The highest form of the divine, the unchanging absolute primordial Soul of existence, is endowed with the purest virtues and has a specific form but is eternal, unlimited, omnipotent, omnipresent, and transcendent. Vishnu has both benign and terrifying facets and manifestations.

He is often depicted by devotees as an omniscient being sleeping in yoga nidra on the coils of the serpent Adishesha, who represents time, floating in the primordial ocean of milk known as Kshira Sagara with his consort Lakshmi. Vishnu descends in the form of an avatar if the universe is invaded by evil, anarchy, or disruptive powers to restore celestial order, harmony, and preserve Dharma. Lord Vishnu, His Shakthi, and consort Lakshmi, as well as His Dashavatara, or ten main avatars or incarnations of Vishnu, are examined in this work.

Ostara - Our Rising Dawn

 

Ostara is a pagan festival celebrated to mark the spring equinox. Each year in the Northern Hemisphere the vernal equinox occurs around the second half of March, marking the time when the sun passes over the celestial equator. Within the wheel of the year, Wiccans and other Neo-Pagans observe the sacred sabbath day as Ostara, a festival devoted to the celebration of the season’s change from dark winter to brightening spring. This work examines the history, origins, mythology, cultural significance, contemporary practices, rituals, and rites centered around this ancient festival, the Goddess Ostara and its present-day manifestations in other religions.

Siva: The Auspicious Lord

 

Lord Shiva, a pivotal pillar of the Hindu Trimurti or Trinity, is the Supreme and Blissful God who creates as he destroys, transforms, and guards the Universe and existence. Often referred to as the destroyer, God Shiva forms the defining aspect of the Shaivite Hindu sects and traditions. This work briefly examines the mythology, origins, legends and sacred scriptures surrounding the blessed Lord along with his consort, Goddess Parvathi and Shakthi in all their many manifestations and names, along with the rest of the Lord's family comprising of his sons Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya.

Imbolc: A New Beginning

Imbolc is a pagan festival celebrated from the beginning at sundown on February 1 to February 2. This work briefly examines the history, origins, mythology, cultural significance, contemporary practices, rituals and rites centered around the root that is Imbolc.

Losar: The Tibetan New Year

 

Losar is an important and ancient New Year festival unique to the people of Tibet. The day is observed starting from the first day of the Tibetan lunisolar calendar, around the month of February and March every year. This work briefly examines the festival in relation to its social and cultural origins, and the religious beliefs surrounding Tibetan Buddhism, the Tibetan calendar, and the defining traditions, customs, and ethnic practices of Tibetan culture.