2016 Durga

Aloha Daughters of the Goddess!

It appears after the election that we are going into 4 years of upheaval in our country.  I am very disappointed that we do not have our first female president.   Everyone, or at least many many people, are saddened, angry and up in arms.  So many things are on the chopping block: womyn’s rights, elderly people and the disable are targeted, medicare/medical trying to be phased out, the medical insurance that so many now have and need desperately looking to be axed.  The list goes on.  It is fitting that we call to Ma, to Ma Durga, to hear our prayers and come to our aid.  We need to stand up and learn to fight, and quickly!

Celebrate Durga
Hindu Goddess of Life/Death Cycle,
Justice, War, Mother & Protectress

Monday, November 21st, 2016, 7:30 p.m.
Waning Half Moon in Leo

Concord locale/Directions given upon RSVP
$15 newcomers / $30 one time exchange
See website for series packages
www.DaughtersoftheGoddess.com

durga

When threatened by demons I fiercely protect myself.
With all that I am, with all that I have, from deep within,
I call forth all that I need.  I am the “Inaccessible”!
For I place myself beyond the reach of all that would destroy me,
all that would annihilate me, all that tries to wound me.
I am the “Unapproachable” for nothing can get at me
that I do not willingly let in.
I need dance my dance of oneness only with that
which supports me, nurtures me, loves me.
For all that does not I say:
approach at your own risk!

Om dum Durgayea Namaha, Om dum Durgayea Namaha, Om dum Durgayea Namaha

Ma Durga is the Divine protectress ~ beautiful to the seeker of truth and dangerous to those who would destroy the seeker.  She is the Supreme One.  Her worship dates back 7000 years.  First mentioned in the Mahabharata as a virgin delighting in wind, flesh and animal sacrifice.  She represents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness.  The Sanskrit word Durga means fort or a place that is protected and so is hard to reach, or invincible.

The story of Durga goes like this. . . . . .

In ancient times, the buffalo demon (head of a man with the body of a buffalo) called Mahishasura earned the favor of Lord Shiva after long prayer and meditation.  The god pleased with the devotion of the demon, blessed him with a boon that no man or deity would be able to kill him.  Empowered with the boon, Mahishasura started his reign of terror over the world.  People were killed mercilessly and even the Gods were driven out from heaven.  The gods went to Siva and informed him about the atrocities.  Siva became angry and together they prayed for help.  Out of the fierce light of their prayers came a form of a beautiful woman dressed in red and riding a tiger.  Ma Durga had come forth.  The gods bestowed upon Her their sacred weapons.  She rode into a fierce battle with the demon and defeated him.

Durga, also called the Divine Mother, protests mankind from evil and misery by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego.  She is called by many other names such as Parvati, Ambika, and Kali.  Durga is the mother of 2 daughters Sarasvati and Lakshmi, and 2 sons Ganesha and Karttikeyai.  Therefore She is the Divine Mother embracing us all.

Durga  is shown usually wearing red.  The red color symbolizes action and the red cloths signify that She is always busy destroying evil and protecting us from pain and suffering caused by evil forces.  She has 3 eyes ~ left eye represents desire (the moon), right eye represents action (the sun), the center eye knowledge (fire).   Durga watches all.   She is usually depicted with 8 or 10 arms ~ one of the hands is in a mudra of blessing, another in a mudra of protection.  The other 8 hands carry various objects: the conch shell, bows & arrows, thunderbolt, half-bloomed Lotus, sword, chakra (discus), and the trishul or trident all used to fight against evil.  The Tiger or Lion symbolizes unlimited power, will and determination, and the fact that She is riding on a male cat that She is supreme over the energy of the male and possesses these attributes Herself.

As we go into the future we call to Ma to assist Her daughters, to protect us, to help us stand against tyranny, hatred, abuse, racism, phobias.  We call to Her to teach us to come together in our army of Womyn, the sacred feminine power that is supreme to all.  We ask Her to help us heal ourselves, find our inner strength and our voice, to find our passion, and to heal, transform, and evolve.

For the altar please bring any images of Ma Durga, tigers, lions, any of Her sacred weapons/objects.  Also bring a white candle to symbolize the white light out of which She manifested.  And of course bring yourselves ready to stir the cauldron.

Also Please see our Participation page for more information on participating in gatherings and how to RSVP.