SERPENTINE WISDOM: Kundalini Awakening & Rising

***NOTE: This photo series is by Monika Ottehenning and I do not own the rights. This imagery fits beautifully.***


“When you succeed in awakening the Kundalini, so that it starts to move out of its mere potentiality, you necessarily start a world which is totally different from our world. It is the world of eternity.”

Carl Jung


A Kundalini Awakening happens to about 24% of the population and most of the time it is written off as a physical condition, instead of a spiritual condition that is manifesting in the physical.

The word Kundalini (Sanskrit) means ‘coiled like a snake’ which seems appropriate since it is the life force energy that sits at the base of the spine, bound, and awaits for the awakening.

Kundalini, being feminine itself, is often associated with Shakti, the feminine life force, or sexual energy.

An awakening can happen intentionally through Kundalini Yoga, or other various Yoga poses, but it can also be unintentional, say a back injury, a fall or extreme emotional distress. Some experts say that child birth, meditative practices, and celibacy may also contribute to the awakening. In my case it was a mixture of celibacy and yoga practices; when I had my spiritual awakening, I knew I needed to focus on myself and that meant I had to cut off sexual encounters; the best decision I have ever made.

Before my awakening I would not have shown such restraint.

Celibacy is a personal choice, and one that not many understand. I consider myself to be an extremely sexual, and sensual being and am often told it oozes from my Soul, but I don’t need to be actively engaging in sexual encounters with no depth to be considered sexual; just one of the many lessons my awakening has shown me.

In the past, I didn’t know my worth and I would freely give my sexual energy away.

When your Kundalini energy decides to awaken, it is a sudden pulsating surge that moves up the spine like a serpent and as it moves it blasts open your chakras, one by one.

Most people stay at one level of consciousness for long periods of time, what the Kundalini does is it rips open your third eye, and brings to light any emotions, or wounds you are hiding in the depths of your chakras.

Here is an excerpt from a great book on the topic called Psychotherapy and Spirit:

“As each chakra opens, new levels of consciousness are revealed. Since the consciousness of most people is fairly restricted, the opening of the chakras is accompanied by consciousness expansion and purification of the limitations or impurities that correspond to each chakra.” -Brant Cortright, Ph.D.

I can attest that it is probably the most painful experience one can have, because you are being attacked, for lack of a better word, on a spiritual, physical and emotional level but it is yourself who is the attacker.

Often times Spiritual folk want to make this awakening out to be a beautiful experience, and for some it might be, but the Serpent is notorious for it’s powerful and unforgiving transformative powers.

How do you know if you are experiencing an awakening?

You will usually feel a tingly, pressure from your tailbone up your spine and through the crown chakra; I am known to have blockages in between my shoulder blades, that is where my emotionally chaotic energy is stored when I have not meditated in a while.

Some of the physical symptoms of this awakening are: sensations of heat, tremors, involuntary laughing or crying, talking in tongues, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, rigidity or limpness, animal-like movements and sounds.

The Kundalini energy is a yogi philosophic form of Shatki. If you are not familiar with the term Shatki, it is the female principle of Divine energy, especially when personified as the supreme deity, Durga.

Since the Kundalini energy is feminine, even though both sexes carry it, it makes sense to refer to Kundalini as a form of Shatki.

A side effect that I have heard many women experiencing during this specific awakening is they become prone to yeast infections. The vagina, Sacral and Root Chakras are considered the Feminine Shatki centers in our body; when that is out of whack, it triggers all types of physical manifestations, even though it is a spiritual issue.

So, please listen to your body and treat it accordingly.

I am going to give some tips that have helped me get through this process, one that I still have good days and bad days with.

The number one thing that has helped me is my piece of Jet. There is a property within this specific crystal that when it is worn between the breasts (on a male or female) it takes the Kundalini energy and allows it to be released through the crown chakra. This can cause a slight light headed feeling, a flood of memories, or even tired feeling, but you must release the energy if you do not have time to sit and meditate to get control of it.

Secondly, meditation is paramount. While in your meditative state you must find your snake, in most cases you will see a field of snakes, but you must single yours out; allow the snake to come to you then you must take control of her, and allow her to coil her energy around your left hand. Let her know that you are in control, but pay respect to this Divine feminine energy while doing so.

Also, yoga or some kind of stretching is essential to the Kundalini process. As a beginner yogi I realize that Yoga is hard for many, but there are some poses that everyone can do to some degree that will benefit the release of built up energy in your spine. Such as, child’s pose, downward dog, and Kundalini Yoga itself (which is fairly simple as it focuses on stretch more so than strength, and resistance).

The next tip I suggest is to find a creative outlet, for me it’s my writing, and divination. I fell in love hard with divining because I had to focus my thoughts on something, anything, to get my mind off the pain.

Find something that challenges your mind so that you are not continuously checking back in on the pain.

The last tip I suggest is eating a healthy diet, and stay hydrated! I am all for water and tea; I keep it simple. Try to be aware of the processed foods you are eating, stay away from foods that are too fatty, try to eat as natural, and organic as you can.

Try adding in spices, too because your taste buds will change during this awakening.

Stay away from harmful substances during your awakening such as hard drugs and alcohol in large amounts.

Alcohol intake can increase the pain and makes you dehydrated, which makes the spinal pain worse. When the body is dehydrated the discs that connect your vertebrae become less flexible, and “dry”.

I am a Cannabis Advocate, btw.

I know from personal experience that this can truly be a devastating awakening, but the reward is like nothing else in this world.

My advice is to take care of self, listen to self, love self, honor self and the rest will work itself out.

You must be patient, do not rush the process.

Please do not go out of your way bending, and contorting to awaken this energy, either; if it is meant to happen to you, it will.

If you wake her up and she is not ready to be awakened, prepare for a wrath like no other.

The Kundalini rising is just another way that the Serpent gives us knowledge.

Embrace it.


Further study:

http://yogananda.com.au/pyr/pyr_kundalini1.html

LESSONS IN MAGICK: The Kali Principle

Kali

Image Source: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP

“Time, for example, is intimately connected with the goddess Kali, which partly accounts for her destructive nature. Energy – in Einstein’s equation, E=MC2 – is personified in India as Shakti in her various guises.”

Roger Housden

It has been nearly 6 years since Shiva and his dance of destruction entered my life leaving the scattered remains of what was in His wake.

One strange, madness filled summer evening I heard his call and felt his presence; it was undeniable and intoxicating. He appeared at a time when I only related to or saw myself in Masculine or Daemonic deities/energies/archetypes.

For some reason, how I viewed myself (rage filled, rebellious and dark) was synonymous with Masculine (Yang) energy.

Eastern Philosophy has always, always been my main source of study (Yes. I mean all of it; I devour as much as I can.)

Throughout my studying Hinduism, oddly more so than Buddhism (which would seem more in line with the LHP) has become a passion of mine, and a Pantheon (and culture) that have become cornerstones of my personal Philosophy and practice as a Witch.

Lord Ganesha, Shiva’s elephant headed son and the remover of obstacles had been present and active in my life a few years beforehand and even still today; in hindsight He was preparing the path for Shiva.

Shiva was preparing the path for Kali.

Though, she needs no help in that department.

Asteroid

 

I had known Feminine energy because of Hekate and Lilith, but again, when I thought of myself, my rage, my aggression, my fiery passion, and quick temper, it all seemed to be the antithesis of what it meant to be Feminine.

At the time I didn’t see myself as being a balanced, or even fluid individual; I was all rage.

My most natural emotion.

For clarity sake, I am not referring to gender identity. I have always identified as a Woman, but the images society portrayed were nothing like myself; I know many, many Women (and people) can relate to this.

I was one of those “too much” Women.

Which is crazy to think about because I struggled for a long time to take up space, until one day I realized I take up space in this world without trying.

And, so many of my Sisters do too, and they don’t even realize it.

They are all too much Women, as well.

They, like myself, have been told to water themselves down, be less opinionated, be less emotional; don’t be too loud, don’t be too independent, don’t enjoy sex too much.

Don’t be too much.

Too much. Too much. Too much.

It echoes in our heads and hearts.

So, we shrink ourselves.

Our bodies.

Our voices.

Our thoughts.

Our dreams.

We don’t want to be the girl who is too much.

That’s where Kali comes in.

She is the embodiment of the too much Woman.

She is destruction embodied (think of Her as the Tower Card).

She is time.

She is death.

She is justified rage.

She is the void known as the Cosmic Womb.

Womb

The world is in a dark time, I mean there really hasn’t been a time in modern history (or history at all) where it wasn’t dark, but in an age of information and technology the darkness, turmoil, chaos, and divisive tactics surround us.

They are delivered to us through the device you’re holding in your hand right now.

Because of the ability to receive information so quickly we can see in real time what is going on around the world, and close to home; this is a rude awakening for a lot of people who otherwise are blind to the suffering of others.

I see more and more people diverting their path away from religion and back to more earth-based beliefs and practices.

There is a rise in natural, more holistic approaches to health. People in large numbers are going vegetarian and being mindful of their eating habits and the impact they have on the planet. Cities across the world are voting to do away with single use plastic in order to save our planet and oceans.

All of this is happening because Kali’s energy has spread, almost like a virus, throughout the world and the collective at large.

She is doing what she does best: destroying illusions, and deconstructing reality.

People like to romanticize Kali like they do Lilith, but there is nothing romantic about Kali.

She will quite literally, destroy you.

And your life.

Then demand that you rebuild it.

No time for tears.

She teaches discipline and grants us permission to be nothing but authentic.

And, live nothing but authentic lives.

Through Kali I have learned to accept and embrace my rage, as I know now it serves a purpose and has its place.

She taught me that my creativity is my weapon, and I am to use it excessively.

She allowed me to break down the illusions I had built up around me and see the world for what it really is; not through the rose-colored glasses I unknowingly wore.

She taught me that ego is not to be feared but to be accepted and incorporated into our whole.

We are living in a time where the Dark Goddesses rule, and they are teaching us that darkness is energy to be honed and used like all other.

They are teaching us that where we see fault in ourselves lies power.

They are reminding us that darkness is where we come from, and where we shall return.

They are demanding that we re-wild, resist, and rebel.

For this I am grateful.

Jai Maa!

To read about Kali:

Click here

Lessons in Magick: How I found Luciferianism

Violetta Kostyreva

Image: Violetta Kostyreva

“All the various types of teachings and spiritual paths are related to the different capacities of understanding that different individuals have. There does not exist, from an absolute point of view, any teaching which is more perfect or effective than another. A teaching’s value lies solely in the inner awakening which an individual can arrive at through it. If a person benefits from a given teaching, for that person that teaching is the supreme path, because it is suited to his or her nature and capacities. There’s no sense in trying to judge it as more or less elevated in relation to other paths to realization.”

Namkhai Norbu


I am asked questions all the time, I think that this late in the game I am used to it for the most part. I still get bombarded with basic, beginner questions and I take a deep breath, answer as politely as I can, and send the newly born Seeker on his/her way.

Besides being asked “What is Luciferianism”, which I have covered in a past blog, the second most asked question is, “How did you find your way to Luciferianism?”

This is a multi-layered answer, and not a clear one, at that; I will try my best to tell my story of how I sparked the Black Flame within myself.

It seems to be common belief that you have to start at a specific point, or that you need specific books, or tools, initiations into sects, or societies to gain the knowledge of Luciferianism, or anything Occult related; this couldn’t be further from the truth.

We are all individuals, we all view the world and believe subjectively, to say that there is one starting point would make no sense. How can there be one starting point for ALL of us?

I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, my Father and his parents being Orthodox Polish Roman Catholics. Which in my opinion they can be stricter than the notorious Italian Roman Catholic. I say this in a light hearted manner, and am not trying to offend any ethnicity, or religion.

In order to understand me, and my story, you need to understand my Slavic, and Roman Catholic roots.

Even though I was forced into the Church, and man was I defiant, I am grateful for the knowledge learned there. The Bible itself may be a bunch of stories but in order to understand the whole you have to understand that piece.

So many Occultists, and Witches, Luciferians etc. completely discredit the bible, and won’t even read it. In my opinion, it is essential reading. How else are we supposed to combat those who wish to oppress us other than with their own words? Fight fire with fire, right?

Magick has always been a part of my life, rebellion, defiance, and visits from Celestial beings have been, too; one would think that when I broke away from the Church that Occultism, or some form of Paganism would be the first stop on my path.

On the contrary.

I started to devour every historical book that I could find with text on Philosophy, religion, and taboo belief systems throughout the world; I studied, and I studied, and I studied some more. Then I reached the point where some important questions had to be asked in order for me to continue forward on my path.

  • Do I believe in a Supreme being?
  • Is this being omniscient?
  • Are there multiple Gods/Goddesses?
  • What do I think about pre-destiny? And, who is behind it?
  • Where does my Magick come from?
  • How was this world created?
  • Where do we go when we die?
  • Why am I here?
  • Is there such a thing as Karma?
  • Do we reincarnate?

After these questions were answered I was able to start forming my personal Philosophy, I did not want to label it as anything other than “my belief” and for a while, I was all over the board because I couldn’t find anything to fit, so I didn’t force it, I let it be.

Then I found Hinduism through a book called Life of Pi. There was one quote that stuck out to me out of all the brilliant ones in that book.

“Faith is a house with many rooms.”

The context of the quote was how Pi was led to God from Hinduism, to Islam and then to Christianity.

Now, I may be against religion, but it was a profound moment for me at that time.

It gave me validation that my path didn’t have to be straight, it didn’t have to be neat, or follow any rules because there are many rooms—many levels to Philosophy, and there is no rule book out there that tells me I cannot believe the way I want to.

Once I was “given permission” at the age of 19 reading that book, I was liberated from the confines of society, and labels in general. I began to feel my Soul, and Magick blossom.

I reveled in the mysticism that Hinduism provides, loving the dualistic approach to all their deities. I loved the destruction of Kali, and Shiva, I admired the courage of Hanuman, and the beauty of Krishna. Most of all I admired the resilience, and power of my Beloved Ganesh.

The stories are rich in spirituality, and symbolism that can be applied to almost any, and everything in life, but it didn’t fit for me personally, as much as I wanted it to.

I cannot worship. I refuse to worship.

I almost border Atheism with my absolute disgust for worship of a deity.

It was through further reading on Kali, and Shiva that I came to find the LHP and how they are both bold symbols of destruction of the old self to be born anew, both tied in with darkness, serpent energy, and strength; most importantly, justified rage.

I started to stray away from Hinduism, still keeping close connections to certain deities, and made my way to theistic Luciferianism. I am also a practicing traditional Witch; I have a hard time, personally, identifying as Pagan, even though by definition Luciferianism is Paganism. I will always debate that point, “wrong” or not.

I don’t like labels, and I don’t like thinking about limitations because there are no limits. Any restrictions or obstacles that I may face I know I have the knowledge, tools, and ability within myself to handle whatever comes my way.

There is no set course to your destination and there is no starting point, you just have to start.

May the Black Flame light your way.