Hindus / Pagans / Wiccans: How do you ground yourselves after invoking the Dark Mother?

[Sirona]

Dear forum,

would you tell me which method(s) you use to ground yourselves after invoking a goddess representing the Dark Mother archetype, such as Kali, for example?

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

After any ritual invoking, a thank you, firm closing of the window, and then food...chocolate works well, but I also like chili or other stew-like meal...

Others' mileage may vary...

 

[JustGeorge]

After any ritual invoking, a thank you, firm closing of the window, and then food...chocolate works well, but I also like chili or other stew-like meal...

Others' mileage may vary...

I usually go bread, but I wouldn't turn down chocolate.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I usually go bread, but I wouldn't turn down chocolate.

cholla with butter would be excellent!

 

[JustGeorge]

cholla with butter would be excellent!

I had to look it up, but I agree!

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Dear forum,

would you tell me which method(s) you use to ground yourselves after invoking a goddess representing the Dark Mother archetype, such as Kali, for example?

Well, I don't do invoking. I worshipped Kali and you approach her in the same way a child approaches their mother. She's very loving and gracious. Offer her whatever speaks to you the most. Flowers are always a good start.

 

[CharmingOwl]

I listen to the enn of Lilith, and if I feel I need grounding I go on Youtube and listen to nature meditation, spend time in nature or walk barefoot on soil. I eat dark chocolate twice a day for a diet anyway though so I stay pretty grounded.

 

[sayak83]

Dear forum,

would you tell me which method(s) you use to ground yourselves after invoking a goddess representing the Dark Mother archetype, such as Kali, for example?

Could you explain what you mean? I have participated in the worship of Devi Kali since childhood. I am aware that some people do use more esoteric tantrik rituals while worshipping, but most people worship her like any other deity would be worshipped.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Invoking and grounding are Neo-Pagan/esoteric/magic (yeah, I refuse to spell it with a 'k') concepts. To my knowledge, they don't exist in Hinduism.

However, if you feel the need to ground after an invocation, in my experience, obsidian and food consumption are quite effective.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I remember that the Dark Goddess is just as much a part of me as any deity. By living, I nourish life and take it away; I give comfort and suffering.

A little poem I came up with while meditated in a mosquito-filled forest:

Forest meditation
Greeted by ancient vampires
Eagerly seeking nourishment.

They drink.

My sacrifice will come when I lay in the ground
And give my blood to water
And my flesh to trees.

For now reflexes of life compel me to wipe away
The children who would milk me.

I nourish, but cannot save myself.

A dark stain,
My skin is tattooed by the needle of sorrow.
I kill, but cannot comfort myself.

 

[Vinidra]

I don't guess I really invoke Kali. I just worship her via her murti. Eating the prasad I offered her and praying and maybe trying to meditate is what I do after a puja, though.

 

[syo]

Dear forum,

would you tell me which method(s) you use to ground yourselves after invoking a goddess representing the Dark Mother archetype, such as Kali, for example?

The gods don't mess with us. You invoked a spirit.

 

[Callisto]

Grounding has more to do with the raising and manipulation of energy in magical practices and is techniques to help release energies a person has raised and internalized. A common technique is to purge the energy and into the ground, placing your hands palms down on the ground. Another is to direct the energy into a stone, rock or crystal to absorb it and then set the stone outdoors, preferably on the ground. As others mentioned, eating can help as well.

 

[Sirona]

Could you explain what you mean? I have participated in the worship of Devi Kali since childhood. I am aware that some people do use more esoteric tantrik rituals while worshipping, but most people worship her like any other deity would be worshipped.

It may be a cultural taboo to even "mention" the Dark Mother in a Christianity-based culture (speak of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) and biographical reasons may also play a role for me personally, but I have never taken worship the veneration of the Dark Mother lightly. Dark Mother worship is something that regularly stirs me from the depths of my soul, so I am always cautious. @Callisto is right, the practice of grounding does have background in magic. I've read about the "requirement" for grounding after invoking "dangerous dark deities" in magical books, but for me this is the first time I really did feel the need to practice grounding myself.

On ex-Yogananda website I read about ex-converts usually from a (culturally?) Christian background, who complain about having been "duped" about singing chants to the "Divine Mother" who they usually imagine as some kind of Mary, whereas the first thing which the first thing coming to the mind of a person with a Hindu background might be something like Kali instead. While I do know about this and I don't claim to be "duped" in any way, I can somewhat relate to the feeling to those ex-Yogananda members. One might consider my view to be biased, but transitions from one religion to another never go smoothly. I was a Catholic before and the Catholic Church does put up with the worship of literally black mother statues such as Mary of Altötting (Germany) or Sara-la-Kâli of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (France) but only if it stays within the boundaries of regular Catholic worship (predominantly Mass) which addresses only the male deity as supreme.

 

[stvdv]

Dear forum,

would you tell me which method(s) you use to ground yourselves after invoking a goddess representing the Dark Mother archetype, such as Kali, for example?

I ground myself in complete surrender, trusting my life is in God's Hands

I ground myself in knowing "Light, Love is real", and therefore "Dark...." is just duality, meaning "absent of Light/Love"

I am Light/Love, hence Dark Kali can't exist