Shamanic Mandala

I created this mandala for my shamanic friend, Kara, who writes the Conduit of Joy blog site. The overall composition of the animal guardians and guides, their projection upon constellations and their general locations were given to me during a recent journey.

The animal spirits include a panther, an owl, a raven, a lemur, an Egyptian scarab beetle and a lunar moth. Kara, as Durga, rides a lion of power and mastery.

I haven't a clue about how this all fits Kara or the moment of transition she is in, but I hope to find out more soon! I get the feeling that meditating on the locations (quadrant or compass direction) where the animal spirits reside in the mandala would help to reveal deeper significance. One thing that strikes me immediately is how many of the animals have "big eyes" - embodying / symbolizing night vision or acuity of vision?? I think this is certainly a clear message about her shamanic skills!

8.8.8

Lion's Gate

The Helical Rising of Sirius occurs around the end of July or early August. (This year, nominally, the date was August 2.)  The ancient Egyptians set the date for Sirius' heliacal rising as the first day of their new year and the time of the inundation of the River Nile.  Thus this was a time of life-giving fertility and promise, a time of creative destruction and renewal watched over by Sekhmet and Isis. They called Sirius "The Second Sun" because it is the brightest star seen in the night sky. Sirius is one of the 4 (or 5?) root star civilizations which created (seeded DNA of) mankind on Earth. (For interesting contemplation, try Googling "Dogon" & "Sirius"! Also, Google "panspermia".)

This year, the 8.8.8 Lion's Gate opens during a very powerful dimensional gateway for ascension energy attunements:  the Leo New Moon (August 2) falls on a total solar eclipse, with the coming full moon (August 16th) falling on a lunar eclipse.

8.8.8 Sekhmet and the Lion's Gate

Mother Sekhmet - Goddess of Healing & Justice

Sekhmet is also paradoxically the Goddess of the sunset, destruction, death, and wisdom. The cycle of life and death was created when the Goddess Sekhmet-Bast divided into two sisters, Sekhmet and Bast. For shamanic journeyers, Sekhmet is the Guardian of the Gates; no one may cross her on their path to wisdom and the Home of the Ancestors without offering proper respect. She has also been called the Great Dark One, the all powerful feminine aspect of creative chaos and destruction. Thus she shares these aspects with Durga and Kali (Durga's destructive form.)

Temple of Sekhmet

Ritual Postures: Sekhmet

5.05.08 New Moon - Sekhmet is the Lion Goddess, sister or wife of Ptah. She holds the key to sexual energy, especially Kundalini. She is a master of initiation: birth, death, re-birth. Cycles of materializing and de-materializing the world of forms. She is the Dark Goddess of Destruction and the Light Goddess of Creation.

In my journey I see myself as a lily growing in a field. Seasons go by, I sprout, grow, bloom, drop seed and die. Over and over... I become aware that I am looking into a bowl of water - ripples - reflecting the garden outside my window. Around me in the room are dried herbs, flowers and so forth. It is my workshop. Blue Tara is on my altar - The Jewel Tree of Healing.