Kāla Bhairavā Jayantī

Kāla Bhairavā Jayantī

भैरवाष्टमी

On November 22nd, we celebrate Kāla Bhairavā Jayantī, marking the culmination of an eight-day festival dedicated to Kāla Bhairava, the fierce manifestation of Lord Śiva. Observed on the Aṣṭamī tithi (the eighth day) of the waning moon in the Vedic month of Kārttik (November/December), this auspicious occasion invites deep introspection and reverence for the divine.

Kāla Bhairavā embodies the complex relationship between time and existence. As the keeper of time, he maintains cosmic order and is believed to have control over the past, present, and future. The term 'kala' refers not only to time but also to the cyclical nature of reality, while 'Bhairavā' signifies a fiercely terrifying aspect. This duality highlights how time governs all aspects of life, including creation and destruction. His ugra form serves as a poignant reminder of life’s impermanence and inevitable passage and consumption of all things. Time is often viewed as a cosmic force that consumes everything in its path, which holds divine authority to 'digest' all forms of existence, including deities like Brahmā (the creator) at the end of an age. This relentless nature of time inevitably leads to transformation and renewal, symbolized by the rebirth of Brahmā with each cycle.

During Bhairavāṣṭamī, devotees uphold fasts and offer sincere prayers to Lord Bhairavā. This festival is particularly significant because it marks the day when Lord Śiva took on the form of Kāla Bhairavā. The legend states that Lord Brahmā’s arrogance led to his fifth head being chopped off by Bhairavā, symbolizing Bhairavā’s role in removing ego and promoting humility.

In Vedic mythology, Bhairavā is often depicted with a black dog who represents loyalty, protection, and dharma (righteousness). The dog serves as Bhairavā's vahana (vehicle), emphasizing unwavering devotion and safeguarding sacred bonds. According to legend, when Sage Vishwanath encountered Bhairavā, his loyal dog Bhadrak was sent to test his faith—a testament to loyalty’s enduring value in spiritual practice.

Worshiping Kāla Bhairava is believed to provide profound protection from negative energies, fostering courage and resilience in the face of life's challenges. His fierce appearance symbolizes a commitment to dismantling illusions and guiding individuals toward spiritual growth and self-transcendence. By honoring Kāla Bhairava during Bhairavāṣṭamī, we align ourselves with the transformative energies he embodies, reminding us to respect time, uphold justice, and live harmoniously with our highest values.

This celebration encourages introspection, humility, and gratitude, helping practitioners navigate life with a deeper sense of purpose and balance. An all-night ceremony is observed on Bhairavāṣṭamī, filled with prayers, worship, and tales of Bhairavā, Śiva, and Pārvatī. At midnight, an arati of Bhairavā is performed with conches, bells, and drums. 

After a morning bath, devotees—especially those who worship Śiva—offer libations and oblations to their ancestors. The worship extends to include Bhairavā’s vahana (animal vehicle), the dog, which symbolizes loyalty and protection. Devotees also honor dogs by offering them milk, sweets, curds, and other food as a gesture of reverence.

Ultimately, the celebration of Lord Bhairavā not only deepens our connection to the divine but also reinforces the values of loyalty and devotion that are essential for spiritual advancement. By embracing these teachings, we cultivate a compassionate awareness that enriches our lives and those around us.

ॐ भैरवाय नमः | Om Bhairavaya Namah

Full Moon in Kṛttikā: The Star of Fire

FULL MOON

Artwork: Kārttikeya and Telugu inscription | British Museum

11/16 5:29am Bali | 11/15 13:29 PST

Kārttik Pūrṇimā lands in the Vedic lunar mansion of Kṛttikā (कृत्तिका), the Star of Fire, also known as the star cluster Pleiades (Seven Sisters). With the New Moon in Svāti (Libra), we were invited to gather our focus and anchor into our inner stability. Now, with the Full Moon in Kṛttikā, we are invited to bear witness to our growth and step powerfully into a new aligned timeline.

Fifteen days after the grandeur of Dīpāvali, Dev Dīpāvali unfolds on Kārttik Pūrṇimā, a sacred occasion commemorating Lord Śiva’s triumph over the demon Tripurasura, a powerful symbol of the eternal victory of good over evil. In Varanasi, it is believed that the gods descend to bathe in the Ganges, and the ghats are illuminated with countless lamps, casting a divine glow over the sacred river.

This Full Moon ignites a time of initiation and renewal. Just as fire has the power to burn away the old and make space for the new, this lunar mansion invites us to shed our limitations and embrace the fiery essence within us.

Saturn’s retrograde period has illuminated lessons around what we truly value, and Kṛttikā awakens the precision necessary to pierce deeper into any remaining burdens we may still be carrying, and the power to burn them away.

Kṛttikā holds the power to purity, burning away the old self to bring about the new. This transformation takes place through Agni, the god of fire, who presides over this constellation. You are likely being confronted with pressure and discomfort in some area of your life, encouraging you to shift.

The same fire that burns can also be used to assimilate experience into wisdom and transmute food into usable energy. Just like the goat, the animal medicine for this Nakṣatra, who consumes without considering the consequences, and is later presented with all that has been taken in —you may soon find yourself faced with a situation that demands you to confront certain truths about what you've been 'taking in' — whether experiences, habits, or emotional baggage.

Purification isn’t always easy or comfortable, yet it is the inherent energy that provokes growth and change. We are unaware of our shadows until we begin to increase our light. As our inner light intensifies, our shadows begin to shift, loosen, and eventually dissolve. Though the process may feel unsettling, any symptoms or discomfort that arise are signs that purification has already occurred — much like dust stirred into the air after a surface has been cleaned.

Agni (fire) is that original creative spark, with its power to burn and scorch — it is always consuming. Similar to ghee placed in the havan kuṇḍ during a yajña (Vedic fire ritual) to fulfill desires, this Nakṣatra desires a fertile vessel for cultivating stability, prosperity, and the realization of material goals.

We cannot purify or sit in tapas (austerity) without fueling our inner fire. Agni, the transformative flame, cannot burn without nourishment—whether ghee or the offerings of our dedication. This yearning for growth is harmonized by the cool embrace of amṛta (divine nectar), the fullness of Soma — that receptive and magnetic force which nurtures Agni's intensity, balancing its scorching energy and guides the manifestation of our deepest creative desires.

The Star of Fire is associated with Lord Murugan (Kārttikeya), the God of War, who wields a spear and rides a peacock, symbolizing courage, strength, and transformation. This symbology serves as a reminder that growth often requires us to break through barriers and step out of our comfort zones. It urges us to embrace change, challenge our limiting beliefs, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. The spear symbolizes the cutting away of what no longer serves us, making space for new beginnings and expansion.

What would it take for you to sit with the vulnerability you’ve been shying away from and take a deeper look into yourself? Truth will not only shine light on the process, it will also burn away and sever ties with that which is not contributing to your progress.

I invite you to pause beneath the Full Moon to reflect — to meditate and sit as the witness to observe what comes forward. There is a powerful timeline shift as the door of Saturn's retrograde, which was wide open, now closes and a new beginning awakens.

The past couple of weeks have brought many crystal-clear realizations and code upgrades to the surface. For many, this experience was accompanied by a strong sense of overwhelm, the urge to distract oneself from the pressure, or even the attempt to close out the current timeline with urgency.

Utilize this threshold wisely, taking time to bear witness to what is moving through and unfolding within you. Take note of all that has been presenting itself, all that you’ve been learning over the past weeks and months. Over the next week, what feels present today will begin to stabilize, integrate, and fade into the background.

The essence of practice is to show up with presence, to fully engage with what is unfolding, and to stabilize the experience of the self through awareness. Through consistent effort, we nurture our inner fire, guiding us toward greater self-realization.

All my Relations

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God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.

These are the words we dimly hear:

You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.

Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.

Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.

Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.

Give me your hand.

- Rainer Maria Rilke 

Saturn Stations Direct in Śatabhiṣā: The Veiling Star

Saturn Stations Direct in Śatabhiṣā

Artwork: Pinterest | Lord Varuṇa

November 15th

Saturn has slowed and completes his four-and-a-half-month retrograde cycle today in the constellation of Śatabhiṣā (शतभिषा), the Veiling star.

As Saturn, the guardian of time and bestower of longevity, returns to direct motion, it serves as a cosmic reset button, granting us the opportunity to make a fresh start in various aspects of our lives. Momentum begins to build as we pivot from a period of internal review to one of implementing the lessons learned.

This lunar mansion, home to a hundred stars, is ruled by Varuṇa, the god of the night sky and the cosmic and terrestrial waters. Varuṇa’s duty is to ensure that all things on earth align with cosmic order, while also presenting opportunities for redemption and mystical experiences.

Much like the animal associated with Śatabhiṣā, the horse — civilization’s first animal medicine — which embodies both mystical and physical powers, it carries burdens across great distances with ease. Often, the trials and tribulations we experience under the star of the divine healer are brought forth to rectify our path, to learn from confusion, and ultimately to become a vehicle for self-realization.

We’ve been in a holding pattern of sorts these past months. Many have passed through, or are still undergoing, powerful initiations. Where you once encountered roadblocks, you may now begin to feel the call to stride forward toward your goals.

Utilize this shift wisely. We stand at a pivotal crossroads where resolutions become clearer, allowing you either to resolve current issues or forge a new path that offers deeper alignment. Be ready to adapt if circumstances change dramatically — this may involve letting go of old goals to embrace new opportunities.

If you feel the need to rush, rush like a royal elephant — with gradual and steady pace. This energy does not support hastening timelines. Take another couple of weeks to assess and track the structures and commitments you’ve set for yourself. Be willing to take an honest look at where you may have been hindering your own progress, and consider the direction, values, and people in your life — who may or may not still be serving your growth.

We’re revisiting dynamics presented to us in the Spring — this time, there is an opportunity for the energy to land. Face your karmic responsibilities. Perhaps this involves setting clearer boundaries and even solidifying commitments made during the retrograde phase. Favor and cultivate like-minded, genuine connections — those who support your higher self, both personally and professionally.

Saturn will remain in Śatabhiṣā through December 27th before shifting to the dynamic constellation of Pūrva Bhādrapadā, where we will revisit energies from early April to early October.

ॐ श्री शनैश्चराय नमः

“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?” - Rūmī رومی