Now That I No Longer Desire All

Tomorrow, on Friday the 26th, the priests open the Kamakhya Temple. It was closed for three days as the Goddess had her period. The only places that I know of that mark the period of the Goddess are in Kerala and in Assam.

Odisha celebrated Raja Parba, three days in mid June. That is a celebration of the menstrual cycle of the Earth, herself.

In Kerala, the Goddess Bhagavati, has her period several times during the year. It is marked by the observation of the priests, who declare the onset of her period.

In Assam, however, Ambubachi, the festival marking the period of the Goddess Kamakhya, is very significantly tied to astrology. And to the onset of the rains. It is marked when the Sun enters Ardra Nakshatra. Ardra is the sign of the tear drop. Of fierce storms.

Despite weather warnings of El Nino from the Met Department,(and co), astrologically it looks like, it could be a good South-West monsoon this year. Some areas may receive more rain than the others. Especially during the North-East, winter monsoons. One good way to check for your region, is to see how the rainfall was on May25th, last month. If you had rains then your region will probably receive rains in the coming months.

Devi

Assam has a very strong astrological tradition. It also has deep roots in Tantra. Mayong, a village in Assam, is actually referred to as the center of Black Magic and Tantra.

As much as I'm tempted to go into the fascinating world of Tantra right now. I'll wait until we are in Scorpio.

For now, let's stay in Gemini. At the Third House. In the Kama Trikona. The Trine of Desire.

Tantra is mainly a Shakta Tradition. One where the Feminine Energy is worshiped as the main Principle.

Across regions, she is worshiped in her different forms. Fierce as Kali or Bhairavi. Gentle as Saraswati or Lakshmi. Nourishing as Annapoorna. A range of energies as Dasha Mahavidya.

I only know of Assam and Tami Nadu where she is worshiped as Kamakhya or Kamakshi. She- whose eyes hold the power of desire.

Desire- The Slippery Slope

Desire is tricky to categorize.

Say you want to embody the energy of Kali. You can be fierce. For Saraswati you can be soft. Focus on learning. Play some music.

When it comes to Kamakshi. How do you think it's possible to embody her energy?

Is it to appear desirable? Is it to constantly want? To drown yourself in materialistic pleasures. To follow worldly pursuits?

What Do You Think?

Especially since you probably know, that Buddha said, "Desire is the root cause of suffering."

Buddha born as a prince, chose to become a commoner. He also chose the language of the common people.

In Pali, the word 'Tanha' was used in context. Tanha is a thirst. A Longing. Craving. Desire.

Buddha goes on to list three tanhas that cause suffering.

Kama-tanha: Here kama is used in the sensory context alone. This is a craving for sensual pleasures. It is the instinctive drive to seek out pleasant sights, sounds, smells, tastes, physical touches, and thoughts. You could see it manifesting as desires for good food, entertainment, sexual gratification, and material comfort.

Bhava-tanha: A craving to be or become 'someone'. A desire of ambition and fame. A need to fit into the Status Ladder. Probably you want to be eternal. Live forever. Or you feel a constant push for perfection. A perfect artist. A high level spiritual meditator. A modern day Mother Theresa. An explorer. Of other worlds. Climber into higher realms. A trillionaire. A word not yet in the dictionary.

Vibhava-tanha: A craving to not be. A desire to get rid of things. To not belong. To run away. To avoid. To not want to face unpleasant circumstances. To want to eliminate oneself. A feeling rising from deep suffering. Anger. Despair. Which leads a person to try to eliminate the unpleasant feeling. Or destroy a situation. Or even run away from life completely.

Attanam Saranam Gachami

The world is fueled by thirst.

Our collective consciousness is flooded by our longing to avoid pain. Our craving for pleasure.

It's drowning in our status hungry ambitions.

In this process we are destroying our health, well being and peace of mind.

What would it take for us to be simple?

How can we be happy being ordinary?

Why don't we see that the way through, is the way out?

Or are these counted as desires themselves?

Buddha didn't use the word Chanda. In Pali chanda is also desire. However, it is akin to will or intention.

While Tanha rises from the force of the world's fashions. Chanda is a returning to the self.

Tanha is from dissatisfaction. Delusion. It's a compulsive craving. Chanda is a conscious choice.

Tanha leads to suffering. Chanda makes life simple.

"If It's Not Simple. It's Not Right"

The Feminine Principle is said to rule the Three Great Forces/Energies/Powers/Shaktis of the World.

Gnana Shakti.

Kriya Shakti.

Ichcha Shakti.

The Power of Knowledge. The Power of Action. The Power of Desire.

Let's allow the Goddess some more rest this week. Next week let's look at Desire deeper.

The Week Ahead

Venus, Jupiter and Mercury are in Cancer. Getting the house ready to welcome the Sun next month.

The Sun is in Ardra. The nakshatra of Rudra. The Wailing One. The one who howled because he could not bear to see the injustice in the realm of the Gods.

Pluto has gone retrograde. You could be looking at power struggles. In society. In your personal circumstances. You could sit down and wonder what real power is.

There is a full moon in the powerful Gemini-Sagitarius Axis. The Moon in Purva Ashada. Ardra ruled by Rahu is automatically assumed to be fierce. Purva Ashada ruled by Venus is fierce as well. Like a river forging its way.

On the same day, Mercury goes retrograde. This retrograde is beneficial. As Mercury looks back at his own house. Do you have work pending? I do. It's a good time to address it.

That's on Tuesday. Until then we can probably take it a bit easy. Full moon energies, especially on axes such as these, are best taken with rest. A light attitude. And an easy going approach.

Mars has joined Uranus in Taurus. And will remain here until the end of July. Even if it's not the rains, the agriculture sector has its challenges. With the shortage of fertilizers. Climbing prices.

Government subsidies that make no sense. A bag of Urea is imported by the Government for anywhere around Rs 2200- Rs 4400 (according to fluctuating international market prices), and sold to the farmer at Rs 200- Rs400. Low cost, low tech fertilizer solutions that can be developed within the country are ignored.

U.S cotton is being dumped large scale here. While our cotton farmers are struggling.

Local farmers are throwing their pulses to rats, while we are importing dals.

Times of crisis, such as these, are the times to change the policies for the benefit of the people.

Otherwise, already troubled looking skies for the next five years, will cloud over even darker.

And like all optimists, we say, we will find a way. We always have. We always will.

See you next week. Wish you a wonderful week ahead.