Moon Whispers for February
In the month of February, Lord Shiva is honored and celebrated for his all-important role of the male and female balance through his interaction with our pure consciousness and active creativity. Lord Shiva is often referred to as the Lord of Destruction; however, he brings cycles to a close so that it can unite the opposites and creating a balanced state that facilitates life as we know it. Shiva dances the Dance of Life and the Dance of Destruction.
The moon is significant to Shiva as he wears the crescent moon in his hair. It is said that the moon floated to the top of the sea of milk when the Universe was being churned, and Shiva took it for a crown. The lunar symbol represents Shiva’s role as a creator (new moon), preserver and enlightener (full moon), and seemingly insane destroyer (waning and dark moons). Shiva also represents a life of strength to overcome emotional addictions, unhealthy habits and create clear manifestations.
Shiva is depicted as all white, except for the blue neck, and he also has three eyes. The third eye rests between his eyebrows. It is the eye of wisdom in which he assists us in destroying our illusions and invokes deep emotions of clarity. Shiva’s image, during meditation, creates a space of compassion and expressive love.
Although Shiva’s life represents simplicity in his living, he is connected deeply with his family and has a powerful, deep connection with his consort, the Goddess Parvati. Their union symbolizes the energetic blending of the male and female aspects to create harmony and reconcile the opposites.
Every Monday, the women of India set time aside to honor the masculine energy for their sons and husbands. For those that are unmarried, the women pay homage to Shiva to bring that strong, masculine protector in to their lives.
My whole life has been surrounded by the protection of Shiva. I was first introduced to Shiva in 1987 at an Indian Airport to travel to Dehli. After going through my third security check, I was re-packing my bags when the security guard across from me handed me a framed picture and looked at me as if to say, “This is yours.” I shook my head and told her no and tried to give it back to her. I saw that it was a picture of Shiva, but I didn’t know really who this was. I attempted several times to return it to the security guard; but finally, I gave up and took the picture and packed it away. I realized it was a gift but I didn’t know why.
In 2000, I returned to India. My trip this time was connected to a Vedic Astrologer. We went to a temple dedicated solely to Shiva to attend a “Puja” (an honoring ceremony). During the ceremony, food, or otherwise known as “Prasad”, is offered to the honored deity. After the Puja is complete, the priest offers the Prasad to temple’s visitors. Everyone in the temple, with the exception of me, was offered the Prasad. As we left the temple, one of the head priests ran out, yelling for us to stop. We turned around and he said that I must partake of the Prasad. Even though I knew this to be auspicious, I still did not understand the power of Shiva’s energy in my life.
My next encounter was two years ago in Carola, India. I visited another astrologer who brought to me the story of Shiva in my life. The astrologer said that Shiva has always been present, in my life, and has always kept me protected. This was important for me to know so that I could really dive in to the work I was destined to do. He said that since I was born under Shiva’s protection, that it was time to dedicate 100% of my energy to Shiva.
Through my providential experiences with Shiva, I realized how much we, as people, try to push the male energy away and not honor the significance of this male energy in our lives. Either through our own ego, through what was generationally taught to us, and/or through influences telling us what to think, we have misunderstood that the male energy is just as important as the divine feminine.
Spiritual growth will continue to hit us over the head and repeat itself; we can’t get away no matter how much we push it away. Understanding the male aspect and energy within and without, is as beautiful as honoring the sun. Without the sun we cannot live. Without the male energy, we cannot survive.
Ceremony for Shiva
Creating an altar for Shiva Alter:
- Cover the altar with a cloth that has anything to do leopard skin/print. This represents the leopard that Shiva sits on.
- A light blue/turquoise candle – Representing the throat and the power of speech, as well as, the bridge between the third eye and heart.
- Use the picture of Shiva on the altar.
Ground yourself in with the white light that is going down the spine; and coming out in the earth as an anchor. Visualize a turquoise bridge coming from your third eye (which is between your eyebrows) to your heart and then through your throat.
Recite 108 times “Om Namah Shivaya” as you sit in meditation for 20 minutes. Feel the strength and protection from the mantra and the male energy within selves and deity.