Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, abundance and prosperity; both material and spiritual. She is depicted as the picture above, sitting on a lotus, with four outstretched arms. Her arms represent the four ideas of dharma (righteousness), karma, artha (wealth) and moksha (liberation from birth and death). In her hands she holds the lotus flower which symbolizes how beauty can grow from nothing. Her other hands often show coins flowing form them, symbolizing the flow of prosperity from her. The elephants are symbols of her royal power.

The gods and demons got together to churn the Ocean of Milk. It was said that when churned, gifts would emerge that could bring the gift of immortality. During the churning of the Ocean of Milk, Lakshmi emerged as one of the gifts. After her emergence from the ocean she became the consort of the lord Vishnu.

Lakshmi is often celebrated and honored on the Hindu Festival of Lights called Diwali. During Diwali houses are lit with extra lights and lamps in hopes that Lakshmi will come and bless the house. Things sacred to Lakshmi are sandalwood, lotus flowers, and owls.

Here is a great ritual/spell you can do to Lakshmi that I posted recently. She is a deity that I work with often (often working alongside another Hindu deity: Ganesh).

Prosperity Ritual to Lakshmi

Ritual to Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Abundance and Prosperity. Lakshmi is Sanskrit for the word “goal”. She is known as the wife of Lord Vishnu, and often as a consort of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh is known as the “Remover of Obstacles” and there for works well to block any flow of abundance and prosperity to you as Lakshmi blesses you and flows abundance to you.

Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful Indian woman with four outstretched arms, who is seated upon a large lotus blossom. Her arms represent Purity, Prosperity, Perfection and Freedom. Lakshmi is often seen with gold coins flowing from her hands representing her flow of gifts. She blesses both the physical and spiritual world with her gifts.

On Altar:

• Picture or statue of Lakshmi
• Lotus or Jasmine candle (white) to represent Lakshmi
• Bell
• Offerings for Lakshmi such as coins, flowers, yogurt and honey, milk
• Sandalwood oil or bindi
• Sandalwood incense
• Red/Gold altar covering

1. Cast circle and call quarters, etc. if you do this.
2. Take a seat in front of your altar to Lakshmi. Bring your hands into prayer with the thumbs at your third eye and bow saying “Namaste”
3. Bless yourself with the bindi or placing sandalwood oil on your third eye while chanting “May Lakshmi cleanse you and bless you with abundance and prosperity”
4. You may first call Ganesh (the remover of obstacles and a consort of Lakshmi’s to help in the ritual). Chant his mantra “Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah” three times.  Typically mantras are chanted to Hindu deities 108 times, but for the sake of this ritual we will only chant 3.
5. Read a hymn to Lakshmi or call her by chanting her mantra three times. Her mantra is “Om Shree Laksmi Devayay Namah”
6. Light the candle to her, and light the incense wafting it over the altar.
7. Ring the bell to awaken her.
8. Make your offering to her (coins, flowers, yogurt and honey, milk, sandalwood paste).
9. Actively ask for what you want her to bring to you.
10. Meditate on your wish and what Laskhmi represents. Abundance and Prosperity is just not about money and financial gain. Laskshmi can bless you with other types of wealth such as knowledge, good health, happiness and more. Meditate on the thing that you would like to have an abundance of in your life. It can be more than one thing. But see the intention of it, see Lakshmi standing above you letting a golden flow of abundance pour over you from her hands.
11. Thank her for blessing you with her abundance and prosperity. A good way to do so is to say “Health, Wealth and Freedom to All Beings.” Bring your hands into prayer with the thumbs at your third eye and bow saying “Namaste”
12. Ring bell and banish as you would.
13. Continue to spread the wealth that Lakshmi has blessed you with. Remember to help others, tip when you should, donate to charities etc. Keep the flow of prosperity flowing out to others.
14. Maintain the altar to Lakshmi and if you feel inclined to do so mediate in front of her altar and chant her mantra 108 times daily. This really doesn’t take long, and you can use a mala to keep track of the count of times you chant the mantra.

New Moon Ritual to Selene

The first new moon of 2014 is today, the first of the year. Both symbolize letting go of stuck energy, welcoming in the new, and a time for new beginnings.

Here is a quick little spell/ritual to the moon goddess Selene (who I've felt very drawn to lately. I will be doing an upcoming post on her soon).

Go outside under the new moon, or near an open window to perform the spell/ritual. Light a white or silver candle to signify Selene. Cleanse the area with incense or sage. Spend some time meditating on Selene and new beginnings.

On what piece of paper write down something you wish to let go of in the new year, and on another piece of paper write down a goal or something you wish to bring into, your life or draw to you in the new year.

Take the first piece of paper with the thing you want to let go off. Spend some time meditating on the thing you wish to let go, why you want to let it go, and how your life will change once it has disappeared. Burn the paper and place it into a small bowl or cauldron. Thank Selene for helping you to let go of this.

Next grab the paper with the thing you wish to draw to you, or bring into your life. Meditate on that as well, thinking about how positive your life will grow as you bring this to you and into your life. Now burn this paper, thanking Selene for helping you to grow with this item/topic/thing into the coming year.

Mediate a little longer, on Selene and your wishes for the new year. Thank her for her help and guidance in the new year. Think about how as they are released to the universe and the smoke flows from the cauldron of the burning pieces of paper. Let the incense and candle burn a little while longer. Throw the ashes down the sink and run water over them.