#yogini

photo: David Castenson

The Yoginis are recorded to have emerged in the 10th century from the worship of local village goddesses, often depicted semi-nude and many possess animal heads and grant devotees special powers called siddhis. The tradition of the Yoginis was introduced to the world by Matsyendra-Pada, also known as Matsyendranatha, according to ancient tantric texts. The Yogini Pantheon appears all across India (later spreading throughout Asia) in hypaethral circular shrines with elaborate iconography. Yoginis are believed to be shakti, or the sacred feminine force, made incarnate as aspects of Mahadevi or as Ma Kali’s attendants. They are worshiped in groups of 42, 64, or 81, their names differing frequently.

Pile 1

Pile 1, you were drawn to Yogini number 9, Sri Kalambai Pada, who represents the targeted action. She is symbolized by the hunter, who deliberately pulls back the arrow before releasing it, which results in a successful action. 

This pile seems extremely Martian, ie: impulsive, energetic, sexual, active. The witch’s forest is coming through strongly, so some in this pile may benefit from time in nature to recharge or meditate. For most of you, I’m being shown the story of Shiva and Parvati, in which Shiva would not be moved from his meditation because of his grief for thousands of years, ultimately neglecting his duty of destroying the universe to recreate it. 

Sri Kalambai Pada is encouraging this pile to learn to properly harness their reckless, martian energy by deliberating before acting. You may be intense “all or nothing” people, having phases of extreme discipline or extreme recklessness. This energy needs to be balanced and properly channeled into healthy ways. Not using your energy properly may be causing you health issues, I’m seeing inflammation and joint pain. (For some of you STIs). 

You may have extremely potent spiritual energy that you aren’t prioritizing, the Queen of Wands in tarot is also a witch/sorceress. Take time to really assess what you want for your future and develop a working list of priorities. 

Pile 2

Pile 2, you were drawn to Yogini number 3, Sri Ida Pada, who represents the knowledge of the night. The owl is her talisman. This pile is very lunar, creative, feminine, spiritual, sensitive, and dreamy. A lot of Cancerian and Neptunian energy. The psyche and/or subconscious mind is coming through. This pile may be into psychology or work as therapists/social workers/in a nonprofit, interested in Jung, Freud, or Joseph Campbell. Butterflies and streams are coming through. 

This pile is clinging too much to convention, possibly because of family. Your gifts are spiritual and thus out of alignment with the material, earthly realm. You have a spiritual inheritance/purpose. I’m also getting confidence issues (possibly due to a hypercritical family member). This pile is being encouraged to research the their sensitive nature/traits of highly sensitive people, and really use this knowledge to reduce friction in their lives. (Rick Owens is an example of a creative and sensitive person who orients his entire life around his need for solitude.) Your sensitive nature may also be negatively impacting your romantic life, especially if you choose partners who are not spiritual themselves. Essentially, the lunar energy of the ida pathway is a massive part of your life and who you are, and you are being forced to live in alignment with it. You may come from a spiritual family that denies their gifts or clings to the conventional way of living, but this will not bring you any success. 

Pile 3

Pile 3, you were drawn to Yogini number 11, Sri Simhamukhi Pada, who represents the creative energy. Her talisman is the lion, leo energy, and reminds me of the strength card, blood, the beat of a heart. In her left hand she holds a damaru, in her right a shanka, symbolizing receiving vital energy and spiritual knowledge. (Research these items and contemplate what they mean for you personally.) 

This pile is for feminines that are entrepreneurs or being called to live in their purpose boldly and in a public way. If you chose this pile, consider reading pile 6. Your purpose involves defending your ideals and beliefs by using money or business, specifically helping humanity wake up to the power of the Goddess/Divine Feminine. For example, Charlotte Tilbury is a makeup brand that has no spiritual ties outwardly but employs thousands of women globally, allowing them to be financial independent. You have big CEO or philanthropist energy. 

Pile 4

Pile 4, you were drawn to Yogini number 15, Sri Kausidyaharam, who is the destroyer of laziness. She is a fearsome yogini that requires strong action. Her purpose is to kill the demons of apathy and laziness that poison us. The demon she sits on represents sloth and unhappiness. 

This pile is for people that are lazy or neurodivergent/in ADHD paralysis. You may feel extremely stuck in life right now because you NEED to feel passion for a job/career path and/or currently don’t have a direction in life. Your guides are screaming USE YOUR INTUITION. You know the right direction or next step. You have to bite the bullet. You may be perfectionists and overworking yourselves and need to have more empathy and self compassion. Your purpose involves being a mirror, teaching people how to have empathy or compassion for themselves despite differences they might have. I’m getting the song “Mirrorball” by Taylor Swift. 

Pile 5

Pile 5, you were drawn to Yogini number 31, Sri Hayi-Pada, who is the intuitive power. She is a horse headed yogini. She is associated with the horses that pull the sun’s chariot across the night sky in order to arrive in time for the appointment with the East. She sits on a lion that gives her infinite strength to accomplish any task. She represents darkness that brings light as she dances during the night within the Yogini chakra and embraces the sun’s rays at dawn. In one hand she has a japa mala for meditation and in the other a skull. 

This pile may be relocating for career or school, and this endeavor will be successful. You’ll meet a new romantic partner when you relocate to this new place. This pile are healers of all kinds, such as alternative healers, medical doctors, etc. You may have a dual mission or be at a crossroads, between the past and future or two paths or people.  Go left, says Sri Hayi-Pada.

Pile 6

Pile 6, you were drawn to Yogini number 30, Sri Nirmanaski-Pada, who is the intuitive action. Sri is the jumping frog, representing the siddhi of levitation. She is related to being mindless, in order to be filled with divine energy to take intuitive actions.

This pile are artists who are running from your calling, possibly by getting into vices and unhealthy relationships. The energy of pile is deeply Saturnian, you have extremely heavy burdens but you can bear them. You are approaching a phase where you are tired of running and ready to face your destiny. No one else can do this, but you. I am hearing “This is my burden and I have to carry it.” This will require your full devotion, all your inspiration, and almost monk like concentration. I’m hearing the song “As It Was” by Harry Styles, who is also Saturn ruled. I am hearing “The Last Showgirl/man,” which is giving me scorched earth, last days vibes. You guys may really be at the end of your current path and its time to face the music OR you are the last of a dying breed and needed to keep something alive. If you are confused, look to your lineage. Stop playing pretend.

Pile 7

Pile 7, you were drawn to Yogini number 29, Sri Shuki-Pada, who is the qualities of the heart. Sri Shuki-Pada symbolizes unconditional love, offering devotees comfort, protection, and happiness. She has the head of a bird, symbolizing freedom of movement in the sky and the freedom that comes from unconditional love. 

This pile is giving me sympathetic villain vibes. I’m hearing “No one cares what happened to Cruella de Vil.” Pile 7, you may have been the black sheep in your family or had a really difficult upbringing or last couple years. It’s giving ego death or Saturn return or Sade Sati (consider praying to Ma Kali), and you may be prone to nostalgia or escapism to a different time. I’m hearing “living in a different dimension.” What you don’t see is that you are a starseed/chosen one, and this is the reason for the extreme difficulties you’ve faced thus far. Be kind to yourself pile 7. I’m getting there is a big choice you have to make, similar to pile 6, to really come into your identity. The immense pain/pressure you feel will go away. You are being transformed into something entirely new. 

Songs: Wayamaya by Lana Del Rey, Flamenco By Beyonce