Journeying with KALI

At the time of decay, characteristic for late autumn, I have been journeying with the fierce goddess KALI. She is often frightening at the first sight, but she is always there to catch you. Kali embraces you in your wild power, through deep dark pathways, holding the ultimate truth in her wisdom. Nothing is 'too much' for Kali. Never 'too deep', nothing 'too crazy', nothing 'too challenging' for her. As we see the transformation continuing in worrying or scary ways in our world, we are walking with Kali. To liberate we must reveal. To be free with must break loose. 

Breathing in the expansiveness of the Great Wide North in Vadsø, Arctic Norway

I am breaking free of limitations. Like Kali, without excuses, she connects directly with her TRUTH beyond any other authority. The world needs our truth now. I journey through time lines, cultures, traditions. With respect, curiosity and willingness to create something new. Dancing with the tradition, in a new context, with a new perspective, I offer what comes through me. ​I had an intense, creative week working on an exhibition, Kven Connection, at Varanger Museum in the remote coastal city of Vadsø in the Arctic Norway. In the 1800's Finnish migrants came to settle there, as they were plagued by severe hunger. When they reached the wild and abundant Arctic Ocean they could fish throughout the year in addition to their farming and raising cattle. They became one of the National Minorities in Norway, who most people know very little about.

For the exhibition I created 'New Traditional Kven Music', a song composed around loose words that start creating a meaning when put together. 'Tulthiin, Nähthiin, Jääthiin' (We came, we saw, we stayed) became a part of my sound installation for Kven connection:

Rowan Mala - Dancing in Celebration

I also experienced such forming of a new tradition of re-mixing cultural elements, with my daughter recently. Where we live now, there are lots of rowans. I remembered creating necklaces from the rowan berries as a child. We have 3 of these blessed trees on our yard (the new house we moved into this spring!) and our bird friends have been feasting for weeks already. Someone in our village had cut down rowan branches and I collected some for me and my girl. As we were beading the berries, I realised we were actually creating a mala instead of a necklace. A rosary. Symbolic for my creative work with music, weaving in traditions, creating something 'old' with a slightly new perspective, combining cultures and their wisdom. 

Rowan Mala for Kali Ma

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These mala beads were dedicated to  Kali Ma  as red and black are her colours. And as all the leaves are gone already from the trees, the bare dark branches of the rowans keep highlighting the red berries, pulsating their vibrancy through the darkness that is getting deeper every day. Until the dawn of the new cycles comes. 

VIBRANT rhythms of creation in the darkness for you all. Dance with the mystery and something new might be revealed to you.

With Love, 

Meri


P.S. If you want to bring the power of Kali Ma into your life and are you curious of her medicine and wisdom, I have created a (secret) invocation for you. You are welcome to read and listen her voice and words channeled through me over HERE.