It's a warm summer evening. You're sitting outside, relaxing under an ancient willow tree on the edge of the shore kissed by a cool blue lake� perfectly serene and peaceful. Lily pads and lotus flowers dot the waters edge creating a fragrant cocoon of air around you. You feel perfectly at peace, completely relaxed and at ease. Taking a deep breath, you inhale the flowery fragrance deeply into your being and close your eyes.
You feel the sun slowly shift across your face as the day passes.. The cool breeze bringing in the dusk and as you slowly open your eyes you notice the full moon above you. As your eyes drift down to the waters horizon, you see an object in the distance, where the night sky kisses the water�s edge, moving towards you along the rippling path of the moon. As it approaches you, it takes the form of a lotus� large, fragrant � it�s petals closed. You walk to the water�s edge greeting the flower with awe. You sit cross legged on the shore in front of the lotus mesmerized by the play of light with glowing from deep within it� the shadows cast against the petals are of a female form� slowly you become aware that the petals are moving, opening gently, as if by a breeze. Within the lotus sits the most enchanting and striking woman you have ever seen. Her head bowed, eyes closed, a jewel glitters on her forehead, her body is glowing and vibrant. Her beautiful black, silken hair flows down her back. She is bathed in a flowing sari of shimmering red and gold silk. Intricate golden chains decorate her waist and neck. Beautiful gold bracelets glisten from her four arms. Golden coins pour from one palm, falling endlessly into the lotus flower that she sits within. In her upper two hands she holds the most perfect white lotus flowers you have ever seen. They pulsate with a shimmering light that sends exquisitely fragrant warmth into your being. In her lower left hand she holds a beautiful golden pot that shimmers from the embedded jewels that decorate its surface. You hear her voice, like a whisper within you, for her lips do not sway from her smile, "You've come here to learn of me and I am here to teach you," "Are you ready?"
Softly you speak the words back to her, mind to mind, �yes�. At your response, she raises her head opens her eyes and takes you within them, gently you feel her guidance, as you flow within the depths of her eyes�
An image appears before you� You see a poor shanty-hut, with a happy child playing pickup sticks outside. You see the Goddess approach the child, showering coins over his little head. As he giggles and reaches for the falling coins, his little hands hits a coin and it catches the light and reflects in your eyes, as the brightness fades a new image forms� a round table with a priest, a houdon, a priestess, a shaman, a native and others from cultures and spiritual paths around the world� they are holding hands, heads bowed in silent prayer � together, worshipping separately, yet together� the incense in the room thickens, and you notice within it the image of the Goddess� she drifts towards you, clouding your vision slightly, then she dissipates on a clear breeze revealing that you are now inside a homeless shelter, where a man sits alone, his face is smudged, his cloths tattered� you see the Goddess enter the room, her eyes on you for a moment, she then looks towards the man, and as she walks to him, her image transforms to a female with warn cloths and a smudge of dirt on her face�. She sits beside the man and takes his hands in hers... You know that they are one, and it is beautiful... The two stand and embrace� their images merge into one of light, transcending up� as your vision shimmers with tears, you are brought back to your seated position in front of the Goddess on the shore of the lake.
"Now you may understand the gifts I can share with you," she begins. You move to kneel before the Devine Mother as she stands within the lotus. In blessing, her four palms reach toward you. She first places a golden coin in your hand. "Know you will never hunger, for you are blessed with artha, the gift of prosperity, you will have whatever material means you may require to fulfill your ambitions, and the knowledge to see and aid those who need."
Next she places a white petal into your hands. Its is cool and silky to the touch. "Now I give to you dharma, the gift of righteousness tempered with tolerance, to help balance your life and teach you what true transcendence means in your path."
Another white petal is placed into your hands. It is warm and soft. "This is moska, the gift of beauty, for all that are touched by me are beautiful."
She places her hand on your chin and raises your face upward opening your mouth slightly. She opens the beautiful golden bottle and touches your lips with the golden liquid within. As your tongue tastes the smooth sweet essence, complete bliss surges through your body. "Lastly, I give you this taste of amrita, the essence of immortality, health and life. It is the gift of kama, pure carnal pleasure, life itself, that which will completely nourish your physical, mental and spiritual being."
"Go now and do not forget what I have given to you, for these are the keys to life itself." You bow your head and thank the Goddess Lakshmi for what she has given you. Her golden aura pulsates and as you look up, she is gone. You are now kneeling under the ancient willow at the edge of the lake. Looking up to the moon you smile for you have been blessed with many gifts on this night. Rising to your feet you continue back home.
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Recreated for ritual by:
Kayla Alyssa Baboolal
