Shivaratri: we celebrate the fifth on April 18, 2023

1.- The fifth Shivaratri (Vaishakha) of 2023 is on April 18, a date marked in Kashmir Shaivism

1.1.- Shivaratri, feel the power of Tantra

The night of Shiva Shivaratri It is the night before the new moon (or Amavasya) of each month (or Masik), and is considered the darkest night because it comes before the beginning of the lunar cycle towards the full moon. We celebrate the fifth Shivaratri of 2023 this April 18.

During this astrological and special event for Tantra, due to the absence of the influence of the moon, the solar and masculine energies (represented by Shiva) are manifested to the maximum. This exceptional phenomenon gives us the possibility of entering into communion with Shiva (the supreme solar/masculine principle) very easily, and benefiting from his power.

2.- The most propitious night to transfigure yourself into Shiva

In the tradition of Shivaism in Kashmir, it is also very successful for tantric aspirants to take the opportunity to do the love ritual during the night of Masik Shivaratri. It is a very auspicious moment for the spiritual and tantric couple. Aspirants can greatly benefit from the awakening and expansion of consciousness, and from a very characteristic and solar state of mental clarity. Also, men, taking advantage of this beneficial moment, can significantly increase their virility and solarity.

So we advise you to meditate with Shiva, and if it is possible to do the love ritual during the night of Masik Shivaratri, to experience what is exposed (in yourselves).

In the tradition of Kashmir Shivaism let’s celebrate the fifth Shivaratri of 2023!

Shiva’s ice lingam at Amarnath

Whether in a Masik Shivaratri, but especially in Mahashivaratri, in addition to fasting, Shiva devotees follow this same procedure:

You can find more auspicious incense to worship Shiva in our online store.

3.- The history of the Shiva Lingams and their sacred properties according to Tantra

4.- Once a year the great Maha Shivaratri is celebrated

Maha Shivaratri, the main festival of Kashmir Shaivism, will be celebrated this year on Monday, February 18, from 11:44 PM to 12:31 PM on March 20. Mainland India time.

Once a year, we celebrate Maha Shivaratri, Shiva’s great night. This momentous event in Tantra is traditionally dedicated to Paramashiva (Shiva, or the Supreme Consciousness: God). Shiva’s devotees consider this night to be the most sacred of the entire year, and it is enthusiastically celebrated by all Shivaites, all over the world.

Among the twelve Shivaratri of the Hindu calendar, Mahashivratri is the one with the greatest spiritual importance. This is a day when nature pushes human beings towards their spiritual self, the true one. The importance of this celebration (which lasts all night) is to allow the energies coming from the Macrocosm to emerge in us, and in a natural way.

5.- One of the mythological stories related to Shiva

5.1.- Stories of Tantra: Shiva and Kali, and their tantric symbolism

What is the meaning of the images of Kali standing on Shiva’s chest? We narrate the story of how Kali once killed Shiva, and what this symbolizes.

This is a story that represents how the feminine dimension of energy works. Once, it happened that various demons tried to dominate the earth. Many evil forces began to take over the world. Then Kali was furious. When she went crazy, no one could stop her, so in her rampage she wiped out everything in her path.

But his unleashed fury was not going to stop. Without control, beyond reason, beyond the action necessary for that situation, beyond everything. Because her rage had gathered such momentum and was not going to let up, and because she continued to slaughter, no one dared to go and stop her. The Gods went to see Shiva and begged him:

– Kali is unleashed. She is your woman. Please do something to restrain her.

Shiva gently approached Kali. He walked toward her without aggression, without seeking confrontation. But the energy and fury of Kali was such that he killed Shiva himself. Only when she stood next to him did she realize what she had done. Then he lowered his temper, and brought him back to life.

There are several tantric processes that are based on this particular event. You may have seen images and paintings of tantrics who have removed their heads and walk around with their heads in their hands. Or he may have seen a Goddess, the Devi, depicted taking off her head, holding it in her hand, or walking with it. There are various tantric processes involved where people actually “decapitate” themselves, or kill their thought process. There are practices and rituals through which this goal is achieved.

Nowadays, most people think that “Tantra” means unbridled promiscuity. Tantra does not mean promiscuity: it means extreme discipline, it means a technique, a method, an ability to undo your life and redo it again. Tantra is having such mastery over your mind that you can completely dismantle your life, and then remake it.

You can come to have such control over your life, that both life and death will be completely in your hands. You can even kill Shiva himself, and bring him back. This is not a feat that you try to show to others, it is because you really want to “wake up” to a real life, that you control and enjoy to the fullest.

Unless you have control over your mind, you will not be able to do anything. Without mastery over your mind, what can you do? The level of control you have over your thoughts determines how much you can do.

The image of Kali standing on Shiva essentially symbolizes having total control over the course of your life. That’s being bold, don’t you think? This is what Tantra offers you.