a tantric perspective on aging

meet Dhumavati, the witch Goddess of Shakti Tantra

in most spiritual traditions,

there’s a search for immortality.

for some, the search is on the physical plane,

like taoists looking for sacred elixirs,

or alchemists looking for the philosopher’s stone.

for others, it’s on the spiritual plane,

like muslims awaiting eternal afterlife in paradise,

or buddhists aiming to transcend samsara (the cycle of life & death).

no matter the tradition or place, the desire is the same;

eternal youth.

it’s quite interesting how current obsessions with biohacking show that this ancient search is as alive as ever.

signs of aging are seen as ‘ugly’, sometimes even ‘dirty’.

i feel this deeply wired in myself too -

whenever i see my aging hands, wrinkling brow or sagging cheeks,

the dread of my fading beauty hits me.

and at moments like that,

i am so grateful for tantra.

tantra is one of the few traditions that celebrates

• decay

• dusk

• death

• aging

tantra loves the ‘in-between’ spaces.

tantrika’s don’t want to become immortal
because they know they already are.

this celebration of decay is beautifully displayed by one of my favorite tantric goddesses.

let me introduce to you..

Dhumavati

image from “Hindu goddesses: visions of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious tradition” by David R. Kinsley

in the book “Hindy Goddesses”, Kinsley describes her as follows:

Dhumavati has a pale complexion, is tall, and has a stern, unsmiling expression. Dressed as a widow, she wears dirty clothes, her hair is disheveled, she has no teeth, her breasts are long and pendulous, her nose is large and crooked, she has a quarrelsome nature, she holds a winnowing fan, and she rides a crow.

“Hindu goddesses: visions of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious tradition” by David R. Kinsley

first of all, she rides a crow. how f’ing cool is that.

secondly, she is tall, thin, has a large crooked nose and a short temper..

sounds familiar?

in the west, we see her take shape as the witch.

the only difference is, that Dhumavati is a Goddess.

the witch has been a stereotype to shame aging women,

to judge those who “don’t take care of themselves”,

or ridicule those who “don’t fit the picture”.

(it wouldn’t surprise me if this this ancient christian programming is connected to our current obsession with beauty, youth & skin care..)

Dhumavati shows us that being old, ugly, alone or angry isn’t any less sacred

than being young, beautiful & lovely.

she shows a side of the feminine, which many avoid; the shadow side.

in shakti tantra,

the shadow is as much a port of the goddess as the light.

this perspective of the divine feminine, heals my heart

when i’m once again full of insecurity about my aging body.

i remember dhumavati and think; i can’t freaking wait to be an old lady

(and ride a crow. please?)

picture by lisa

so,

next time you find yourself judging your aging body..

smile,

& wink at the witch you are becoming.

you are beautiful

and always a goddess.

xx

jess