Lakshmi is everywhere: in jewels, in coins, in rare shells, in every child born to welcoming parents, and particularly in cows.

The well-known reverence for cows in Hindu India is based on the worship of this goddess, called the Shakti of life-preserving Vishnu.

Hindu philosophy defined male godhead as passive and abstract, distant and powerless, unless activated by the goddess.

In Vishnu's case, his power to maintain and enrich life only functions when Lakshmi inspires it. Therefore it is thought good policy to bestow reverence on those embodiments of wealth-the cows who in some parts of India are simply called "lakshmi" after their owner.

Some myths say that Lakshmi existed from all time, floating before creation on a lotus; for this she is called Padma ("lotus-goddess"), whose symbol became the sign for spiritual enlightenment throughout Asia.

Some stories say that Lakshmi sprang up from the ocean when it was churned by the gods, emerging like a jewel in all her beauty and power, covered with necklaces and pearls, crowned and braceleted, her body fat and golden.

Many interpreters see the variant legends as recording Lakshmi's pre-eminence in pre-Aryan India, where she was goddess of the earth and its fructifying moisture, and her later incorporation into Vedic theology when her worshipers would not abandon their devotion to the lotus goddess.

Once established in the religious amalgam called Hinduism, Lakshmi grew to symbolize not only the wealth of the earth but of the soul as well, becoming a magnificent symbol of the delights of spiritual prosperity.

Worship of Lakshmi (pronounced lock'shmee) began prior to the Aryan invasion of India. She is considered the animating force or Shakti of Vishnu, the Preserver. Her sacred animal is the cow, symbol of abundance and plenty. She appears here with elephants pouring water, another symbol of her powerful abundance. Although described as floating on the eternal sea of time, resting on a lotus, Hindus say that the Gods churned the sea of creation from which Lakshmi appeared in all her splendour.

The Lessons of this Goddess
Lakshmi appears in your life to tell you it is time to nurture wholeness by recognizing and living from abundance.

•Is your existence defined by scarcity rather than abundance?

• Are your finances based on a poverty consciousness rather than limitlessness and plenty?

•Is your outlook on life one of never having enough rather than of having your needs met?

•Let yourself open to the abundance, the bounty that exists in your world. The Goddess says that abundance is hard to perceive if lack, poverty, and scarcity dominate your consciousness.

•The way to wholeness for you lies in opening to the flow of life. When you open to the flow, you become part of it and you draw it to you.

•When you become aware of the abundance in your life in all its forms - friendship, health, family, love, beauty, talent, humour you can call in more from a conscious place.

From 'Goddesses and Heroines' by Patricia Monaghan (Used by permission. This text is NOT included in the Goddess Oracle) www.patricia-monaghan.com

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