Kali, although fierce and I think misinterpreted by Western minds is an amazing Goddess to me. I stayed true to her original Hindu symbolism, with the exception of the four arms. This is because I want women to identify with her. I want them to be able to relate to her on all levels.

Her symbolism is great. At first glance, she obviously depicts, death and destruction. But Her name means Time. She devours time. And she denotes freedom.

In Tantric texts She is called “She Whose Essential Form is Sexual Desire”

To understand Kali, one needs to face fears and not avoid the forbidden.

Kali’s hair is always a mess, wild and free. (I know how she feels) It’s never depicted as bound or styled because she is free from convention, uncontrolled nature. She is not bound or limited to a male consort. Her tongue is in the act of tasting and consuming..enjoying…all the world’s flavors. Her blackness symbolizes her comprehensive nature, in her is dissolved illusion, fear, ignorance.

The severed arms represent karma. She shows that through her, Karma can be overcome. Her devotees are cut free from karma and are able to begin anew. Two of her hands are shown in the Mudras, She offers blessings of compassion and fearlessness. The other hands hold a sword and severed head. These symbolize the destruction of ignorance and the beginning of knowledge. The necklace of severed heads represent the sounds of the alphabet, traditionally there are 50 of them, I took liberties. From sound, reality is manifest…and Kali is the power behind that.