HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY Hindu goddess of peace, cooperation, and unity, the beautiful Tara offers us insight into the workings of the universe and our place in it. Her name means “star” in Sanskrit, and like the star, she brings hope. She’s also revered in Buddhism, which tells us she floated on a lotus blossom in a lake of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’s tears. Legend describes her as his companion and counterpart.

Tara takes many forms (some sources say twenty-one) and in each she expresses a different facet of her divinity. As White Tara, she embodies compassion and is known as the mother of all buddhas. Pictured as a beautiful young woman, she has pure white skin (indicating her purity) and seven eyes—in addition to the usual two, she has one in the center of her forehead, one on each palm, and one on the sole of each foot. As Green Tara, she serves humankind as a protector and guide. Often she’s depicted as a graceful young woman with green skin, and some sources link her with Mother Earth. As Yellow Tara, she brings abundance. Like the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, she’s connected with water and the river Ganges. In her black and blue depictions, she resembles the fierce destroyer goddess Kali.

VIRTUES Tara expresses herself in many ways (symbolized by colors), and each depiction relates to a special role and responsibility, including mother, protector, savior, sage, healer, warrior, and guardian of heaven, earth, and the underworld. Among these many manifestations, she’s best known as White Tara and Green Tara. In these forms she displays compassion, forgiveness, unconditional love, selflessness, devotion, protection, healing, and purity. Her great wisdom is that of the buddhas, and she shares with humankind the knowledge of oneness, that all life is entwined and interdependent. As a mother goddess, Tara nurtures all life. She watches over human beings and guides them through their earthly endeavors, giving them strength and courage as they tread the path to enlightenment.

MANIFESTING HER POWER Call upon Green Tara, the protector face of the goddess, to give you strength and protection during difficult times. Ask her to be your guide and guardian as you journey through life. She’ll show you how to overcome obstacles and endure hardships—not only of a physical nature, but also those you encounter on the spiritual path. White Tara can help you find compassion and forgiveness. If you believe someone has wronged you, ask the goddess to give you the inner strength necessary to release anger and conflict within yourself. She also teaches that we are all one, and that what we do to others, we do to ourselves. Awareness of this truth opens your heart and mind to peace.

To attune yourself with Tara’s energies, dress in clothing of the color that represents the attributes and powers you seek: white for compassion, green for protection, yellow for prosperity, and so on. You can also acquire candles in each color and burn them when you need extra support from this goddess Hail Tara! ~RavenwinD~ 🌛🌕🌜