When we look to the archaic roots of Hinduism,one of the worlds oldest and most complex religions,we find ourselves facing a goddess both terrifying and intimate,one who represents the life-giving,life-destroying power of creation itself. Kali’s roots go so far back–and her power reaches so far forward–that we can conceive of her not just as the origin point for the Wands suit,but for all the Court cards together. She is Kali,Great Mother and Devourer. Her very name evokes her archaic power. Kali Ma,Mother Night. Kali Mahedeva,the Great Mother Goddess. Maha-Kali,the Great Power. Although some mythologists dismiss her,calling her a “minor deity,”the people have always known better,setting up shrines to Kali Ma in their villages and houses. She may go back to prehistoric levels of Indian religion,before invading Northerners conquered the indigenous Dravidians and set up their sophisticated,patriarchal religion. To such invaders,Kali,with her archaic power,would have loomed as a nightmare,but to the common people she remained their eternal Mother. Followers of the esoteric Hindu religion Tantra describe Kali as the original creator of all the gods,including Brahma,Vishnu,and Shiva. Her infinite dark night body gives birth to all,just as she will one day devour all,thereby fulfilling the vast cycle of the universe. We envision her as black,symbolizing the night sky and the infinite reaches of space. We see red,representing the blood of life,the female power of menstruation,pregnancy,and childbirth. White,the color of purity,decorates her body with markings,jewels,and a silver Moon crescent above her head. We see her sexual connection to Shiva,god of destruction,as well as her association with yoga,ecstasy and sexual magic. Shiva appears lifeless,as if Kali has drained him. In fact,he has given himself to her,knowing she is the infinite source of all power. The kundalini snake has uncoiled and winds around Shiva’s upper body and head,transforming sexual energy into spiritual enlightenment.