OILING BEFORE THE RITUAL                                  OILING2.TAN
      ***********************************************************************
      A garland of red and white flowers is donned as a form of protective
      talisman and symbolic ornament; and a *kappu* or PURE SILVER CIRCULAR
      BRACELET is placed around the right upper arm or wrist. The symbolism of
      both garland and bracelet is that of being 'bound for the duration'
      to/of ...... for .......

      While the costumes and ornaments are being donned, the Yogi/Yogini
      should recite continuously a 'protective mantra' an excellent one being

      AUM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUMM

      as this mantra simultaneously attracts protective forces of God, earthly
      wisdom, "occult" power and activates the sexual power of the man and
      woman.

      Once the ritual preparations are complete, the practishnor lights the
      sacred fire, on an altar of brass, and offers the herbs or materials to
      the fire, inhaling the scent deeply as it rises. Then he/she should
      inhale with short, deep gasps,

      Before the ritual love act commences, the Yogi
      honors the Yogini as Sakthi personified, and anoints her body in order
      to honor and lift her, assisting her to truly manifest her inner Goddess
      nature. The Yogini similarly anoints her Yogi, honoring him as Siva.
      Each must maintain complete concentration during the anointing, truly
      visualizing the divine nature of oneSelf and one's partner, enabling the
      couple to climb Mt. Meru to its peak.

      The Yogini stands or reclines; the Yogi chants mantra in praise of
      Uma/Kali/Sakthi, keeping his mind firmly focused on the fact that his
      Yogini *is* Uma/Kali/Sakthi.

      He then;

      applies oil of Jasmine,
      to her hands, first the left, then the right.

      Next,

      applies oil of keora or patchouli,
      to her throat, neck, and cheeks, first left then right.

      next,

      applies Essence of amber or hina musk,
      to her breasts, first left then right.

      applies by smoothing Valerian extract through her hair.

      next,

      applies, Natural musk to her pubic mound and the area around the vulva

      [in this case, a similar natural musky scent or synthetic *may* be
      substituted.]

      Next,

      applies sandalwood oil with light, full-palm strokes to her inner thighs

      finally,

      her feet are anointed with pure essence of saffron.

      The Yogi then stands or reclines; the Yogini chanting mantras in praise
      of Siva, the Supreme Yogi, focusing on the Yogi as Lord, Master, Lover.

      The Yogini uses *only* sandalwood, in oil or paste form, and

      applies it,

      to the Yogi's forehead,

      next,

      to his throat and neck,

      next,

      to the chest, right pectoral first, then left.

      next,

      to his solar plexus, rousing the inner sun/power / masculine energy

      next,

      to the shaft of his Lingam,

      next,

      to his upper arms: first the right, then the left.

      next,

      to his inner thighs: right, then left,

      next,

      to his hands, right then left;

      finally,

      to his feet, right, then left.

     AT the end of the ritual,

      sattwic incenses and perfumes should be offered and applied,
      restoring the Temple or ritual-place to full harmony.
      More about scent and its importance in ritual: when the body/mind/
      spirit is balanced and in harmony, it is said that the pores of the skin
      exude a subtle but delightful fragrance. Realized Yogis and Yoginis are
      said to have a naturally fragrant 'aura' which symbolizes their
      spiritual state. The entire custom of garlanding oneSelf, one's teacher,
      or a respected friend, is that of acknowledging the spirituality
      inherent in the Self or other; of acknowledging the 'deity within.'

      SWAHA! SWAHA! SWAHA! AUM SWAHA! SWAHA AUM!