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18. SAKTISM
(Joh 6:63) It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail. It represents the union of Prakriti and Energy. Together it creates forms from nothing. This is also shown in the Linga Yoni symbolism.
Only when Shiva is united with Shakti does he have the power to create - Saundaryalahari
The height of worship for Devi was the period of the Tantras, the seventh century onwards, when release was found possible through mithuna, 'the state of being a couple'.
http://www.bhagavadgitausa.com/KALI.htm V.Krishnaraj gives this detailed meaning of the symbolism
"That 1 and 0 are represented in Lingam on its base. Siva is the first ONE who said, I (Aham). That is divine Ego, from which all individual egos came later via Sakti. Upon telling Sakti that He is One, she accepted Her position, Zero (0) initially. Here zero does not mean She is a non-entity. That is when the unitary Siva-Sakti (two cotyledons in a seed) became polarized, gendered and created the Universe and beings. Sakti looked at Him (Pum Rupa = male form, the One) with longing eyes (Sivon Mukhi = turning towards Siva). This is called Mithah Samavaya, mutual agreement or obligation to begin creation. Siva is Consciousness and Sakti is matter (Prakrti). Being ONE (1) is being lonely. One is no more than ONE without the zero (0). From this union of One and Zero comes all numbers, alphabets, combinations, permutations, fractions, beings, matter, souls, and endless possibilities."
By the 10th - 11th century AD she is established as an independent deity in India.
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