This is the first song I wrote after I moved to Denver and was largely inspired by the end of a relationship that went on too long, though it directed itself towards all of the naysayers in my life as I was writing it - family, friends, enemies. Musically, it is not the most interesting thing I've written, but it was so liberating when I wrote it, and it was a new chord usage for me at the time. Lyrically and with regard to groove, however, I believe it stands up; in fact, it used to be a frequent opener when Mark Asimus and I were still playing as Cain & April (with the Original Sinners, too). I hope you all enjoy it. I revisited it to create a finger-picked version, but you can also listen to the Cain & April/Unquiet Grave version from our first album, "How It Caught Fire" here

Aim Streem Om Aim Hreem Phat Svaha 

Tara is another Parvati aspect, often found in Buddhist temples. She is said to ferry devotees across the worldly ocean, protecting them with regard to ailments of the body, conflicts related to destiny, and problems in worldly affairs. 

One of my favorite things about Tara is that she vowed always to incarnate in a female form, which was a brave position to take in a society that pretty much asserted women were inferior and not eligible for enlightenment in this life. She is definitely one of the earliest feminists in Eastern thought. 

Aim is the bij mantra of Saraswati and is the female creative equivalent of Om, Streem is power to stabilize, Hreem is solar energy and related to strengthening the solar plexus chakra, and phat represents subduing demons, literally meaning "crack!", as in the crack of a whip. Svaha is commonly translated as "so be it," but the most eloquent translation I've heard is, "may it take root in my heart/soul." 

I wanted to release this mantra as an extra/free offering, because I feel so many of our spring projects - gardens and landscaping, as well as personal development, business projects, etc. - could benefit from a stabilizing and confidence-inspiring influence. I hope you enjoy it!