93,

--- In Shakti_Sadhana (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com, Len Rosenberg
> According to writings from Mata Amritananda-mayi
> (a.k.a. Ammachi), initiates of Shri Vidya either
> worship Tripurasundari ("Shri Kula") or Kali ("Kali
> Kula").

With all respect to Ammachi, this is not proper (or maybe it is mere
misunderstanding of what she wrote). Kali-kula is a "separate"
tradition with it's own gurus and shastras. Although, some masters and
some upasakas were and are initiated into both; and some texts are
almost equally authorative for both schools.

Is this the source of the Samaya/Kaula split
> that some of you have been going on about?

No. The matter discussed was regarding to Shri-vidya itself only.

> Isn't there also a tradition of worshipping Lakshmi as
> Queen of the Shri Chakra? Where does that fit in?

Yes, She is worshipped in Shrichakra. At least in south indian SV
tradition it is so.

> Ammachi goes on to explain that Tripurasundari's
> consort is Dakshinamurti, Shiva as the bliss-inducing
> Silent Guru (who appears to be very traditionally
> Vedic). Kali's consort is Bhairava, Shiva as the
> frightening mendicant wanderer (very Tantric,
> apparently).

However Ananda-bhairava is also associated with Tripurasundari.
In general Kali-kula is indeed somewhat more extreme, at least as it
is viewed by outsiders.

> How is Bhairava worshipped? Do you Kaula Shri Vidya
> initiates worship him?

Bhairava is worshipped in all kaula traditions in this or that way, be
it Kali-kula, Tara, Shri-vidya or Kubjika.

And how do I reconcile a site
> I found online which says that Kala Bhairava grants
> boons, but also accrues negative karma for his
> devotees -- making him sound very similar to the
> Western Satan?

That is seemingly some kind of "new age" nonsense )...

Regards,
A.