Ganesha

Remover of Obstacles

Ganesha, Ganesh, or Ganapati is the first son of Shiva and Parvati. During Shiva's ascetic wanderings, Parvati longed for a child and so formed the earth into her son. She set him to guard the house while she bathed and at this time Shiva returned. When the boy claimed to be Parvati's son Shiva was enraged. He chopped the boys head off. Parvati then came after the commotion and grief stricken, explained and lamented. Shiva, to right his mistake, found a new head for the boy, from an Elephant. Ganasha's elephant head represents wisdom, memory, intellect, and spirituality. His human, and somewhat overweight body represents, the worldy life, enjoyment, and illusion. Shiva appointed Ganesha to lead his attendants, called Ganas, beings not fully physical or properly formed. Ganesha means lord of the Ganas. For this reason some say it was not an Elephant whose head was taken but that of one of the Gana's. This Gana's head resembled an elephant and so the form evolved to be what it is now. Ganesha is regularly chanted to at the beginning of various new projects, undertakings, or spiritual practices as the remover of obstacles. 

Traditional Chanting

Singing

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
ॐ  गम गणपतये नमः

Ganesha Yantra - Geometric Vehicle

The main distinguishing element of this Yantra is the upward pointing triangle, conveying purpose in action. Within it is the 6 pointed star, or two triangles in balance of their energetic influences, a resolution of duality, the merger of feminine and masculine. This is action with wisdom as it's source.