My body is in Cuba, but my soul is in Africa. It is the African soul that nurtures my body here in Cuba. Our people who were taken away have found their home again.”
– They Are We, a documentary film by Emma Christopher
I first learned about the film They Are We during a recent trip home to St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
They Are We resonates with me for several reasons and each one leads me back to my ancestors. The quest to learn more about them and myself while embracing the notion and/or the reality that the ancient ones still live through me.
My body is in Oakland, C.A, yet my soul also dwells in the Caribbean and in West Africa.
Where does your soul dwell? Why?
Despite centuries of oppression and cultural devastation, They Are We is a compelling reminder that profound connections can still be made to the Motherland in our times.
James Weeks
Producer, Across The King’s River.
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No! Not Western medicine! African ritual medicine!
As a professional Ifa diviner based in Oakland, California, I sometimes struggle when it comes time to explain the importance of ritual (ebo) to both new and old clients.
Luckily, my Yoruba friend, Olushola, recently helped me out.
“Just tell them that it’s like going to the doctor and getting medicine,” he said.
I love that analogy because it’s simple…
But in reality it’s way more complex than that, as anyone in the orisa community will tell you.
For starters, in most cases you’re not actually ingesting ritual medicine. Secondly, in many African traditions, you don’t have to be physically present when ritual work is being done.
In the Yoruba tradition, you’ll know if you need “ebo” because it will be revealed during a divination session with a trained Ifa priest/diviner.
Besides health issues, here are other common reasons for why ritual might be needed:
1. Help with financial issues.
2. Help with relationship issues.
3. Ward off spiritual attacks from enemies.
4. For optimum emotional and physical health.
5. To fight witchcraft or sorcery.
Are you in need of some kind of ritual medicine now?
Based on what I know about life and the work that I do with my elders, I have to say yes.
Why?
Because 1. There are things that are going on in your life right now that you are not aware of but should be addressed spiritually. 2. Because it’s a mistake to assume that things are well just because all seems well now. 3. Because ritual can give you the spiritual and competitive advantage you need to move forward in life.
In some cases, ritual (ebo) is a matter of life vs death…
Don’t assume that tomorrow will be like today! It’s important to pay attention to things that you cannot see and address them spiritually, if necessary.
I shudder to think what my life would look like without the help of my elders and all the powerful rituals that have been done on behalf of my family over the years.
I know one thing! It wouldn’t look pretty!
In Nigeria, ritual work can go on for days or even weeks. The elders I work closely with in Ile Ife, Nigeria spend an average of 2 to 3 weeks working on a ritual. It’s a team effort. As many as 5-7 Ifa priests might work together just to complete one ritual for a client. And they might spend 4 to 5 hours a day working on the ritual.
“Ise t’o l’agbara,” (it’s hard work, they say)
How long does it take to see results or changes? It varies. Sometimes you’ll notice the effects right away, but in other cases it can take weeks, or even months, so it’s hella important to be patient.
Also, some situations might call for more than one ritual treatment, (just like a medical patient might need to have more than one surgery or might require ongoing physical or emotional therapy over a period of time.)
What experiences have you had with indigenous rituals or African rituals? I would love to hear about them so be sure to leave a comment.
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She didn’t think it was “spiritual” enough, and she couldn’t understand why I was asking her questions in the divination session.
As for the ritual ebo for her health that Ifa prescribed?
Well, the client said she could tell right away that I was I was trying to “sell” her something that she “really didn’t need”, and furthermore, she could do rituals on her own by just following her intuition.
And so the reading ended. In all probability, I’ll never hear from this client again. Nor do I really want to.
My experience with her made me think of something, my mentor, the late Dr. Afolabi Epega, told me years ago when I was a student diviner.
Many people don’t come to a divination session/spiritual reading prepared to listen. “They want to hear, what they want to hear.” And if they don’t hear what they want to hear, they will discard whatever Spirit has to say.
Though the attitude of this client was pissed me off, it was a great lesson for me on letting go…
Our job as diviners is not to please the client, but to deliver the messages that Ifa says to deliver. Whether the client accepts it or not is their business.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of booking an Ifa divination session:
1. We Are Only Messengers: We have no control over the messages. We give what we get. Ifa often speaks of the past, the present, or the future. Some aspects of the reading might not make sense to you at the time of the consultation but it might make sense later.
2. It’s A Two-Way Street: A divination session/spiritual reading is a dialogue. That means it’s a two-way street. We expect you to ask questions, and we may ask questions of you to get further insight to guide you correctly. If you don’t want to talk about what’s going on in your life, you’re wasting our time and your time.
3. Ritual Ebo Is Important: In Ifa, a ritual (ebo) may be prescribed during or after divination for a number of reasons: health, protection, business success, relationships, etc. If a reading calls for an ebo to be done, we are obligated to tell you, and it’s in your best interest to do it, even if you have to struggle to come up with the funds.
4. Embrace The Truth: As my mentor, Baba Epega told me. “The truth is always the truth. It never changes and it never dies.” Be prepared to deal with the truth. It’s not easy, but in the end it will liberate you.”
As always, I welcome comments. Leave a comment and let me know what you think!
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A client wrote me yesterday and said he felt spiritually off-track!
artist unknown
He wanted advice for getting his life back on track…
Before I share my thoughts about how to get back on-track, how do you know if you’re on the right path to begin with?
YOU KNOW BECAUSE:
Divine Intervention: It was revealed to you through divination, a vision, a dream, your own Spirit, or by some other spiritual means.
It Resonates With You Strongly: For reasons you can’t explain, it just feels right. I’ll never forget the night I had a reading with a Nigerian Ifa priest, and he told me I was destined to be an Ifa priest and a diviner as well. He also revealed my spiritual name. I felt like a cloud lifted that night; like I heard this before in a different life time. Everything seemed to fit. Even my problems had a special meaning.
You Can’t Stop Thinking About It: If you’re thinking about it all the time, I can assure you that you are being called by Spirit to explore it, or pursue it. And it’s not only about you and your search for meaning. It’s also about you building a relationship with those who are trying to help you and guide you in Spirit. The longer you stay on the path, the stronger your relationship with your spirit guides will become and the clearer you’ll hear their voice and what’s being asked of you.
THE RIGHT PATH IS DIFFICULT:
Just because you feel stagnant or you’re having a rough time on your journey, doesn’t mean that you’re not on the right track.
Unfortunately, too often we’re lead to believe that if things go smoothly, that’s a good omen, and if things go badly, then it’s a sure sign that you’re doing something wrong or you’ve chosen the wrong path.
Hell No: Every path has difficulty! Every single path will bring you face-to-face with negativity at one point or another.
I’ve had so many negative experiences on the journey to creating my film: stressful times filming in Africa; delays with funding; unreliable business partners, and at times, unsupportive family members.
Yet, the journey of being a filmmaker is also fulfilling. It just comes with a high price. I’m willing to pay the price for pursuing my vision. Are you willing to pay the price for pursuing yours? If not, then you must be willing to pay the price of NOT following your dreams. Either way, there’s a price to pay.
GETTING BACK ON TRACK:
So how do you get back on track?
1. Be committed to your spiritual path or your calling. You can’t just pursue it when you feel like doing it, because you won’t feel like doing it 50% of the time. Make it a part of your daily routine.
2. Follow the inspiration you feel every day. When inspiration speaks, God and the ancestors are speaking to you. Tune into the energy of the inspiration and go wherever you feel led.
3. Pay attention to your feelings. My work as a diviner has taught me that many people are profoundly out of touch with their own feelings. If you’re not in touch with your feelings, you won’t have clarity, and without clarity, there’s no way to move forward.
4. Remember the big picture: the spiritual journey is not merely about you. It’s about being of service. Be clear about the best way for you to serve others, and go about the business of delivering it every day.
Despite the hardships you’ll encounter from time to time, your path will bring you to a place of fulfillment.
But only if you stay on it!
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Intuition isn’t about what you think. And it’s definitely not about what others think…
It’s about what you feel. It’s about the guidance that comes from within; it’s about the quiet conviction of knowing what’s right for you!
If you’re not in touch with what you feel, you’re lost…
And when you’re lost you’ll keep making the same mistakes over and over again. You’ll turn left, when you should turn right. You’ll stop when you should keep going. You’ll say no when you should say yes. You’ll be silent when you should speak up.
Intuition is your God-given guidance system. The ancestors and the orisas speak through your intuition. The million dollar question is: Are you even listening?
Here are some simple tips to enhance your intuitive abilities.
Slow Down: Although intuition is God-given, you must cultivate it if you want it to grow. Make it a priority, by taking time out of each day to sit in silence, prayer, or meditation. Keep it simple. In the beginning – five to ten minutes a day is plenty.
Spend More Time In Nature: African spiritual traditions revolve around nature for a reason. Nature is our home; nature does not pretend. The vibration of nature forces you to slow down and listen to things that you might have been repressing or things that you might be in denial about.
Nurture Yourself: Are you getting enough sleep? Are you exercising? Are you eating well? You can’t have a clear channel to your intuition if you’re not taking care of yourself? It has been said that your body is a temple. Take care of your outer temple if you’re serious about accessing your inner temple.
Be Open: Be open to how you receive intuitive messages. You are unique instrument of the divine. Some receive messages via dreams, others through visions, or feelings, or an inner sense of knowing. Some folks hear messages. Once you become clear about how you’re receiving messages, focus on that method while you work to develop all your senses. Develop your five senses and you’ll discover your sixth sense.”
By opening the door to your intuition, you open the door to infinite wisdom. You also open the door to more fulfillment – and, who knows. More prosperity! Keep that door open! Important messages are coming through.
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