by James Weeks | Aug 8, 2016 | Blog
I moved into my new office recently…
You’ll find me under a tree in my backyard. O.K. I’m not outside all day but I’ve been spending a lot more time there.
It’s addicting…
I’ve fallen in love with the butterflies, the constant cooing of pigeons, and for the first time in many years, I’ve planted tomatoes, strawberries, eggplant and a blueberry bush.
It’s healing…
But I can’t take full credit for my decision to spend more time outside.
It came up in a spiritual reading I had recently. I was told my schedule is about to get super busy and the energy of my garden will keep me grounded.
I’m sharing this with you because I know you can benefit from a closer connection to nature too. Granted, you might not have a garden in your backyard, but I’m sure there’s someplace close to you, where you can connect to nature.
Don’t brush this off as being trivial… 
You could be overlooking the medicine your soul needs, and it’s powerful and free.
If you’ve been feeling drained, depressed, uninspired, bogged down by the craziness in our world, a closer bond with the earth might be part of the medicine you need.
Indigenous cultures know this because their spiritual worldview revolves around nature.
But we’ve lost our way and it’s literally killing us, spiritually, emotionally, physically.
I have to admit that I had totally neglected my garden until it came up in my reading. It’s all about balance. Turn off that cell phone, turn off the T.V. or social media and venture outdoors more often. Simple changes in your daily routine can make a huge difference in how you think and feel about your challenges and your future.
I’m glad I listened. I feeling more energized. I love the solitude and the peace of mind that comes with it.
Enough about me. What steps are you taking to connect to Nature? I would love to hear about it. So reply to this blog and I’ll be sure to write you back.
Until next time, may the ancestors bless you from the north, the south, the east and the west.
Blessings,
James Weeks
Producer, Across The King’s River
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by James Weeks | Jul 12, 2015 | Blog
“We all know when we are not following our calling,” says the late Zulu healer P.H. Mntshali.
P.H. Mtshali
“We are unhappy,” he says. “It’s as simple as that. We are restless. We do not like the people we work with. We do not like our work.”
“We must move on. This work, these people. It is not their fault. We are in the wrong place. It’s so important to take responsibility for our own healing.”
I love P.H. Mntshali; he was an amazing man!
Mntshali was one of several African healers featured in the book, “Called to Heal: African Shamanic Healers.”
Great book! Love it!
But back to what Mntshali is saying.
Are you in the wrong place? If so, what are you going to do about it?
If you’re in the wrong place I totally get it. I was in the wrong place at my last job in Corporate America.
I ended up leaving that job to work on my calling as a filmmaker and spiritual counselor.
Though my path is not easy, I’ve learned that things have a way of working out for you once you listen to your heart and the guidance from your ancestors.
Sure, it’s tough sometimes, but somehow, my ancestors provide for me month after month; I am here to tell you that your ancestors can provide for you too.
But you’ve got to develop the courage to step out on faith…
And you must have patience and discipline and a strong work ethic.
The support from the unseen world can be amazing at times!
Here’s how Mntshali describes the magic…
“As for financial security, it all depends on how you obey orders. If you obey exactly as the ancestors direct, your practice, your life, will not fail,” he says.
“The ancestors will provide. At first you may worry. How will you pay your bills? The children’s school fees? Then you become so caught up in your calling, your true work, your love for it grows.”
“Soon you are only serving and not worrying so much about the bills. When you need it most, money or goods arrive. Your calling is God’s work. God does not call us then leave us to drown in hardship,” says Mntshali.
The day you stop doubting the guidance of your ancestors is the day your life will start to improve dramatically.
I’ve got to run, but I would love to hear what you think, so feel free to leave a comment.
Also, if you’ve enjoyed reading this article, then sign up for my inspirational newsletters at the link below.
Blessings
James Weeks
Producer, Across The King’s River
by James Weeks | Jul 5, 2013 | Blog
Indra
The sun was slowly descending when I spoke to Indra.
She lives in Denmark and the further north you go it’s the land of the midnight sun, she says. By the tip of Norway, it’s bright until midnight.
But winters there are the “darkest of dark”. And that’s one of the reasons why this gifted vocalist is looking forward to moving back to the U.S.
Indra Rios-Moore isn’t exactly a house-hold name yet, but give this New-York native and daughter of Osun some time. After all, you’re dealing with a powerful force of nature. And Osun cannot be restrained.
Indra “could easily approach the leagues of the great jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Sara Vaughan,” says critic, Jacob Baekgaard, in an article published on www.allaboutjazz.com.
And Bessy Reyna, a columnist for CTLatinonews.com, says: Indra “is a remarkably talented singer who can render either a bolero like “Mil Besos” or a sensual “Teach Me Tonight” with equal easy, holding her audience in an intimate and warm embrace which is nearly impossible to escape.”
Born of a Puerto Rican mother from Ponce and an African-American/Syrian father, Indra has been singing since childhood. At 14, she attended the prestigious Mannes College of Music in New York. She later studied classical vocal training at Smith College.
She sings in Portugese, English, Spanish and Italian. And although she’s drawn to traditional jazz standards, re-styled American folk and RB songs, she’s plans to include a song for Osun on her next CD which will be recorded in August 2013.
To purchase Indra’s CD’s, visit her website at: http://indra.dk/sider/info_eng.html
Here’s a clip of this daughter of Osun in action:
I am moved by Indra’s spirit and wisdom. Here’s what she had to say in our recent interview.
Why She Sings
“To be perfectly honest. I sing for myself. I sing for my own wellness. It’s something that I’ve always had to do. It’s like I have to breathe; I have to sing. That’s what keeps me going. It heals me from the inside. And when I find that other people feel a similar feeling, I feel even more compelled to do it. It’s not just helping me; it’s helping other people. It’s serving a higher power.”
When It All Began
“I first started singing when I was about four or five years old. I would sing to myself because it lifted me up. And you might think, ‘why does a four-year old child need lifting up?’ I had a good childhood. I was not abused or anything. Everything was fine. But even though everything was fine, I still needed lifting up. You don’t need to be sick in order to be healed. I think everyone needs lifting up. No matter what state you’re in you can always be higher. Higher in the sense of connectedness. For me, that’s what healing from the inside means. It means feeling more connected because we can have moments throughout the day where we find our mind wandering or perhaps we’re too far up in our head and we don’t feel connected. Connected to what? Connected to one another, the universal force, to love, to creativity, to that magical thing that happens that no one can put a name to.”
Her Love For The Orisas
“I’ve been surrounded by Santeria my whole life. Growing up in the lower east side of New York, there were lots of santeros and santeras. You would see people dressed in white and people would whisper, ‘Oh, he’s making santo, oh, she’s making santo’. My mom would always worship Yemoja because she’s a daughter of Yemoja. For me, I always knew I was a daughter of Osun. Whenever I would hear her name, I knew that she was mine and I was hers. It was not even a question in my head. Ironically, I found out from Mom that I had this little wooden figure that I would play with growing up. I asked Mom one day, ‘What is this wooden figure?’ She said: ‘I got it from a friend of mine when I was pregnant with you but didn’t know I was pregnant. He said: ‘This is from Nigeria. This is the fertility Goddess, Yemoja.’ When I heard that story, I had to learn more about the pantheon of Gods and Goddesses.”
Being Open About Her Faith
“I’ve been open about my spirituality since 2002 because when I was in college, I was studying Afro-Latin literature. I had a professor who was an iyawo at the time, and she invited me to a ceremony for Obatala. During the ceremony, Obatala recognized me as a daughter of Osun and I started to cry. He gave me a gift – a white cloth with gold figurines on it. And I remember thinking, ‘I can’t take this. I can’t accept this.’ But I couldn’t reject it because it was coming from Obatala and I felt such love for him. As soon as the ceremony was over, I tried to hand the gift over to one of my professor’s, and she looked at me and said, ‘Don’t ever reject a gift from God.’ And I said, from this moment on, I’m going to be ‘out and about’ [my faith]. It’s a spiritual gift to be cared for by a Goddess or a God – a piece of the divine energy that is connecting all of us. I can’t reject that gift nor should I hide in the shadows because others might not understand. This is something to be proud of. To be happy about. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s such an immense blessing that when I think about it, I want to cry. I feel so utterly protected, loved and cared for. During a storm, I literally feel like I am being picked up by the energies of the orisas. It protects me, loves me, and informs me when I can’t think. I don’t need to think. I just need to be quiet and listen. I feel very lucky because there are so many people who are lost. They don’t know up from down. They read books trying to find their way and that’s good. But I feel lucky that, at an early age, I could feel the energies of the orisas. I could give the energies a name, and they could live in my life.”
Before She Hits The Stage
“I always say a prayer to help me get out of the way. What I do on stage is not about performance. I’m not there to entertain. I’m there to get out of the way. My physical body contains a voice that is anatomically pretty. God created vocal chords in my throat and in my neck that operate in such a way that they produce a beautiful sound. That’s fine and dandy. There are lots of people like that. But there’s a special juice in my vocal chords and that’s God – that’s God delivering what God needs to deliver. And so I try to get out the way.”
Song For Osun
“We’re doing a song for Osun on the 3rd CD. Part of me was like: ‘Do I dare do this?’ And the answer was ‘Yes! Yes! Yes! Let’s do this. There are always those people in our community that are gonna say: ‘You didn’t do that properly. You need to do the songs in the right order.’
Well, call me naive, but I really feel that if you do things with the right intent, that means more than the ritual. The ritual is a process that we carry forward generationally to embody something that is more than the physical. Ritual exists for a purpose and that purpose is important. But the intent is 99% of it. If you go in there with the wrong intent, but the right ritual, what’s that going to serve? I feel moved to do this song, and if I do it with all my heart, and Osun knows how much I love her, then how can I go wrong?”
By James Weeks
Producer, Across The King’s River
by James Weeks | May 3, 2013 | Blog
So you’ve set up an altar (or shrine) for your ancestors, and you make regular offerings to them. Yet, you find yourself wondering if you’re truly connecting with Spirit or merely going through the motions.
Here are some tips that I’ve found helpful for building a stronger connection with your Egungun (ancestors). 
MAKE IT A PRIORITY: Your relationship with your ancestors is just that – a relationship. And like any relationship, you need to be fully committed in order to make it work. You also need to make sure that you are available if you want them to communicate with you. This means spending time in silence, prayer, meditation or any activity that uplifts your spirit or slows down the rhythm of your life so that meaningful spiritual communication can take place.
BE GENEROUS: Yes, the ancestors can guide and help you in ways beyond your imagination. But never approach them with a list of demands. Your loved ones in Spirit work with you but not for you – it’s a partnership. Be prepared to give, not merely receive. Remember, your ancestors are not “dead”; they are alive in another dimension and are still learning and growing. The Egungun are fully aware of your thoughts and feelings, so be sure to send them positive energy and love to support them on their spiritual journey too.
BE OPEN: Despite what some people might have you believe, the ancestors have no limitations
when they want to communicate with you. They can use anyone or anything to deliver a message: they can communicate through dreams, feelings, inspiration, nature, literature and music. And they are not stuck in the past. They are fully aware of modern technology and can manipulate lights, television sets and even cell phones to get your attention. Be open and alert. They know you well and will use the best method to get through to you.
BE TRUSTING: Don’t expect a lightening bolt from the sky. Messages from Spirit are often subtle, soft. So subtle that you might miss them. Pay attention to your feelings because ancestors often communicate through feelings – not words. Pause for a moment. How do you feel right now? Where is it that feeling coming from? Is it coming from you or from Spirit? What inspired you to read this article? Was it your idea or did your ancestors inspire you to read this? Spirit is all around you and guide you more than you realize. Trust what you feel inspired to do.
TAKE ACTION: Don’t waste Spirit’s time. One of my mentors said this to me one day. It takes a lot of energy for your ancestors to communicate with you. And you’re wasting their time if you never listen or do anything to move your life forward. Are you living in fear or faith? Are you taking steps to empower yourself? Are you empowering others? Are you leaving a legacy that others might aspire to follow? Take at least one step each day to move your life forward. Your ancestors are alive and well. Make them proud by living your life to the fullest.
Blessings
James Weeks
Producer, Across The King’s River
by James Weeks | Apr 20, 2013 | Blog
So you're thinking about booking a divination session or a spiritual reading and you're not sure how to begin or what to expect…
Here are five tips to consider…
TIP # 1.: Make sure the diviner is sane: I wish I could say I'm joking but I'm not. Sad to say, there are folks in my profession who are not emotionally balanced (or even sane) and should not be giving advice to anyone. They are in need of serious spiritual help themselves. On the other hand, some folks are control freaks and some might take advantage of you financially. And don't be fooled by titles. Titles without character mean absolutely nothing. Don't get me wrong, you'll also find wonderful priests and priestesses in our community. Just get some references before you book a reading. Or at the very least, talk to the diviner before you book a reading and try to get a sense of who they are and what they are really about.
TIP # 2: Be Open To What Spirit Has To Say: Although your questions and concerns will always be addressed, keep in mind that the orisas and your ancestors might have other messages that differ from your original reason for wanting a reading. They might make you aware of things you might not be aware of but should know for your own growth and development. Don't assume that you already know yourself 100%. Few folks do. The spiritual journey is all about gradual awakening. Know that there's a hidden side to you that Spirit will eventually bring to light.
TIP # 3: Do The Ebo Ritual: If the reading calls for ritual (ebo), do it. Do not think you are smarter than the orisas and do not need to follow through with ebo if it has been prescribed. You will learn the hard way (trust me on this). Ebo is a way of harnessing and releasing powerful energies to bring about necessary change. We use ebo for many things: improving health, enhancing the probability of success, improving relationships, etc. Not all situations call for ebo. But if Ifa calls for it, be sure to follow through.
TIP # 4: Take Action: Be the change that you want to see in your life. Spirit/ritual is not going to do all the work for you. Take one step in the direction of your dreams each day. Find what you're passionate about and organize your life around it. Flee from toxic people. Surround yourself with folks that inspire you to reach your full potential. Discipline yourself. There's no time to waste on the road to self-discovery and greatness.
TIP # 5: Be Patient: One well-known Yoruba proverb says patience is the father of character. It's true. Be patient as you work toward your goal. Be patient as you tackle your problems. And be patient with the messages/predictions of Ifa. Some messages might not make sense during your reading but might make sense months later, or even years later. Time has no meaning from a spiritual perspective. Just know that all things will unfold for you in the right time.
Final Thoughts: A reading should be a healthy, empowering experience. Enjoy the reading! Enjoy your journey!
James Weeks
