March 2016 Facebook Essays

VODUN'S BLUEPRINT
There is a blueprint to one's life in African spirituality; a spirituality that is not exclusive to those of obvious African descent but to all of humankind. It is steeped deep in oral tradition...the tradition of all ancestors throughout the globe. It is the spoken words of the spirits...those spirits that live within us and whose words and thoughts are delivered by the great Ifa.
WHO IS YOUR GOD?
In VODUN your God is your head spirit. It is the spirit that breathed life into you. While within us are ancestral as well as accompanying spirits, of all kinds, one's head spirit is the one who leads all the others. And it is through authentic African divination, by an experienced diviner, that we can discover who this Great Spirit actually is. Together, our head spirit with our accompanying spirits, help us traverse the rugged and less rugged terrains of life.
Much of the world, in its attempts at the devaluation of African traditional spiritual systems and its people, have served to delegitimize the divinity of these Gods. They have been relegated to the inferior status of entities that can be called forth by any "New Aged" Joe Smoe and thrown a few dollars, or currency, to accomplish trivial deeds at our beck and call. But this is incorrect. The African divinities are Gods which predate humankind. It is THEY who created the universe and all it contains. Discoveries made by our accomplished scientists were put in place by THEM and them alone. The miracle of birth was created by THEM. The beast of the fields and the birds of the air were created by THEM as well as every other living thing. And it is THEY who underpin every spiritual system on earth. THEY are the CREATORS; and, WE are the CREATED. And it is to them that every knee shall bow. Therefore, be still, and know that that which lives within you is God.

AFRICAN VODUN AND THE NON IMPORTANCE OF RACIAL TINT
In Greenwood, South Carolina there is a monument sitting, prominently, in the town square honoring the fallen of WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The problem, however, is that those who are recorded there have been done so in two distinct categories: WHITE and COLORED. The mayor and the majority of its town folk are fighting to put up a new monument obliterating the categories and listing the men in alphabetical order. The state government is giving them trouble. It appears that they would rather protect the integrity of their recorded history than reflect more updated feelings or time.
When, as African Americans or people of color, we insist that African spirituality is only for those of obvious African descent or that all African spirits look like us, then, essentially we are attempting to set up a monument categorizing spirits that are for WHITES and those that are for us... the COLOREDS or African Americans. We are engaging in segregation and repeating the racist rhetoric of the past.
It is true that the transatlantic slave trade attempted to dehumanize us as a people. For how does one make someone a chattel slave without the attempt to instill in him/her that they have no history nor worth? The transatlantic slave trade will forever be one of the worst blights of man's 'inhumanity to man' in recorded history; and, the pain of its yolk still persists with us today. However, the truth exists that the continent of Africa is the birthplace to humankind; so, all of us share claim to the rights of its inheritances. And, on that great continent one can find people of all colors, hues and religions. But the greatest truth is that, while spirits are just as individual as we are, in their world color simply does not matter.
Therefore, we cannot take our political agendas and transfer them to that which is holy, divine and pure. It is not only dishonest; but, it is a lie! I am not saying that I do not understand the pain or the outrage at the discrimination that exists, in the diaspora, today. It is real, it exists; and, I am livid about it! But, that is no excuse to impose it on that which is spiritual and use it to engage in mass discrimination with an attempt at segregation. All, if born to serve the spirits, may do so regardless, of race, creed, color or gender. It is not up to mankind who serves but of those born to and chosen by the spirits.
In conclusion I would like to leave you with what I consider a most prophetic quote from one of my spiritual children...MAMI WATA PRIEST...one in which, I assure you, will be seen again in my writings. I am extremely proud of him!
"The concept of African gods, Hindu gods, Greek, etc. belonging to a specific race or ethnic group is tired and dated. The Divinities are Universal and color-blind. I've crossed paths with blond-haired, blue-eyed individuals carrying Sakpata, Heviosso or Gu (traditionally identified as African Gods) as their Patron deity. I've witnessed Hanuman take possession of a Southern belle from Kentucky, just long enough to greet the divinities that shadow me! My spiritual mother is a strong African American woman, from the Deep South, carrying a Big ol' fierce Dattatreya divinity on her head. My spiritual father traces his priestly lineage back thousands of years from Benin to Egypt and beyond. The true divinity that rules your head will only reveal itself to a priest who is capable and qualified to call that divinity forth (and for good reason). Unfortunately; most priest are incapable of either correctly divining or calling forth your true Patron deity/head spirit. Without the spiritual authority to divine the truth, most seekers are denied the truth. "ignorance of ignorance, is the death of knowledge"....Anatole France" Mami Wata Priest

DADDY'S OLE' WORK BOOTS AND VODUN'S INHERITANCE:
It is often in our dreams that the spirits speak to us. Using the symbols and pictographs, contained within our minds, they develop a story to convey what they want us to know. Rarely do they speak; and, rarely can we see the true face of the divine. For as we witnessed, in the biblical story of Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3), mankind cannot look, directly, upon the face of their glory. But if you are special to the spirits, in some way, then they will surely find a way to attempt communication, thus, prompting you to go to the great Ifa so that the diviner can explain it all to you.
When I was a young girl there were many things that denoted what my dad was to me. I can't remember as to how young I was when it dawned on me that this person was my father; but, it appeared that I always knew. Early on I associated him with the person that went to work every day. It appeared that he was always working; so, when he did come home it was our job to be quiet and let him rest, for, all through the house we could hear his snoring, after dinner, while the living room television watched him. But what I remember most is daddy's ole' work boots. A painter by trade and a soul singer, in his dreams, daddy was a hard worker. When he'd get home and take off his work boots mama would disappear, with them, headed straight out the back door to set them on the step to air. If she didn't nobody would be able to breath in the house that night. So, every night and weekends too, daddy's tattered and smelly ole' work boots would grace the steps of the back porch. And all us kids, and our friends too who loved to play in the backyard, would give them a very wide berth upon passing.
But one night many years ago, after I had returned from a visit to Africa, I had the following dream. In it my father came to me with a small infant in his arms. I reached out and took the infant; and, while walking with it cuddled gently in my arms I went to a place that I knew to be home. It obviously had been a magnificent house, in its heyday; but, now it was boarded up and in great disrepair. I could not enter. With the child cradled against my breast I began to wander about looking for a place to take it in my great despair...I then woke up! Upon consulting the great Ifa I was told that the dream was about my inheritance. My voduns, spiritual throne and much more came directly from my father. I and my father were born of the spirit Dattatreya...Den'su in Africa. But it was up to me to re-establish a home for these great spirits. The slave era had cut my family off from its great spiritual inheritance and work; but, I was born and chosen to restore it. This is the case for many diasporans and one of the reasons I was sent back into the diaspora by our ancestors.
Many of you were born to re-establish all that has been lost to your families, spiritually, as a result of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Your inheritance is in your blood; and, the ancestors are awakening those to whom they have called. But, contrary to many of my critics, that I am here simply to bash folks, it is just the opposite. There is much nonsense out here, in this diaspora, claiming African spirituality; and, the ancestors see it! Somebody, somewhere has got to tell you folks the truth. And the truth is that our existence didn't just began here in this diaspora...it began in Africa. The truth is that most diaspora spiritual systems, claiming roots in Africa, are lacking. The truth is that you cannot find out who and what you are in the spiritual world without authentic African divination by an ordained and experienced diviner. The truth is that 9-14 day diaspora initiations ain't gonna take you but so far. You cannot learn much about the spirits in that little bit of time. The truth is that the African priesthood, if the person has been properly ordained and is of good character, is the standard. The truth is you cannot learn vodun through a book or the internet. One must learn by practical experience. The truth is "bought in" folks are not equal to those who were actually born of the priesthood. The truth is everyone, regardless of race, creed, color or gender can serve the spirits if born to do so. And, the truth is that not all African spirits are black. And there are many more such truths; but, don't take my word for it....go to the spirits yourselves if you need to, because, I'm not here to argue with you! What we must come to understand is that the persons controlling these African spiritual systems, and their tenets, is not us but them! So what does one's spiritual inheritance mean?
It means that it is your choice whether to serve or not; however, one must also understand that one must deal with the consequences of one's choice either way. It means that one cannot enter into the realm of the spiritual half-stepping. Once you are firmly in the hands of the spirits, through obeying the call to initiate, it is they that dictate the daily workings of your life not you. It means that you might not be rich financially; but, your rewards may be spiritual only. It means that it is your responsibility to serve with integrity. It means that you must do those ceremonies, as instructed by your ancestors, to make sure that they may sit down and eat with their ancestors by pulling them out of zogbe (the place where those who have died of unnatural cause reside). And it means putting their work above the desires of our own personal and/or materialistic desires and much more. It means that our initiations are not about sitting on thrones to glorify ourselves and look cute. It is about service and hard work. And, it certainly isn't about winning any popularity contests. It is about standing steadfast to the standards of the divine. For that is the only way one will sit down on one's promised seat in glory.

So, when I think of my father, I think of all the things I associate with him as well as those things that I inherited from him biologically... all of his diseases, my absolute impatience, the singing voice that won me trophies in my youth, my tendency to say just about anything that will come out of my mouth with little regard to folk's feelings, sometimes, and my childhood memories of his smelly ole' workbooks. But when I think of the spiritual things that I've inherited from him I am overwhelmed! From this imperfect man I, his imperfect daughter, inherited a mighty divinity and the privilege to serve my ancestors and the divine. I am not alone! Many of you, out there, have this same destiny. I invite you to come, for, together with our inheritances let's rebuild those magnificent temples that were boarded up and are now in disrepair due to the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

THE ROYALS
Pre-colonial Africa was filled with, empires, kingdoms, kingships and thus royalty. Kingdoms such as those of Dahomey, the Zulu, Mali, the Kushites, Oyo (Yoruba), the Wolof and the Ashanti are just to name a few. However, during the European scramble, for Africa, and the trans-Atlantic slave trade, much of its population was dispersed, throughout the diaspora, while shackled in chains. Of those who survived this horror there exists, today, descendants of not only these captured slaves but of Africa's pre-colonial and present day royalty. This is the focus of this writing; for, much of this "unclaimed" royalty...heirs to African thrones... is us!
In most diasporan African based spiritual systems the "bought in" folk as well as the woefully misinformed have continued to perpetuate the myth that we are no longer connected to Africa. But, in essence, those of us of African descent, while not necessarily born in Africa, Africa was born in us. It is through the blood that we belong. The truth is that our existence did not began in the diaspora but Africa; for, a major part of who we are is who we were.
Royalty is inherited. One's inheritance to any throne is through birthright. As we are able to witness, in the remaining Royals of Europe, one's right to a throne must be determined by who one's parents and/or ancestors are. This has been a mark of royalty since the beginning of time; and, since Africa is the birthplace of humankind this is where it began. It is no mistake, therefore, in my estimation as to why so many African Americans have what I call "a royalty complex". It is instinctive; and, in most instances, it is absolutely REAL!
Divinations, by our temple, have continually revealed African Americans whose ancestral ties are of royal birth. We have found them from Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Togo, South Africa and beyond. This is what authentic African divination can reveal, one's ancestry and any inherited thrones (spiritual or physical), head spirits, accompanying spirits as well as presenting problems and solutions. A diviner is obligated to find out who and what you are in the spiritual world. It is not the obligation of a diviner, priest or priestess to sell you what they have, in their temple, if it is not your heritage. These folk are simply looking to make money. I have many people coming to me wanting to initiate into Mami Wata or to join our temple in some way. My first response is that if divination reveals them as Mami Wata and indicates initiation, then, we may proceed. But no one just shows up to learn the secrets of this pantheon of spirits which has no right. Authentic African vodun does not function in that way. In fact one should be looking to discover the spirits that gave one life as opposed to chasing spirits that one admires. The spirits within you could very well be mightier than the ones you are pursuing. Not only that; but, you could actually anger those spirits that are already living within you by doing so. But divination, performed by an experienced Ifa priest, can reveal who and what you are in the spirit world...that means who your ancestors are, any thrones, royalty, spirits and much more!
So, my good brothers and sisters who like to copy Africa and purchase African walking sticks (that they do not understand, when not used by the infirmed, are related to the African priesthood), search through books and give themselves African names with made up kingships...why not simply go to the great Ifa and discover who you are for real?

A VODUN'S PERSPECTIVE: IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE LIVING, ONE MUST COMMUNE WITH THE DEAD
When we think of the dead we think of those who are no longer with us in this world but of persons who have passed, from this realm, to that of the spiritual. We imagine that the person, if considered someone we admire or have cared for, is in the heavens; and, if someone of ill repute, destined to get what is justly due them. It is true that there is a world beyond our own. And within it lives spirits of all kinds which are being constantly repopulated by those who pass through our realm and return. If well fed, they are alive, vibrant, communicative and very much aware of us and our everyday needs because they are eternal. If not they are hungry and cut off from their ancestors, if died of unnatural causes, and looking for relief by whatever means they can get it. But as spirits, whether malevolent or otherwise, they can see the past, present and future all at once.
So, it only makes sense that they can tell us about that which they can see on this side as well as their own. Our time on this earth is brief. Yet, to the spirits, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day. Their time is not our time; but, our time is contained within their own. All begins and ends with them...our birth, our existence, our death and/or our rebirth. We are spirits who walk, as beings, not beings who walk and happen to contain spirits. Therefore the spiritual is what grounds and controls us. That which has been loosed in the heavens...that which is spiritual...will be loosed and manifest itself in the physical; for, it shadows the spiritual.
Mankind's knowledge is forever growing and expanding; but, it does not compare to a spirit's infinite wisdom. Whether ancestral or universal (those who have lived before time itself) they are the 'Creators', we are the 'created'. Lest we forget this Mother Nature manifests her powers in our earth's natural disasters; yet, her quiet beauty surpasses all others. Her bountiful wealth is beyond the imaginable. And in her hills, valleys, streams, seas, waterways of all kinds, mountains and every living thing spirits exist.
Therefore, it is best, my good friends, not to try and go it alone. When troubles befall us, when it appears that things are simply not going our way, it is best to go to that which is eternal, that which is all knowing and understanding. Go to the spirits and ask for guidance and understanding through the great Ifa...that ordained avenue that links God and man/woman...that gateway to the spiritual realm. A realm we consider that is inhabited by the dead. For they have the ability to make it all right.