Membership Has It's Privileges

16 years ago I made the decision to become a Lucumi priest. My spiritual/religious journey had been a bit of a twisty road. When I was growing up my family didn’t practice any form of religion or spirituality. However, I did have a healthy fear of the devil and pea soup 😏. I began as most do with getting tarot card readings, doing baths, and burning candles. That was fine, but you didn't always get the desired out come and you never knew who you could trust. Then, I was a practicing Christian for a while. That was interesting and took place during a time when I felt like I needed the support of a larger family or congregation. Everything was moving along at a good clip until that one Bible study. . . The one where we started talking about the devil, the ability to hear voices, and how only the pastor can hear spirits and if we do, it's the devil . . .Ummhmm that conversation. (RECORD SCRATCH) So the pastor is the only one with any direct spiritual connection and we have to wait until his antenna is up? What if he has one of those bootleg tin foil antennas, what then?! And what about the voices that I heard? I knew in my heart that divinity did not belong to the pastor alone. That experience shut the door on Christianity for good.

I have always been kind of eccentric and awkward. My way is the way of the outlier, but I knew that I would eventually find a path that honored my complicated shape. Enter the Orisha Tradition. I fell in love with "The Religion" from day one. It wasn't the people or the ceremonies, it was the beautiful yet complicated African history and the energy of the Orisha themselves that has grounded me and given my path, my life, power and purpose. Every thought, emotion, or spiritual experience was my higher self making efforts to remind me of who I was and what my responsibility is here on earth. Whoa right?! Is it really that deep? It most certainly is! I have my own antenna, and it's bright, and vibrant with a clear connection. I use it to help others find their own signal.

I love that I have a faith that insures personal growth and development, helps others do the same, respects nature, seeks to find the balance in ALL things; helps you maximize your potential as a human being that is having a spiritual experience, emphasizes good character, and continuously builds a connection with your ancestors.

I am thankful for every stage of my spiritual growth and development. The Odun Ocha (Ocha Anniversary Celebration) is a time to seek guidance and advise on how to live a blessed and meaningful life for the year and beyond. It gives you the opportunity to realign yourself with your purpose and step into it with universal support. I am beyond honored and thankful to my ancestors and The Orishas for affording me the opportunity to practice this beautiful religion while helping others along the way.