🌙🕯 My twins are toddlers now and definitely took note of the xmas tree invasion in our city and stores. So ya girl went on a thinking spree. I briefly considered a tree because we DO honor trees, but I mean clearly the exact tree has been taken. And I remembered how on Pinterest a lot of white ladies liked to make “dress form trees”. Well, I thought, why not get a full mannequin, get her some waistbeads, put some ankara and have her be in honor of the Ancestors? Presenting: the Ancestor Tree. 🕯🌙
Instructions:
Get a mannequin. Male or female I don’t feel it matters—we have Ancestors who are both, right? I got mine discount off Amazon. Its usually almost $300, but with some slight cosmetic damage I got her for $75. That being said look around. And start long before the Winter Solstice if youre serious about it being up by then. I live in the SF Bay Area so the local art/fashion colleges are always cycling through them. Look around your town/online on ebay or discount Amazon before springing for a new one!
Get Greenery. If you are lucky and NOT allergic to Christmas trees, go on down to the local xmas tree lot and get yourself some branches from the floor! Its free as of the year 2018, they don’t stop you from taking it! If you, like me, ARE allergic, please go find a 50′ garland. I know what youre thinking–HOW? They are all 9′ and like $50 each HOW? Well I found some at Bed Bath And Beyond for $8. Yes. So head over there, or just keep looking! Again an early start will help. You need at least TWO! (unless youre going for a shorter look)
Optional: Chicken wire. This can be used to make a big ballroom gown shape skirt that you can wrap the greenery over it.
Decor. Lights (LED of course, and try to get some with a green cord instead of white like me 😂), ornaments, flowers, jewelry such as gold (next year I’m springing for some Eritrean jewelry for her head and arms!), tinsel, etc. Make it your own! Make a special theme! Go ham!
Finally, decorate. Wind the garland around both legs for a tight skirt (how I did mine). Wind around shaped chicken wire for a big skirt. And wrap around each leg for pants! Voila ✨
Take pics for your friends and family who celebrate ATRs and use the hash tag #ancestortree to spread the word that you are reclaiming and remodeling oppressive and old traditions and making them one you feel comfortable celebrating!
Oh yeah and save all these pieces for next years celebration when you take it down after the new year!
Hope you enjoy the quick tutorial, ask me any questions below! ✨ And may your Ancestors and Spirit Guides be with you at every crossroads in this new year 💛
I unpublished the page that this used to be on, but it did get a lot of views, so I thought the information should still be out there (hence me reposting).
Face Jugs, often called Ugly Jugs by our Ancestors, are traditional African American art and practice, derived directly from Nkisi dolls of the Congo. Among the enslaved Africans brought to America, the jug’s hollow belly eventually replaced the fillable belly of a doll, but the concept of rootwork and Ancestral Veneration continued on.
The tradition was carried on with potters allowing each jug to take on a character and spirit of its own, a simple marking on the bottom to note the artist. Potters would make specific jugs for the Black community only.
One particular potter that has become well known due to a popular children’s book is David Drake, also known as Dave the Potter. Dave was an enslaved African American man with who made over 40,000 of what were eventually called “Dave Pots”–some of the largest ceramic vessels of that time (19th Century)! He did not put faces on his jugs, but as as a poetic man chose scriptures, quotes, and (best of all) his own poetry to convey his personal spirit, proving that like all indigenous and native art forms, the people can make each tradition their own as the generations go on.
Today, sadly, there is only one African American traditional potter who makes face jugs. Jim McDowell The Black Potter alone has been able to pass along the oral tradition to the next generation, using the same throwing and firing techniques used over a century ago. He reminds us of the sacred practice of using face jugs as grave markers, with faces scary enough to get the Devil and Demons of America away from the soul, allowing it to rise to paradise without trauma. He also mentions the act of infusing spirit and power into them, using them for personal belongings, rootwork, and as protectors of the home (sitting in the front or back).
It is not uncommon for non-Black people in the United States, most often White, to spend their resources excavating these grave markers and selling them as relics of times passed to private investors. Many times, when people see Face Jugs today, they are sadly on sale for 10s of thousands of dollars at places such as Crocker Farm and it’s clear the intentions of all of this is to ignore the African American community who these objects rightfully belong to while making money and denying dignity to the ancestors. It is also not uncommon to see most Face Jugs of modern day created by the descendants of White people in the Southern Appalachian mountains, whose ancestors picked up the practice from local Black folk, not truly understanding what it was.
I has used clay for years, but have only recently begun making Face Jugs. With an emphasis on making them yourself and affordability, I aim to revive this traditional practice, encouraging those within the revival of African based spiritualities to return to some of the more personal and unique practices.
I use traditional terracotta red clay and acrylic paints (watercolor and pens also work). All jugs are covered with a clear glaze coating. I always glaze for longevity and to make them sturdier….keep in mind unfinished clay is ultimately temporary.
The look and use of the Face Jugs have always varied slightly due to person who made it, the person who owned it, and where they were from. Today, due to loss of information, Black people can only use what we know about Nkisi dolls and Face Jugs to make a definitive choice about what is best for your practice and your ancestors.
African American Face/Ugly Jugs are in no way related to old European (German) traditional cup also called “Face Jugs”.
The Modern Black Person in the Diaspora Can Use A Face Jug:
To venerate an ancestor
As the jar for a jar spell
As a place to burn herbs
To serve as a figurine of a deity
Something to fill and seal for good
A pitcher for pouring libations
A place for infusing a special oil mixture
A representation of yourself for a self-love spell
And more!
NOTE:
Try making your own before asking someone else to make you one!
I will not do this for you unless you are using it for Hoodoo, sorry. There are plenty of other artists to use to make pretty Face Jugs, please remember these are traditionally called “Ugly Jugs” by our Ancestors and therefore are meant to be ugly! Mine are actually considered a little too pretty by a lot of people. If you want me to make you one please go to: https://www.jujusquare.com/en/tahtahme
Any Questions? Please email: thepathofagoddess@gmail.com
✨🕯🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🕯✨ 🌲🌹🌻One of the core practices of African Traditional Religions (and many other non-Abrahamic religions) is to talk to your Ancestors. Do you talk to yours? Do you have an altar? Sometimes a sacred place is just what is needed to bring you back in your center. If you are struggling, allow their spirits to comfort you and help you through. Rise between the hours of 4-6 and pray there… take a spiritual bath and rest there. Start a relationship with your bloodline. 🕯 Altars are made many ways, but one that is common is to use 9 glasses of water (or others depending on your practice), changed weekly. The water provides life and serves as a portal to the spirit realm. 9 is the number of the Ancestors. Depending on your needs, how your altar looks will vary. 🌻🌹🌲 🦋👁🌙👁🦋 Find this child loss/Ancestor altar (and others) in the P U N A N I 🔸P R O V E R B S 🔸Workbook 📷 @wombhealingworkbooks
❤Some Topics Covered:
🌙Full Postpartum Ceremony
🕯️Belly Binding (including how to make a wrap)
🌙Womb Sauna (both wet yoni steam, & the traditional dry NW African method)
🕯️Abortion Healing Altar
🌙Miscarriage Meditation
🕯️Stillbirth Garden
🌙Child Loss/Ancestor Altar
🕯️Spiritual Home Cleansing Methods
🌙Crystal Womb (Yoni) Eggs / Punanilates
🕯️Having a healthier period AND Menstruation Charts
🌙Creative Projects
🕯️How to make a Face Jug
🌙Using a Jar for Self Love
🕯️Using a Jar on an Enemy
🌙Womb Reconnection Spell
🕯️Womb Art 🌙Matrilineal Ancestor Connection
🕯️Goddess/Spiritual Baths
🌙Blank Cards at the end for your own Punani Proverbs, or to study them further!
💖💖💖💖And more! This one ended up being almost 400 pages, so it will take you some time to complete 🦋👁🌙👁🦋 Purchase a Workbook — amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1724153382/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_1724153382
Every week, the Sacred Sister Circle studies the 42 Laws of Ma’at for deeper meaning and personal use. This group is for Black Women only, but I think this is important enough to share with all, as I haven’t seen any other personal studies on The Laws online yet. Please enjoy my thoughts and studies on the Laws (as taken from Queen Afua’s book, Sacred Woman).
🌾☁🐦
The fourth law reads I will not kill.
Killing, simply put, is to cause the death of something. You can kill living beings, and you can also kill ideas.
As a person practicing African Traditional Religion, such as Hoodoo or Voodoo, you may find that the subject of animal sacrifice comes up time and time again. In fact, Hoodoo/Rootwork is not possible without use of animal parts.
Ma’at is moral code, however. This is the thought process you should apply to your spirituality. Make certain to not waste or disrespect any animal parts used. Find the bones and shells to use in your divination sets rather than buying them from a source that might treat the animals cruelly before dying.
In Hoodoo, your work with animals and plants is wholistic. The energy does not die as the plant is picked, or animal sacrificed. Rather, it is used in the Work that is done.
Killing other humans for immoral reason is what this law hopes you understand is not okay.
Ask yourself:
🌷What methods can I use to steer this situation toward Peace?
🌷Can I walk away from this?
🌷What are ways I can celebrate life?
🌷What are ways I honor death?
Take your study of the 42 Laws deeper with meditation, study, and journal writing.
✨🌷✨
The Sacred Sister Circle is a group for Black women as well as Black people with wombs. We are a Hoodoo and Sacred Woman based circle that meets every Monday at 7am.
🌹🌿🌻What’s That Mean For You?🤗🕯🌙 So with 1 thing or another it is time to make the SSC free. I started thinking about what that means for the Circle…how it opens up new possibilities. How I could use this to make this space better for all who are a part of it, make it into the group that I wanted it to become. I wanted this group to be like “church” when I started it, because I miss church and love the Ancestors… I wanted us to have a space to come together and connect and fill our spiritual cup. Even if you have nothing else, to be able to open this page and find something worth doing, learning, or growing with. I want more of us to feel this connection. 🕊🌻 By making donations optional, I hope to move closer to this goal of having a large community that feels like we know and are connected to each other all the same, despite location and other differences. Donations will be 100% used for the group now!!!! I will buy several Womb Healing Workbooks and be giving 1 for free every month starting in July. I will spend the money on materials for spells to do for the circle, as well as start giving away actual money from the circle this fall IF donations remain at around $150-250/month.🌈 (If you are one of the 39 donors who are with me NOW then go check out the private post on Patreon for info about your gift). 🌷Starting tomorrow, all donations are VOLUNTARY depending on what you can donate and feel I deserve. Maybe you donate every other month or only once a year….maybe you just share the videos and upvote and leave a comment. Both are wonderful to me.🌞 Be sure to still download the Patreon app and sign up with the group for free so you get updates, and subscribe on YouTube as well. Have any questions because I tried to squeeze so much in a tiny space? Please feel free to comment! 🕯🌙 Tahtahme 🌹🌿 #thesacredbruja
Every week, the Sacred Sister Circle studies the 42 Laws of Ma’at for deeper meaning and personal use. This group is for Black Women only, but I think this is important enough to share with all, as I haven’t seen any other personal studies on The Laws online yet. Please enjoy my thoughts and studies on the Laws (as taken from Queen Afua’s book, Sacred Woman).
🌾☁🐦
The third law reads I will not act with violence.
You already know what violence entails. Violence involves force with the intent to maim, damage, or kill. It is typically backed by the strength of emotions that justify whatever move it is you take. It is typically illegal.
Peace, peacekeeping, and peace-building are all concepts that Ancient Africans knew well, long before those English terms were being used. These involve not only acting peaceful in the now, but trying to establish a durable peace by preventing violence from occurring in the future!
Remember, the Ancient Egyptians made these rules to help create a moral society, in which all people were safe because all people followed a certain set of moral laws (the 42 Laws of Ma’at). There is no more moral endeavor than to not only choose to act peaceful in a situation where it would be much easier to be violent, but also to taking steps to prevent violent reactions and happenings in your family and community.
Violence isn’t only committed on others. Violence is committed on our own bodies, more often than not. How many times have you sacrificed your health and wellness for others? How many times have you starved yourself or let a true need go to the wayside, murdering your own chances? Sometimes this is necessary, but often people find themselves being the martyr again and again and again. Teaching people to rely on you as the Savior every time is not helpful either! It is violence to teach society that some people are expendable, and others never need to pull their own weight, simply because they are them!
Are you murdering your own future, with the people you hang out with? Are you starving your own potential, with the choices you make every day? Are you enslaving by your habits? Ignoring your bodies needs to the point of abuse? This is all violence–violence you are doing to yourself.
The problem with violence is that it is usually committed by those who know that the other party cannot fight back, or at least cannot fight back equally (yes, this sentence applies, even when referring to yourself!). The problem with violence is that it leads to stress and other emotional pains which often cannot be seen with the naked eye. The problem with violence is that it breaks the cycle of Peace. Every. Single. Time.
Ask yourself:
🌷 When was the last time I was violent? Who was it towards? Why? Was it justified? What can I choose to do next time?
🌷Why is it imperative for my soul and community for me to choose non-violent approaches every time?
🌷Do I ever consider the violence towards myself?
🌷What are 5 ways I have been violent to myself in the last 6 months. What are non-violent solutions to each of these scenarios?
Take your study of the 42 Laws deeper with meditation, study, and journal writing.
✨🌷✨
The Sacred Sister Circle is a group for Black women as well as Black people with wombs. We are a Hoodoo and Sacred Woman based circle that meets every Monday at 7am.
If you enjoy truly soulful pop music, Amber Mark’s addition to your playlist is a must! She traveled the world with her mother as a child, allowing her to have a unique way of approaching her sound. Amber Mark also writes and produces much of her own music, allowing her personal life to directly influence her subject matter.
Chances are you have heard Diamond White’s voice somewhere. She has voiced characters on the Disney Channel from the Fuli on The Lion Guard, to cameos on Sophia the First and Phineas and Ferb….she even auditioned for X Factor in 2012 and finished in 5th place! Today, she boasts a self built following of almost 200,000 subscribers on YouTube. Go ahead and do yourself a favor and enjoy the Black Girl Magic dripping from all of her videos.
Nothing is more ethereal than the neo soul hip hop provided by Oshun! The duo refers to their genre as “Iya-Sol”…”Iya” meaning priestess or teacher, and “sol” referring to inner energy, soul, and the sun. With their tributes to African Traditional Religion that hopes to uplift and respect the modern diasporic community, they are an easy choice to support.
She calls her music “urban jazz”…I consider it ethereal. Either way, there’s no denying that IAMDDB’s sound is uniquely her own and mesmerizing to listen to. Her new music is around the corner, but that doesn’t mean all of her old classics shouldn’t be heavily listened to right now! Her sound is perfect for those lazy, hot afternoons.
The quiet storm that has gained millions of views in a relatively short period of time, Jorja Smith is probably already on your playlist, but I had to give her a shout out just in case! She has only been officially a singer since 2016, but already collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music business, from Drake to Kali Uchis to Preditah, and there is no question why she is so popular once you hear how effortlessly she sings.
Called “The Darkwave Duchess” ABRA is one of the only women (and singer) signed with Awful Records in ATL. With a group of unconventional rappers supporting her, the unique sound that got her there in the first place is given opportunity to grow, bloom, and represent Black Girl Magic unapologetically. With inspiring, relaxing tunes, ABRA is perfect listening music when chilling with friends.
Meld futuristic sounds (and visuals) to an already ethereal voice, and you have Kelela’s brand of hip hop. She holds strong representation for many woman, being Queer, as well as a Black American of Ethiopian heritage. This representation comes at a price, and gave her many obstacles in the music industry, especially in regards to how long it took her first album to drop….but when it finally did in late 2017, it was understood by all that RnB was in some patient and talented hands.
h.e.r is an acronym meaning “Having Everything Revealed” and most could agree this is a fitting name for someone with such raw and relatable music. Her voice is clear and bright, allowing listeners to get carried away with her moods. First showing up as an anonymous artist under a mysterious moniker, h.e.r. quickly captured imaginations and fans with the pure sound and curious puzzle of her identity. With her face only recently being revealed, she is sure to be a hot topic throughout the summer.
Alexe Belle and Isis Valentino make up the stunning singing duo called St. Beauty. Their mission is to heal and inspire through the personification of “St. Beauty” who they call “a pure beauty that lives in everyone”. Between their honey toned vocals and familiar lyrics, they are an easy choice to sing along with this summer.
Back with her first album since 2015, Seinabo Say is busting into your summer playlist insistently. Her father being a famous West African musician, she remains true to these roots through her full sound and the uplifting voice she provides for women of color lyrically.
The old school vibes are back with the moods and smooth vocals of Ravyn Lenae. She toured with SZA on her Ctrl Tour, as well as Noname on her Telefone tour. Traces of ambient hip hop, ethereal RnB, and electro jazz can be found in her songs, as well as the tell tale 70s vibe that keeps bringing her fans back for more.
With a voice that’s so clear and almost cold, JGrrey’s name feels fitting. You imagine sitting in a fog when her songs play….surrounding you so the only thing you really are paying attention to is her voice and words. Her songs have a retro, wild-sweet vibe that gives lonely summer nights a chance to become good memories too.
There is no woman on earth who comes off as more self-assured than Nstasia. She just oozes the energy of someone who is not ashamed of themselves or their lives in any way–and actually prefers to not be quite the same as everyone else. A secret weapon of Beyonce’s songwriting crew, there is no doubt Nstasia is a veteran in the game even though she is just now releasing her own music. With her unique style of blending unconventional lyrics with an ethereal southern RnB sound, she has the perfect music for a summertime playlist.
She calls it “wonky funk”…others call it “electronic soul funk”. Whatever we are calling it, she makes some good music! Her voice is high and clear, and even her most relaxed songs are perfect for grooving to–making her the perfect singer to become a fan of before the summer begins.
Jamila has the knack of making you feel like you know her songs when they start playing, even the very first time. Her music and subject matter is relatable to the lives of black women, without ever crossing into militancy. She is a breath of fresh air, being honest and poignant in each song, allowing the facts to illuminate themselves. Even with the more serious subject matter, each song has a singability that allows any number of her songs to become your summer anthem.
Choosing to sing in French, English, Spanish, and Yoruba, these twins Lisa-Kainde and Naomi Diaz embrace the sounds and true heart of the Diaspora with their musical abilities. Traditional Instruments blend with modern ones to create a unique sound that reclaims heritage while pushing music along. And their songs will be the perfect soundtrack for all of those full moons you intend to dance under this summer!
The Southeast Songstress carries a name that means good luck, and a strong presence as she begins her career. Strong vocals with a wide range give her the ability to produce music that isn’t quite like the RnB people have been creating for years. This alternative aspect to her sound is the reason her sound is considered in many ways to be ethereal.
Also known by the name June Marieezy, (((O))) is an experimental artist with the ability to make incredibly laid-back vibing music. An artist that truly thrives with interaction between herself and her fans, she posts a new creation to her Instagram every Full Moon, impressing all with her deep musical abilities and keen ear for ethereal music.
All summers have those quiet, peaceful moments that need the perfect soundtrack, and Raveena seems to be an artist intent on making the soundtrack for exactly those times! Her music is what plays in your mind when you run through a flowery meadow, laze on a wooden swing in front of a river, or spin with your arms out by the beach. It is the perfect sound for just about everything.
Sadly, a lot of her fame is attached to the fact that Cardi B released a song 2 months after Genesis did…that sounded a lot like the original. This, I think, only proves the innovative quality that Tommy Genesis has to offer the genre of ethereal music. Her rebellious nature, unique presentation, and staunch stance against girl-on-girl bullying allows her to be an artist that truly adds to the culture of the music.
***
Expand your playlist, and give me any suggestions of who you think I should add to my playlist!
With Sacred Woman Practitioner Tahtahme (the Sacred Bruja) 🌟H E A L I N G🕯C Y S T S 🌟 I definitely felt Cysts and Fibroids needed their own video. It is up now in the Sister Circle! We Discussed: 💗What leads to cysts physically and spiritually. 💗How to know when you need surgery and medical intervention. 💗Specific steps for healing cysts physically and spiritually. 🏵💃🏾 🏵
Every week, the Sacred Sister Circle studies the 42 Laws of Ma’at for deeper meaning and personal use. This group is for Black Women only, but I think this is important enough to share with all, as I haven’t seen any other personal studies on The Laws online yet. Please enjoy my thoughts and studies on the Laws (as taken from Queen Afua’s book, Sacred Woman).
🌾☁🐦
The second law reads I will not steal.
Not stealing other people’s materials is obvious, let’s move on from that because you already know, as a general rule, it isn’t right to take other people’s things no matter how much you like them.
Remember this is the first set of laws by man recorded that are for moral purpose only.
Think in the sense of your life morally, therefore.
To start, do you ever find yourself wasting other people’s time? Asking for things for free that you know the other person wants to be paid for? Why do you do this? Do you not think other people deserve to be paid for their time, at the very least?
Next, think about how you steal from yourself. How do you steal your own opportunities, your own time? How do you manage to let your habits rule you…why do you do it…can you take control? Do you need help to do this?
How do you literally rob yourself of your own prosperity, daily? How are you slowly stealing from your own abundance through this constant mismanagement of your own resources?
When you really start to think about it, not stealing might be harder than you really realized.
Ask yourself:
🌷What are ways that I steal from myself, causing myself to have a more poisonous lifestyle than I say that I want?
🌷What are ways I am letting other’s steal from me, and not saying a thing?
🌷Is my thought process robbing me of my courage, self esteem, or will?
🌷Is my diet or lifestyle robbing me of my own future?
Take your study of the 42 Laws deeper with meditation, study, and journal writing.
✨🌷✨
The Sacred Sister Circle is a group for Black and biracial+ Black women as well as Black people with wombs. We are a Hoodoo and Sacred Woman based circle that meets every Monday at 7am.
The Path of a Goddess 