Face Everything

One of the key components in spiritual development is allowing yourself to face the truth. It is important to do this in a gentle, and self-nurturing, way. Recognizing your current state is meant to help you see where you can make changes, and foster the most productive growth.

But, what do you do when what you see something you don’t like? Take an honest look. The more gentle you are with yourself, the more easily you will be able to avoid a crisis. 

Right now, I want to be doing more in the world. The specifics are elusive. I am just starting to think that my Ifa Mentoring practice may not be able to keep me busy, motivated, and fulfilled in the long term.

Part of me feels like I am questioning a dream. That is disturbing. As I look at the time I have available, I’m trying to figure out what I can add that will allow me to feel even happier, and more on track with my purpose. I am looking for a way to expand the dream. To make it bigger. To give it more components. But, for now, I am starting to feel inertia.

Facing everything is about being honest with ourselves. It is about seeing our potential and living up to it. There will be times when you look at yourself and you cannot see the possibilities. That is perfectly fine. 

Know where you are. Understand where your feelings, and ideas, are coming from. Then gently push yourself until you start moving again. 

The light will return as soon as you let it. Get out. Get moving. Know that you will figure out your next step somehow, at some time, in the near future. For me, writing about things always helps. Just getting these words out has helped me to see some possibilities.

Have you ever faced something that seemed impossible and them overcome your paralysis  and started moving forward again? I’d love to hear about it.

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Your Guardian Ancestor

Our ancestors are one of the pillars upon which we stand. This week I’d like to explore our relationship with one particular ancestor.

Before you came here you made a number of choices: your destiny; your Life Path; and your Guardian Energy. At that time, you also chose a specific ancestor to be your guardian throughout your life. 

Our relationship with the Guardian Ancestor is more intimate than with the rest of the ancestral pool. Your Guardian Ancestor acts as guide, counsel, and representative to the rest of your ancestors. Your Guardian is a blood relative who passed before you were conceived.

Our Guardians were with us in the womb. They have witnessed all the details of our lives. They help us achieve our destiny. Even before we reach out, they send us messages through dreams, and intuitions. Sometimes, that inner voice of conscience  is your Guardian Ancestor. Once you start to develop a relationship with your Guardian the guidance gets stronger. 

You can have your Guardian read by an Ifa priest, but, even before you have the details you can  build the connection. The best way to build your relationship is through consistent work. Start calling on your Guardian every day. Light a single white candle beside a glass of water. Then ask your Guardian to communicate. Be still and allow it to happen.

Once you know who your Guardian ancestor is,  you can check names in your family tree to see if you can get more specific. Many people may not know the names of their ancestors. Some people have very ancient Guardians whose names will never be available. 

Having a name can make things flow better.  You can always choose a name. If you have a name you’d like to use, ask your Guardian if it is OK to use it. I have a client of Italian descent. She calls her Guardian zio, which means uncle in Italian. It has bee a great way to make their relationship more intimate. 

Your Guardian Ancestor is there for you all the time. You can call for help, or guidance, whenever you like. Your Guardian always has your back.

Have you ever felt the presence of your Guardian Ancestor? I’d love to hear about it.

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Ase and Initiation

In this post we’ll explore the use of animal sacrifice. We’ll look at some options that align better with modern lifestyles.

In cultures where animals were raised for food,  blood offerings were often used. Sometimes to give thanks to a deity. Sometimes to ask for help. Remnants of these practices can still be seen in many traditions.

The blood itself is not important. It is the life-force of the animal that is being offered. In Ifa, life-force is called Ase (pronounced ah-shay). Ase is a powerful energy that is used in many rituals around the world.

In traditional Yoruba, and Cuban,  practice the life-force of animals is used to generate energy. In their cultural context this is completely appropriate. The killing, and butchering, of animals is part of daily life for them.

I am not making judgments about people who still choose to use animals in this way. A priest of good character treats animals far better than a slaughterhouse would.

Most of the people reading this live in a modern, western, cultural context. Many have never witnessed an animal being killed. It is as if our meat was never alive. We are separate from the the process of slaughtering, and butchering.

The Ase of the animal  is  directed by the priests to a specific purpose during a ceremony. It is the Ase that is important. It can come from many sources.

In cultures that never raised animals, medicinal herbs, and potions, are used instead. Even breath can be used to generate sufficient Ase to accomplish the work at hand.

I have received initiations with, and without, blood. I received the highest initiation for a male Ifa priest in a bloodless ceremony. It is to date the most powerful experience that I have ever had. I do all of my work bloodless. I do not believe that the Ase of an animal is necessary.

What is your position on blood offerings? I’d love to hear.

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