Embodied Faith

People are often accused of and criticized for only sitting at their altar when they need something. This is something to be cognizant of so you are sure not to have a one-sided relationship with your ancestral court (they need us as much as we need them); HOWEVER, many of us (me included) are unintentional fairweather friends.

If you know me you know I DESPISE fairweather friends. It is so disrespectful to me when people only come around when there are sunshine and rainbows but are nowhere to be found during tempests and rain. I shower all kinds of gratitude towards my spiritual court, I am in pretty constant contact when things are going well but unless I'm desperate, I sometimes avoid them in times of trouble. An unfortunate side effect and consequence of being undiagnosed and high-functioning, but in need of assistance that never came. When you're skilled at many things and catch on quickly people assume you can always figure things out and your help comes slowly... if at all. Hyper-independence is not a strength, it's not a gift, it's a burden and a wound that *will* require healing. I'm still working to heal and drop that habit. I've become much better at asking others for help and turning. to my ancestral court with large and meaningful support requests has been front and center on my docket.

In April 2022 I returned to Antigua for the first time in 15 years. While there I was able to help my deceased aunt transition into the ancestral courts of my lineage, a whole 7 years after her death. It took us both. a great deal to reach that point and while amazing, it was super heavy. I also learned so many new things about my grandma's family, her upbringing, intergenerational conflicts, and visited places that are sacred to our lineage. It was life-altering. It was a pilgrimage and when I returned I struggled to find my new center. After about a month of trying to figure it out myself, I finally opened up at the altar.

Here is what that looked like:

Esteemed Council of Ancestors and Guides,