Goddess of Liberation Queen Mother Nanny of the Maroons was a spiritual leader, military strategist, and revolutionary. This Ashanti healer was brought to Jamaica in chains and escaped to lead rebellions. Nanny helped to free over 800 enslaved people. Guidance: Break free. Your dreams hold the power and keys to your liberation. You are freedom herself. Rise up. Embodiment: You…
Shadow of Self-Sabotage Shadow "monster" Mamlambo is the brain-sucking, snakelike, water-dwelling, Zulu goddess of rivers. Guidance: You are holding yourself apart from your blessings. What ancient pain are you trying to stuff down, numb, ignore, or avoid? What does your self-sabotage help you to avoid? Embodiment: Your inner saboteur is clever. Seductive patterns of behavior block your path and your…
Shadow of Betrayal Anansi or Kwaku Ananse, the Akan trickster god and sacred clown, snuck into our global folktales. While Gullah-Geechee children heard tales of Aunt Nancy, the tricky spider woman, my Guyanese parents entertained us with "Nancy stories" about a witty teen spider. Guidance: Who really betrayed you? Betrayal from others mirrors you betraying yourself. Embodiment: Betrayal is a…
Goddess of Wounded Healers Sekhmet is the fierce ancient Egyptian goddess of war, the sun, and healing. She carries life force in her palm, with the power to create and destroy. Guidance: Heal thyself. Everyone gets your best - except you. You are a healer among your tribe. Stop putting your needs last. Embodiment: When did you decide to become…
Shadow of Shame Long Bubby Suzi keeps the children of Belize terrified. Viewed as a Shadow "monster," she has the power to kill or nurture with her long, "scary" breasts that contain milk and poison. This beautiful, Afro-Indigenous spirit may be a distortion of the Arawak/Taino moon goddess, Atabey. Guidance: You are beautiful - and loved. Every part of you…
Goddess of Emotional Nakedness Mami Wata and her sisters live in the Ikpoba River in Benin City, Nigeria, but the ancient mermaid goddess is in her own global pantheon. Mami Wata influences emotions and gifts her followers with clairvoyance and healing powers. Guidance: Hide no more. The emotional nakedness you avoid is your superpower, not your shame. Embodiment: Being emotionally…
Goddesses of Creativity The Seven Sisters were a mystical N'awlins family of identical master psychics and conjure women who never aged…but were they? Were the Seven Sisters one shape-shifting woman or seven? Time will never tell. Guidance: Create, create, create! You come from conjurers and creators. Your blood remembers. Use your gifts to multiply your magic. You are a cosmic…
Goddess of Spiritual Surrender Goddess Iset is revered as a magical healer and sorceress. She of Ten Thousand names, you may know her as Isis, her Greek name, or Auset, Aset, or Wuset. Iset was worshipped in ancient Nubia (the Sudan region), Egypt, and beyond. Guidance: Let it all go. Say aloud now, "I surrender." These words cast a spell.…
Goddess of Speaking Up Mame Coumba Bang protects the mouth of the Senegal River. When making an offering to her, you must not speak to anyone else, coming or going. Sing for her, chant for her, call to her - give Goddess Coumba your voice and she'll be happy. Guidance: Speak up. Speak out. Speak on it. You have a…
Shadow of Scarcity Beauty by day and hag by night, the Soucouyant is an energy vampire, also known throughout the diaspora as Ole Higue and Boo hag. Whether energy or blood, for vampires there is never enough to go around. Guidance: You have so much more than you realize. You have access to unlimited joy, love, good times, pleasures, and…