Divination Space Station: Mat Auryn

April 13, 2018 By Lilith Dorsey

Mat Auryn photo provided by subject. All rights reserved.

I’m delighted to be able to interview Mat Auryn as part of our Divination Space Station series. His blog For Puck’s Sake is one of the newer ones here at Patheos Pagan, but with it’s insightful reviews, interviews, and musings very quickly it became one to watch. Read below as we talk about tarot, auras, Labyrinth, and more.

When did you start divining and with what method?

As cliché as it sounds, I’ve always been pretty tuned in. Even as a small child, I would tell people when introducing myself to them that I was a sensitive boy. In retrospect this kind of humorously takes on a different meaning. My natural psychic dispositions have always been clairtangency being able to just know information from holding an object (psychometry) or sensing with my hands where energy is coming from, and external clairvoyance such as seeing spirits, lights, shadows, auras, sparks, etc. All the other clairs I’ve had to put a lot of time and energy into their development throughout my life.

I actually come from a fairly psychic family on both sides, though undeveloped due to religious beliefs. When I was an infant I’m told that my father would point and direct energy at me and I’d start bursting with laughter and he’d move further and further away doing it until he could be in another room in the house than I was and point at me and I’d start cracking up in my crib.

At a young age, I discovered Silver Ravenwolf’s books, which led to the beginning of a lifelong exploration of various spiritual, metaphysical, and occult methods and ideologies.

My first tarot deck was a gift that I received when I was 14 years old as a freshman in High School. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing beyond the instructions in the little white book. Luckily, I had plenty of kids who were willing to be volunteers at lunch. I can’t say that they were the best readings though. I would literally have to look up every card’s meaning and just read the keywords and then read what the card position meant in the Celtic Cross Spread.

After High School, I began studying the tarot and psychic ability a bit more seriously. In my early 20s, I was able to read tarot without the booklet and slowly was able to bring intuitive and psychic information into the readings that weren’t associated with the card meanings. When I moved to the East Coast I eventually began reading professionally for complete strangers at an occult shop in Salem and then began a serious private practice during the off-season.

Which method do you use most often now?

I mostly work with Tarot because it’s like an old friend. It can help make sense of psychic information that isn’t completely clear sometimes. Doing a purely psychic reading can feel overwhelming or confusing at times due to information coming through all at once and figuring out where to start or how to make sense of it. If psychic information were music, the tarot for me is like having it written down as sheet music where I can see a clear timeline and how the information is supposed to be grouped. While I still work with other forms of divination, I haven’t found anything quite as strong as the Tarot, and that may be because I’ve worked with it for so long.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

I think it’s pretty important, honestly. In fact, I’ve written an article on that topic itself. I’m a total nerd when it comes to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop projects such as Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and The Storyteller, partially because of the folkloric wisdom, spiritual lessons, and esoterica that he put into them. In the movie Labyrinth, a reoccurring motif is asking the right questions. In the movie there’s a scene that exemplifies this perfectly. The character Sarah needs to get to the castle and she comes across a worm while frustrated who is able to provide help with directions. She tells him that she’s looking to solve the labyrinth as such he stops her from heading the direction she was going and has her go the other way to solver the labyrinth. It’s only when she’s left the scene that the worm states that if she went the other way she would have went straight to the castle. Asking the right questions can help you receive the more specific answers or guidance that one is really looking for.

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?

Sometimes I work with a pendulum for yes/no questions, though I really dislike those types of questions as I feel they’re limiting and can strip the person of their personal sovereignty in the situation itself. My more common method for discerning yes/no questions is to create a ball of energy in each hand. Then I will mentally assign one as “yes” and the other as “no”. I’ll focus on the question and feel how the energy balls change in my hands while focusing on the question. I think this method works stronger and quicker for me because of my natural disposition to clairtangency.

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

Tons! Ha! If I had to boil it down to the top most important pieces of advice it would be to be clear on your intentions of why you’re doing readings. I believe that one needs to be in a vibrational state of truly wanting to help someone and heart-centered during readings. I also advise doing the work and practicing as much as possible alone and with others to gain confidence and strengthen those “psychic muscles”. If you’ve done the energy work and you’re in the flow, trust the process and trust whatever comes to you. It’s often the information that seems completely random and like a shot in the dark that is the information that they really need to hear.

Finally, if the client doesn’t understand the information that’s being presented don’t get discouraged. Sometimes people have what I call “psychic amnesia”, where they just aren’t connecting the dots while you’re giving them a reading because they’re immersed in the experience of having a reading. The client also doesn’t have all the information about what’s being read – which is why they’re coming to you, remember – so there’s bound to be information that they don’t understand or don’t know. After having countless people come back with “you were right after all” you learn to not be discouraged when people don’t seem to resonate with the reading at the time.

Are there any new projects you are developing?

Yes, a couple. But right now they’re all secret. I try to keep my focus of manifestation silent until they’re manifested, even if I want to tell everyone about it out of excitement. I suggest keeping an eye on my Facebook Page and my Twitter for future announcements.

More About Mat Auryn

Mat Auryn (New England) is a witch, writer, professional psychic (www.matauryntarot.com), and occult teacher throughout New England. He has had the privilege of studying under many different occult teachers and traditions, and is currently a priest and mentor in the Sacred Fires Tradition of Witchcraft . He writes for Patheos Pagan in his blog For Puck’s Sake , The House of Twigs , Horns Magazine , on his personal website (www.matauryn.com), as well as other magazines, podcasts, anthologies, and websites.

Mat Auryn has had the honor of helping thousands of people gain clarity through his skills of psychic ability and tarot reading throughout the world over the last decade. He has been interviewed on radio, in magazines, and on several websites and private newsletters. Mat teaches various metaphysical and occult subjects ranging from psychic development, magickal empowerment, working with spirits, divination, energy healing, lucid dreaming, divination, astral projection throughout New England including Salem, Massachusetts, known internationally as the Witch City.

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Divination Space Station : April Orry Riley

February 7, 2018 By Lilith Dorsey

Divination can be a tricky business. It is a lifelong study that can take a lifetime to master. One of the things I am most proud of here on the Voodoo Universe blog is our Divination Space Station series. In it we profile top psychics, authors, and diviners who have graciously offered to share their knowledge with us. I’m excited to say that this time around we have the blessed opportunity to present an interview with psychic April Orry Riley. I first met April in connection with the Sleepy Hollow Psychic Fair and New Age Market. This is a great event and if you have the opportunity to attend, I highly recommend it. You will get to meet me, the fantastic psychic we are profiling this week, April Orry Riley, and many other amazing teachers and readers. In the following divination interview you will see our questions in bold face, and Riley’s answers will follow.

When did you start divining?

I have been divining since I was a child. The first experience was at 5, and I began channeling spirit at the age of 9. Being raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, this was not accepted, and my mother took very drastic measures to rid me of my demons. I, in essence, shut my self down at about 14, and did not open up again until my 20’s. I was 23 when I started opening again, and have now been reading professionally for 5 years.

With what method?

My most often used method is The Good Tarot or the Fairy Tarot. I also use some Oracle decks, and channeling.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

I find that the choice or phrasing of the question in a reading may not make as much difference as in a magical working. Spirit is going to give you the message they want the client to have, no matter how they ask the question. However in a magickal working, I need to be able to understand exactly what they want, so that is where the phrasing is important.

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?

If it is a yes/no question, I tend to lean toward the pendulum. This type of diving does require a very specific phrasing of the question.

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

For newcomers who want to being to divine, I recommend not forcing yourself to use a specific method “because that is what everyone says we need to do.” You don’t NEED to do anything that anyone tells you. Just do what feels comfortable to you, and let spirit flow. I also recommend that you take Reiki, I found that after I received my Master in Reiki, spirit flowed more easily through me, and I could hear/see more clearly.

Are there any new projects you are developing?

I am currently working on develop a Women’s Empowerment series of classes focusing on using Magick, Astrology and Sensuality to become your most empowered and full self. I found that for me, these three things together, helped me to overcome the many childhood issues, because of the religion I was raised in, and become the empowered and strong woman that I am now. I continue my work with my sister as the Riley Sisters Spiritual Rescue to help people who need cleansings, banishings, or just someone to talk to as a spiritual coach.

If you would like to contact her, April Orry Riley can be found on Facebook as April Dawn Riley ; my business page: Riley Sisters Spiritual Rescue, and online at www. rileysistersspiritualrescue. com.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share.

Divination Space Station : Skye Alexander

January 7, 2018 By Lilith Dorsey

Skye Alexander photo by author. All rights reserved.

Last year I was excited to review Skye Alexander’s latest work The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot to see what mysteries it might hold. Skye Alexander has written a comprehensive and informative text to help you perform better readings with tarot cards. It is an honor to be able to interview her here as part of our Divination Space Station series, asking the important questions, and getting valuable answers. The bold faced questions are mine, the responses come directly from Skye Alexander herself.

When did you start divining?

I started studying astrology in the mid-1970s. Many people think of astrology only as a way to understand personality, but it’s also an extremely valuable tool for looking ahead to see what the future holds. Astrologers consider the movements of the heavenly bodies in relationship to a birthchart to determine what energies will influence a person at any given time and how those energies will likely play out. (You can also do this for a business, country, etc.) I find astrology to be the most accurate method of divination for timing events.

Around the same time, I also began working with the I Ching. This, in my opinion, is a wonderful tool for understanding our relationships to others. It’s also helpful for answering questions and providing guidance regarding problems or issues in everyday life. I always consult the I Ching when I need to make a decision, as well as for general insight.

Much later, in the mid-1990s, I took up the study of tarot. I love the beautiful imagery and how it speaks to the subconscious in such a rich language. I use the tarot to do readings, and draw a card every morning to guide me through the day. However, I don’t find the tarot to be as accurate as astrology for timing events, and I wouldn’t choose it if I wanted to know about something far off in the future. In addition, I use the tarot in spellworking. In my book The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot I discuss the individual meanings of the cards, how to do spreads, and offer ways to incorporate cards into spells.

Over the years I’ve worked with runes (both Norse and Ogham), the pendulum, numerology, and other systems for divination. All have value. All provide insight, guidance, and answers to questions both mundane and spiritual. All help us see inside ourselves and gain access to higher planes of knowledge.

Which method do you use most often now?

I still use all these systems, although I tend to use runes in spellcasting more than for divination.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

In my experience, tarot cards and the I Ching will answer your real concern, regardless of what question you ask. For example, if you ask “How can I earn more money?” when your primary concern is wondering if you should leave your husband because you’re afraid you may not be able to support yourself, the cards will probably provide advice about your marriage.

When doing horary astrology, I think it’s important to carefully phrase the question in order to get an accurate answer. This is especially true when you want to know about something other people are also wondering about––you probably won’t get a good answer if thousands of people have already asked the same question. In this case, I recommend asking a question that has personal significance for you––the more immediate and important it is to you, the clearer the answer.

If I’m looking at planetary transits to a person’s birthchart, I don’t really need the person to tell me what s/he wants to know about––it will be evident in the chart.

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?

The pendulum is an easy tool to use if you want a yes or no response, and it doesn’t take much practice to use. For me, if the pendulum swings side to side, the answer is no. If it swings back and forth, the answer is yes. If it moves in a circle, the situation is undecided or unclear at this time.

Here’s a quick and easy tarot method: Shuffle the cards, then lay out three side by side. If two are upright, the answer is yes, although there may still be room for development or the situation may still be in flux and could change. If all three are upright, the answer is a strong yes. If two cards are reversed the answer is no, although there may still be room for development or the situation may still be in flux and could change. If all three are reversed, the answer is a strong no. However, I’ve found that by changing your attitude or behavior, or taking certain actions, you may be able to change a predicted outcome.

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

Practice, practice, practice. Read everything you can, from a variety of authors to get different points of view. It may be helpful to take a few classes in the beginning, but many people, including me, are self-taught. When I started learning the tarot, I drew one card each morning and contemplated it, read about it, and noticed how its symbolism and general meaning related to my experiences that day. I also recommend keeping a journal so you can track your personal growth and see how accurate your divination is.

Trust your intuition as well as your intellect. I also suggest beginners start paying attention to so-called “coincidences” and synchronicities. I often find coins when I’m about to receive money. Animal sightings can provide information and guidance too. If you see an animal you might not ordinarily see, read about spirit animals and their meanings (my book The Secret Power of Spirit Animals covers this). Anything can be an oracle: flowers, shells, stones, words, music. How often have you heard a song that spoke to something you were just thinking about? Here’s a cool example. A woman I know took a wrong exit off the highway and got lost. Just as she was about to panic, she saw a truck with “Safeway” on it and realized she should follow it to find the safe way back to the highway.

Are there any new projects you are developing?

Find Your Goddess, my new book of goddess mythology, is due out in January. It includes myths and history about fifty goddesses from a variety of cultures (including Lilith), their attributes, and how to draw upon the wisdom of particular goddesses for assistance. I’ve just finished writing a mystery novel set in 1925 that features a tarot reader, an astrologer, and a number of other metaphysicians, titled What the Walls Know, and a memoir about the afterlife and my experiences communicating with my life partner who passed four years ago, titled Death Is a Revolving Door. Hope my agent can find a good publisher for both these new books!

If you would like to know more about Skye Alexander please see her website skyealexander.com And as always if you have enjoyed what you read here please do us a favor and share !

Divination Space Station : Arthur Lipp-Bonewits

September 27, 2017 By Lilith Dorsey

Arthur Lipp-Bonewits photo. All rights reserved.

There have been quite a few interviews here on Voodoo Universe, but this is the first time I can say I have interviewed both a parent, and a child. I have known Arthur Lipp-Bonewits since he was little, and it has been amazing to watch him grown up into the powerful adult he has become. You can find the interview I did with his mother at Divination Space Station : Deborah Lipp. The forward to my first book Voodoo and Afro-Caribbean Paganism was even written by Arthur’s Father Isaac Bonewits. I clearly have a serious fondness and great respect for this family. But enough about history, let’s move on to the future. Specifically telling the future, and my interview with Arthur Lipp-Bonewits.

When did you start divining? With what method?
I grew up watching my parents read tarot at Pagan festivals and psychic fairs. My dad in particular would read tarot outside a little new age shop in upstate New York and I’d watch him and learn from him. When I was 12 years old I scrawled some symbols related to astrology onto index cards and used that as my divination deck until I was 17, when I switched to tarot, which is still my primary method of divination along with astrology.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?
For me, I don’t often read tarot with a carefully-phrased question in mind. When I’m reading for clients, I’ll say to them, “So tell me a little bit about what’s been on your mind lately” while I shuffle. Then whatever comes up in the cards is what comes up in the cards. Most human beings are generally pretty bad at knowing exactly what we want, and what we want to ask, and the answers I get tend to go sideways or diagonally from how specific questions get asked when reading tarot. With horary astrology, which is divination by casting a chart for the moment the question is asked, it’s much more important to have a specific, carefully phrased question. But that’s largely to do with how many rules there are for horary charts. Unless I’m using that system, I’ll usually just phrase my question as “Tell me more about X situation.”
Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?
Three-card tarot reading. All upright = strong yes. Majority upright = yes. Majority reversed = no. All reversed = strong no. The nature of the individual cards gives you more information as to the “why.”
Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?
The best way to become a reader to do a bunch of readings. Start by reading for yourself, and then once you’ve got a bunch of stuff memorized, read for close friends and family members, even if you have to check the reference book partway through. The more readings you do, the better you get, especially if you’re reading for someone else. If you’re reading for yourself, talk to yourself out loud. And if you’re reading tarot, get Rachel Pollack’s book 78 Degrees of Wisdom. You don’t have to force yourself to try to figure out Waite’s Pictoral Key if you’re struggling with it like almost everyone does. Don’t feel married to the first deck you got, especially if it was a gift. It’s perfectly fine to pick a deck for yourself based on liking the artwork. And finally, be prepared for difficult emotions to come up in readings. Sometimes the person you’re reading for will start to cry and you’ll need to be ready to hold space for that. Good counseling skills are as much or more of being a good reader than knowing what the cards, planets, etc. mean.
Are there any new projects you are developing?
Nothing I can share publicly right now : )

Arthur Lipp-Bonewits is a tarot reader, astrologer, angel medium, and psychic living in Brooklyn, New York with a cactus named Greg and about a dozen archangels. You can find him online at arthurlippbonewits.com, on Instagram at @readingsbyarthur, and on Twitter at @simplyarthur.

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Divination Space Station : DJ Martin

September 11, 2017 By Lilith Dorsey

Author DJ Martin. Photo provided by Author. All rights reserved.

Divination Space Station is the place where we stop to interview authors, psychics, and diviners from around the world. This time I am so excited to feature Author DJ Martin. DJ’s books include: Herbs, Medicinal, Magical, Marvelous; A Green Witch’s Formulary; Baneful! 95 of the World’s Worst Herbs; and A Green Witch’s Cupboard as well as the Ogre’s Assistant urban fantasy series.

When did you start divining? With what method?

Oh, heavens. I don’t remember when. A teenager? I started out with something-hanging-from-a-string a very long time ago for yes/no questions (which is all I knew about then).

Perhaps 20 years ago, I was attracted to runes. (Don’t remember the impetus for it.) So, I bought a cheap set of runes and started learning by reading books, rote memorization of the figures and meanings, and casting the stones. Once I decided I liked the method and that it worked for me, I purchased stones and made my own.

Which method do you use most often now?

I still use a “pendulum” (which is actually just one of the necklaces I wear). My life is settled enough that yes/no is usually all I need. If it’s more complicated, or if I’m doing a reading for someone else, then I use runes.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

I think it’s important to be as precise as possible when asking a question. The more vague the question, the more vague the answer. On the other hand, a quick “what do I need to know for today/this week/this month”, while vague, will give you something to think about.

Depending on the querent’s issue(s), sometimes it has to be one question at a time. Other times, the questions sort of lead into one another and you can rephrase them all into one.

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?

I still use my necklace. Or you can use a purchased pendulum that has been cleansed. Or, a small stone tied to a string. You just need something weighted that can dangle freely. Hold it over your palm, get it to still, then ask it which direction is ‘yes’ and which is ‘no’. If you feel it necessary, test it by asking a question you know the answer to. Then ask your question.

This method requires a steady hand. If you don’t have one, there are stands specifically made to hold a pendulum. Otherwise:

I know some people use tarot cards. They ask their question then draw a card from the deck. When they flip it face-up, if it’s upright, the answer is ‘yes’; if reversed, the answer is ‘no’. That would work, too. (Too many playing cards are identical either direction to make those an easy use.)

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

Keep an open mind. A lot of time, you won’t get the answer you were expecting, or the answer you wanted. But isn’t that why we ask questions in the first place?

Also, the answers runes give aren’t as detailed as those of tarot. To me, they require more thought on the matter. But to my way of thinking, any divination method is a guide, not a step-by-step instruction manual. So, making you think about the situation is no bad thing.

Are there any new projects you are developing?

Divination-wise? No. I’m comfortable with what I have. (Although, it’s getting time to re-mark my stones. They’re getting worn.) Writing? I’m in the final stages of research for another herb book and have the third book of my urban fantasy series in the back of my mind. I hope to have both of those out sometime next year.

Herbs Medicinal, Magical, Marvelous ! cover photo provided by publisher. All rights reserved.

Deborah J. Martin has practiced magical and medicinal herbalism for over thirty years, earning her Master Herbalist diploma from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. DJ Martin’s next appearance will be at the Hoot Owl Attic Metaphysical store in Atlanta, Georgia on September 23, 2017. If you would like to learn more about DJ Martin please check out her website www.authordjmartin.com

Divination Space Station : Little Luna

August 21, 2017 By Lilith Dorsey

Little Luna photo courtesy of Snake Oil Tarot & Apothecary. All rights reserved.

Over the years here at the Divination Space Station we have presented and profiled many of the top psychics and readers throughout the world. This week is no exception, as we showcase Little Luna from Snake Oil Tarot & Apothecary. Little Luna is an amazing reader, and someone I am very honored to call a friend.

When did you start divining? With what method?

I started reading cards and experimenting with different methods of divining about 11 years ago. Being Latina, I grew up in a very catholic environment where these types of things were very taboo but I have always had an intense interest in spirituality although I’m not religious and my degree which started in Psychology, is in Religious Studies. I had acquired my first deck before this time but really had no idea how any of it worked. One day, I decided to get my cards read by a local reader when I was living in Baltimore and the reading felt more like manipulation to get me visit her more. She had said just enough to make me uneasy but not enough to shed light on anything I was going through. I had just become friends with an artist, astrologer and card reader named Cheryl Fair, so I told her what happened and to put my mind at ease, she offered to read my cards. The deck she pulled out was a Mah Jong deck by Derek Walter, and for some reason, sitting with her reading those cards a lot of things just fell into place and I began practicing with both Mah Jong and Tarot and discovering that I was a natural at it. When my friend needed emotional support we would get together for lunch once a week and read each other’s cards, that time learning with a knowledgeable friend was so valuable.

Which method do you use most often now?

I use both Tarot and Mah Jong. It depends on the setting and the feeling I get from the person and that determines what I read for them. The Tarot is based on western esoteric concepts and imagery and of course the Mah Jong is Chinese, and contains eastern concepts and imagery which give a different feel to the reading. Although the results are the same the symbolic language is a little different. I also use a pendulum and other methods for dousing for answers to questions for clients and myself.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

Personally, I don’t require my clients to ask any initial questions for readings or really say anything, sometimes they want to tell me and sometimes they don’t. I have them draw cards and then I read what I see.

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?

Usually the surprising accuracy of this method will lead us into other questions about their situation, if there is something that remains unanswered at the end of the session, I help them formulate a yes or know question, and use my pendulum for the answer.

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

The purpose of using divination is to connect with your own intuition which is part of how we are wired to survive. My advice to people new at exploring this would be to approach it as an art not expect it to be a science. Looking at a deck of cards for the first time is like looking at a surrealist painting your imagination must be open. When you are learning these methods to divine you are essentially trying to become well versed in the language of the unconscious, so studying a little Jungian psychology might help.

You have your radio show on WHIV, which is wonderful, are there any new projects you are developing?

I’ve been doing my show The Major Arcana Music Show, here in New Orleans on WHIV FM for over a year now and I really enjoy doing it. For this show I draw a tarot card and divine a playlist about the meaning of this card using various methods and my ipod. It’s been a great way for me to go even deeper with the tarot and see how these symbols are reflected in popular culture. Other than that, I am working out of my shop Snake Oil Tarot and Apothecary as well as reading for various events around town.

Little Luna owns Snake Oil Tarot & Apothecary in Metairie, LA. She was born in Albuquerque, NM. She has Co-produced the Snake Oil Festival in New Orleans for the past three years, which is dedicated to showcasing sideshow & variety arts.

Review: Ifá divination, Knowledge, Power + Performance

August 17, 2017 By Lilith Dorsey

Ifá divination, Knowledge, Power and Performance book cover photo. All rights reserved.

What do we know about Ifá divination as a living system ? What are it’s philosophical systems? How does it change with the times ? How does Ifá divination include Islamic tradition ? What is the role of women in the priesthood ? What are the signs and visual clues in the religion ? How is it represented in film ? These are only some of the questions that Ifá divination, Knowledge, Power and Performance explores.

This is an amazing work detailing the conference proceedings from the 2008 Harvard conference. Numerous essays on a wide variety of topics are included.This important volume contains entries by Wande Abimbola, Jacob K. Olupona, Andrew Apter, Olasope O. Oyelaran, Rowland O. Abiodun, Wyatt MacGaffey, Akinwumi Isola, and many others. Editor Jacob K. Olupona is Professor of African Religious Traditions at Harvard Divinity School and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University.

According to the description on Goodreads : “This landmark volume compiled by Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun brings readers into the diverse world of Ifá—its discourse, ways of thinking, and artistic expression as manifested throughout the Afro-Atlantic. Firmly rooting Ifá within African religious traditions, the essays consider Ifá and Ifá divination from the perspectives of philosophy, performance studies, and cultural studies. They also examine the sacred context, verbal art, and the interpretation of Ifá texts and philosophy. With essays from the most respected scholars in the field, the book makes a substantial contribution toward understanding Ifá and its role in contemporary Yoruba and diaspora cultures.”

This book reads like a university textbook. Academic works on Ifá divination are few and far between, to many of us this detailed scholarship is a bonus. Each essay provides new insight on an under-explored and fascinating topic. One of my favorite segments deals with the role of women.

The Role of Women in the Ifá priesthood

In “The Role of Women in the Ifá priesthood” M. Ajisebo McElwaine Abimbola is trying to answer the important question “Is the exclusion of women from the Ifá priesthood a natural phenomenon of Ifá or was it adopted during the course of the horrible history of enslavement of African people? ” For those who are unfamiliar there is much resistance, and many prohibitions against women as Ifá priests in North and South America. But these restrictions don’t necessarily hold true for practices on the continent of Africa. As detailed in this essay

“according to the Ifá literary corpus, Iyanifa have been a crucial component of the Ifá priesthood since ancient times, and women have been a part of the Yoruba priesthood since Orisa first came to earth from heaven.” These revelations hold special meaning for me both as a woman, and as a Priestess in an African Tradition Religion (albeit a different branch.) One of the reasons I became a Voodoo priestess is because this manifestation of the religious tradition allows for more equality and potential for women.

Ifá divination, Knowledge, Power and Performance holds a great deal of insight not only in the essay described above. Each and every one of the entries in this powerful volume is valuable.

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