Divination Space Station: Awo Robert Ogbe Di

Last updated on: October 3, 2013 at 5:30 am By Lilith Dorsey

Yoruba Divination board, photo by Cliff1066TM

Just in time for October 4th, the traditional feast day for Orunmila or Orula,the Orisha of divination, the latest installment of our divination series. We are honored to present an interview with Awo Robert Ogbe Di.

When did you start divining? With what method?

Wow, it’s been a while! I got a tarot deck as a gift when I was a kid, maybe 14, and I played around with it until I figured out how to read with it, though it took a long time to put down the book because I was always worried I would “do it wrong”. I know better now. After that, I did a little work with a lot of different systems.

What method do you use most often now?

As a babalawo, I divine with the tools of my religion. Mostly with the divining chain (ekuele), but also with coconut (obi) and at major ceremonies with the sacred palm nuts (ikin). Once I passed to Ifa, I stopped using other methods of divination. When you are a priest of the Orisha of Divination, you have sort of an embarrassment of riches when it comes to divination methods… there really isn’t any need to go outside for anything.

How important is the question?

In my opinion, the question is 50% of what determines the quality of any divination, either for yourself or for someone else. The other 50% is split between intention (25%) and skill of the diviner (25%). I will address each of these briefly.

The question is key because it’s what is being asked. This sounds obvious, even redundant, but it is by far the number one problem that people have when they are trying to either read for themselves or get a reading with someone else. So often I see clients who are either embarrassed to ask something, or who are just unclear in their thinking. Just like with computing, garbage in, garbage out – you have to ask a clear question to get a clear answer. Another issue that comes up a lot is asking the wrong question. For example, someone comes asking “will I be able to buy a car?” Well, hold on, why do you need a car? What is the purpose? To get to work, to get your groceries, to drive your mom to the doctor, to make a road trip? Many people show up with a predefined narrative already set in their minds of how things are “supposed” to play out… these people will never be happy no matter what they are told, because they are not open to any alternative ideas of how things could manifest. That openness to change and willingness to be creative in solutions is the key, not only to divination, but to any form of contentment in life.

Intention is next in importance, because even the most perfectly phrased question cannot produce a clear answer if it is not the question the person’s heart is asking. If someone comes and asks “will I get the job at XYZ Corp?” when all their mind’s attention and energy is focused completely on the man or woman they met the night before, or their sick family member, or even what they are going to fix for dinner, their reading will be either muddy or completely misleading. Ideally, the person will be totally focused and present in the moment of divination; this gives the most clarity. This is why many professional diviners will keep you sitting for a bit when you arrive, rather than jumping into the divination – they want to give you a chance to catch up with yourself and focus on where you are, instead of taking all the stress of travel and the day into the reading with you.

I have to put the skill of the diviner in the list because divination is one of the “knack” skills, like creative writing, painting, music, sports, and so forth. Some people are naturally more skilled than others. Very few people can’t make anything work; very few people have the natural ability to pick up a divination tool and just start giving good readings right off the bat. Divination is a skill like anything else, and as time goes by, the diviner will learn more and more about the tools that s/he is using. Practice is key. Even the most naturally skilled person is only able to divine reliably if they have been practicing and using their tools for long enough to learn them. If someone is choosing a diviner to visit, find someone who has been working with their tools for at least a few years, and someone who has a good reputation for producing consistent results. It’s easy to find someone to tell you what you want to hear, but it’s a little more challenging to find someone who tells you what will really happen.

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

For most people, pendulum dowsing is the easiest and most reliable method. This type of yes/no work is pretty fundamental and there aren’t many people who can’t make it work with a little bit of practice.

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

*laughing* Quite a bit… how much space do I have?

Seriously, though, the main advice is practice. Do it over and over until you are completely familiar with the process; it is almost impossible for the intuition to provide any insight when you are still completely focused on trying to remember what step or steps need to be done next. Once you have the process down, then you will start noticing that stray intuitions start popping in. At first, this can be pretty random, and it helps to have other people to work with who will give you reliable feedback. “Yes, that is relevant” and “no that is not relevant” are a lot more valuable in the long run than the person who says “Wowwww, so truuuuuuee….” every time you open your mouth.

Secondly, as the Romans would say “festina lente”, or ‘hurry, slowly’. Don’t leap into divination to get immediate answers for your life’s major problems. Anything that you are deeply emotionally invested in should probably be investigated by a neutral third party. Daily readings for yourself will teach you what the indications mean (cards, astrological configurations, etc.) much more than sitting down once a month. Make the divination system a part of your life; identify life events and things you see in daily life as representations of the energies of the cards/stars/runes/whatever you use. For example, if you see an older woman looking sour and pensive, think “ah, Queen of Swords”; if a friend describes a love triangle, try to imagine how that situation would be described by the cards in a reading. This type of engagement with the images and symbols will dramatically speed up your learning process and encourage your intuition to chime in more quickly and reliably. It is also usual that your readings for other people will be more accurate sooner than the readings for yourself, so if you find that your readings for others are spot on but your readings for yourself aren’t quite there yet, don’t give up! Keep at it, and slowly you will come to realize that your readings are becoming startlingly accurate.

Divination Space Station: Dorothy Morrison

Last updated on: September 17, 2013 at 9:15 am By Lilith Dorsey

Psychic. Fifth Avenue, NYC. Photo by Timothy Krause.

Welcome to the Voodoo Universe’s first installment of the Divination Space Station, our guest interview series on all forms of divining.

Divination: it’s in the cards, the stones, the bones, the future. I have participated in quite a few divination panel discussions or roundtables over my twenty years of involvement in the Pagan community. Several interesting discussions came from these sessions, which were both led and attended by practitioners from all walks of life. On many occassions I had the good fortune of sitting on these panels with Dorothy Morrison, award-winning author, whom I am proud to call my friend. The questions are mine, the answers are all Ms. Morrison.

When did you start divining? With what method?

My mother gave me a Rider-Waite deck for Christmas the year I was 18, and I started right away. But to be perfectly honest, my first attempts were less than fruitful. I simply couldn’t get the cards to “speak” to me, and to say that I was discouraged was an understatement. In fact, I was so aggravated that I tossed the cards on the shelf and vowed that if I ever looked at them again, it would only be to throw them in the trash!

A couple of years later, though, I realized that the problem was neither with me nor the deck; instead, it was a personality conflict between the two of us. [Who knew?! LOL!] I found the Morgan-Greer deck, and readings began to flow immediately. It’s amazing what happens when someone finds a good fit. And today, I can read almost any deck without a problem.

What method do you use most often now?

I still use tarot cards, but I have to admit that they’re more for the querent than they are for me. As I’ve gotten older, I just seem to “know.” I still deal out the cards, but now the messages begin to flow just as soon as they start hitting the table.

How important is the question?

Although a lot of folks would disagree with me, I really don’t think it’s that important; the reason being that sometimes, folks simply aren’t supposed to have all the answers. [If, after all, they knew everything…well…what would be the point in living? ;)] And readings generally only offer information that’s beneficial to the querent at the time – regardless of what he or she thinks they want to know.

Aside from that, readings only tell you what’s likely to occur if you continue your current path – and you can change that path at any point. So, nothing’s cut and dried, or carved in stone. Regardless of the question, the outcome is still your call.

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

I shuffle the cards and deal them into a stack, either stopping when I turn up an ace or the 13th card – whichever comes first. I continue in that manner until there are three stacks. Three Aces is a yes. One or two is a maybe. And a complete lack of Aces is a no. It’s a very easy method and is fairly accurate.

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

If you’re using Tarot cards, get rid of the accompanying book immediately! Instead, actually look at the characters in the cards you’ve laid out and pay attention to what they’re doing. How are they interacting with the characters in the other cards on the table? Are they looking at each other? Are they turned away? Are they facing forward as if they’re completely indifferent to the others? Just try reading them as if you’re looking at a comic strip storyboard without the benefit of words – and you’ll be amazed at how easily the reading will flow.

For more wit, wisdom and wonderful witchy wickedness, please visit Dorothy Morrison’s websites:

www.dorothymorrison.com

www.wickedwitchstudios.com

Talking Tarot and Black People Magick With BLewisArts

Last updated on: January 21, 2021 at 8:11 am By Lilith Dorsey

Guardians Tarot image by BLewisArts. All rights reserved.

I’ve been a tarot reader and divination enthusiast since I was a child, but back then there weren’t any decks or images that represented me and other BIPOC. So the minute I saw Brittany Lewis’ new tarot deck I knew I had to get an interview about it for the blog. Lewis’ website tells us ” when creating artwork outside of commissions, my focus is to develop spiritually charged imagery of the African Diaspora in futuristic settings.” But I had more questions, so here they are in the interview below.

Did you always want to be an artist?

Art and creating in general has been something I’ve done my entire life. I did it when I was bored, sad, happy, excited. I would draw so much that I thought it was something everyone did. It became second nature to me. I didn’t think much of it until I was about 16 when I had an art teacher – Mrs. Owens – who took me under her wing and saw something in me that she fostered and nurtured. She was my first Black art teacher and she gave me the confidence to move forward as a creative. From that point on, I decided that I would be an artist professionally.

When did you decide to fuse your art with spirituality?

As an artist, especially once I began to freelance – I found that I was creating work that wasn’t necessarily what I wanted to create. It didn’t fulfill me and I found myself creating more and more to meet the expectations of others rather than being authentic to who I am. I remember one day, honestly reflecting on what I was doing versus what I wanted to do and what I wanted to see. I was really going through it at this time because to be an artist – in my opinion is much more than creating pretty pictures but giving a voice to the voiceless, even if that voiceless person is you.

Recognizing the power of being an artist, I had to decide how I wanted to use this expression. I no longer desired to create images from pop culture – which was more about recreating other people’s ideas and visions. I wanted to express myself in the most truthful way I could. Shortly after going through that thought process, I was asked in an interview with Blaque Canvas Magazine, what I thought people would say when they saw my art. I remember being completely dumbfounded and speechless. I didn’t answer. But what that question did, was give me the boost I needed to move forward creating more for myself and whatever was to come from it would come. I set out on a mission to be purposefully introspective throughout my artistic and spiritual journeys.

One of the biggest things that I was lacking was visual representation of my own spiritual journey. What I noticed was that worldwide – in almost every culture, there were very few – if any – depictions of the African Diaspora – or any darker people – as Gods and Goddesses, witches, mythical characters, etc. Much like the old Hollywood troupe, darker beings were often seen as negative beings. There’s a HUGE lack of balance and void in that space. One of the biggest arenas for this lack of representation is in the realm of Tarot and Oracle decks.

Artist Brittany Lewis. All rights reserved.

Do you read cards? How did you get started?

I do! The same year that I decided to be an artist – I decided that I wanted to learn to read tarot. I’m not sure what lead that desire but I knew I wanted to learn. I was always reading about and researching different spiritual systems – even at that young age. I also had plenty of metaphysical experiences – often seeing apparitions and so much more. So wanting to read tarot I think was just a natural calling.

During this time the only deck that I could get readily available was the Rider-Waite Smith Deck. I remember not being able to connect with the images – as a 16 year old there was something about it that I just didn’t vibe with. There wasn’t very much information for beginners to learn to read with them, so I gave up on it. Fast-forward 13 years from then, I get the itch to learn again. This time with many more decks and information available, and having grown significantly in my own journey, I began to read and I’ve been doing it every since.

You are working on a tarot deck yes? How did you get the idea to do this?

Yes. Once I decided that I would learn tarot again, I had to find a deck. I knew from my past experience that I didn’t want to start with the traditional Rider-Waite deck but I also recognized that there was a vast amount of information about learning from that particular system. So my search began. I was set on finding a deck that I connected with and instantly ran into the hurdle of not finding one that I felt represented me. This was around the same time I was having my artistic epiphanies. Being from a very ingenious lineage, I decided that I would use my own abilities to create what I wanted to see, rather than wait on the world to do it for me. At that point, I decided that creating a tarot deck would be a dream project of mine – It took me 5 years or so to finally start that project.

What’s your favorite card so far? I’m particularly fond of your Lovers card? Why did you choose this direction for the card?

The Lovers card is my favorite card as well. One thing about my deck is that it’s a self-portrait of my own spiritual journey and understanding. The Lovers card is a representation of something I experienced – so it holds a super special place in my heart. Just prior to creating that card, I was going through a major shift spiritually and I was exploring the duality of the mundane and higher selves – thus the Lovers card was born.

The Lovers Tarot Card by BLewisArts. All rights reserved.

It seems like much of your work is rooted in Afro-futurism? Do you agree? Why do you think this is especially important now?

Yes, I totally agree. Afro-futurism is one of the things that I wanted to showcase in my artwork and especially in my tarot deck. I’m a huge science fiction fan – from Television to literature and beyond. One of the things that I’ve noticed in sci-fi – as with many things, is the lack in representation and presence of the African Diaspora – as if we don’t exist in the future. And though there are black creators of this genre, they often don’t get the recognition I feel they should. Writers like NK Jemisin and Tananarive Due are brilliant – but they are often overlooked. Nonetheless, in popular science fiction, there’s plenty of dystopian doom and gloom.

One of my goals artistically is to showcase a different viewpoint: a much more magical viewpoint. Someone who has struggled will continue to struggle – vying for acceptance from others if that person cannot imagine themselves as something more – more magical, more powerful, more godly even. If I’ve never seen myself as a Goddess, how can I act as a Goddess? Just as when I was younger, before I had my first black art teacher, doing anything art related as a profession was outside of my purview. I didn’t even consider it – nor did I think it to be possible for someone like me. It is my desire to showcase infinite possibilities.

Do you have any advice for young Black witches just starting out?

To young black witches I would first say: No one can tell you how to do your magic. Trust in your own intuition and your own abilities. Heal those past traumas in order to move forward. That means confronting the darkest, deepest secrets and showing those parts of yourself love. Love every part of who you are. Seek help if you need it – whether that is through counseling or confiding in unbiased elders. Love yourself and be yourself.

What are you working on now?

Currently I’m creating the Queens in my tarot deck. I’m so excited to be working on this deck. The response has been wonderful and so humbling. I’m just happy to be able to share this part of myself.

How can people get in touch and buy your amazing work?

I’m currently on Instagram and Facebook as @BLewisArts and @BLewLotus.Tarot. I post lots of behind the scenes looks into the creation of my deck and I also do daily readings. Prints and t-shirts of my art can be found at: www.blewisarts.com. There you can also sign up to join the Tarot waitlist. Wait-listers will have first dibs on Pre-orders and will find out before it goes public. If you sign up for the monthly newsletter you get a coupon for Free shipping off your first order.

For more posts about Tarot please check out the Divination Space Station series on this blog. As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment and share !

Review: The Only Tarot Book You’ll Ever Need

Last updated on: December 1, 2019 at 6:23 pm By Lilith Dorsey

With a title like The Only Tarot Book You’ll Ever Need this book sets the bar high. The new book by Skye Alexander and Mary Shannon details meanings of cards and different tarot spreads to try. It provides a strong foundation for anyone beginning their study of the system. The breakdown of card meanings includes things like reversals, and an overview of the suits as a whole, in addition to specific information for each card you may draw. It is both artful and eloquent.

One of my favorite things about this book is it is sprinkled with tiny tarot tips. These are interesting insights and keys that help unlock the complex mysteries of the system. For example in the section about the Star card they write ” The Star corresponds to the number seventeen, which in old numerological systems was connected with immortality, hope, intuition, and self-expression. ” Divination with tarot is an ancient system and there is much that goes into truly understanding how it functions. The tips provide useful information that can help with these complexities.

The Only Tarot Book You’ll Ever Need also includes an all important section on ethics when it comes to doing reading. Any long time reader knows that this is an issue, and ones morality and guidelines should be firmly set, especially before doing readings for others. Personally, feel that doing a reading is an energy exchange and should be treated with respect for all concerned.

Our regular readers know that we are fond of Skye Alexander here on this blog, we even interviewed her in our Divination Space Station series. In it she says ” 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.” This book shares much knowledge. While it may not be the only one you’ll ever need in my opinion, but then I have over two dozen books on tarot immediately on hand. I truly think that The Only Tarot Book You’ll Ever Need is a welcome addition to any tarot library.

As always if you enjoy what your read here, please remember to like, comment, and share !

500 Posts on Voodoo Universe : The Truth is Out There

Last updated on: October 8, 2017 at 8:14 am By Lilith Dorsey

Voodoo Universe posts photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Join me in celebrating 500 posts here on this blog Voodoo Universe. I have done my best to explore all the dark and deep corners of the Voodoo Universe for the truth and beauty of Afro-Diasporan religious traditions.

Food

Food is one of the simplest and also the most powerful ways we can honor and access our spirituality. Food is life, literally. These beliefs cause me to share some of my most treasured recipes here on this blog, and in my African-American Ritual Cookbook. Recently I’ve been combining my love of food and tarot with the Tarot Every Witch Way : Food video series. We livestream every Sunday night on my Facebook Page , but if you miss us you can catch up on the Youtube Channel. If you haven’t heard me ask before, here it is again. I would love to hear your favorite recipes relating to tarot and spirituality, what’s cooking with you ? Please share in the comments below.

Divination

From the very beginning of the blog Voodoo Universe I have done my best to include real life psychics and occult author interviews here. Our divination space station series has asked them the important question like how they got started, do they have a yes/no method they recommend, and more. Maybe you know some of these fantastic folks, maybe you would like to. Read them for yourself and don’t forget to share :

I’m always looking for new folks to interview, so please email me [email protected] if you are interested.

Hoodoo, Conjure, Voodoo, and Voudou

In the past decade or so many people’s attention has turned towards the world of Hoodoo and Conjure. Like most things these days the lines are getting blurred. In a move for clarity I created this infographic. Obviously things are more complex than can be explained in a simple and small picture, but hopefully it’s a start. I did an interview earlier this year where I explained the difference to my host and she replied “well then why doesn’t everyone self-initiate into Hoodoo. ” Nevertheless and ever the more, things are not as simple as that.

Vodou vs. Hoodoo infographic by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Love Magic

There have been many new developments here on this blog, and one of the ones I am most excited about it the recent publication of my book Love Magic. It wasn’t an easy book to write, and very often I get questions about ethics and responsibility. This is because people are conditioned to think real love magic is about control and loss of free will. From what have seen and experienced nothing is farther from the truth. People who approach love with an open mind and an open heart are the ones who are the most successful. True love begins at home with self love, and gratitude for the love we cultivate in every aspect of our lives. The over 250 spells included in Love Magic cover all aspects of love.

The Dead

One of our mottoes here at Voodoo Universe is ancestors first, last, and always. It has always been part of our mission to help people connect with and give tribute to their beloved dead. Over the years we have had many posts focusing on the ancestors, please check out some of the ones you may have missed.

Plum Pork Roast Recipe for the Ancestors – The following is a harvest recipe, suitable for the fall, when we celebrate the fruits of our labor and the coming of the darkness. Plums are known to bring protection from the ancestors and also the answering of prayers.
Ancestor Poem Number 11 – Join us as we turn it up to 11 , like in Spinal Tap.
Easy Psychic Methods for Finding Unknown Ancestors – I had a teacher once tell me most people don’t even know the names of all 4 of their grandparents. She then proceeded to poll the class and prove she was right. Whatever the reason, most of us have ancestors whose names were lost in the seas of time. Here are some simple ways to find out more.

Thanks for reading everyone ! I couldn’t have done it without you, your likes, and your shares ! Here’s to the next 500 posts !

Tarot on TV : Hulu’s Shut Eye

Last updated on: December 13, 2016 at 6:13 am By Lilith Dorsey

Pendu tarot image courtesy of wikimedia.

The first shot of Shut Eye shows us the Hanged Man tarot card. In many cases this card refers to indecision. This is very appropriate because as a viewer I’m unsure how this show is going to turn out. Our protagonist Charlie Haverford sells $500 candles, and seems to have more made up mojo than he does real magick. The tagline for the show is “fake psychics, real visions.” So let’s see what the future holds.

Shut Eye is a tarot show that represents the four elements : water, fire, guilt, and greed. It presents in the style of a gritty crime drama. The characters psychic skills are running a distant second to their manipulation ability. In a way Shut Eye is self-referential. It pokes fun at “fake” hucksters and then gives the main character strange visions, that look more like bad acid flashbacks. The show also brings up the difficult question of stereotype. But is it being respectful? It takes at least 15 minutes before the word Romani comes into play in the first episode. However, where stereotype is concerned they also seem to just be adding to the list of examples.

I do have to say cheers to the writers, because there is some seriously good dialogue here. My favorite line so far “I hope this doesn’t hurt you to hear, you’re not my first anything. ” The backstories here are interesting. Consequently, the characters of Shut Eye are able to draw you in very quickly. The show is worth watching if only for a look a the family’s matriarch played brilliantly by Isabella Rossellini.

The website nerdophiles.com reports on the show after the cast’s recent appearance at Comic Con.

“Interestingly, even though the world of psychics may seem like something out of a myth, all of the cast members pointed out that there are real, grounded techniques used that make the traditional work of psychics actually work. It is not all just fantasy. Zayas [who plays Eduardo Bernal ] admitted it was hard to “buy in” to the idea of psychics, and in preparation for his role he went to a couple true Romani psychics in the area in order to “find something he could believe” about it…. The show’s commitment to exploring the real world of psychics is wonderful, and Bohem shared some of the research they did, including bringing on consultants who were embedded in the culture.”

The entire first season of Shut Eye is now streaming on Hulu. You can watch the trailer below.

https://youtu.be/kXTfBiHkfA4

For those who have been inspired by Shut Eye to go to a real psychic please check out the talented psychics we have here in our Divination Space Station series. Alternatively you can email me at [email protected] to book an appointment with me.

Tramps and Thieves in the Pagan Community

Last updated on: December 10, 2016 at 11:25 pm By Lilith Dorsey

Tramps and thieves photo by Lilith Dorsey.

It’s a sad fact that theft in the pagan community happens all the time. It used to be back in the day people would just lift something off your table, or copy your handouts and claim the work as their own. The digital era has made theft even more possible and prevalent. Consequently as a Pagan author and filmmaker I know this type of thing happens a lot. My books are stolen on a regular basis, and are available for free download all over the place. My decades of study and hard work are taken in a minute by those who could care less.

It made me sad, but I can’t said I was shocked last week, when I heard that my friend Oseanna is experiencing a serious theft of her work. Regular readers of this blog will remember we profiled her on Divination Space Station : Oseaana back in 2014. She is a powerful woman, and an accomplished reader/teacher who it is an honor to know. Unfortunately she is being targeted by a woman who has stolen her videos, and other intellectual and digital property and claims them as her own. When I talked to Oseaana earlier this week, she said she had tried to reason with this person ” through private messages and all she could do was blame everyone else.” I’m left shaking my head.

Post-Truth and Pagan Thieves

Unfortunately we live in a time where the word post-truth is a new entry to the dictionary. People see Wikipedia as a valid authority, and overwhelming opinion frequently becomes truth. Therefore the problem is a society that both doesn’t see, and also doesn’t care. Does no one remember the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes? Many of these new Pagan practitioners are fakes and thieves, or at the very least just ignorant. We must do our best to try and co-exist peacefully and respectfully.

What Can You Do?

First of all, if this happens to you speak out. Report the offenders loudly, and often, both to the websites they may be frequenting and to their followers. Fake practitioners and thieves in the Pagan community destroy the experience for everyone, and they should not be allowed to get away with it.

In addition, do your best to be responsible with your posts and shares. Make sure you have permission to share material. And always make sure that the proper sources are given credit, and links exist in every way possible. I found someone the other day just taking screenshots of my book Voodoo and Afro-Caribbean Paganism without even using my name, or anything. When I asked her about it, she acted like this was fine. This is not ok. Please don’t do this. Most people are kind, and will most likely allow you permission to share their content when you ask.

Do not enter photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Another thing to avoid is bootleg downloads of your favorite books and media. We have been hearing music artists protest about this for years. Just because we authors, filmmakers, and other content producers may not be as vocal, it doesn’t mean we aren’t being taken advantage of.

In conclusion, do your best to follow genuine spiritual practitioners you respect. Follow Oseaana’s youtube channel , while you are there follow Lilith Dorsey’s channel too. If you can share this post so other people can know and understand what’s happening.