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Rene Holiday

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Spiritual Bath

I have written a few posts regarding my faith and practice of Ifa/Orisha Worship. I’ve never posted Spiritual Baths or Ebo’s (Lord knows I have enough to write a book or two!). Those who practice know that this is an oral based tradition and history. I’ve been the right hand of my Babalow (Ifa Priest- read more here http://thesacredforest.org/ifa) for so many years. He is the Babalow of sacrifice. Which means his wisdom is often sought for readings, ebo’s, and how to just get your shit right! He is a respected elder in the community and our relationship is that of…

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orunmila

When I received my hand of Ifa, my Godfather Ifa Tosin gifted me this beautiful prayer. Regardless of your spirituality, religion, or faith, you cannot deny the truth of these words. Over the years I have memorized this prayer. I was praying to my Ifa recently, and that’s when it dawned on me that this prayer is universal. One does not have to be a practitioner of Traditional African Religion to appreciate it’s words and message.  For a general understanding of Ifa and Orunmila click here https://africanspiritualitynow.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/orunmilla-the-deity/   Orunmila I offer you my morning greetings in the name of my odu_______.…

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I met Rebecca Rabb about a a month ago. We met on Instagram after she had sent me a beautiful picture of her daughter Keani wearing one of several headwraps she had purchased from my online boutique https://www.sunflowershoneypots.com/ . I  saw the  picture of Keani in the headwrap, and immediately wanted to know more about her. I thanked Rebecca for the picture, for supporting my business and asked her a few questions about Keani. Picture this: an 8 year old little girl, rocking an African print headwrap, along with a Sankofa pin- all by her choice. This is just not something…

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In the Yoruba language, “Eyele Funfun” means “White Pigeon”. In  Yoruba/Lukumi http://www.lukumiart.com/ocha/ tradition, white pigeons represent purity. They are often used to remove negative energy. For several years now, my Babalow (Godfather in Ifa, spiritual mentor) has had me do a yearly cleanse on New Year’s Eve with a white pigeon. It is very simple. I get a white pigeon- not the dirty pigeons you see on the streets. But a beautiful bird purchased from a reputable bird store. I take the bird and sweep it across the top of my head, across the front and back of my body, front…

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I recently went to my Happy Place as I do every week. A hidden beautiful river that flows through the mountains here in Southern California. As I walked down the bank, I noticed something low to the ground move into the bush. I couldn’t make out what it was. Was it a lizard? Was it a snake? I made a conscious decision  to proceed in the opposite direction. I wasn’t taking any chances even if it was only a squirrel. Whatever it was I scared it off. Or so I thought… I soon forgot about it and relaxed on a…

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I recently shaved my head for the second time in 18 months (you can read about it the first time here http://reneholiday.com/nurturing-locs/ ). It was unexpected and it was unplanned. I thought about it for a couple of days. Literally about 48 hours later I called my barber, and headed his way to shave my head, on a Friday evening… Now let me take you back to the weekend prior. My Godmother called me for our weekly conversation. It’s more like a “Spiritual Tune-Up.” In our conversation we talk about my Ocha https://oshunschild.com/2013/11/08/making-ocha-and-the-initiation-procedure/, and that my hair will be shaved again.…

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Everything changed on March 4, 2017, in a good way. My thought process, my energy, my level of sprituality, literally everything. I called my Godfather in Ifa (read more about Ifa here http://thesacredforest.org/ifa )  and all I said was “Baba (Yoruba word for father/wise man), I’m ready”.  He’s been waiting years for me to say that! This will not make sense to some of you, so I will explain as such. I’ve been a practioner of African Orisha Worship for many, many years.  In this tradition you ultimately want to be crowned with the Orisha that walks with you. The ceremony is…

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Oshun! Oshun! Oshun! Maferefun Oshun! Recently Beyonce hit the Grammy stage, and the world has not stop talking about her channeling Oshun for her performance. If you are not familiar with Oshun, she is the African Deity of love, beauty, prosperity and fertility. This description of Oshun are quick bullet points, there is SO much more to her than this. If you are a practitioner of Ifa and Yoruba religions (such as myself), a conversation about Oshun is just a common conversation to have. However, I do find it interesting that the rest of the world is now intrigued by…

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Often in life, the best experiences are often unplanned and unexpected. When you just live your life, let go of the rules and expectations, that is when life is at its best. This past October was no exception to the rule. As my 48th birthday was rapidly approaching, I made a conscious decision to just live and let go. I was asked if I wanted a dinner party, did I want to go out to a club, and I declined pretty much everything that was offered to me. I just wanted to live and let go, and see what happens……

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What do you do, when you find out, that the person you are in love with is getting married to someone else? You have been trying to “work things out”, you continue to ignore every single red flag God has placed before you. Because you are blinded by love. Your intuition kicks in, you ask them what you fear most, and they confirm your worse fears. A friend is currently living this nightmare. She is beyond devastated! This is an open letter to her and any man or woman who has endured this painful experience… When I saw the tears…

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