“As a Christian believer AND spiritualist, who am I praying to? God? Universe? Angels? My Granny? Are they ALL listening…or offended by who I acknowledge?”

These questions used to plaque my mind in my early spiritual journey. Religion, philosophy, and heavily opinionated spiritual teachers made it no better. So, how did I make it out of the tug-of-war of deities? The tic-tac-toe of conscious woe? Easy! Common sense…and equally common guidance from within.

BEGINNING OF BELIEF:

All of us of course have a different story and journey when it comes to our faith and spirituality. For me, I could loosely say it started in church, but thinking deeper, I believe it would be more truthful to say it started in CHILD. As a child, I was always the “wonderer”. The sibling who noticed the beauty of the ugly roses, the way the sun could not be hidden even by the thickest clouds. How even bad people had a seed of good in them (yea you guessed right, I got in trouble for talking to strangers lol.) Anyway, this wondering nature was of course a pre-cursor to the oddball, initiated priestess I am today. To better explain my makeup, I was raised by a mother who came from a religious family on both sides (Christian and Catholic), and that same family was also strict, controlling AND abusive. However, I’m a firm believer that religion and church is not the blame for unhealed and traumatic families. Healing and awakening are a personal DECISION that a lot of my relatives failed to make. Last time I checked, we have many very much “insomnia-level” woke pastors and preachers that are preaching truth, love, light and personal power.

In my young adulthood (age 18) I accepted Christ as my savior and the debtor of my sins. I joined a local Baptist church. A few years later, I joined a Pentecostal-Apostolic church, later becoming ordained as a youth minister (I worked in dance and drama ministry for several years) I left abruptly after a while, but my pastor understood and wished me well. I later joined a more “befitting for me” International Non-Denomination church (predominately native African congregation). I purposely did not work in any ministry there (no matter how much they begged because they “smelled it on me” lol), but I did design their logo that they still use to this day. I didn’t work in ministry there because God had me on “hiatus”. During my “spiritual awakening”, I went on a “spiritual study binge”. Acquiring knowledge from the Holy Spirit through prayer, my church lessons, Bible study, study of other faiths, family history and culture, history of worldwide practices and beliefs. This does not mean in any way that I claim to be a “guru”. I am a student of life, forever learning. As we all should be.

I share my story to say this: Church is NOT the enemy. It is a catalyst for AWAKENING. I am thankful for my years in ministry and fellowship. It nurtured me. It taught me discipline, leadership and LOVE. Still does. Going back is not even a problem, as long as I am spiritually led to a congregation that won’t “burn me at the stakes”.

GOD, CHRIST, ANGELS & ANCESTORS: Drawing the Line:

So now that we’ve established my humble beginnings, let’s get into “spiritual structure”. As I’ve stated here and in previous posts in “Within & Beyond”, I’m a firm believer in Christ consciousness, and accepting Him as the sacrifice for our iniquities. I also believe God is infinite and omnipresent. Past, present, and future exist at the same time, and “time” as we know it is a man-made measure (which God honors and uses to connect). This explains further why the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is so powerful, and why its atonement being available for ALL is the ultimate love of God. That is the base and core of my faith. I believe God is God and should be praised and worshipped as The Creator. Jesus Christ is to be honored as the son of God and the “gatekeeper” of our salvation. Yes, they are one (Christ was God in man form and sacrificed Himself for us.) but also separate by design. This also explains the Holy Spirit, designed as a guide and spiritual compass (God in us).

However, the honor of ancestors is equally important to me! Honoring the lives of those who paved the way for you is also honoring God for their existence, which was His creation. It is also a form of self-love and worth (YOU) by being thankful for how you got here and who you came through. Ancestors don’t even have to be biologically related to you. Ancestors can also be passed on friends, godparents, Catholic saints (I don’t identify as Catholic, but I do have a “patron saint” (Saint Josephine Bakhita) because I admired her life, and also in honor of my Catholic ancestors.), pets (I believe they are a form of guardian angels), cultural or traditional figures and deities (such as the Orishas, Alusi, Lwas, Papa Legba, Marie Laveau, Santa Maria, etc.), or anyone that made an impact or inspiration in your life through theirs. Now, I know you’re wondering, “What if my ancestors were dark, evil, or hurt me when they were living?” Beloved, even if your ancestor was Adolf Hitler, Bin Laden, Hell…Jeffrey Dahmer… they are worthy of honor. The simple answer is YES. Forgiving and honoring your ancestors is HEALING them! Yes, you can heal them (also yourself and bloodline) through your love and forgiveness, making even your “darkest” ancestors indebted to you by God to make up for their wrongs! These are the “protective goons” we are talking about when we say, “my ancestors don’t play about me!” That’s them! Lol. That’s a million-dollar spiritual secret. I do take Cash App.

I also believe in honoring angels. I believe each one of us have angels “assigned” to us. These angels are like “government workers” for God. Working on contract in our lives, assisting in spiritual warfare that we do not see. The length and power of this contract is based on ancestry (the sins and/or righteousness of our ancestors), and on our conscious decisions and purity of heart. In shorter terms, angels can ONLY assist with what they are permitted to assist with by God and YOUR decisions. They also deserve acknowledgement and honor.

DUALSHIP OF DEITIES: A Puzzle Pieced POWERHOUSE

Now that I’ve explained my personal belief of the “significant separation” of it all, the next question would probably be “How do I apply this to my personal practices?” Below is what I call my Order of Honor:

ORDER OF HONOR:

1. God The Creator (in the name of His son Jesus Christ if you are a believer, God Himself has many names globally but yet NONE AT ALL. No one can “box” God. Catch that if you can.)
2. Holy Spirit
3. Angels (arch (commander) and guardian, I believe they come before ancestors because they are without sin. WE are the fallen angels, earning our way back home.)
4. Ancestors (biological and then un-biological)
5. Grandparents and Parents (living)
6. Self
7. Spouse and/or children
8. Relatives, friends, and anyone connected to you (including pets/animals).

WORSHIP Vs. PRAISE AND HONOR:

“What is the difference between worship, praise and honor, and who gets what?” Let me make this perfectly clear: NO ONE is worthy of WORSHIP except the Creator (God)! Putting anyone or anything above the Source can cultivate major karmic consequences, and I will NOT be hunted down with pitchforks due to your folly lol. If you are a Bible reader, you would realize that even Jesus Christ himself DID NOT WANT TO BE WORSHIPPED. He was ALWAYS pointing believers towards the FATHER. Letting them know that he would not be with them long, that he was just The Messenger. This is part of the reason why he “got away from the crowd” at times. I’ll say it again for the nosebleed section, I believe that Jesus Christ is not to be worshipped…but honored.

What is worship? To highly exalt and reverence above all. To acknowledge as the root, source and creator of something. To love all that they are and stand for. What is praise? To thank an individual/entity for what they have done, is doing, or will do. What is honor? To acknowledge and gratify an individual/entity’s role, value, importance, significance, works, sacrifices, life, and legacy. With that being said, God is of course worthy of ALL 3. Every other entity I believe is to be praised and honored. Simple as a dimple. Understanding and agreeing with my personal break down of the “deity dilemma” can also help you better agree with why I left the “contemporary” church and why I also agree AND disagree with Catholicism. Everything (for me personally) is a “hit and miss”. MOST Christian churches teach how to worship God and the significance of Christ and the Holy Spirit…but can shun on the power of spiritual science, nature, ancestry honor and veneration. Resulting in a religion of undermined CO-DEPENDENCY. MOST Catholic churches teach honoring ancestors (saints), spiritual science and nature (offerings, rituals, and incense burning) … but can shun on the importance of the Holy Spirit and repentance to God in prayer (not through passed on saints, Virgin Mother Mary, priests or statues/images). Resulting in a religion of undermined IDOLATRY.

I’m not here to shame anyone’s faith or religion. I’m speaking from my own perspective. The bright side is this, there are pieces of God’s truth in EVERY faith, tradition, and religion on the face of the earth. It’s up to us to discover, assess, and implement. As long as the main thing is the Creator and love for all of His creations. Angels (demons too), ancestors, the universe, earth, man, woman, child, and all of its resources (nature, elements, minerals, materials, wildlife, etc.) are all His, made for us. The oxygen in your lungs and organs, the blood in your veins, the very ideas, creativity, desires and innovations you have in your healthy mind are from the source, however you acknowledge it, needing His resources to manifest into reality. In layman’s terms, I believe God is ALL of us, unified by body, separate by design and purpose. I believe remembering and applying the Order of Honor is bound to change your life, powerplay, and fulfillment in due time. -Ngozi The Blessed

SpiRITUAL:

Play instrumental music with a frequency of at least 396 hz or higher. If you don’t have a prayer altar with the elements, surround yourself with the elements (water, fire, air, earth, metal) or go outside while in prayer. Sage the space and yourself if needed. Anoint your head, hands, and feet with anointing oil. Follow this order of prayer:

1. “Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ.”
2. Thank God for waking you up today. Thank Him for all of His creation (sun, moon, stars, universe, resources, etc.)
3. Thank God for mercy, grace, sacrifice of His only begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit.
4. Thank God for angels, your ancestors, family, friends, loved ones AND enemies.
5. Thank God for EVERY experience, which taught and grew you.
6. Thank God for YOU. Thank God for creating you in His likeness and image, acknowledging Him as the source.
7. Thank God for all He has done, is doing, and what is to come. Thank God for the grace of TIME.
8. REPENT and bleed the blood of the sacrificial lamb of God (Christ) over your sins.
9. Ask God to accept your offerings (elements, tithes, etc.) in pure intention and heart. Welcoming His presence and power into your place.
10. Worship God (Thanking Him for all that He is, giving him ALL of the glory.)
11. THEN make your petitions, requests, declarations and decrees (you have AUTHORITY, you are gods), trusting in His power and will.
12. Thank God (in advance) and “bask” in His presence for as long as you feel.
13. If you have an ancestor altar, visit it AFTER your prayer, giving them offerings, and thanking God for their life, lessons, and legacy. Ask them to continue to assist you, as you “conquer the battles left unwon, and finish the chapters left undone”. That they will be proud and in peace, and God will be glorified.

*ALWAYS perform rituals with CLEAN (physically and intentionally) hands.*