River Spirits and Bear Medicine...

I have to admit that I follow certain aspects of astrology. Tomorrow ends the aspect of Mercury in Retrograde. Mercury in Retrograde (Oct 11th -Nov 1st-a week before or a week after) is a interesting time for all things concerning communication - no matter what - I repeat NO MATTER WHAT do NOT start anything new during this time-if you do you will find that it will become quite different from what you thought it was going to be. For example, that new relationship you started in the beginning of October... well there is a chance you will end up over promising, giving the wrong signals or the person will turn out to be very different from who you thought they were. It is NEVER a good time to sign a contract - you may realize later you forgot a detail or you mis-read an important clause that will cost you $$$ later. It can also be a time when your phone, computer or cell phone encounter problems. It is not all doom and gloom - it is a VERY GOOD TIME to complete tasks that you have postponed - say you didn't complete a contract you had on the table before the start of Mercury in Retrograde then you can sign it with confidence or that project you put off - time to finish it up.
So today, I just finished off a project that I have been wanting to complete for some time and I feel soooo good. If you want to learn more about Mercury in Retrograde a good site for astrology is http://www.astrologyzone.com

Bear Medicine
I took another lovely walk with friends this morning to the Cascade Nature Reserve. Each time is like a new visit with new things to see. This time we uncovered a waterfall with a cave-like tunnel. If you know Atlanta - it is right off of Cascade around Childress. It was a great time for communing with nature and friends. While walking I found a small glass green bear in the dirt - the size of some of a Native American Zuni Fetish. It goes well with the small piece of Bear skin I got my friend Mbali. Bear Medicine is about awakening the power of your unconscious and is a lunar symbol. Bear teaches us to go in and awaken the potentials inherent to our purpose.

I got some beautiful photos today of the nature preserve and also caught what looks like a riverspirit in one photo -very cool!
Peace,
Sistah C

Sistah Goddess Radio Premiere

Okayyyyy, I finally figured out how to get the audio embedded in the post so you can hear my first interview.
Please give me some comments and feedback. Thanks!
BTW, here is the information for the Sankore Foundation.
Sankore Foundation
3695 F Cascade Rd.
Suite 1363
Atlanta, Georgia 30331
Office: (404) 474-0799
Fax: (404) 474-4076
Email: info@sankorefoundation.org
URL: www.sankorefoundation.org

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Podcast: Sistah Goddess Radio Premiere

Greetings and welcome to Sistah Goddess Radio! I am kicking off my very first interview with a special guest all the way from Ghana. Today I had a wonderful conversation with Faiza Ibrahim Taimako. She is the a living network, a generational botanist, spiritual healer and herbalist. She is also the coordinator of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medical Practitioners (GHAFTRAM), the Regional Secretary of the Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association, niece of the Chief of Bongo and niece of the lead elder of the Ten-Zu Shrine and a in-law of the Chief of Gushe. If that is not it she is a wife, mother and businesswoman.
Join us as she speaks of spiritual healing, traditional practices and connecting the diaspora to the continent.

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Being Receptive To The Voice of Our Ancestors

As I meditated this morning the idea of receiving came to mind. Meditation is a process that requires you to recognize when you are in the past, the present and the future. When my mind wonders I simply stop and see where I am -lately I am in the future. I am thinking of that new job I need, or the next bill I have to pay, what I am going to do later on today, how I need to call this person and so on... Sometimes I mix things up with the past - things that were said to me, things that I said, things I have done and so on... The present is a difficult place for me because I have to be still and be comfortable in the silence. I find that it is in this silence that I can receive the messages of my ancestors. We sistahs have some powerful ancestors - they are the family that came before us - some we may know others we may have never met. I have met people who can tell you their family tree ten generations back, I know others who have traced back their family to a community in Afrika. It is said that we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors yet many of us in this society have little knowledge of where we come from. Even if we do not know our Ancestors by name we can feel their presence in our lives - we just have to be receptive. This morning I thought of my ancestors messages competing with my heavy thoughts- critical thoughts - this is why I have to find this quiet middle space call the present to keep me clear. Sistahs by nature we are receivers so it is only logical that we have to cultivate practices that help us to receive only that which is healthy and of our ancestors. Developing this presence of mind helps us to be receptive to the voice of our ancestors - keeping us out of harms way and guiding us to a better day.

Just sharing a part of my process...
BTW, the picture is from artist Mara Friedman http://www.newmoonvisions.com

Peace,
Sistah Camara

Gifts from Sistah Mama Earth That Heal You

I have longed believed that we can heal ourselves using what is around us. A herbalist I once knew told me what grows around our homes is what we need. When I take a walk around my neighborhood I take notice of what grows in my neighbor's yards and what grows along the sidewalks. A plant I see often is dandelion. I have heard people call dandelion a weed but it is one of the most beneficial herbs for the digestive system - especially when it comes to digestion of fat. This herb also helps to relieve cramps. You can eat the leaves in salad or use the roots and leaves in a tea. NOTE: Don't harvest it from your lawn unless you are sure the ground is free from insecticides.

Recipe for the Mid-day Sluggishness

Take 1 heaping teaspoon of dried dandelion root boiled in 1 1/2 cups of water for 15 to 20 minutes.
Boiling it for this long allows for you to extract the full medicinal properties fo the herb. Let it cool and drink warm.

This is a great solution for those times when you are experiencing a low from too much caffiene and sugar.

Spiritually, dandelion is said to sharpen your intuition and to assist with making sense of your dreams.

Peace,
Sistah Camara

Beautiful 2008 Sacred Journey Calendar

A couple or so years ago I had the opportunity to design a website for photographer James Weeks. Recently, I found out that he has produced a 2008 Sacred Journey calendar of his travels in Afrika. The pictures are very beautiful. If you are interested in his work check out his website at www.4cyclesofseconds.com or email james@4cyclesofseconds.com

Travel Alert! Free Trip To Zanzibar!

I was just speaking with my good friend Upsei Mtambuzi from the Oakland area last night and I shared that I was now bloggin' for the sistahs. Out of that conversation came the invitation to sistahs (and brothas) to come to her family's very beautiful beachfront Zanzibar Bed & Breakfast for her February 12-28, 2008 Spiritual and Healing Journey Retreat. I am attaching pictures because many us don't know the paradise that awaits us in our motherland. Upsei and her husband are wonderful Afrikan hosts and they will have guest teachers presenting classes/workshops on spiritual healing and yoga.

SPECIAL FOR SISTAH GODDESS READERS!

EARN A FREE TRIP TO ZANZIBAR!
Get six people to attend the Spiritual and Healing Journey Retreat and go for free!!! OR (the communal way) have seven people pay the price of six to go. Eitherway, it is a savings of $3500. For more information on the Zanzibar retreat and other retreats go to their website at www.enterafrica.net/tours.html

If you can't make the February retreat Upesi has more events happening. You can also just come and enjoy the bed&breakfast for a little R&R. The home/center is located in Bwejuu in Zanzibar (Tanzania). Upesi has a special relationship with the community and on her site you can see a community project she is working on with our East Afrikan Sistahs. Also, support Afrikan owned businesses and travel spots - you may get more out of it than a vacation. Tell her you heard about it on the Sistah Goddess Blog.
Peace,
Sistah C

To Make a Black Woman Smile (Video)

A friend of mine emailed the link to this video. Take a look and give me your comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPBH57BWhpE
Peace,
Sistah Camara