Welcome to my new website & Blog
Posted on Saturday, June 20th, 2009 in Blog
Sacred Aloe
My wish is to help people of all nations ‘to remember’ their old ancestral ways through dreaming – for when people are in touch with their own inner worlds, then happiness and contentment can be fostered, peace and balance can be restored.
Intention
My intention behind this website and media work is to publicise and correctly inform people about African spirituality, and in particular, Sangoma work. For too long now there has been the mistaken view that Sangomas are associated with witchcraft, black magic and voodoo. The word ‘Sangoma’ means ‘people of the song’ because we go into trace through rhythm and song. The job of the Sangoma is to heal people and lift the spiritual energy of the individual and community up. It is a sacred job with great responsibility. If people call themselves ’sangoma’ but then work to hurt, injure or create disharmony, they are not sangomas and only serve to discredit this ancient name and profession.
There is no word for depression in the Zulu and Xhosa language, only ‘umoya phantsi’ (spirit energy down), or ‘umoya phezulu’ (spirit energy up). The job of the Sangoma is always ‘umoya phezulu’ – to lift, raise up the spiritual energy of the individual and community. In the international language of healing, one cannot put curses on people one day and then attempt to heal people the next.
One of the ancient symbols of Sangomas is the ‘Sacred Aloe’ – to heal the community in a variety of ways.
Additional Blog postings to appear in the near future…
Hi John
just heard you speaking on Radio 4, and was inspired by your story, your struggle, thoughts and way of being.
I have recently been on a shamanistic journey for the first time and have found it to have a quite an influence in my life.
When there are so many stories of violence, suffering and war in the media, hearing about the difference that one unselfish individual can make is very powerful.
All the best to you!
Tim
Hi Tim,
Thank you so much for your kind words, I do appreciate it!
Warm wishes,
John.
Hello John,
I was at the Blessing Ceremony at the Abbey on Friday night. I found it quite amazing and wanted both for it to stop and at the same time to go on forever. I have had several dreams and other ‘happenings’ since then which can only be a result of that ceremony. One experience for me during the blessing had the potential to be frightening (it reminded me of a previous experience) but after discussing it with Clint (I sat opposite you at dinner at Clint’s home) we decided between us that what happened to me was a soul retrieval event. Thank you so much for this result from the opportunity to meet with ubuntu, I wish you well as also to Linos and Tim who both also impressed me very much. Thank you, Marjorie