“Touch her heart”
August Boatwright (Queen Latifah) tells the story of the Black Madonna to the Daughters of Mary during a homegrown ritual melding Catholic and African traditions, in this scene from The Secret Life of Bees.
Afrospiritualities
“This is not black magic”: the Voodoo renaissance in New Orleans
Voodoo priestess Manbo Jessyka and high priestess Eshé introduce the practice as a way of life and as a means of connecting to ancestors through everyday rituals and spiritual reflection.
“The Witches of Baltimore”
Sigal Samuel writes for The Atlantic: Modern black witches are practicing Yoruba-based faiths, with a few Millennial touches. They build altars to ancestors so they can seek their advice on everything from romance to professional advancement, cast spells using emoji to help banish depression, surround themselves with crystals in the hope that they will relieve stress, and … Read more“The Witches of Baltimore”
“Vodou: Theology of Liberation” Film Trailer
The full documentary is available on a pay-your-own-price basis via this site.
“Meet the African women reviving traditional religions”
BBC Africa profiles several women who are reviving aspects of pre-Colonial spiritual practice.
“Why Some Black Women Are Turning to Witchcraft”
VICE News reports on the increasing revival of Afro-Caribbean religions such as Voodoo and Lucumi as well as New Age witchcraft among Black American women.
“Ruby Takes a Trip” (documentary, 1991)
I recorded this unusual and imaginative documentary on VHS tape back when it first screened, and re-watched it several times. During the first two-thirds, comedienne and presenter Ruby Wax lampoons various California New Age therapies and ostensibly mystical practices (or at least provides color commentary as they lampoon themselves) and it’s fun and funny to … Read more“Ruby Takes a Trip” (documentary, 1991)
Behind the scenes of the “Parable of the Sower” opera
The creators of the Parable of the Sower – a modern opera inspired by Octavia Butler’s prophetic 1992 work of dystopian fiction – describe the urgent relevance of their story in a time of climate crisis and social malaise: In this genre-defying work of concert performance featuring a powerhouse ensemble of 20 singers and musicians, … Read moreBehind the scenes of the “Parable of the Sower” opera
OSHUN – “Blessings on Blessings”
More on the music of Oshun: OSHUN is a sonic manifestation of Afrofuturism, creating music ranging from Hip-Hop / Soul to Spiritual. Combining digital and acoustic sounds, heavy drums and bass, and ambient harmonic textures, OSHUN has amassed a following of over a million people across social media, streaming platforms and international touring. Their supporters span across … Read moreOSHUN – “Blessings on Blessings”