Exploring Black History Is Liberation...
+ Collective Tarot Card Reading <3
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!!
January was a long one! And just a reminder, celebrate Black history no matter who and what say it’s worth celebrating. For me (a veryyy Black person), I’m choosing to celebrate my Black History, especially as I build my homestead on my great great grandparent’s land. I encourage you to celebrate your Black history and if you aren’t Black, learn about Black history (including both the joy and pain of Black lineage).
I told y’all I’d be sharing more homestead content (I have so much video content!) but I think it’s important to share with all of you my great great grandparents, Gladys and Barlie. I never had the chance to meet my grandpa Barlie but I did spend many years with my great great grandma on earth and I have many memories of her. Wild, right?
Below is my great great grandma Gladys and I! She was born in 1915 and transitioned in 2008. This picture was taken on her porch and now my land where I am building my home. She was SPICY, stern and sweet. She didn’t play any games and I love hearing my great grandma, who I affectionately call Nana, tell me stories about her now. As you may notice the women in my family tend to live some long years lol
Next is my great great grandpa Barlie! He was born in 1908 and transitioned in 1978. My Nana describes him as sweet, gentle and a man of God. He was a Deacon and my grandma Gladys was a Deaconess of the church right across the street, the church my family still continues to attend to this day. My Uncle Bobby and Aunt Better, my Nana’s brother and sister, recently told me stories of grandpa Barlie gathering all his children to read the Bible and talk about the importance of treating everyone with kindness and having faith no matter what. I wish I had the chance to meet him! In this picture my Nana is right behind him inside the home that used to be present on the land <3
I’m fortunate to have all this ancestral knowledge and to have been in the physical presence of great great grandma Gladys and still hold the hand of my Nana who will be 88 this month. In general, it’s important for everyone to put faces and names to Black people and families, even beyond the well known Black folks we have come to know. Our humanity, our stories, our survival and our joys deserve to be celebrated.
This is my Black history.
For our collective tarot reading for this upcoming week, let’s implement the importance of rest and renewal during times of uncertainty and chaos. Our nervous systems are being put to the test right now but we have to remember our bodies need both lean into the parasympathetic (maintains homeostasis - stability) nervous system and sympathetic (mobilizes reserves under stress) nervous system in a fine dance to also benefit our physical, mental and spiritual health. We can’t let them overwhelm our systems and when we feel the overwhelm - we lean into our intention to living freely by choosing to care for ourselves in spite of the bullshit.
Stay Free, My Loves! <3