The Original Divine Nine

When I mention the Divine Nine, some people might think of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Historically African-American (Greek) Fraternities & Sororities, but I'm going a bit further back than that. Further than when the waters got muddied by Greek and Roman exchange of information from the Port city of Alexandria, Egypt (Kemet) and perhaps further back than any of us can imagine or have but shards of historical evidence for. This time I am referencing is 3000 BC. If you've read the chapter on "Astrology as Your Sacred Compass" , you already have a frame of reference and in case you skipped ahead, let me share a bit more so we're ready.

Some of the earliest evidence of astronomy and astrology is believed to have been achieved by the Dogon tribe circa 3000 BC. The Dogon are of Egyptian descent and their astronomical inclinations to date, have largely proven to be true. Furthermore, it was understood that the celestial bodies, including stars, planets, asteroids had energetic impacts on Earth and that it would be wise to not only pay attention but to seek a level of mastery so that patterns could be observed and shared.

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Once again, there have been many attempts to distance astronomy from astrology claiming that astronomy is the "true science" but it is worth noting that at one point the two were one conjoined practice. The focuses of astronomy - solar flares, asteroids, planetary and galactic explorations - were not so separate from the spirituality of astrology - energies of planets, Moon cycles, examining zodiac constellations for personal understanding, etc. As I started to get deeper into my studies of the galaxy, planets and zodiac, I began to ask myself - could this be another example of divide and conquer? Were astronomy and astrology divine counterparts...a masculine and feminine perspective to the understanding of Creation and life itself? Yet as studying the sky (above or beneath) will do, the questions just made room for more questions.

What did end up becoming inherently clear was that the "gods and goddesses" of Ancient Kemet, while clearly differentiated from each other in some respects and not as clearly in others, also each represent an aspect of this abstract concept "Neteru, " as Names (or expressions) of Creator/Creation. In other words, each of the planets and zodiac constellation were assigned a Neteru, which in their representation would also give a personal studying their birth chart or the sky for example, a deeper understanding or meaning of what was taking place. While this is not yet an area of expertise for me, I make space for it in this book in hopes to exhibit that reclaiming our divinity and sovereignty is dependent upon remembering that we're a part of something much bigger than ourselves and we're special because we exist.

As with most traditions that we know of today, there is a spiritual aspect and a religious body to Kemetic culture and whether or not one or another is necessary to have this historical framework about the cosmic network you are apart of can only be decided by you. For me, my studies in Kemetic culture came after I began deepening my understanding of astrology and the science + spirituality of the sky. As I was simultaneously being called to the path of the Orisha (Yoruba spirituality) many intersections stood out to me. Understanding that the Dogon people, like many other original peoples, either chose to or were forced to migrate away from their lands and adapt customs, traditions and practices along the way. I believe it is that migration, that #sojournoflight that has made possible the spread of knowledge so similar yet, seemingly different just because of geography. For now, I'll plant these seeds as you marinate on the zodiac constellations, planets and the universe alive and working uniquely through you:

Chakra | Neteru | Orisha | Planet | Nguzo Saba

Root Chakra | Nut | Ogun | Mars | Kuumba Sacral Chakra | Ausar | Yemaya | Jupiter | Ujamaa Solar Plexus | Set | Shango | Saturn | Imani Heart Chakra | Tefnut | Osun | Venus | Nia Throat Chakra | Shu | Oya | Mercury | Kujichagulia Third Eye Chakra | Auset | Orunmila | Uranus | Ujima Crown Chakra | Nebthet | Obatala | Neptune | Umoja Earth Star Chakra | Geb | Ochosi | Earth Soul Star Chakra | Atum Ra | Elegbara | Sun