There is a quiet, rhythmic pulse that resides within you. It is older than your physical body, deeper than your current worries, and more resilient than any challenge you have ever faced. In our Yoruba tradition, we call this Àṣẹ. It is the divine “so be it,” the life force that allows us to make things happen and brings change into the world.
For too long, many of us, especially as Black women and elders, have been conditioned to look outside of ourselves for the “correct” way to be spiritual. We have been taught to seek permission from gatekeepers, to rely solely on the validation of others, or to feel that our connection to the Divine is only valid if it is mediated by someone else.
Today, I want to invite you into a space of deep reflection. I want to talk to you about Spiritual Self-Sovereignty. This is the profound realization that the power residing within you is not only sufficient, it is sacred. You do not need an external stamp of approval to claim your spiritual inheritance. Your Àṣẹ is enough.
The Remembering: Reclaiming Your Internal Compass
The first step in any healing journey is what I call The Remembering. This is not just about recalling facts or dates. It is about soul-memory. It is about peeling back the layers of societal expectations and cultural disconnection to remember who you were before the world told you who you should be.
Throughout history, our ancestral wisdom was often suppressed or repackaged, leading many of us to feel like spiritual orphans. When we lose touch with our roots, we become susceptible to the idea that we are “not enough” on our own. We start to believe that we need a specific title, a complicated ritual, or a third party to hear the voice of the Creator.
Remembering your Àṣẹ means recognizing that you are a continuation of a long, unbroken line of wisdom. Your ancestors did not just leave you their physical traits; they left you their spiritual resilience.
When you sit in silence and feel that tug in your heart, that is your Àṣẹ speaking. It is the authority to define your own relationship with the Divine.
The Unveiling: Breaking the Habit of External Validation
Once we begin to remember, we move into The Unveiling. This is where we look honestly at the barriers we have built around our own power. One of the most significant barriers is the habit of seeking external spiritual validation.
In our modern world, it is very easy to get caught up in “spiritual consumerism.” We might find ourselves jumping from one teacher to another, or feeling anxious because our practice doesn’t look like someone else’s on social media.
While mentorship and community are vital (and indeed, part of our communal African heritage), they should serve as mirrors to your own light, not as the source of it.
Unveiling your power requires you to ask some difficult questions:
- Am I doing this ritual because it resonates with my spirit, or because I think I “should”?
- Do I trust my own intuition when it speaks to me, or do I immediately look for someone else to confirm it?
- Am I waiting for someone to tell me I am “ready” to step into my purpose?
When we stop looking for permission, we unveil the truth: the Divine does not require a middleman to reach you. Your breath, your prayers, and your intentions are valid exactly as they are.
The Reclaiming: Walking in Your Divine Authority
The final phase of this journey is The Reclaiming. This is where spiritual self-sovereignty moves from a concept to a lived reality. It is the act of stepping into your personal power with grace and clarity.
Reclaiming your Àṣẹ means taking responsibility for your spiritual well-being. It is about creating a sanctuary within yourself that no one can disturb. When you know your Àṣẹ is enough, your prayers take on a different tone.
They are no longer desperate pleas to a distant deity, but confident assertions of your divine right to heal, to grow, and to thrive.
In Yoruba cosmology, we understand that we are co-creators of our destiny. We work in alignment with the Orishas and our ancestors, but we are the ones who must walk the path. Self-sovereignty is the fuel for that walk. It allows you to:
- Trust Your Discernment: You begin to know instinctively what is for your highest good and what is a distraction.
- Set Sacred Boundaries: You no longer allow others to dictate your spiritual pace or diminish your experiences.
- Embrace Your Unique Path: You understand that your spiritual journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be powerful and transformative.
Overcoming the Fear of “Doing it Wrong”
One of the greatest enemies of spiritual sovereignty is the fear of “doing it wrong.” This fear is often a byproduct of intergenerational trauma. For many of us, our ancestors had to hide their practices or were told their traditions were “evil” or “primitive.” That collective memory can show up today as a paralyzing fear that if we don’t follow a specific set of rules, we will be punished or disconnected.
However, spirit is not a rigid taskmaster. Spirit is the ocean, and your Àṣẹ is your ability to swim. There is no one “right” way to connect with the wisdom of your lineage. If you approach your ancestors with a sincere heart and a clear intention, they will meet you where you are. Your sincerity is the most powerful tool in your spiritual toolkit.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Your Àṣẹ
How do we practically embody this sovereignty in our daily lives? It begins with small, consistent acts of self-trust.
- Morning Stillness: Before you check your phone or listen to the opinions of the world, spend five minutes in silence. Acknowledge the life force within you. Say to yourself, “My Àṣẹ is present, and it is enough.”
- Ancestral Dialogue: Create a small space in your home dedicated to your ancestors. You don’t need elaborate items. A simple glass of water and a candle will do. Talk to them in your own voice, using your own words. Trust that they hear you.
- Journaling Your Intuition: Keep a record of the times you felt a “nudge” or a “knowing” and followed it. Documenting these moments helps you build a “bank of evidence” for your own spiritual authority.
- Community with Discernment: Seek out spaces that empower you rather than spaces that make you feel dependent. A true spiritual mentor is one who points you back to yourself.
The Beauty of the Sovereign Soul
When a woman stands in her spiritual sovereignty, she becomes a lighthouse for others. She doesn’t need to shout to be heard; her presence alone speaks of a deep, unshakeable peace. This is the goal of our work at Fematin958 Intl. We are not here to give you power; we are here to help you remember that you never lost it.
Your Àṣẹ is the spark of the Divine that lives in your DNA. It is the same power that moved your ancestors to survive, to create, and to love against all odds. When you claim this power, you are not being “arrogant.” You are being obedient to your divine nature.
You are enough. Your connection is real. Your voice matters in the spiritual realms. It is time to stop waiting for a sign and realize that you are the sign.
If you feel a stir in your spirit as you read this, it is likely your Àṣẹ responding to the truth. Transitioning from a place of seeking to a place of knowing can feel daunting, but you do not have to do it alone. Sometimes we just need a little guidance to help us clear the fog so we can see the path we are already on.
Book a 15-minute free Call with me – Learn to recognize and transform the negative patterns that may be holding you back and use them for your good. https://gloriaogunbadejo.com/15-minutes-call/
