Meet KarmaNia Smart of Starseed Botanica

Today we’d like to introduce you to KarmaNia Smart.

Hi KarmaNia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a very spiritual household. Studies around mysticism and spirituality were a big part of my upbringing.

Around the ages of 8-10. I started having an affinity for self-help and self-care. I remember reading self-help books at a very young age, buying yoga DVDs, and going to different shrines and temples to meditate. I had become increasingly interested in the process of self-actualization, transmutation, and spiritual transformation even as a child. When I was nine years old, I got my first set of oracle cards and would give readings to family and friends when they would visit the house. The openness of those around me gave me the freedom to explore this very mystical side of myself. As a psychology and sociology major undergrad, I become increasingly aware of the mental health crisis happening locally in my community and on a global level.

I also began to understand that in the BIPOC community, we had various modalities of healing before western modern therapy was born. Merging the two worlds has been my career trajectory. I have a close and deeply rooted connection to my ancestors and they guide much of my journey. There was a time when I definitely questioned my faith and I felt really lost and disconnected. A new level of my spiritual journey began when I started connecting with my Native Indigenous and African Indigenous heritage. Through ancestor veneration and spending more time with my grandparents, asking them questions about our lineage and culture, I found myself seeing more of purpose and calling over my own life. Everything that I am doing now is not entirely starting from scratch, I am just picking up from where my ancestors left off. I am carrying their magic and strength with me.

I am fueled by the passion to raise awareness of the wellness disparities that exist in the BIPOC community, and I want to help fill in the gap. I got to where I am today by allowing myself to be guided by my ancestors and listening to my intuition. Which is something I am still practicing to do faithfully. In addition, I have spent countless years studying topics on indigenous healing, holistic wellness, psychology, social justice, metaphysics, and meditation.

From 2018-2019 I trained and become certified in a practice of energy healing that is rooted in ancient African spirituality. I also have clinical training in the field of psychotherapy. Ultimately, I believe that to heal, we much decolonize our minds, bodies, and souls and connect back to our spirit’s mission and our soul family. When we are able to feel more aligned with our community and our authentic selves then that is when we find true liberation.

And that is my goal.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I started my business at the beginning of the pandemic and it was during a time when the energy globally was very anxious and uncertain. Navigating the space during that time was really hard, but also gave me the motivation to provide spaces (even online) where people can come and connect to their higher selves. The pandemic strengthened my meditation practice because it forced me to find inner peace in the midst of global chaos. In addition, navigating running a business while being a graduate student was tremendously hard to balance. I found myself at moments feeling like I had to choose one or the other.

Both being a graduate student and being a business owner can be completely consuming. At moments I couldn’t balance both of those identities. Consequently, the mental, physical, and spiritual load this work puts on you are tremendously heavy. Having to navigate your own well-being is a learning process. But through the challenges and obstacles, leaning on my support system and my ancestors have been pivotal.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Starseed Botanica?
I own a metaphysical business called Starseed Botanica. It is a personification of my many years of studies and of my own spiritual journey combined. I sell crystals, incense, magical intention oils, perfumes, body products, spiritual baths, jewelry, altar tools, and so much more. All my products are meant to connect you with your higher self and create rituals and routines for your spiritual, mental, and physical self-care. Yet, my business is more than just its products. One of the biggest things that I am proud of is the work I have done within the community. I host healing circles, workshops, and day retreats. I am proud of the ways in which I am able to cultivate and facilitate groups grounded in community care, decolonization, and somatic healing. When individuals leave my spaces they feel more energized, connected, and rooted in themselves and that is always a goal. Over the years, I have moved away from the term healer and embraced the idea of being a facilitator. I understand that it isn’t my job to heal others, but to empower and teach individuals to heal themselves.

My main focus is initiating these healing practices in BIPOC and queer communities and creating spaces where we can detox and heal from living in such an oppressive and stressful world. I work to help others not pathologies themselves and internalize the illness of the systems in which we have to live and work in. In addition to being a teacher and facilitator, I also offer spiritual healing services which include reiki energy healing, intuitive readings, and spiritual transformation coaching. I am very passionate about helping others who find themselves needing some extra support and guidance during their spiritual awakening and journey. Much like what a doula offers when they are helping pregnant mothers give birth, I like to offer care, support, and attention to those who are giving birth to their most authentic selves. I specialize in shadow work and helping my clients connect to their inner child through a lens of liberation and social justice.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I definitely see this industry growing and cultivating change on a global level. With the help of social media, there has been a lot of work done to remove the stigmas around mental health and spirituality respectively. Of course, there is always more work to do. But it is empowering and beautiful to see how many people are so open to talking about their own struggles and journeys with healing.

While we heal through the lasting impacts of going through a global pandemic, I hope more and more people start tapping into community care and healing like never before. For me, spirituality has never been a trend, it’s a practice and a lifestyle. One that we are seeing be commodified on a global level. I hope we can also see ourselves paying more respect to the indigenous cultures these now mainstream practices came from.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.starseedbotanica.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starseed_botanica/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/StrseedBotanic5
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNP4AJt7nE8o0C5pkYHEdkQ