Today we’d like to introduce you to SaTar’Ra.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I get to be myself professionally artistically, and spiritually which as a black woman is radical, so naturally I arrived to this work radically. I moved to LA after getting sick with sepsis on what was meant to be a routine musicians trip to Los Angeles. It was definitely a spiritual shakedown on behalf of my ancestors around needing to be myself across all boards and to come out of the “Conjure Closet.” A lot was in transition for me at the time. I had just finished a Masters Degree in Music Production, had moved home to be with family and was in a long term relationship that was clearly on it’s way to being over. I was pushing in a lot of the wrong directions and it probably took that “shake down” to really get me to step into my gifts as a spiritualist and musician fully. I was on my sick bed and the doctors asked for my advanced directives because I was very sick and I remember looking at the doctor and going, “I can’t die I have sh*t to do.” and it was in that moment that I knew I needed to have a spiritual moment. So I asked everyone to leave, called down my ancestors and in that moment knew I needed to step fully in the direction of spiritual work and music full time. It was a rough first year, I stayed with family, worked a day job or two or three, left the relationship and began reading full time as well while STILL touring and recovering from surgery. But by the year’s end had an overflowing book of clients for divinations, had played out a ton and really for the first time felt like myself. So yeah- short answer I arrived here… DRAMATICALLY.
Has it been a smooth road?
Certainly for me, finances were the primary struggle. I didn’t have outside investors or support that a lot of entrepreneurs and artist get from bigger companies, largely because the work I do is still considered taboo in certain spaces. African religious practices like Hoodoo and Conjure are often publicized in a negative light, but I needed to be authentic in my work, and what my spiritual practices are and my politics and all that, so it was a lonely road for a bit, but my ancestors blessed me with spiritual and artistic community, both online and in the greater Los Angeles area, and it’s wonderful to see folks say that I’ve been able to recolor how they view, black religion, spirituality and music after speaking with me, attending a show (digital shows now!) or just seeing me out.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
So I’m a multi-faceted human professionally and wear multiple hats. I am SaTar’Ra the brand, the woman, the conjurer, and the artist. As a Conjure doctor, I am a medium and diviner working within the African based spiritual system of Hoodoo. Hoodoo is the religious inheritance of Black folks who were historically enslaved on US soil. It is a liberation based system focused ancestral healing, connection, plants and herbal medicine, and spirit work. As a diviner, I see clients for individual readings where we address messages their ancestors, spirit guides and assorted spirits have for them, I write spiritual prescription, perform ritual service, have longer-term coaching clients and teach Hoodoo to folks within the community for greater access and liberation. I am a musician who will have released a new single by the time this comes out. (“Oops” on all streaming platforms.) and I write about my life and experiences as a Black creative, woman, and spiritual being out here in these streets, navigating it all. I am also a loudmouth about womanism, black art and literature, and pop culture on social media.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I definitely see a resurgence of Black people looking into their traditional practices, and the popularization of African spirituality in pop culture. I’m excited to see our communities come together to expand our discussion around religion, spirituality and the arts. I’m excited about the visibility of it all, but also always stressing that these are sacred and closed traditions. I foresee a lot of education around culture, spirituality and spiritual practice, hopefully focused on liberation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.satarra.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @iamsatarra
- Twitter: @iamsatarra
Image Credit:
Way Up Media Group (glitter outfit photo)
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