share your spiritual biography in 10 words, or less:

Christian Spiritual Paranormal mutt who became a pastor

where are you turning for soul nourishment / joy / aliveness?

Astrologers like Chani Nicholas, deepening community connections, leaning into herbalism. I’ve recently found joy in cooking and baking which has been a lovely rediscovery. 

what is a text you hold sacred?

This Here Flesh Cole Arthur Riley.

what is a spiritual practice currently sustaining you?

Looking for magic and gifts from the Universe.  

how would you describe the work you feel called to do in this world (even if it is not the work you get paid for)?

I feel called to facilitate and participate in Spiritual Ritual. I GRATEFULLY get to get paid to do some of this work, yet there are so many more places and practices I feel my soul calling me towards. I feel called to witness the Spirit of God alongside other people and animals and mountains and trees and water. 

knowing that none of us “has it all together,” what is one question you are wrestling with, or bit of wisdom you are struggling to enflesh in your daily life?

I often struggle with balancing preaching and teaching anti-colonialist, anti-racist, theology while also having to walk people through their own struggles with racism and misogynoir. 

who is one elder / ancestor / mentor whose guidance you draw from? what is one piece of wisdom they have offered?

When I’m in tough situations, I often lean on the strength of my maternal grandmother. She was always a very confident, strong, and powerful presence. But she was also so gentle and loving with her little grandkids. I know that because of her, both exist within me and I am able to be both simultaneously. 

what’s one oppressive untruth you are practicing unlearning / divesting from?

That I should somehow be ashamed of my body. I’m constantly unlearning that as it’s been brainwashed into me as a woman, a femme, and a Black person. I have to unlearn that through choices I make like eating, caring for my body, who I allow into my orbit, what spaces I go into. 

what is one thing you wish were required listening / viewing? (please link to the song, poem, art piece, podcast, etc.)

In college I was introduced to Black Looks by bell hooks which both altered my perception and also had me saying YESSSSSSS as I finally felt seen. I think it should be required for everyone in the U.S. to read as it talks about spectatorship, how Black people and Black women specifically are represented in media, and identity. 

any of your website and/or social media handles you’d like us to include / highlight?

I recently started a substack! https://substack.com/@nikkeyaberryhill