Podcast Summary: UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE - Episode 27: Mediumship, Magic & the Black Spiritual Renaissance ft. Ebony Jasmine Harris

Introduction

In Episode 27 of UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE, host Shelah Marie engages in a profound conversation with Ebony Jasmine Harris, a medium, eclectic occultist, and religious deconstructionist. The episode delves into themes of spiritual grounding, cultural awareness, personal growth, and the resurgence of black spirituality in contemporary society. Throughout the discussion, Jasmine shares her transformative journey, spiritual practices, and insights into navigating the complex interplay between religion and spirituality.

Jasmine Harris's Early Spiritual Beliefs and Deconstruction Journey

Timestamp: [03:50]

Jasmine begins by reflecting on her childhood beliefs, emphasizing her innate sense of magic and collective experiences that felt destined or fated. She recounts observing phenomena in both religious settings and at concerts, recognizing a connection beyond what traditional religion explained.

Jasmine Harris: "Magic has to be real... if you believe enough, something will materialize."
[03:50]

At around age 11 or 12, Jasmine encountered significant theological questions during Sunday school, questioning the fate of her friends from diverse religious backgrounds. The inability of her teachers and even her pastor to provide satisfactory answers propelled her into a journey of spiritual deconstruction.

Jasmine Harris: "It felt like either God didn't want to tell y'all or y'all don't know because God ain't say."
[05:11]

This critical questioning led to a pivotal moment during her time at Bethune-Cookman University, where disillusionment with mandatory chapel services and a shift towards partying resulted in her academic decline. The lack of spiritual answers and personal fulfillment eventually steered her away from conventional religious structures.

Spiritual Practices and Tools: Embracing Sex Magic

Timestamp: [06:14]

Transitioning into her adult spiritual practices, Jasmine introduces sex magic as a unique and effective tool in her spiritual toolkit. She discusses the societal taboos surrounding female sexuality and the importance of embracing personal pleasure as a pathway to spiritual manifestation.

Jasmine Harris: "There is a lot of taboo and a lot of hush hush around our sex lives as women... sex magic."
[06:34]

Sex magic, as Jasmine explains, involves using sexual energy to manifest desires. By focusing on personal pleasure and practicing techniques like edging—delaying orgasm to build stronger energy—she believes individuals can harness their creative power more effectively.

Jasmine Harris: "I don't want a half ass orgasm, so I don't want a half ass manifestation."
[08:32]

This practice not only empowers individuals to take control of their own spiritual journeys but also aligns with her broader philosophy of self-love and holistic wellness.

Challenges with Mentors and Toxic Groups

Timestamp: [34:25]

Jasmine opens up about her experiences with mentors and spiritual groups, highlighting both positive influences and significant challenges. She recounts her initial guidance from a member of the Elder Gods group, who provided her first spiritual readings. However, her journey was marred by toxic relationships, particularly with a former mentor named Brander, who exploited her for personal gain.

Jasmine Harris: "She was trying to steal the women in the group by bad mouthing me... It was a big ass mess."
[38:27]

These negative experiences underscored the importance of choosing trustworthy mentors and maintaining healthy boundaries within spiritual communities. Jasmine emphasizes the need for accountability and highlights how betrayal within these spaces can lead to profound personal and communal disruptions.

Ancestor Work: Connecting with Lineage Sustainably

Timestamp: [40:11]

A significant portion of the episode focuses on ancestor work, where Jasmine provides guidance on how to connect with one's lineage authentically. She stresses that not all deceased relatives qualify as ancestors capable of providing spiritual support.

Jasmine Harris: "All of your dead relatives are not your ancestors... Some of them reincarnate back immediately because their work was not done."
[40:11]

Jasmine advises individuals to conduct thorough research on their ancestors, understanding their lives and relationships before attempting to establish spiritual connections. She warns against invoking ancestors without knowing their true nature and intentions, as this can lead to unproductive or even harmful spiritual interactions.

Jasmine Harris: "You can't put like this candle here with that because their relationships are still the same whether they're dead or alive."
[43:09]

By fostering informed and respectful ancestor work, Jasmine encourages a more meaningful and beneficial connection with one's heritage, free from misunderstandings and misplaced intentions.

Discussion on Hillman Talk and Community Dynamics

Timestamp: [55:14]

Shelah transitions the conversation to Hillman Talk, a community-driven digital HBCU space that evolved into a broader cultural movement. Jasmine recounts the challenges faced during a major event in Houston, where initial success gave way to internal conflicts and mismanagement.

Jasmine Harris: "People feel some type of way about people selling their courses... How do we make it circulate?"
[57:41]

The episode explores the difficulties of scaling community initiatives, particularly when external pressures like capitalism and differing visions come into play. Jasmine reflects on the importance of maintaining the original mission of fostering free, communal learning and the pitfalls of monetizing such spaces prematurely.

Practical Tools: Embracing Intuition and Accountability

Timestamp: [63:05]

In the toolkit segment, Jasmine offers actionable advice for listeners to incorporate into their own spiritual practices. She emphasizes the importance of intuition, urging individuals to never ignore feelings of discomfort as these are key indicators from their inner selves.

Jasmine Harris: "At the first sign of discomfort, never, ever ignore it... intuition is nothing but energetic pattern recognition."
[63:22]

Additionally, Jasmine discusses accountability, outlining how she maintains accountability through trusted friends and personal support systems. She highlights the necessity of peer review and thoughtful communication to prevent misunderstandings and foster a supportive spiritual environment.

Jasmine Harris: "My best friend and my boyfriend both have 365 vetoes... I have a good support system."
[29:10]

By valuing intuition and establishing reliable accountability measures, listeners are encouraged to cultivate a resilient and authentic spiritual practice.

Conclusion and Future Endeavors

Timestamp: [66:04]

As the episode wraps up, Shelah and Jasmine reflect on the journey shared and the lessons imparted. Jasmine announces her upcoming Houston Mixer scheduled for May 3rd, inviting listeners to join and continue the conversation on black spirituality and community building.

Jasmine Harris: "May 3rd, Houston, Texas. From 1 to 6 PM we are going to be hosting the mixer, the day party."
[66:04]

Shelah emphasizes the importance of sharing experiences and encourages listeners to engage with the community by sharing their own "unruly" stories, fostering a collective narrative of resilience and empowerment.

Notable Quotes

• Jasmine Harris: "Magic has to be real... if you believe enough, something will materialize."
  [03:50]

• Jasmine Harris: "There is a lot of taboo and a lot of hush hush around our sex lives as women... sex magic."
  [06:34]

• Jasmine Harris: "At the first sign of discomfort, never, ever ignore it... intuition is nothing but energetic pattern recognition."
  [63:22]

• Jasmine Harris: "I have a good support system."
  [29:10]

• Shelah Marie: "Please leave me a message@speakpipe.com unruly the link is also in the description because I need to hear these unruly tales."
  [66:34]

Final Thoughts

Episode 27 of UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE offers a deep and introspective look into Ebony Jasmine Harris's spiritual evolution, the challenges of maintaining authentic spiritual practices, and the resurgence of black spirituality as a source of empowerment and healing. Through candid discussions and practical advice, the episode serves as a valuable resource for listeners seeking to enhance their well-being and reclaim their true selves in a rapidly changing world.

Stay Connected

• Follow Jasmine Harris:
  • Instagram: @jasminegarden23
  • TikTok: @jasminegarden23
• Upcoming Event: Houston Mixer on May 3rd, 1-6 PM

Join the Conversation: Share your unruly stories by leaving a voice message at speakpipe.com/unruly

Stay unruly and continue your journey of self-love, acceptance, and holistic wellness.