The Beautiful #BlackGirlMagic of Queen Sugar

Last updated on: May 4, 2018 at 7:16 am by Lilith Dorsey

The Beautiful #BlackGirlMagic of Queen Sugar 2018-05-04T07:16:37-05:00 Lilith Dorsey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ava DuVernay photo by Disney/ABC Television Group. Licensed under CC 2.0

If you are not watching the television show Queen Sugar, you should be. A creation of the phenomenal Ava DuVernay, one of my favorite Black Female Filmmakers, the show’s Afrocentric focus and gripping storylines is just what many of us needed.

The first season of Queen Sugar introduces one of the main characters Nova Bordelon, played brilliantly by Rutina Wesley, as a spiritual and psychic practitioner. Located in the 9th ward of New Orleans, she performs traditional blessings and cleansings for the community. I find it interesting that this character is also the one who is primarily community minded, working as a journalist and a social justice champion. A piece at colorlines.com describes her : ” Rutina Wesley, the “True Blood” alumn plays the oldest sibling, Nova Borderlon. The character, which DuVernay created, is an investigative journalist, activist, healer and a dealer of a certain plant.”

Rutina Wesley image photo by Ronald Woan. Licensed under CC 2.0

Many of the viewers responded positively to the Rutina “the rootworker” character, and were hoping that the second season would bring more magic. Season 2 Episode 5 she performs a house blessing for her sister using sage, candles, prayer, and calm to “lift up” the space. Unfortunately, not much time is given to the practices, and even less dialogue is given to what’s happening. I’m not sure if this is meant to be read as magick is just a part of everyday life, or positing magick as not worthy of explanation. I guess ultimately it’s just a good thing that some kind of practices can now be seen.

The Magick In The Music Of Queen Sugar

For many of us the magick is in the music. The show uses this to it’s advantage It was such a beautiful surprise to hear Ibeyi’s River in Series 2 Episode 9.

The lyrics call to the Orisha Oshun ( also known as Ochun, Ọṣun, and Oxum.)

Wamile Ọṣun, Ọṣun de de a la wede
O wemile Ọṣun, molo beledu ya luhte mo yewe deyo

We all sincerely hope Queen Sugar continues for many seasons to come. I for one want to know more about the magick. Not to mention I was born to eat biscuits and gravy all day at the High Yellow diner featured in the series. But all kidding aside, if Ms. DuVernay ever needs a #BlackGirlMagic consultant I’m right here. I graduated from NYU film school, and have over 25 experience as a Voodoo practitioner and psychic reader.

Finally, as always if you enjoy what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

Entertainment

Black Female Filmmakers

Ibeyi

Queen Sugar

About Lilith Dorsey

Lilith Dorsey M.A. , hails from many magickal traditions, including Celtic, Afro-Caribbean, and Native American spirituality. Her traditional education focused on Plant Science, Anthropology, and Film at the University of R.I, New York University and the University of London, and her magickal training includes numerous initiations in Santeria also known as Lucumi, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo.Lilith Dorsey is a Voodoo Priestess and in that capacity has been doing successful magick since 1991 for patrons, is editor/publisher of Oshun-African Magickal Quarterly, filmmaker of the experimental documentary Bodies of Water :Voodoo Identity and Tranceformation,’ choreographer/performer for jazz legend Dr. John’s “Night Tripper” Voodoo Show, and author of Voodoo and Afro-Caribbean Paganism, 55 Ways to Connect to Goddess, The African-American Ritual Cookbook, and Love Magic. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

April 30, 2018

First Of May Outdoor You Know What Spell

Next Post

May 8, 2018 Insights Of A Priestess In Publishing

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ancestors astrology Candomble Crystals Divination Entertainment Goddess Herbs Hoodoo Ifa Pagan Ritual Recipes Santeria Spells Uncategorized Vodou Voodoo Witchcraft

Select a Month May 2025 January 2025 September 2024 August 2024 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 September 2023 June 2023 March 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 1 Thessalonians, what does Paul say believers who are alive will be caught up together with to meet the Lord?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The angels The prophets The martyrs Those who have fallen asleep (the dead in Christ)