Tube Dress with Frill Tutorial

Greetings all Royal Dawtas

First I give thanks for the blessed selabration time, when I and I acknowledge His Majesty's visit to Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados. I hope every I was able to do something special or attend a binghi!
I myself just had a quiet family day, didnt make it to selabrations this year. Just can't do the late nights like before!

Before continuing, the RASTAWIFELINE GROUP IS UP ON FACEBOOK! Yay! finally we are live, so the reasoning and sharing of pictures, recipes and your own personal Iditations and Inspirations and questions can flow! hope to see you there sistren! please ask to join the group.

I made this tutorial also yesterday but didn't get to post it up til now. I been trying to make some comfortable dress for maternity but also to escape the horrible heat that we are currently having in Trinidad. I received an email from old navy which has been one of the only brands I;ve ever worn since a teenager. and I was looking at all the lovely maxi dresses and prints they have right now.

And it occurred to me that I have come so far, in that I more make my own clothes than buy them. I only buy underwear or tank tops. I make all my skirts and dresses myself, and if they are not of jersey they are of Afrikan print. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to make your own garments, but to also represent who you are and your style everyday. I like flowing maxi dresses and skirts with a top or shrug/jacket - that's my basic style in just different prints.

RasTafari is a Livity where everyday we are RasTafari, showing our faith in our appearance as much as in our words and deeds. To feel positive and to feel complete as a Sistren, dressing in the way of your faith or Afrikan heritage is as important as wrapping the crown or eating ital. RasTafari must give all Sistren a sense of royal confidence, wisdom, power and security. I personally feel like dressing myself, daughter and kingman is an important aspect of my identity as an Empress, makes me feel like I am really setting a good foundation. So I encourage all Sistren to pick up the sewing skill as well as crocheting skill. If you have to save for that machine, then start saving! you can do it. All answers you need for lessons can be found in a friend or online on youtube.  And trust me when I say you will be adequately and joyfully fulfilled by such a venture. Creativity gives much joy and positive energies to the body and Irit, truly priceles no matter what your creative outlet is.

So here's another tube dress, this time with a frill. very simple and straightforward.
Here's the link for the tube shrug. I used quiana fabric which is similar to jersey for this brown tube.

 

                                             

Sis Ila

Hold on to RasTafari Righteous Redemption

Selamta Sistren,

"So much trouble in the world" right now. If Bob Marley was here he'd probably be crying out to the world in his music. Whether it's the Middle East or America it doesn't matter where you are there are tragedies destroying families and homes, and the whole world wants to know what's REALLY going on? Behind the scenes there are a lot of dark negative forces at work, they have an agenda that has been progressing for centuries now, and it's coming to an all-time climax in these times. Right now there is a severe imbalance in the energies of the earth - too much evil vibes and pollution of the Mama Nature creating an altogether hostile and sick atmosphere/environment. Humanity has lost touch with itself and the earth, which is causing an ultimate destruction to occur.

And it is because of this hostile situation that it is important to hold onto RasTafari harder than ever before! It is time now to be a wise wombman and to gird yourself in the Right Way, to live in the Kristos Irit of RasTafari.  It is right to cleanse and heal the body and mind as this will help you to awaken the dormant Irits, sustain a positive outlook on life (in spite of all the negatives) and to take on the task of improving self and family.

Trodding RasTafari is about Livity, living by JAH every day - the salvation from the negative forces is in Living that Truth and Livity everyday. Every Sistren is therefore charged with the responsibility of finding her inner Goddess or ISelf and becoming one with the Irits of JAH - to delve into the cultivation of her own Iritual garden. To open up her third-eye and dwell in the power of knowledge and truth. I believe the Garden of Eden is within, and it manifests itself in your life as blessings, wisdom, endurance and health - when you really allow it all to take permanent root within your consciousness.

It is time to cast off all the "hold-down" or "hold back" meditations. It's time to renew yourself in JAH, be conscious of the Irit of the Living JAH in the tabernacle of your flesh. Now we need every Fari Lotus to blossom into Queen Omega. To do your best to provide the best for yourself and family, to stay away from too much negative and polluted vibes. It is time to lock down the family vibes - make what isn't right, right - so that if times do continue to get harder, your loved ones will be set, and would have a foundation to stand firm upon. Self-sufficiency is vital.

It is time to wake up and know that justice, ital livity, unity, wisdom, and good will are the works to perform in this time. The fruits of the Irit are the Iditation to feed upon:  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Being a role model is crucial to repairing the home and community. It is time to be different to everyone else, to the mainstream which surely is hell and death.  To come out of ignorance, hate, oppression, poverty, depression and illness. To stand firm in a sure mindful state, confident in your knowledge of the better life - "the Krist Life."

Take your Irituality as seriously as Queen Omega and King Alpha did. Have an unshakable faith to conquer all tribulations and negative people.  Use your inner power to provide good works, to help shine the light on others. Carry the Creator and Life of this world as your banner, comfort and voice. JAH will protect His and Her People who live according to the True Laws of Life. 

My dear Sistren, be good to yourself and treasure your life and your family's life like never before, because death is on every corner now. Negative influences are always lurking to take our minds, husbands and children away mentally and physically. If we sit back and do nothing then we would have ultimately failed  - and FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! JAH blessed I and I, and we have a birthright to Zion that each of us have to live. 

Pray, and affirm righteousness and faith every day, three times a day or more! Praise JAH for the good things you have and for the lives in your gates.

As a seal in my Affirmation for the I Sistren, I offer five very important Psalms ( I had to add some more to my original post) that I personally chant as reminders to keep living Right, to keep following in the  natural, honourable livity of RasTafari. 

RasTafari is Love Let I and I all Love

Promised Faithfulness to the Lord
Psalm 101 A Psalm of David.

 I will sing of mercy and justice;
To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.
Oh, when will You come to me?
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will not know wickedness.
5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,
Him I will destroy;
The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart,
Him I will not endure.
6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,
That they may dwell with me;
He who walks in a perfect way,
He shall serve me.
7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house;
He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.
8 Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.


The Character of Those Who May Dwell with the Lord
Psalm 15 A Psalm of David.

Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
2 He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;
3 He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.


The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly
Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.



A Song of Ascents.
Psalm 128

1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel.

The Perfect Revelation of the Lord
Psalm 19 A Psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward. 

12 Who can understand his errors?

Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
JAH bless, keep and cause His holy face to shine upon the I,

Ila

Enduring the Negativity

RasTafari Love and Blessings to all Sistren,

This past week has been just that - weak in some ways for me. Not on a family vibe but on a works vibe.
I knew that when I started this channel on youtube and started this blog, I would eventually have to deal with negative comments and hateful messages from people who have a difference of opinion or who do not view Rastafari in the way that I bring it across. I haven't had much issues with the latter as yet, but I have in this last week been receiving comments from men who either want to imply that I am racist or that I don't know my research.

It's very hurtful to receive these comments when I work hard at not only trying to maintain a racially unbiased way to speaking, but to also bring all of my personal work and information into the public for the benefit of others who are not as studious. I could have chosen to keep my stack of writings to myself and try to publish them as books for money but I haven't (even though that would be nice lol). I have shared some of my best work only with the intent of spreading hope and inspiration and a sense of wellbeing to all RasTafari.

Not everyone can find the time or even drive to sit and read and research, to write and put together their information - we all have obligations in life that often take away from what is truly most important: feeding the soul with truth and knowing thyself. because I have made it a point to never sacrifice that part of the journey I try my best to share my learning with others in a easy way so that they too may grow and never feel like there's no one out there who they can turn to for reasoning when they need it. Not everyone has a camp or community they can go to and feel the vibes, and for sistren we have purification and children to care for, which reduces our social time even more. when I was seeking years ago I found hardly anything online that could qualify as a strength to the Fari Wombman. and now it has become an inner calling to be that online voice so that younger sistren don't get discouraged and older sistren are encourage to keep keeping on. I am here for you!

I know that everyone has their voice and their right to their opinion, because here I am trying to exercise my own. But why is it that people or these men feel that it is necessary to not only take my words out of context, but to attack? Why belittle my work? I watch youtube videos that I find offensive, or incorrect or degrading. I get really annoyed and rant and rave in the privacy of my home too. But in all that, none of those people could say that I wrote them a nasty or condescending message. I never tried to display "i know more than you." They can't say that I attacked them on a public forum because I disagreed. I am not trying to sound more intelligent than the next one, or act like I know it all! Because you disagree doesn't mean that you have to be publicly aggressive. I will give some examples of what happened this week to upset me - keep in mind that it is nothing extreme, but none the less they were comments that hurt and that made me feel undervalued. It's nothing I won't put behind  me, but allow me to rant some more for a moment -

Because someone speaks the truth or fact about a historical matter, doesn't in any way mean that they are racially attacking others. If the Bible was originated in Afrika, and that all the bibles we use today are watered down versions of such made by the Greeks and Romans,  how does that translate to me saying that there is no room for whites in Rastafari? how does that make me racist? I try my best to present unbiased information even if I have to speak about black and white or Afrika and Europe. My intent is to relate reasoning and livity to the sistren and brethren who come to my page. In my opinion any race that comes into Rastafari should already know that Rastafari deals with the Afrikan origin and root of everything, there is no escaping that. This was how Rasta was born - in an effort to help black people who were oppressed, it wasn't created out of the needs of white people. But now in this time because Rasta has spread all over the world, all races need to overstand that we are all affected by the same system and the principles of rasta are for all nations to learn and build from. I am not ever saying that Black is more superior than White, what I am saying is that Afrika is superior to all and that we all in our ignorance and wickedness can learn a lot of truth about ourselves from the ancient Motherland.

If I do not promote the use of drugs which are chemically processed and manipulated substances that affect the body and mind negatively, that can kill you, then why shouldn't I also not promote the promotion of drugs in rap music - music that most CHILDREN listen to and are influenced by?
As Rasta we know the difference between drugs and marijuana. we know that JAH's green herb does not kill and not qualify as a drug even if today it has become "medical marijuana". it is natural, not manmade even if there are a lot of genetically engineered strains now. Rastafari do not promote the use of drugs by singing about marijuana. Rastafari do not take drugs by using marijuana. I don't even promote the mixing of marijuana with beer or stout or tobacco!

How can I be called a hypocrite because I don't believe in a rapper's right to promote drugs in his music? Rasta and rappers do not sing about the same thing! What good does molly or coke or whatever else do? what are the benefits of molly? how does it heal disease in the body since it is the same thing as marijuana? IT IS NOT BENEFICIAL TO THE BODY so why should the children be exposed to such damaging substances? why should a rapper feel it is right to lead the children to something that will kill them. what gets me more is that children today do not listen to reggae like they do rap. they will not listen to Black Uhuru or whatever artist that sings about sensimilia - that music is out of their realm and Bob Marley or any Marley does not count!
I was told that they - rappers and any average drug user - just want to get high just like Rastas just want to get high so it's the same. IT COULD NEVER BE THE SAME. I never use herb to "get high." there is a big difference between drugs and marijuana and herb is a sacrament, a holy plant given to man by the creator. drugs are used to mimic such plants like herb but they aren't the same because  they end up poisoning the system. For anyone to come and say that Rastafari are hypocrites for not promoting drugs but promoting the one plant that can provide a number of benefits to mankind, is a blatant and outright act of ignorance.
It has never been recorded that any Rastafari child or person has been hospitalized or damaged because of herb or does bad in school or becomes a vagrant because of herb. Rasta don't kill and steal, rape and beat others under the influence of herb. I never use herb with drugs and alcohol, out partying and drunk and doing whatever sinful acts people engage in when under the influence of many substances at once. I never use herb and run off the road and hit a wall or tree. I never use herb and then act violently and maliciously to people 'just because' I'm suddenly feeling high and carefree. that is ignorance talking!
I have only used herb to give me energy to be creative, to allow me to study and concentrate, to connect to JAH Irits in Ises and Iditation, to get a calm head when I am in a bad mood, or to simply commune with my people in a productive reasoning environment. Herb brings positive energies into the body and mind - real talk. it doesn't make you suicidal or violent or careless. it inspires you to be better. I use herb in a controlled and peaceful environment at all times. there are many many Rastafari in this world who would say the same.  one can only wonder when babylon will stop telling lies about the herb so that people can wake up and stop fooling themselves by thinking that drugs and marijuana are the same thing.

So all in all, these are the kinds of comments that came my way this week, and which I know are sent to only make me stronger at the end of the day. I share this post not because I want to rant and rave or pick at silliness,  but I want to prove to the Sistren that you cannot let negativity and ignorance ever stop you from pursuing a righteous life or doing what you KNOW IS RIGHT. The test of righteousness is in giving into foolishness sin and ignorance. A righteous soul does not bow to attacks, they step around them, they conquer them. If you are not suffering for your right then you know that you aren't doing enough to be right. it's that simple. So even though I feel down and I feel attacked when all my intentions are with JAH, I will still endure and put my trust in HIM and I will continue to believe that I am doing the right thing. I am not looking for rewards and for people to acknowledge me in good ways all the time though it is encouraging. I am just working to please and increase my personal relationship with my Creator by abiding in truth, and to leave some good mark on this world for those to come.
When feeling challenged I always find strength and comfort in knowing that all good men and women who came before me, and who have influenced me on my trod - Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, HIM and Empress Menen even Yesus Kristos - they all suffered criticism, they all had to deal with people who wanted to see them fall and be silent, they all dealt with people who wanted to squash their goals. We must always give thanks that they maintained their strength and endured the struggle for our sake. It is up to us  to do the same for the weaker ones who need to be strengthened and guided back their truth.

So I end here with a quote from the Beatitudes:

 The Beatitudes

(Matthew 5:3-110, Luke 6:20-23)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
 Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.
 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

Who JAH Bless let no man Curse

One love
Ila

How to Sew a Drawstring Maxi Dress

RasTafari Love Sistren!
I'm giving two posts today as I had both reasoning and tutorial for you to take in. This dress can be fitted or it can be loose based on how much seam allowance you add. If you want it to fix close or tight only take your hip measurement, divide by 2, add 1.5 inches or 2 inches, with a 1 inch seam allowance. If you want a loose dress for pregnancy add 4 inches after dividing by 2.  you can choose any length you want it to be, add layers for the skirt using the rasta skirt tutorial as a guide or you can make it into a top - add some extra inches for a buff and put an elastic band!

note how this dress doesn't make my bump so noticeable, it's all about the style and fabric to make the perfect piece of clothing in my opinion. one that will give you everything you need for what occassion you made it for!  ;)
This is not a "going out" dress for me persay. I dress nicely wherever I go and I dont go out on the public social scene very often - never these last few months since 2012. So this dress will be worn day or night because it's comfortable and simple just how I like it. if you haven't already figured out I am a pretty simple designer.

I love choosing multiprints because they allow you to achieve different looks for different occasions. Accessories like jackets, belts, bags, shoes and jewelry can take your look to the next level or keep it relaxed. A blazer and fancy shoes would make this dress perfect for going to a special gathering. I chose to dress it more on the casual side and I was pleased with how I could mix my accessories and designs with it - they mesh well in colour scheme. I mixed metallics with bright prints and black stone as the bold undertone instead of my usual brown.

How to Sew a Jacket or Shrug

Greetings and Blessed Love

I know it's been a long time, but have no fear I am still working on gathering information for two new video reasonings in addition to filling order and running the household. I haven't forgotten my works for rastawifeline! just trying to balance everything going on.

Today's tutorial is a much needed one, on how to make  a jacket or shrug. it is more a shrug than a jacket because it has no zip or buttons to the front. but you could always add a belt or a tie to the front. i will hopefully go another tutorial soon on how to add a closure to the front.

hope you love it!

            I've paired it here with my other designs - crochet belt, clay earrings and bangles and crochet clutch!

Ila

All Natural Dreadlocks Care how to

Blessed love!

I hope that all Sistren and families are blessed!
I myself am doing okay, taking each day at a time and doing what I can - business, house, homeschooling, the whole shebang.

Today I finally was able to wash Nile's dreads and make her look neat for dance class later - they were just looking dry and in need of a good wash! So I decided to just make a simple little tutorial on how to basically care for dreadlocks. What I do for her i also do for myself but I don't make mine neat I just let them dry. I do it for her because our kind of hair clumps together really easily and I didnt want her to have a massive bongo on her head before she was big enough to really manage such a dread. I only make it neat once a month otherwise it is free and wild when washed and she wears her headscarves when out in public anyways. So it's not that I style up her hair all the time. I just separate and oil her dreads when washed.

Note that it is good not to palm-roll or interlock the dreads at all, or more than every four to six weeks. Salon dreads or "manicured" dreads tend to be thinner than free form dreads, and when they become very heavy, like around waist length, they pop at the root. The root must be thick and tight to support the weight pulling against the scalp. Letting thin weak ones join or fuse will help, as well as tying it up or having a good regular cleaning and oiling regimen. The breakage is inevitable if your roots are not thick enough though.

 Caring for your dreads naturally or in an ital way,  is the best way to go: spring water, aloe vera gel, rosemary water, lime/lemon and natural soap are all you need for the softest cleanest healthiest strongest dreadlocks. Of course I know that most just have to make do

with what you can get readily in your neighbourhood, but it's best to go all natural and forget the commercial shampoos that have cancer causing agents in them.

I use raw Afrikan black soap for both skin and body. It's just a brown-black bar that you tear a piece off of when you are ready. it is water soluble as well.  Black soap you can get at your local rasta culture shop or an afrikan shop! But if you don't have access to buying blacksoap locally and would prefer to order a ready made product I recommend a nice all natural shampoo made by MyCoCreations - it's called Cleanie gel. You can use that for body or hair and you can choose what ingredients you want to add, and it's really affordable and works excellent for an all natural product! I've been using the last of mine of Nile's hair since I got a big chunk of blacksoap.
In trinidad you can get raw blacksoap at various spots in port of spain and at Kamara's culture shop in chaguanas. It costs $25TT per bar or for whole sale about $125 TT which is a great deal!
Same goes for the essential oils - you can get your olive and coconut oil in the grocery and you can
also get the essential oils like lavender, peppermint, tea tree and almond oil from a pharmacy in small glass bottles most times - under $20TT each! otherwise you can just order a bottle of each online and then make a blend and voila you have hair and body oil! your supplies will last by blending.

one more tip I forgot to mention in this tutorial is the aromatherapy scalp rinse - for adults of course because it can burn the eyes and kids wont like it! For a non burning rinse, steep a big bunch of fresh rosemary ( keep a plant for your dread! ) when cool, throw over scalp and dreads that have been washd.  In a big cup of water put 2 drops of rosemary, peppermint or lavender or tea tree oil - no more or it will burn and wont be a pleasant tingle! Pour over scalp, squeeze out water from dreads and wrap in towel turban style. Sit for a while doing nothing or something very quiet while the tingling works on the scalp and opens up your sinuses. I love it!

So here is my tutorial:

JAH Love
Ila

The Timeless Spiritual Sacrament

Greetings and Blessed Love in the Name of the Almighty Creator JAH

Today's post is part of a work I had started on herb and scripture, or the ancient use of herb by the Israelites and Nazirenes. this is part of my introduction which deals with the ancient use of marijuana as a spiritual food of the gods, for enlightenment and connection to the Ivine I.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred. 

(Solomon in Proverbs 15:17)

          

           There is no question that from the beginning of creation the cannabis plant became the medium through which humanity knew itself to exist in duality: body and spirit, seen and unseen. Whether given to the first Blacks especially by the Creator, or discovered during their quest for materials and food; it is certain that cannabis has always been acquired for its euphoric and thought-provoking powers. “Dr. Ronald K. Siegel…indicates [in his book that] the motivation to achieve altered states of consciousness or moods is [man’s] fourth drive akin to hunger, thirst and sex” (Herer, 2000, p. 73). This is also true for some animals. Henceforth, it is generally agreed that from the time of the very first farmers, ganjah was regarded as the sacred herb of the seed, a sacramental means to commune with JAH, and to gain wisdom and the overstanding of life and our beings.

           Science has discovered that such is possible because Cannabis sativa’s THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) compound binds specifically to a receptor in the brain. These receptor sites are secluded in the areas centralizing man's Higher Consciousness. Because the holy herb only binds to receptors in the brain it is obvious that the premier purpose of marijuana – exclusively the flowering clusters of hemp – is for nurturing the conscience and mind of man and woman by means of enlightenment, rest, healing, peace and euphoria. This is deduced because any and every “medicine” that man ingests must be received by a receptor of the anatomy in order for it to take effect.  Ganjah is specifically for the mind, being the “food of the gods.”

           This scientific fact supports an important Rastafari truth: the holy herb is inhaled so as to absorb and manifest its energy in one’s heavens to bring about spiritual and individual awareness. Herb is used strictly for the development and improvement of self. Rastafari moreover trace our herb usage back to our Afrikan ancestors, namely the Hebrews, making certain links between Israelite practices and the ancient use of cannabis as an enlightener, consecration; and as an internal incense because our glorified Body or holy I is the new Temple of the New Jerusalem.

Cannabis in the form of hashish[1] was employed by every major religion in the ancient world since before the dawn of history until the Dark Ages. Known by the ancients as incense from India’s Indus Valley, it was burned in the temples of Babylonia, Assyria, Phoenicia, as well as in 20,000 censors King Solomon ordered for his temple in Jerusalem…Cannabis was an essential ingredient in many sacramental drinks used by initiates of the ancient Mystery religions. This tradition was passed to alchemical adepts of the Middle Ages (Herer, 2000, p. 270).

           In order to prove the Israelite use of cannabis, we can first begin with the root etymology of the word cannabis.

…The name cannabis is generally thought to be of Scythian origin. Sula Benet in Cannabis and Culture argues that it has a much earlier origin in Semitic languages like Hebrew, occurring several times in the Old Testament. He states that in Exodus 30:23 that God commands Moses to make a holy anointing oil of myrrh, sweet cinnamon, kaneh bosm, and kassia. He continues that the word kaneh bosm is also rendered in the traditional Hebrew as kannabos or kannabus and that the root "kan" in this construction means "reed" or "hemp", while "bosm" means "aromatic". He states that in the earliest Greek translations of the old testament "kan" was rendered as "reed", leading to such erroneous English translations as "sweet calamus" (Exodus 30:23), sweet cane (Isaiah 43:24; Jeremiah 6:20) and "calamus" (Ezekiel 27:19; Song of Songs 4:14).

(The Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church: Marijuana and the Bible)

The "m" [in bosm] is a pronounced plural, and the singular kaneh-bos sounds remarkably similar to the modern cannabis. Although often mistranslated as "calamus", the word has been translated as "fragrant-cane" in most modern bibles, and specifically designates the fragrant flowering tops of cannabis (Chris Bennett: Cannabis and the Christ: Jesus used Marijuana).

The Dagga Cult of the Afrikan Bantus believed that their “Holy Cannabis” [Dagga] was brought to Earth by the Gods, in particular from the “Two Dog Star” system that we call Sirius A and B…[The word cannabis] can also be read as “cana;” “reed” and “bi,” “two,” as well as “cana” as in canine; and “bis” meaning two (bi) – “Two Dogs” (Jack Herer, 2000: The Emperor wears no clothes p. 72).

           In other words, in the Ible, where we read sweet calamus or cane, it is supposed to be cannabis. Amidst the various explanations for man’s greatest treasure what certainly stands out is that the term cannabis is thought to be at least of Hebrew Shemite origin.

           The Scythians are related to the Ashkenazim (the latter would have learned the use of the hemp plant and its euphoric flowers from the Israelite traders that moved to their region, and also as they adopted Mosaic ceremonial Laws by State). The harvesting tool called the scythe is named after the Scythians. Historians record that their use of marijuana was often during funeral rituals, as well as for its intoxicating effect during feasts or times of eatery and merriment.

           The Greeks also adopted the use of cannabis mainly from the Egyptians, who they heavily studied and plagiarized. The Greek term “cannabeizein” referred to the inhalation of marijuana smoke from incense burners filled with the most common perfume to date, balsam; as well as frankincense, myrrh and so on. Like frankincense, balsam was one the most famous and ancient perfumes of the world, as well as a preferred perfume of the Hebrews. Balsam is from the terebinth tree family which was Abraham’s favourite tree. It was produced in Judaea, Arabia Felix, and today in the West Indies.

           Therefore, it is clear that culturally the Egyptians, Ethiopians and Hebrews were all closely intertwined; that they naturally shared habits and traditions in close quarters. They were part of the Afrikan blue print that many European nations like the Khazars and  Greeks were built upon. They shared the same cultures when it came to the use of incense, make-up and perfumed oils for one’s body, home, endearment, honour and spirituality.

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[1] Hashish is the sticky resin that coats the marijuana flowers, rolled into a ball or cake and smoked. It is said to be more potent than the flowers.

 

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