We caught up with the brilliant and insightful ARKIA ALLEN a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

ARKIA , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

After my crowning ceremony in Santaria, it was told to me in my Ita that I was designed to work this religion and that at some point in my life I would sell the stones for the process in which a person crowns their head Orisha. The beautiful ceremony we call Ocha. And everything you need to perform this ceremony and other is sold in his store.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Arkia Allen or in Santo Omi Aina! I am a 45-year-old African American woman, that is also a Priestess of Santaria, Palo and Apetebii of Orula. I am the proud daughter of Yemaya the mother of all life on Earth the owner of the Oceans and Seas, she marked me from birth her number is 7 and I was born the seventh month of the Seventy-Seventh year and Aggayu the mighty Volcano the earth’s Axis, voice of the desert and Tectonic Plates he is straight uncontrollable power. My journey into Santaria and Ifa started in 2002 after the death of my beloved Great Grandmother. Just a quick example of how my Spiritual Journey began my house was running wild with unexplained things happening ex: the T.V. turning on randomly at night, lights radiating unusually when I walk into a room, but most of all a T.V. turning on that wasn’t even plugged up! Yeah! Crazy right. I promise I am not, I have at least 3 witnesses that can back up this story. After that I started seeking any and all HELP! My sister Kat my Earth Day Book Bag girl found a priest, not just any priest a Babalawo, and that means Father of Secrets a person who practices Ifa. He listened to her and agreed to come and read my house. Just I had suspected my grandmother was with me, trying to reassure me that she was fine and that I was going to be fine, because when she left this earth, I was devastated, she was my world. He told me what I should do to elevate her spirt and how to calm the energy around me, because it was scaring the hell out of me and my children. As time progressed, I started experiencing, spiritual revelations and occurrences more often, even as a child I could detect or even see things on people, but I grew up in a time and place where that was demonized or frowned upon. However, what is for you is for you and when Olodumare gives you something at some point in life you are going to use it. I have stories (True Stories) for days, and these things are what directed me to a place where I decided you know what? I’m going to use these gifts to help other people. If you notice, there is a shift happening amongst people of all races where we are stepping into our true nature, a spiritual nature. Most people of African descent in the Americas have been spiritually suppressed by incorrect doctrine and manipulative means but one thing about the truth is… you can try burying it, but it eventually sprouts up! And I’m just going to say it WE ARE THE TRUTH, and so is IFA. Ifa teaches us that in life, with the exception of the day you are born and the day that you die there is nothing that cannot be foreseen and resolved. Honestly and whole heartedly I know this to be true, that’s why I have made this is my life’s calling and work. I have helped people spiritually even before I became a priestess, removing spirits cleaning of spaces and houses, telling them how to resolve life issues, and now that I am spiritually aligned, I’m ready to take it to the next level. I have taken a vow to help humanity and I plan to see it through. Dos Aguas Botanica is a Spiritual Oasis in Jonesboro GA where you can purchase spiritual items, candles, Ifa products, books, schedule readings, get baths to remove certain energies. and get a true and accurate perspective on what an ATR (African Traditional Religions) is. We are here to help our community. I pride myself on studying and being to explain things as they should be. There is a need simply because there is a lot of scrutiny, and false practitioners’ people who say they are initiated, and just flat out are not! So, we are here to straighten all that crap out! I never, ever want anyone to experience disappointment, seeking truth and light, by being misled by people who are only motivated by economic gain. I love this religion and all forms of any ATR I even been inducted into Palo, so there isn’t anything we cannot address. We even have a great relationships with people who practice Vodun. As my Great Grandmother would say a Hint to the Wise is sufficient, I’m hinting wise people! Energy is neither created nor destroyed only transferred and your spiritual Hygiene is just as important as your physical hygiene. So, if your seeking help or honestly need direction do not hesitate to stop in and get the information you need. This religion is a way of life, and it is result based, and we GET RESULTS! So, stop in and see a true practitioner that truly gives a damn and loves to see people in their best selves, living peaceful, happy thriving, and most of all growing.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

During the process of opening the store there were several obstacles to overcome, Seeing as I had never even thought of opening any form of retail anything. From deciding on a location, to how to obtain funding and qualify for business credit, the hill almost seemed impossible to climb. At one point I thought I was going to just say F it and buy more Real Estate and flip houses. However, after reviewing my Ita (My personal instructions for life) and consulted Ifa with a reading I was confident that the advice that I was given was correct. The Botanica was and is my destiny. Shango told me to move forward, I tried again and simply could not put the pieces of the puzzle together. I didn’t even know where to start, to find vendors to supply my store. Oh, did I mention that the religion I practice is dominated by Cubans and I spoke very little Spanish at the time. Frustrated and heartbroken, I went to the Ocean to see my mother Yemaya and offered her Adimu (Gifts/Offering) of a melon and roses and humbly asked her to direct and make away for me. With in hours literally the challenges just simply moved aside. On my voyage back to Atlanta from Clear water, Florida I received a phone call from my other little sister Bossy saying Gigi I have something for you, I think it will help. With in 13 hours from me speaking to Yemaya I had every vendor on the East Coast, Yeah Yemaya is an amazing force! Now, the rest is history being written. I have had my fair share of challenges, but nothing compares to sacrificing your time, energy, blood, sweat, and tears, not to mention over $120,000 of your life’s savings to follow your heart and destiny. Life is full of uncertainties, but Ifa is an exact, and as long as you take the advice and do Ebo I promise you that victory, and completion is guaranteed. No Cap!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Logic versus Faith. I grew up in a Christian home, and a financially prominent household where finances were always a cornerstone of what was taught. The motto was only get involved with business you know, and if you don’t know go get an education on the subject. Hebrews 11:1 declares that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen.” the fact is and was that I had to put aside all that I was taught about good fiscal responsibility and exercise faith in my Orisha. They have never failed me! This is just another example of being obedient to my destiny and knowing Olodumare and Yemaya will never fail me or lead me incorrectly! Unlearning the cornerstone of a childhood principle of you gotta know it to do it, was difficult. However, I did it and did it well! Simply by exercising faith and trusting God, Egun and the Orisha has brought the unseen and unknown to fruition.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dosaaguas.com
• Instagram: @dosaguasbotanica
• Other: Address 285-335 Upper Riverdale Rd B14 Jonesboro, GA 30238 Telephone Number: 770-892-5756

Image Credits
Arkia Allen Priestess Omi Aina