We recently connected with Sonja Marie and have shared our conversation below.

Sonja , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

After graduating Hampton University in 1992, I had an adverse reaction to returning back to my hometown, Yonkers, NY, in hopes to find work and start living my “real” adult life….so I took a risk. My then boyfriend invited me to move to Los Angeles, CA with him and start a life as a possible fiance and budding Hollywood actress. Well, as the saying goes, ‘ human plans, God laughs” because the plan never took flight. I moved to LA, after buying a roundtrip train ticket but when I arrived at the train station, my then boyfriend was no where to be found. He broke up with me two weeks later because in fell for someone else. My dreams was shattered. Although, I had a roundtrip trip and could return home at any time, I stuck it out. Found a job, moved into an apartment and 2 years later, I was one of three writers on the multi platinum, Grammy nominated soundtrack, “Waiting to Exhale”, signed a recording contract with LaFace Records and had a first time publishing deal as a poet with EMI Publishing. I would say, the risk paid off. Thank you Spirit!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As an artist, an astrologer, a healer, a poet, and a performer, I aim for one thing, for people to see their reflection in everything I do. Whether I’m telling a story through a One Woman Show or reading a clients Astrological Natal Chart, it’s important we attempt to heal ourselves by showing each other who we are.

I haphazardly stumbled upon my path. It’s not like I woke up one morning as a young adult stating, “I want to be ALL the things God wants me to be”. No, not hardly. I fought the idea of being a “jack of all trades” instead of a “master of one”, because our generation was taught to be good at one thing, collect a check, then die. I knew I had more in then just surviving and report to a building to make another persons dreams come alive.

So, my walk began with the word. I currently have 58 journals that I began writing since the age of 10. Expressing my life and how I feel through poetry and essays comes naturally. It has also been therapy on some level, to get what I was experiencing off my heart. My High School teachers began suggesting I read my poems in class, I began staring in theatrical productions and eventually found my voice, my conviction, my platform: to stand up for Black Women in a bold and unapologetic way.

My poetry led me to a Recording contract with LaFace Records and writing songs for others. I also began a fulfilling stint of performing original songs with my 7 piece band for years: nationally and internationally. However simultaneously, I began seeing visions of other people’s Ancestors residing on the other side. With my growing knowledge of astrology, I began doing natal chart readings and delivering messages from their loved ones. This proved to be so popular and wildly necessary for most: WORDLIFE ASTROLOGY was erected. A company I’ve dedicated many years exploring ways to better the spiritual and emotional health of woman, Black woman in particular. I became the Horoscope Columnist for ESSENCE Magazine (2014-2022) , wrote a book entitled, “The Signs: An Astrological memoir”, conducted hundreds of workshops, currently hosting our 7th annual Astrology / Wellness Retreat to Belize, appeared on The Doctors and The Steve Harvey Show and assist thousands of clients worldwide. It’s a heartwarming adventure to witness and marvel at the transformation people make before my eyes. God is has worked overtime through me…and I’m humbled.

I’ve recently been hearing the echos of my theatrical self. Nudging I develop characters surrounding messages that need to be explored. FREE BRICKS, my first ever one woman show evolved and presented June 8th, 2024. It’s a tale of the emotional and spiritual grips Black women are plagued with in this society, and having to make the choice to stay on Earth or create another community on another planet. I couldn’t be more proud of this project, my voice and the experience of ALL the things I’ve done to add to its content. As it turns out, I guess it’s not that bad being a “Jane of all trades”, as its making me a master of self.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The birth of my only son was hands down the BEST personal moments of my life. I couldn’t wait to wake up and smell his neck, kiss his feet and dream what his life was going to look like. However, professionally it was one of the quietest moments. Creative work was nonexistent, performing on stage was a shot to my ego because I gained 80 lbs when with child and I had to reinvent the writer in me in order to survive. Money was slow coming but the joy in my son’s eyes kept me moving. I reckoned with the fact I WAS working. I was forming and assisting a human to shape into a good person, in a very weird, unfair yet beautiful world. I stayed the course in the mist of an untimely divorce because I knew the picture was bigger than me.

As an artist, renaissance woman it’s important to pivot, gracefully! We have assignments we’re not privy to until they make their entrance. It’s a flow, an acceptance, that what you’re doing currently is necessary and you are being led. I had to trust with everything in me that I would not die an almost. I had more work to do and it will come in divine time. I trust it now more than ever. As I look back on several twists and turns, Spirit also had a plan…I just had to walk!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

This is easy! The most rewarding aspect of being an artist / creative / healer is the appearance of God in people’s eyes when truth is realized by them. When they have moments of healing and understanding of self due to the messages flowing through me. I KNOW for a fact it’s NOT Sonja, but the ushering of many to make sure clarity and happiness is discovered in our time together. There’s no better feeling being a vehicle for Spirit. Especially when the words coming through actually help you too! haaaaa!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wordlifeastrology.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordlifesonjamarie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WordlifeAstrology
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonjamarieartis
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonjaMariesWordlifeAstrology/videos
• Other: APPLE MUSIC – https://music.apple.com/us/search?term=sonja%20marie

Image Credits

Jeff Miles