Trusting Your Intuition

Last week, my friend Gloria shared some wisdom.

We were catching up on WhatsApp for the first time in 2025.

And I told her to feel free to reach out if she needs my guidance at any time.

She appreciated the offer but said she’s focusing on tuning into her intuition—trusting the inner guidance she already receives.

“I’m listening more closely to the guidance that comes my way,” she said, “especially when I hear the same message from different people.”

“If two or three friends—who don’t even know each other—tell me the same thing, I always pay attention.”

I love Gloria’s perspective—simple, practical, and powerful.

Do you trust your intuition? Many don’t – fear and self-doubt get in the way.

And it holds them back in life…

Remember this: You don’t just have a soul—you are a soul.

Gloria has always trusted her intuition, but now she’s setting an even deeper intention.

“My goal is to recognize the messages and signs even more clearly,” she said. “This is my ancestors guiding me—they’ve always kept me safe.”

How is she being guided to approach 2025 and beyond? More travel. More learning. More alignment.
And more abundance and gratitude…

On past trips, she and her son, Shawn, have explored Eritrea—where her father is from. They have also been to Greece, Turkey, Vietnam, Thailand, Dubai, Ghana, Tanzania, and the Ivory Coast.

This year, they’re heading to London and Dublin.

Beyond travel, Gloria wants to deepen her knowledge of financial literacy and investing. Her long-term goal is to build a two-story home in another country and run a retreat business.

But she’s not in a rush.

“If this season calls for just being present—enjoying life as it is, appreciating my child and all my privileges—then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

When it’s time to make a move, I trust and believe I’ll be guided to do so.

Everything Isn’t A Sign

Everything that happens to us or around us isn’t a sign.

Something might not be going your way right now, but is that a sign you’re on the wrong path?

Many spiritual advisors will say YES.

And that’s where I disagree. It might not be a sign at all.

If anything, maybe it’s a sign you shouldn’t give up and you need to keep going.

Maybe it’s a sign you need to dig deeper into your soul and remember why you got started in the first place.

This is how I see it.

Not too long ago I was invited to be a guest on a podcast. It never happened because I had problems twice when I tried to connect with the host for the live event.

He took it as a SIGN the interview isn’t meant to happen right now. He has not made plans to reschedule. Almost two months have passed.

REALLY?

I was disappointed. I was looking forward to sharing my insights with his audience.

So many of us give up too easily.

I often hear things like: “If I was meant to have a business, I wouldn’t be struggling so much.”

OR, “If I was really meant to be in a relationship, why am I not in relationship? OR, why do I find relationships so challenging, if I am meant to be in a relationship?”

OR, “If I’m really following my purpose, why is it so difficult?”

I don’t know what you’re going through right now.

But I do know now is not the time to abandon your dreams. I also know adversity can help us evolve spiritually even things are difficult.

I’m with you in Spirit. It’s not too late for you to find more success, or more love, or better health, or stronger finances in 2024.

Have faith things can improve, then do everything in your power to move your life forward.

Respond to this newsletter, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Until then, may the Spirits of the ancestors, guide, bless, and protect you always.

All my love.

James:

P.S. The second edition of my best-selling book, Meditations Across the King’s River, is available at the links below:

Amazon Meditations Across the King’s River: Meditations Across the King’s River

P.S.S. Here’s the link to schedule a spiritual reading: Spiritual Reading: Spiritual Reading

2nd Edition is a Best Seller

When the 2nd edition of Meditations Across the King’s River became an international bestseller, I thought about the long journey that got me here.

My success is by no means an overnight journey. It all started 20 years ago with a family crisis. That crisis led me to the Ifa spiritual tradition.

I write and speak openly about the adversity I faced and how I overcame it.

Meditations Across the King’s River has been featured in Business Insider and more than 500 media outlets.

Here’s the link to order your copy today: Meditations Across the King’s River

Here’s the link to the article in Business Insider: Business Insider

Today marks a momentous occasion as James Weeks announces the release of the second edition of his book, Meditations Across the King’s River: African-Inspired Wisdom for Life’s Journey. The book has now ascended to the status of an Amazon best-seller, reflecting the book’s profound impact on readers seeking inspiration and transformation.

Experience personal guidance and spiritual insights by booking a session with Weeks at Readings

First published in 2019, Meditations Across The King’s River stood as a vibrant celebration of African culture, spirituality, history, and cuisine, attracting readers worldwide. The second edition of the book delves even deeper into Weeks’ extraordinary life experiences, featuring updated chapters on ancestral guidance, encounters with activists in Bermuda, his journey into trading and beekeeping, and the unexpected revelation of a familial tie to the late legendary actress Cicely Tyson.

Thank you for being a part of my journey. We are grateful for your support.

James Weeks

Celebrating the Power of Love

This photo of my wife, Stephanie, was taken about 20 years ago.

Photography used to be one of my passions, and I was taking photos of Stephanie and our children in our backyard in Oakland.

Maybe I should pick up my camera again:)


As a I gaze at this photo, I reflect on the power of love, the power of soulmates and the power of destiny.

I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am if she didn’t enter my life in my twenties.

Stephanie helped launch my writing career. She used to be an editor for Essence magazine.
On January 16th, we will relaunch a new version of my book, Meditations Across the King’s River, with a new publisher.

For the past year and a half, Stephanie has been helping me with the new version of my book.
Long days and long nights. I know the ancestors are pleased with the powerful work we’ve done. You will be pleased too.

Can’t wait for you to see the new changes to the book and the bonus chapter. I’ll tell you about some of the changes when the launch campaign begins in January.

Clients ask me about relationships when I perform spiritual readings for them.
I believe most of us have more than one soulmate. We meet them at different stages of our journey.

But soulmate connections are not easy. You will be challenged.

Your soul has to expand. Your mind has to expand. Your heart has to expand.

But beautiful things can happen.

I believe an angel will be sent into your life to help you.

I know you will eventually meet your soulmate or your soulmates.

Be patient.

You don’t have to think about it. You will feel it. You will know.

I had a feeling I would marry Stephanie even when I barely knew her.

It was a flash of intuition that proved to be correct.

You will know who is meant to be in your life.

And you will also know when it’s time to end toxic relationships or friendships.
Would love to hear about your experiences with soulmates. So, write me back when you have a moment.

2023 has proven to be a challenging year for so many around the planet.
My heart aches for all the children that are losing their lives in terrible wars.

Sending love to you and your family in these challenging times.

James

Blessings

Do You Know Your Roots?

If you could talk to one of your loved ones in Spirit what would you say?

And why would you say it?

What would you want to know, and why is it important to you?

I regret not asking Dad and other relatives more questions about my roots when I had the chance.

That’s why I’m grateful for the work my uncle, Gerry Doward, is doing. He’s Mom’s youngest brother.

He’s also a genealogist.

Over the years, Uncle has put some of the pieces of our family’s history and migration together.

And he has also helped other families on St. Croix research their roots.

Uncle says his paternal grandfather, my great-grandfather, migrated to St. Croix from the country of Suriname. His name was Robert Doward.

Yet, there are so many pieces of our ancestral puzzle we still don’t know yet.

I’m hoping to travel to Suriname one day to learn more about the family and culture my great grandfather left behind.

What about you? Are you curious about your roots? How well do you know the stories of your ancestors?

This photo of me and uncle, Gerry is important to me.

It was taken more than 15 years ago during a hike on the north side of the island of St. Croix.

I felt strong ancestral and spiritual vibrations as I hiked with uncle. We swam in a pool made by natural rock formations. The water was soothing and warm. I emerged cleansed and revitalized.

The northside St. Croix is sacred because it’s home to Maroon Ridge – that’s where slaves leapt to their death rather than submit to a life of slavery.

St. Croix scholar and ecologist, Olassie Davis, says “runaway African slaves also developed their own government, culture, trade, and military defense against the colonial powers of the day.”

Our struggles continue…

We have to protect sacred sites, reclaim our culture and tell our own stories.

The land also has stories to tell.

On St. John, Virgin Islands, there’s an ancient petroglyph engraved at the bottom of a waterfall at Reef Bay Valley.

The late Guyanese scholar, Ivan Van Sertima, author of the book, They Came Before Columbus, believed the petroglyph is an ancient African script once used in Libya and Medieval Mali.

Van Sertima said the script was deciphered by the Libyan Department of Antiquities. It reads: “Plunge in to cleanse yourself; this is water for purification before prayer.”

Blessings,

Always Seek Growth

Last month, I received a direct message I wasn’t expecting on Instagram.

The message came from award-winning dancer, choreographer, and actor Adesola Osakalumi.
He’s best known for his starring role in the Broadway musical, Fela, a powerful tribute to the life and legacy of famed Nigerian activist/musician Fela Kuti.

Adesola is of Caribbean descent. His Dad is from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and his Mom is from Jamaica.

“I’m working on the Soul Train musical in San Francisco,” he said. “If you’re around, I think you’ll enjoy it. I can get discounted tickets if you’re interested.

I was honored to meet Adesola in person for the first time; my wife and I loved the musical.
Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical tells the legacy of Don Cornelius, founder and host of the Soul Train TV show that was hugely popular in the seventies.

Adesola collaborated as a dance consultant and assistant choreographer on Hippest Trip.
I’m sharing this with you because clients often ask me for insights into their purpose.
Some people seem to be born knowing their purpose. Others discover it later in life. I believe our purpose can evolve over time.

Do you feel clear about your purpose? If so, what are you here to do? And are you doing it?
Adesola has been mesmerized by dance, African culture and the performing arts since childhood. He has never lost his passion for it. “I love what I do,” he says.

I’m inspired by his unwavering focus and dedication.

Here’s a bit of wisdom from Adesola: “always believe in yourself. Never stop pushing. If you have a goal or a vision, you’re going to get opposition and different opinions from people. You may not always be met with open arms and support but keep pressing forward.”

I hope this helps. Let’s get it. The world needs your gifts more than ever before.
Stand tall and walk in your purpose.

James