No. Dagara Stick Divination reveals underlying patterns and guidance for conscious action. It is diagnostic, not predictive.

In the Dagara tradition, ritual is not optional; it is an essential part of the practice. As taught by Malidoma Patrice Somé, within the Dagara tradition insight alone is incomplete, ritual is the active process that moves energy, restores balance, and helps integrate guidance into daily life. Ritual in this context is practical and accessible, designed to support personal insight, emotional release, and reconnection with self, ancestors, and the natural world. During your session, you may be offered simple rituals, elemental practices, or symbolic actions that complement the session and provide a tangible path to embody the guidance received.

Dagara Stick Divination is an in-depth practice. The extended 3-hour format allows time to cast and interpret the sticks fully, explore guidance in depth, reflect on patterns, and integrate practical steps and ritual support into your daily life. This ensures the session is not just insight, but transformative and actionable guidance.

Malidoma Patrice Somé (1956–2021) was a respected elder, teacher, diviner, and author from the Dagara people of Burkina Faso, West Africa. His name means “friend of the stranger” or “friend of the enemy,” symbolizing his role as a bridge between cultures and worlds. Somé trained extensively both within and outside his tradition. He returned to his village after years away and completed traditional initiation rites with Dagara elders. He went on to earn three master’s degrees and two doctorates and taught at the University of Michigan. He authored several influential books that introduced Dagara cosmology, ritual, and ancestral wisdom to a global audience, including Of Water and the Spirit, The Healing Wisdom of Africa, and Ritual: Power, Healing and Community. These works explore the role of ritual, community, and ancestral connection in personal and collective well‑being.

Yes. This practice is offered in alignment with the Dagara spiritual lineage. Malidoma Patrice Somé was instructed by his elders to share Dagara divination practices with the West in a way that honors their integrity and purpose. I trained for 8 years under direct mentorship to become an initiated Dagara diviner and shrine keeper, learning the full depth of the tradition, its protocols, and its ethical frameworks. My approach is rooted in this lineage and training, and I offer sessions with deep reverence, cultural respect, and a focus on meaningful personal insight and growth.