Newsletter Archive (Past Newsletters)

Past Newsletters

Read previous editions of our quarterly newsletter featuring Orisha practice insights, ancestral wisdom, and spiritual guidance.

Stories in Progress // Historias en Progreso
July / Julio 2026

We're smack in the heat of summer — whew! I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the season and making time for the people and moments that matter most.

This has been one of the busiest and most rewarding seasons for Arte Abukenke. Looking back over the past few months, I realized that every project — whether a book, an exhibition, an oracle deck, or a website update — has been another way of telling stories that connect us across art, culture, language, and spirit.

Here are a few of the things I've been working on.

Abukenke.Art

Estamos en pleno calor del verano — ¡uf! Espero que este boletín te encuentre disfrutando de la temporada y haciendo tiempo para las personas y los momentos que más importan.

Esta ha sido una de las temporadas más ocupadas y gratificantes para Arte Abukenke. Recordando estos últimos meses, me di cuenta de que cada proyecto — ya sea un libro, una exposición, un oráculo o una actualización del sitio web — ha sido otra forma de contar historias que nos conectan a través del arte, la cultura, el idioma y el espíritu.

Aquí les presento algunas de las cosas en las que he estado trabajando.

Abuenke.Art

My Year in White Has Come to an End

One of the most meaningful milestones in my life happened quietly this summer. My year as an Iyawó — a newly initiated priestess — has officially come to an end.

It was a year filled with learning, discipline, humility, gratitude, and countless moments of reflection. Looking back, I can honestly say it transformed not only my spiritual life but also the way I approach my artwork. Every painting, every story, and every creative decision now carries a deeper appreciation for ancestry, patience, and purpose.

If you're curious about the experience, I invite you to watch my docuseries on YouTube, where I documented the journey as it unfolded.

Watch:
My Year in White

Mi Año de Iyawó a Llegado a Su Fin

Uno de los hitos más significativos de mi vida ocurrió silenciosamente este verano. Mi año como Iyawó — una sacerdotisa recién iniciada — ha llegado oficialmente a su fin.

Fue un año lleno de aprendizaje, disciplina, humildad, gratitud e innumerables momentos de reflexión. Al mirar atrás, puedo decir honestamente que transformó no solo mi vida espiritual, sino también la forma en que abordo mi obra artística. Cada pintura, cada historia y cada decisión creativa ahora lleva una apreciación más profunda por la ancestralidad, la paciencia y el propósito.

Si tienes curiosidad sobre la experiencia, te invito a ver mi docuserie en YouTube, donde documenté el viaje tal como se desarrolló.

Ver: Camino Hacia Mi Año de Blanco

Arte Abukenke Now Speaks Spanish!

One of the accomplishments I'm especially proud of is the launch of the Spanish version of the Arte Abukenke website.

Because so much of my work is inspired by Afro-Caribbean traditions and the Yorùbá diaspora, making my work accessible to Spanish-speaking visitors felt like a natural next step. Now friends, collectors, and visitors can browse the collections, learn the stories behind the artwork, and explore my creative world in either English or Spanish.

If you have family or friends who would enjoy experiencing Arte Abukenke in Spanish, I'd be honored if you shared it with them.

Visit the Spanish Site

¡Arte Abukenke Ahora Habla Español!

Uno de los logros del que estoy especialmente orgullosa es el lanzamiento de la versión en español del sitio web de Arte Abukenke.

Dado que gran parte de mi trabajo está inspirado en las tradiciones afrocaribeñas y la diáspora Yorùbá, hacer mi trabajo accesible a los visitantes de habla hispana se sintió como un paso natural. Ahora amigos, coleccionistas y visitantes pueden explorar las colecciones, conocer las historias detrás de las obras y descubrir mi mundo creativo en inglés o español.

Si tienes familiares o amigos que disfrutarían de experimentar Arte Abukenke en español, me honraría que lo compartieras con ellos.

Visítanos en Español

Ijomosoro Is Almost Here

After years of research, painting, writing, editing, and more than a little patience, Ijomosoro is almost ready. Both the English and Spanish editions are nearing release.

Inspired by the wisdom and symbolism of the Yorùbá spiritual tradition, Ijomosoro is a 105-card oracle deck created as a tool for reflection, conversation, and personal insight. The deck will be available as a stand-alone oracle deck or bundled with its 316-page companion book, offering a deeper exploration of every card.

Many of you have followed along with the daily readings on YouTube — soon you'll be able to experience the complete project yourself. I truly can't wait to share this with all of you.

Watch Weekly Readings on YouTube

Ijomosoro Ya Casi Está Aquí

Después de años de investigación, pintura, escritura, edición y más que un poco de paciencia, Ijomosoro está casi listo. Tanto la edición en inglés como la edición en español están próximas a su lanzamiento.

Inspirado en la sabiduría y el simbolismo de la tradición espiritual Yorùbá, Ijomosoro es un oráculo de 105 cartas creado como herramienta de reflexión, conversación e introspección personal. El mazo estará disponible como oráculo independiente o en conjunto con su libro complementario de 316 páginas, que ofrece una exploración más profunda de cada carta.

Muchos de ustedes han seguido las lecturas diarias en YouTube — pronto podrán experimentar el proyecto completo por sí mismos. Realmente no puedo esperar para compartir esto con todos ustedes.

Siga Las Lecturas Semanales en YouTube

201 Birds Has Taken Flight

This summer marked the successful installation of my 201 Birds audio/visual collection at Create @ 48 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Seeing artwork leave the studio and begin interacting with viewers is always one of the greatest joys of being an artist. Watching visitors stop, reflect, and engage with the work reminded me why I create in the first place.

If you're ever visiting Gettysburg, I hope you'll stop in and experience the installation for yourself.

Experience 201 Birds

201 Pájaros Ha Alzado el Vuelo

Este verano marcó la exitosa instalación de mi colección audiovisual 201 Pájaros en Create @ 48 en Gettysburg, Pensilvania.

Ver una obra de arte salir del estudio y comenzar a interactuar con los espectadores es siempre una de las mayores alegrías de ser artista. Ver a los visitantes detenerse, reflexionar y conectar con la obra me recordó por qué creo en primer lugar.

Si alguna vez visitas Gettysburg, espero que te detengas y experimentes la instalación por ti mismo.

Conozca los 201 Pájaros

A New Book

I'm excited to share the publication of my newest book:

I Will Always Find You

The book begins with one simple promise: "I will find you in every lifetime." From that single sentence, I imagined how the message might be expressed through each of the seventeen Odù of the Eerindilogun cowry shell divination system. Each chapter offers a different perspective on love, remembrance, destiny, and reunion — allowing the same heartfelt promise to unfold in seventeen unique ways.

Get the Book

Un Nuevo Libro

Me emociona compartir la publicación de mi libro más reciente:

Te Encontraré Siempre

El libro comienza con una promesa simple: "Te encontraré en cada vida." A partir de esa única frase, imaginé cómo el mensaje podría expresarse a través de cada uno de los diecisiete Odù del sistema de adivinación de conchas de cauri Eerindilogun. Cada capítulo ofrece una perspectiva diferente sobre el amor, el recuerdo, el destino y el reencuentro — permitiendo que la misma promesa sincera se desarrolle de diecisiete maneras únicas.

Obtén el Libro

Whether you've been following my work for years or recently discovered Arte Abukenke, thank you for being part of this journey.

Every painting, every garment, every song, every book, every oracle card, and now every page available in both English and Spanish begins with the same intention — to tell stories that invite us to see ourselves and one another a little more deeply.

Your encouragement, your conversations, your visits to the website, and your support continue to make this work possible.

Until our stories meet again

Raquel A. Rivera/EsuDina
Arte Abukenke

"Orisha stories are our stories."

Learn About My Paintings on YouTube

Tanto si llevas años siguiendo mi trabajo como si recientemente descubriste Arte Abukenke, gracias por ser parte de este camino.

Cada pintura, cada prenda, cada canción, cada libro, cada carta del oráculo y ahora cada página disponible en inglés y español comienza con la misma intención — contar historias que nos inviten a vernos a nosotros mismos y a los demás un poco más profundamente.

Tu aliento, tus conversaciones, tus visitas al sitio web y tu apoyo siguen haciendo posible este trabajo.

Hasta que nuestras historias se encuentren de nuevo,

Raquel A. Rivera/EsuDina
Arte Abukenke

"Las historias de los Orishas son nuestras historias."

Conozca Mis Pinturas en YouTube

April 2026

Hello again,

When I wrote to you in January, I promised to check in once each season. Spring is officially here—and the energy of new growth is moving through Arte Abukenke in a big way.Lately, I’ve been emerging from a creative cocoon.

I just completed a massive, soul-stretching project that demanded every ounce of my focus. I’m keeping the details close for now (good things need time to breathe), but I will say this: the process reminded me exactly why I do this work.

Here’s what’s blooming in the studio right now:

⚠️ Under Construction: The Ijomosoro Oracle
If you’ve been following the collective readings on YouTube, you’ve already seen these cards in action. Many of you have asked if the Ijomosoro Oracle Deck will be available to the public—and the answer is yes.

Right now, I’m in the studio refining the artwork, building a comprehensive guidebook, and most importantly, translating everything into Spanish. When this deck reaches your hands, I want it to feel complete, accessible, and alive in your own language.

Stay tuned for a release later this year.

The Ibaloye Pocket Altar – Update
Thank you to everyone who supported the January launch. It has truly been an honor to know that you’ve chosen Ibaloye as a space to honor your ancestors. Some of you have even shared photos—and I’m not exaggerating when I say that has been one of the highlights of my year so far.If you haven’t explored it yet, it remains available on the site as a permanent tool for your ancestor veneration practice.

Staying Connected
Between painting and priestess work, I remain rooted in my core mission of bridging ancient traditions with modern life. Whether through music, art, or a quiet moment at a digital altar, I’m grateful you’re walking this path with me.

Where to find me this season:

Watch: Ijomosoro — Weekly collective readings
Listen: RaqCandyMusic — New AI tracks inspired by recent canvases
Explore: Arte Abukenke — Oracle updates and wearable art

Wishing you a season of growth, clarity, and forward movement.

Blessings,
EsuDina Aarinade
Arte Abukenke

January 2026

Hey there!

I haven't been a good host. You visited my website, Arte Abukenke, some time within the last 3 years, and I've never reached out to you in appreciation.

It's not an excuse, but the reality is that life as an
independent artist is... full. Between painting, writing books, creating wearable art, making music, and working as an Orisha priestess doing collective readings at least three times a week—well, I've been kinda busy.

But I want to change that. I’ve started this newsletter to stay connected. I promise not to clutter your inbox; this will only reach you 4 times a year (once a season) to keep you up to date with the projects I'm working on.

To kick things off, I want to share something very close to my heart.

Presenting:Ibaloye Pocket Altar

I built this downloadable web-based app out of necessity. It started when my two sons complained that they didn't have the space to set up an ancestor table in their homes, nor the time to tend to one properly amidst their busy lives.

At first, I mocked up a simple picture of a table where I placed small photos of our deceased relatives. And then it hit me!

I can make this a fully personalized app for other people with busy schedules or inconvenient living conditions. Just like my sons.

The Ibaloye Pocket Altar is not a game. It is a fully customizable digital tool for prayer, meditation, and connection.

Here is how it serves your practice:
* The Ancestor Table: Upload photos of your own deceased loved ones. This space includes specific prayers and songs to honor them.
* The Oyugbo (Outdoor Shrine): A digital space featuring food offerings, along with additional prayers and songs to honor non-blood relatives who are deceased.
* Orisha & Ifa Spaces: Dedicated areas for each Orisha and Ori. You can double-tap the existing Orisha pots to upload a photo of your very own pot (if you have received one from your spiritual practitioner).

Important Note:
This altar is NOT A SUBSTITUTE for working with elders or spiritual practitioners. It is a tool to be used when you cannot get to your elder right away, or when you simply need a focused space to center your attention and intention.

Special Launch Invitation
I am officially launching the app on January 15, 2026.

To celebrate, I am offering a special launch price for the first 21 days.
Launch Price: $11.11
Regular Price: $21.00 (After the 21-day window)

Get the Ibaloye Pocket Altar - $11.11 BEFORE February 5, 2026

It has been a labor of love to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and our modern, digital lives. I hope it brings you the same peace and focus it has brought my family.

Thank you for sticking around, and thank you for visiting Arte Abukenke.

Blessings,
EsuDina Aarinade, Arte Abukenke

P.S. Since it has been a while, if you no longer wish to hear from me, you can unsubscribe below. No hard feelings! But I do hope you stay for the art and the spirit.

My YouTube Channels:
Collective Readings:  Ijomosoro
AI Music to Accompany my Paintings:  RaqCandyMusic
I talk about my artwork:  Arte Abukenke

Your past newsletters will be added here. Each time you send a newsletter through Shopify Messaging, you can copy the content and paste it below with the date.

Olorun is Sick and Tired

The sun — Olorun — feels so agitated that the Creator was taking so long to form the world, that he vomits a fiery stone from his belly.

Watercolor and gouache on paper -2026

Water Can't Extinguish All Flames

No amount of water could extinguish the fiery ball that burned at the core of what would be Earth. A heap of dirt was hastily thrown upon it by the Creator in hopes to pacify it.

Watercolor and gouache on paper -2026

Oroíña

In wails and laments, Oroíña doesn't understand how she ended up alone with no escape from her situation. Olorun tries to "fix" the situation by giving her a son, Agayú, to accompany her. Yet she moans and groans to this day.

Watercolor and gouache on paper -2026

Mute by Molten Residue

Oroíña's passion and rage will never extinguish. Her son, Agayú, speaks her rage. Oroíña is the creative powerful force in all of us. Your creations — your "sons" — are the product of your passion and your rage.

Watercolor and gouache on paper -2026

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