Nvuah literally means "Prophecy," but there are many connotations attached to this word. Nvuah can also refer to ecstatic dancing and singing, trance, and direct communication with the Spirit World. This word embodies the core of the practice and its purpose. Nvuah brings people, whether officially recognized members or curious visitors, closer to the Spirit Realm.
Animism is, therefore, a philosophy very dear to practitioners of Nvuah. There is a spirit in everything physical and non physical, a force governing every aspect of existence. These spirits can be worked with to perform psychic readings and healing - two very important roles of a Nvuah Oracle. But certain spirits take a more prominent role in the religion and members develop strong ties with them through meditation and ritual. These spirits can answer difficult questions through Oracles and be asked by anyone to improve the quality of his life. These spirits are called the Guardian Spirits and are intimately known by all members of Nvuah, but each member also has his own Spirit Guide and Patron God or Goddess to work with. They guide the individual while the Guardian Spirits guide the collective.
Polytheism is also a very important ideal in Nvuah, though the individual is free to develop his own ideas about Deity. Nvuah teaches that the gods are separate entities and that they all have their own powers, teachings, and methods of communication. Ultimately, however, they share in the quintessential Source energies of which all things are made.
Nvuah is, naturally, a prophetic spirituality. Explaining what is meant by "prophesy," however, requires a brief examination of the structure of Nvuah. There is a small hierarchy in Nvuah which keeps things in order and manages the affairs of the group. Seekers train in the basic energy work and philosophies of Nvuah until they are ready to be Dedicated. Dedicants train for a longer period of time in the psychic and prophetic arts to become Oracles. They deliver the word of the Guardian Spirits - but are in no way considered infallible - and counsel the other members. Their teaching and work is "prophesy." Oracles can train in ritual arts and practical magick to be Initiated. Though Initiates in Nvuah are rare because they are then considered entitled to the same consideration as the physical lineage, which is precious to its bearers. So far, Nvuah has few futuristic prophesies and many teachings. The prophesies that do exist are usually expressed to members by word of mouth and only when they ask.
Nvuah, at this point, might seem like a blend of other faiths. The style of Animism is similar to Santeria, the theistic philosophy is Pagan, and the prophetic system is comprised of psychics trained much like their counterparts in indigenous African religions as mentioned before. What sets it apart is that it is a tradition that arose out of a lineage. It has a hereditary line through which the core of Nvuah is maintained even if the leadership positions are not passed down through it. The power of Nvuah itself comes from the family of its founder who is the Fourth Steward of the lineage. These powers are transferred to incoming Dedicants and stregthened as they advance.
The details of Nvuah ritual are secret as Nvuah is a mystery tradition. There is certainly nothing vulgar or nasty involved in any of the rituals. Nothing is sacrificed other than grain (flour), libation (usually juice), or incense. The reason for ritual being secret is that silence adds power to spiritual pursuits. Weekly rituals, however, are open to the public. While the mystery of how the Dedicants and Oracles accomplish their deeds during those rituals are secret to those who are not also Dedicants and Oracles, it is clear what is happening in each one.
Below are brief descriptions of the two most beginner friendly rituals:
The First Quarter involve very little dramatic power display. A simple Circle is cast by all present and there is no preferred method. Then those inside the Circle discuss an aspect of N'vuah philosophy and perform some basic meditation. These Circles are primarily focused on basic level education for prospective Dedicants.
The Full Moon rituals are involve much more structure and intense spiritual work. At the Full Moon, there is also an opportunity for prospective Dedicants to cast Circle, learn together, discuss, and Meditate. But then the Dedicants and Oracles take over, cast the Fire Stage Circle, and invoke the Guardian Spirits. The spirits are fed with energy and offerings and then some Oracles may become possessed by the spirits so that they may communicate with those assembled. Dedicants are also capable of become possessed but only by the Spirit of Fire which makes them speak in tongues. Both Glossolalia (speaking in tongues) and Possession are explained below.
Speaking in Tongues has been used for many centuries by Christians as a proof of their god's power. They claim that only those who surrender to the Holy Spirit can experience this miraculous flow of divine language. Nvuah is in sync with the latter but insists that the Holy Spirit is not a strictly Christian sprite. It is the Spirit of Fire which possesses anyone who is opened up to it. In N'vuah, Dedication is the process by which the practitioner is opened up to this spirit and by which he learns to become possessed by it. Speaking in Tongues manifests a massive amount of loose energy which can be channeled into any pursuit. It is used to feed the Guardian Spirits and to accomplish possession by other entities. The applications are endless.
The trouble with speaking in tongues, or Glossolalia, is that it has faded in modern practice. It used to be an almost universal practice. Countless oral and written histories keep alive the stories of spiritual possession and trance in which the subject speaks aloud in an unintelligible tongue which sounds like a language but is like nothing heard on Earth. Nowadays, it is the stuff of dramatic cults which claim amazing spiritual powers but usually come up short. Nvuah uses the practices as a spiritual wrecking ball. For some reason, it tears down the inhibitions of the practitioner who experiences it and allows for further openness and expansion.
Possession is another practice which has fallen out of vogue in modern culture but which is also making a powerful comeback. From Spiritualist seances to Vodou parties, possession by the spirits is again (slowly) becoming an accepted spiritual tool for advancement. This possession is not damaging, it is not permanent, and the spirits Nvuah works with have no desire to stay in a body or do anything malicious to or with it. If an Oracle or any other member were to claim otherwise, he would be discredited immediately. Possession is a beautifully powerful experience which gives the possessed a feeling of complete security. While sometimes unsettling for observers, they often feel awe inspired after witnessing a true possession.The trouble with importing words from other languages is that they don't always fit nicely into the paradigms of the borrowing language. Is someone who practices Nvuah a Nvuite? Or maybe a Nvuan? If the Hebrew term was just left in its natural paradigm, a practitioner would be a Navi or a Nviah. So what is something related to Nvuah? A literal English translation of Nvuah yields prophesy, so the adjectival form is prophetic. Therefore, something related to Nvuah should be called Nvuei, right?
It is strange that words are so important, that people have to find something to call every person they encounter. While practitioners of Nvuah may very well start calling themselves Nviim (prophets), it is relatively unimportant what title falls like a yoke on their shoulders. When N'vuah was still the Avatarian Rite of Wicca, not everyone was keen on being called a Witch, and why should they be? Practitioners of N'vuah are people. If individuals choose names for themselves to make discussing their faith easier, then fine. But no umbrella term will ever be used to label people in Nvuah.
Some people considering joining Nvuah have said things like, "I have been a solitary Witch for years. I don't know if embracing a specific tradition is for me." It very well may not be, and that is perfectly alright. The real issue is why not? If you really feel that working alone is best, fine, do that. But if you hunger for community and decline because you fear losing your own learning to a rigid system or being criticized for your style of magick, reconsider! Nvuah is not an exclusive organization and you can continue your own practice and learning while joining Nvuah simultaneously. Also, there is no rigid system here. Yes, there is a predetermined series of preliminary rituals waiting for prospective members but your involvement after Dedication is very much founded upon your own desire and will to know. Also, you will never be criticized for your style of magick. Nvuah is an ecstatic tradition. There is not much you can do that will be seen as "too deep" or "too intense" to get you into the right frame of mind for magickal practice.