Welcome to “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” GO Magazine’s brand new interview series that profiles a different queer each day by asking them seven unique (and sometimes random) questions. Get to know the thoughts, feelings and opinions of the groundbreaking, fierce forces-of-nature in the queer community.
For every weekly horoscope Naimonu James posts, there is a song to go along with your reading. Their words ebb and flow as you listen and read.
A friend of mine posted Naimonu’s horoscopes on a rainy Monday morning back in July. I clicked the link on my early morning commute and was moved more than I expected to be. The way their words moved off my screen was powerful and inspiring. They took what was going on in my life (and everyone else’s) so gently, all the while activating me to continue moving forward.
I continued to see community post their horoscopes week after week, every sign saying how much they felt Naimonu really captured what was going on for them and gave true motivation to continue. As the true healer that they are, their words can speak volumes on their own. It’s our absolutely pleasure to introduce our seven minutes in heaven with healer and horoscope writer Naimonu James.
GO Magazine: Who are you and what do you do?
Naimonu James: My name is Naimonu and I am a healer. I write weekly horoscopes that affirm and uplift folks committed to the struggle of becoming their best selves. I am a holder of tea. I am learning to cherish my demons. I am a darling of the universe (as are you!).
GO: Where do you go for inspiration when you’re feeling discouraged or depleted?
NJ: Back to yoga. My mat is the only place I seem to be able to soothe my demons. Home. To drink tea and be frustrated and feel all my feelings and pray. Myself! YouTube. I watch music videos (mostly Beyonce, Rihanna, and Whitney Houston) all the time, good visuals/performances soothe me and inspire me to create something cute too.
GO: Who are your queer role models?
NJ: Black women and femmes make me melt. I do this work for them.
GO: Describe yourself in three words.
NJ: No! I refuse.
GO: How would you define healing?
NJ: Healing is holding space for others to be vulnerable and work through their shit with courage and acceptance. It is saying, “I struggle with this, too; you are not alone.” It is a commitment to the divinity that flows through all of us.
GO: How do you see the ways in which horoscopes help people process what’s going on in their lives?
NJ: The little bit of comfort folks get from reading my ‘scopes is the real gold. That sigh of relief, that “damn, this is so true,” is everything. I probably cannot give you all the answers you yearn for, but I do see you. And to be seen is deeply healing. That is the power of horoscopes and the astrologers who write them, to see thousands of people and offer that sliver of comfort. This work is a blessing. Use your horoscope not to seek answers, but to seek comfort and to give you the strength to keep working through your shit.
GO: Where can people find you?
NJ: In random cafés in New Orleans staring into space and furrowing my brows.
naimonujames.com
fb/twitter/ig— @naimonujames
What Do You Think?