Empress Zella Taj Kan-Aset Xi embodies a profound connection to the natural world as a Medicine Woman, Minister, and Communer with the nature spirits. Hailing from the Ministry of Neteru, her mission transcends conventional boundaries, seeking to awaken humanity to the deep partnership and reciprocity we share with Mother Earth and the spirits of nature. At the heart of Empress Zella’s work is the remembrance of our inherent connection to all of life. Through her teachings and practices, she guides individuals towards a profound understanding of their role within the web of existence, empowering them to step fully into their power and align with their unique purpose. Join Mystic Mag as we delve into Empress Zella Taj Kan-Aset Xi’s journey, exploring how she navigates the realms of spirituality and nature to foster harmony and balance within ourselves and the world around us.
What inspired you to create the Ministry of Neteru (MoN), and how does it reflect your personal journey and beliefs?
The Ministry of Neteru was undoubtedly a divine assignment from Spirit. It is a significant part of why I incarnated on Earth, aligning with what I came to do and what I’ve prepared for throughout my personal healing journey. Along this path, I have encountered numerous beautiful people whom I consider friends and teachers, and who have tremendously assisted me. However, there were also many moments where I felt profoundly alone, with the sense that no one could comprehend what I was experiencing as I traversed this journey of self-awareness and spiritual growth.
Consequently, I had to let go of many friendships and activities that no longer resonated with me. This transition was challenging, and I often wished for more support. I know I experienced this so that I could pave the way for others. Being a multifaceted visionary, a seer, and a wayshower is an inherently lonely path until others catch up. My Indigenous name, Zella, embodies this essence, it means the one who knows the way and is lacking nothing. Thus, the conception of the Ministry of Neteru wasn’t solely my creation. During a long solo road trip, my guides and ancestors pieced together the vision for me, bestowing upon me this profound gift.
The magnitude of this prompted me to take a vow of silence upon my return and fast, allowing the entirety of the vision to crystallize. The Ministry of Neteru is, at its core, is a Temple—a sanctuary for learning from grounded healers, tapping into one’s inherent wisdom, and connecting with a like-minded community. It serves as a beacon to remind us all of our power to dream a new dream of what’s possible on Earth.
Our Temple acts as a hub for kindred Earth stewards to find one another, offering spiritually rooted education, wellness spaces, advocacy opportunities, and support along their respective journeys. Fundamentally, it represents grounded spirituality, rejecting spiritual bypassing narratives and acknowledging the suffering aspect of the human experience. We not only teach how to be with suffering, but also how to alchemize it, connecting spirituality with the real world, to create space for this new world that wants to be born..
As an Indigenous, BIPOC, and queer-led organization, we honor all faith-based traditions and strive to cultivate a world where everyone enjoys the same freedoms. We view it as our sacred duty to ensure the safety and freedom of all, envisioning a world where all can live in heaven on Earth.
Can you explain the concept of living in partnership and reciprocity with Mother Earth and nature spirits? How does this philosophy guide the mission and activities of MoN?
Very simply, this just means living in balance with life, right? It means remembering that we are all inextricably connected with all of life, and that there is no hierarchy. Understanding that we are the younger siblings in Creation and that the plants, rocks, animals, and waters, they all have so much to teach us. It’s about remembering that everything Earth provides is a gift, first and foremost. Reflecting on the fact that we cannot create tomatoes or oranges, but we plant the seeds and hope for a miracle to occur. We are not entitled to this miracle; it is a gift in its purest form.
This doesn’t mean that we don’t also have to put in the work of caring for and watering the plant, but it means recognizing that we did not create the food. When we let go of this mindset of human hubris and remember the other spirits that exist around us—the plants, the animals—that they are here to teach us. When we pause long enough to hear their whispers and truly observe them, we not only realize that we’re not alone as isolated beings moving through the world, but that the entire universe is rooting for us to succeed. Every little thing we do has a much larger impact and sends ripples through the cosmos.
Here at the Ministry of Neteru, we work to reconnect people with the sound of their own spirit and the spirit within everything around us. We are rooted in the knowledge that everything holds spirit—the rocks, waters, winds, insects, plants, mountains. In order to bring balance to the world, we must heal our bodies, minds, and spirits so that we can become better listeners and remember that we have this sacred duty as stewards of the Earth. That’s the foundation of how we do our work.
Once you truly embody this, the change has already begun.
What type of services do you offer?
We like to say that we support people in both rest and action. Therefore, we provide monthly member updates and discounts on events we host. We share information on BIPOC-friendly retreats, wellness centers, and wellness stays, as well as opportunities for hostels, work trades, and advocacy—both in the US and abroad. Additionally, we offer discounts on offerings and private sessions with practitioners in our New Earth Stewardship Network. This network is a vetted collective of grounded healers, wellness practitioners, and businesses who have demonstrated dedication to collective wellness, personal healing, and maintaining a right relationship with the Earth.
Furthermore, members of the temple have access to our full learning curriculum, which includes classes and resources on healing the body, mind, and spirit. We cover topics such as connection to the Earth and plant medicine, sacred activism, energetic tools, mental health, spirituality, and many others. Additionally, we host a monthly Community Integration Circle at our Temple House in Washington DC, where our base is located. This circle provides an opportunity for local members to come together once a month, connect, and feel supported regardless of where they are on their journey, or in their day.
Lastly, as a medicine woman and a bridge between worlds, I personally offer private spiritual mentorship and hold private ceremonies for individuals, including weddings, deaths, births, land and spirit consultations. I also conduct private plant spirit medicine ceremonies for personal healing purposes.
In your view, what role does spirituality play in addressing contemporary environmental and societal challenges? How does MoN contribute to this broader conversation?
I really appreciate you asking this question. I believe that spirituality plays a crucial role in addressing today’s environmental and societal challenges because it provides a deep-rooted sense of connection and responsibility that many of us lack. In many ways, spirituality reminds us of the interconnectedness of everything. We are part of a global society, interconnected physically, spiritually, psychologically, and economically, among other ways. When we approach issues from a spiritual perspective, we recognize this interconnectedness and understand ourselves as integral parts of a larger whole. This perspective means that every action we take, every decision we make, sends ripples through this interconnected web, impacting not only ourselves and our families but also our communities and all other living beings.
At the Ministry of Neteru, our approach to spiritual activism embodies this idea. We see spiritual activism not only as a call to action but also as a means to protect and honor the sacredness of life itself, whether through environmental efforts, social justice initiatives, or personal well-being work. Emphasizing values such as love, empathy, and compassion, while maintaining the personhood and dignity of all involved, guides our actions and interactions, fostering a community of care and reciprocity.
One of our core principles is recognizing that personal healing and transformation are essential aspects of addressing systemic issues. Therefore, we understand the importance of doing the internal work to heal ourselves to truly have a positive impact on the world around us. As the saying goes, we see the world not as it is, but as we are.
What strategies do you employ to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity within the MoN community, especially considering the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of its members?
We embrace a diverse array of individuals within our organization, reflecting a wide spectrum of backgrounds and identities. As an Indigenous, queer-led organization, this diversity holds significant importance for both myself and our entire team. Our website outlines our Temple pillars, which highlight what we stand for and what we do not. One of these pillars is that the Ministry of Neteru is structured on a democratic basis, ensuring that all members possess equal privilege and that there is no hierarchy. Through communal agreements and shared values, we collectively shape the direction of the Temple.
Upon joining, individuals have the opportunity to contribute to and suggest amendments to these agreements, as we recognize that people evolve and organizations should adapt accordingly. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that everyone has a voice in shaping our community.
Belonging stems from our innate desire to be seen and loved for who we truly are. Thus, creating a space where individuals feel safe to express themselves authentically is paramount. At the Ministry of Neteru, we cultivate belonging by fostering expansive spaces where vulnerability is embraced, and individuals are accepted unconditionally, regardless of their circumstances.
I think a lot of spiritual communities don’t hold that as a pillar, they prioritize levity and utilize spirituality as a method of escapism, as a means of avoiding the complexities that come with the density of living on Earth. Therefore, when individuals undergo difficult emotions, such as depression or heaviness, they are often ostracized for not conforming to the idyllic ‘spiritual person’ persona. Here at the Ministry of Neteru we are devoted to life. We’re devoted to the divine forces of nature, known as the divine Neteru, and that means we see pain and suffering as just as sacred as bliss and pleasure. Through embracing the darkness within, we liberate the light and uncover opportunities for growth and liberation, and we deeply honor this transformative process.
