Before inquiring about ATRs as a potential seeker, I feel there is a need to understand your “why?”.  The question will help you move with intentionality.  Is the answer clear to you?  Does it sound respectful?  Does it incorporate your spiritual experience and a narrative about your relationship with your own ancestors?  Are you ready to face the answers the ancestors have for you?

All ATRs begin with the ancestors - I do remember my first inquiry with a Lucumi priestess and after hearing my “why” and finding my spiritual process sufficient enough for her assistance, I was placed on a process to research my ancestors - even looking in ancestry.com to organize their names.  This started an entire process of building my family tree and preparing to pay reverence to my ancestors before I was initiated to the Orishas.  It was a wonderful experience to have been guided to this process and one I’m grateful for.  I regret not one part of my inquiry process or the answers which came through.

And if you haven’t gathered from what I just described, you absolutely have to be ok with the process of having elders who will be the gatekeepers.  The gatekeepers exist for very important reasons.  Especially in the Americas, the African Traditions had to implement very serious survival processes in order to exist.  They needed to be safeguarded for the descendants and those who wished to follow the path of their birthright - under severe risk of penalty and cruelty

So this is not to discourage anyone who may feel an attraction to Orisha or any other ATR and their deities.  See it more as an encouragement to formulate a serious inquiry, to learn how to approach with respect for your soul, your ancestors and the teachers you find along the way.  An ATR may or may not be your path - in the process of inquiry you will learn from the priesthood and your own ancestors if this is a path for you. It is a closed practice for a good reason. Approaching with humbleness helps a lot. I hope this helps anyone who may find it.