About Me

My name is NM Thomen (Hernández Alas) though I go by Nayetési —a title given to me thru formal initiation, which translates to “priestly adepte of the vodoun (spirit, divinity) of sacred rivers.” Preferred pronouns are they/themme and I identify as queer/bi latinx.

Born on Mercury day/Sun hour. My Kurios or Lord of the Nativity is my 10H Mercury which rules my Lot of Fortune, My Heliacal Rising Stars are Spica (at the end of their heliacal rising) and Ras Alhague makes its first visibility in the lat + long and the day I was born. My Heliacal Setting Star is Alcyone and the Pleaides.

I work with spirits, chthonic deities, celestial beings, plants & planets. Raised by my abuelos my first 7 years of life in Central America, I was exposed to syncretized Guanaco folk magic and Ancestral reverence from an early age. My lineage is multi-ethnic. As far back as I can remember, my spiritual journey has been a process of decolonizing my mind and spirit by reclaiming parts of my ancestral heritage that were otherwise oppressed. In my seeking, I spent a good portion of my 20s thru Saturn Return living as an ascetic celibate renunciate/tantrika in an ashram. This is when I was also introduced to Orphism and Orphic Magic, and initiated into priesthood. I also find the divine thru kink and bondage, noise and sound magic. Eventually all paths led me back to my ancestors’ feet and after years of hesitancy was ceremoniously initiated into Vodun Hwendo priesthood, a tradition linked thru my maternal bloodlines.

Thru all my wanderings, the art of Star-Gazing, Star-Praying, Star-Scrying or Communing with the Sky has been a central practice. My soul’s longing is innately anchored to the mystery of the celestial spheres. Then in 2020 I was made the official royal astrologer for the Palace of Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II (Houhoué) in Agondji, Ouidah, Bénin.

My astrological learning began thru scouring the shelves in bookstores & libraries. Later when studying astronomy alongside film and fine arts in university, I was introduced to the Avalon School of Astrology. My obsession, however, developed in childhood from noticing family synastry.

I have formally studied Hellenistic, Electional & Horary Astrology with Chris Brennan, Fixed Stars with Bernadette Brady, Astrological Magic with Christopher Warnock and Michael Ofek, and Astroherbalism with Sarah Corbett. The work and teachings of Rob Hand, Demetra George, Liz Greene and Ali A. Olomi’s translations of the Medieval Islamicate tradition also greatly inform my practice.

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Prior to embracing my astrological practice professionally, I worked in the performing arts as a sound engineer, theater guild techie, recording studio assistant, musician and artist (Otis, UF, SAE). I also wrote freelance music reviews & film columns for independent magazines plus a variety of side hustles over the years including being a receptionist for tattoo & yoga studios, librarian, barista, bartender & server. I have also studied and trained in the healing arts and am a certified trauma informed massage therapist, sound healer & counselor (FSM). All of my creative and healing skills inform my practice, especially my background in the healing arts.