James Baldwin once wrote:

“Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it.”

This resonates with me when I hesitate, questioning whether I’m ready or worthy of stepping into something new. The real work isn’t about proving anything—it’s about allowing myself to be who I already am.

The Blue Deer and the Call to See

In Wixárika (Huichol) traditions of Nayarit, Mexico, the blue deer (Tamatsi Kauyumari) is a sacred guide. It leads seekers toward wisdom and transformation, helping them see beyond what the eyes can perceive.

For the Wixárika, following the blue deer is a journey into the unknown, not just a path to follow but an invitation to something greater. Not everyone recognizes the blue deer, just as not everyone realizes the crown is already theirs. The deer calls, but only those ready to listen will follow. The crown waits, but only those willing to wear it will claim it.

The Crown Was Never Theirs to Give

Basquiat painted crowns over figures not as decoration, but as declarations. A reminder that worth isn’t something to be granted—it simply is. That’s what Baldwin meant too.

But the real work? That’s wearing it. It’s claiming what’s already yours.

We often search for signs, validation, permission—but the knowing is already inside us. Becoming is happening in each moment. The blue deer doesn’t wait for permission—it calls, and we simply need to follow. Sometimes, it feels like something that has always belonged to me. Other times, I wonder, will I claim it or hesitate?

But the truth is, no one can place the crown on your head but you. No one can walk your path for you. Some people follow the roads paved before them. Others ride blue deer into the unknown.

The blue deer doesn’t hesitate—it moves when it’s called. The crown isn’t something you have to prove yourself worthy of—it’s already yours. All that’s left is to wear it.

What does wearing your crown look like for you?