A Good Friday Plate That Feeds the Soul: Honoring Tradition in Every Bite

Good Friday has always been sacred in my Black African American household — not just in faith, but in flavor, memory, and love. Fried fish and what I like to call soul food (our grounding, heritage-rich dishes) are a cornerstone of my acknowledgement of Good Friday. And this year, we went all in — making one of the heaviest, most heartfelt plates I’ve ever prepared.

We started early, the way my mom used to. The first thing we tackled was sweet potato cornbread. Growing up, cornbread was a staple in our home, but adding sweet potato gives it an earthy depth and tenderness that’s irresistible. I used her pan — she last made cornbread and shared it wil my partner and I for New Years. I held on to it, and now it’s my go-to every time I recreate this piece of her magic. With each bake, it gets better, more seasoned with memory.

For our mac and cheese, we used Annie’s white cheddar shells — but we don’t use the cheese packet. Just the pasta. We added creamy Munster for melt, and topped it off with smoked Gouda. The result? Velvety, smoky, cheesy goodness that holds its own next to anything else on the plate.

Then came the fish fry. We seasoned our fish with love — heavy on the flavor, the way tradition taught us. We made a little mistake at first, forgetting the egg wash — but honestly, those pieces still came out golden and crispy. A little kitchen lesson: even when you forget a step, love still comes through.

I really love cooking together — with my partner, with family, in community. We each bring different strengths, and together we create something meaningful. That’s the spirit of these meals: togetherness.

No soul plate is complete without greens and beans. I chose stewed kidney beans this time — not only for the flavor but for that deep, rich color that pops on the plate. For the greens, I made a pot with smoked turkey necks, combining kale and collards for that perfect texture and flavor blend.

Plating was its own sacred ritual. In our house, how you place the food maps out how you eat it. Which bites go together, which flavors touch. Big-back-things, as we say. Every scoop and spoonful was deliberate.

And when I finally looked down at my plate — heavy in my hands, warm from the kitchen — it felt like a hug. A hug from my mom, from my grandparents, from my ancestors. I could feel them with me, proud that we’re still holding on, still honoring, still cooking with love.

This isn’t just a meal. It’s tradition. It’s story. It’s soul food in its truest form.

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Why Fried Fish on Good Friday?

Fried fish on Good Friday has deep spiritual and cultural roots. In Christian tradition, many abstain from red meat on holy days like Good Friday. Fish became the go-to alternative — especially in Catholic and Protestant households. For Black American communities, particularly in the South, this turned into a full-blown tradition of Friday fish fries.

Fish was accessible, affordable, and communal. Over time, it became more than just a substitute — it became a celebration. Fried fish — seasoned, crispy, golden — paired with greens, beans, and cornbread, became a way to honor both faith and heritage.

So on this Good Friday, we cooked with memory. We plated with purpose. We ate with joy.

And in every bite, our ancestors smiled.

Good Friday Ritual Template: The Soft Surrender

A sacred ritual for releasing control, softening into divine trust, and receiving spiritual restoration through Christ Consciousness. Rooted in the energies of Pisces, Cancer, and the 12th House, this template allows you to create a highly personal and soulful experience.

✨ Preparation

Time Needed: 30–60 minutes
Supplies:

• White candle or bowl of warm salted water

• 3 symbolic objects (soft, sacred, and personal)

• Journal or voice recorder

• Optional: soft ambient music, essential oils, tarot/oracle deck

🔊 Step 1: Sacred Space Creation

Prompt: What placements or signs in your chart represent emotional comfort, inner child, or soul safety? (Commonly: 4th House, Moon, Cancer, Venus)

• Light your candle or place your hands over the warm salted water.

• Arrange your three chosen objects in a small altar space.

Ritual Affirmation:
"I create space for the Divine to meet me in the unseen. I surrender what I cannot carry alone."

⚔️ Step 2: Spiritual Surrender Meditation

Prompt: Where is Pisces in your chart (house, planets)? What is currently activating your Neptune, 12th House, or Chiron?

• Sit or lie down. Place one hand on your heart, one on your solar plexus or womb.

• Visualize yourself floating in warm, calm water.

Whisper to yourself:

• "I am held."

• "I surrender my struggle."

• "Let your will, not mine, guide me."

🧬 Step 3: Wounded Healer Invocation

Prompt: Where is your Chiron placement? What house shows the root of your spiritual wound?

Write or speak:

"I give back the burdens I was never meant to carry.
I release the pain I absorbed to keep others safe.
I no longer sacrifice myself to prove I am worthy of love.
I walk in sacred strength, led by spirit, not fear."

💸 Step 4: Values & Prosperity Reflection

Prompt: What sign rules your 2nd House? What does your chart say about how you value yourself, earn, and receive?

Journal Prompts:

• Where have I tied my value to struggle or sacrifice?

• What belief about money, love, or service am I ready to release?

• What does true spiritual abundance feel like in my body?

Affirm a new truth:

"I am worthy of receiving with ease. I honor my needs as sacred. I am enough."

🙏🏽 Step 5: Anoint & Close

• Use oil or water to anoint your heart, hands, and feet

• Speak:

"As Christ washed the feet of others, I wash away judgment, fear, and guilt. I walk forward clean, called, and claimed by Love."

Blow out your candle or pour out your water with gratitude.

🔮 Optional Add-Ons

• Pull a tarot/oracle card: "What spiritual gift am I awakening now?"

• Record a voice prayer or message to your future self

• Release or donate something symbolic as a sacred sacrifice

🕊 Reflect + Reuse

You can return to this ritual for Easter weekend, Pisces season, Full Moons, or spiritual reset moments. Each time, update your prompts with new astrology insights.

To Personalize: Insert your own chart info into the prompts or work with a guide to explore your Chiron, 2nd House, Moon, 12th House, and Pisces placements.

Created with love to help you live well, heal fully, and rise in spiritual alignment.