New Orleans Voodoo Handbook

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As I mentioned in the introduction, Haiti is well known for its voodoo culture. It’s also an impenetrable culture for most foreigners because the locals refuse to share information. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. But there are differences. Westerners tend to believe in free will and personal choice. Not so in voodoo.

U.S. Department of State. "Haiti 2018 Religious Freedom Report" (April 29, 2022) https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/HAITI-2018-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdfAn item called a pwen is filled with objects to attract a loa and gain some kind of influence over a person. A pwen can come in many forms, one of which happens to be a doll [source: Learn Religions].

I had a great time reading this book and it cleared many misconceptions that I had about voodoo in the past. Although the exact origins of Voodoo are unknown, it is generally agreed that this religion has its roots in West Africa. Modern day Benin is regarded as the birthplace of this religion, and the name ‘Voodoo’ itself means ‘spirit’ in the local Fon language.There are hundreds of spells using a voodoo doll that are explained in this compendium with a lovely and precise writing style. Correspondence tables, Kreyol glossary, supplemental prayer texts, and an extensive list of reference books and online resources A Roman Catholic priest collaborating with a voodoo priestess?" asked one of the tourists, mopping his brow with a handkerchief. If you’re as fascinated by the history of voodoo, you’ll find this book incredibly interesting. You will learn about:

BBC. "The Reality of Voodoo in Benin." Nov. 18 2011 (April 29, 2022) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-15792001 In spite of their prevalence in most people's minds, many of these stereotypes have nothing to do with Voodoo. Others are related only tangentially. However, some of the stereotypes include a grain of truth, and one — spirit possession — is central to the Voodoo religion.Voudon believers worship many spirits (called loa or Iwa), each one of whom is responsible for a specific domain or part of life. So, for example, if you are a farmer you might give praise and offerings to the spirit of agriculture; if you are suffering from unrequited love, you would praise or leave offerings for Erzulie Freda, the spirit of love, and so on. In addition to helping (or impeding) human affairs, loa can also manifest themselves by possessing the bodies of their worshipers. Followers of voudon also believe in a universal energy and a soul that can leave the body during dreams and spirit possession.” Here is another voodoo classic from Denise Alvarado. Knowing full well that most people who are interested in voodoo have come to that conclusion by observing doll spells in movies and other forms of entertainment, she wrote an entire book explaining them in detail. United States Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook. Haiti. 1/18/2007. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ha.html Our view is dominated by physical, touchable reality. In Haiti the spirits are as real as your wife or your dog," Corbett said. St. Anthony is known as the protector of childless women and finder of lost things," explained Falkner. "This area has had many functions over the years. It was a place for gatherings, markets, meals---even a dueling ground. Père Antoine, one of the cathedral's popular pastors, used the space as a kitchen garden to feed his monks. He also worked with voodoo priestess Marie Laveau to assist the large slave population, especially women and children."

Instead of associating this religion with zombies and Voodoo dolls, we should perhaps take the time to better understand Voodoo, and view it as a way of life or a set of guiding principles held by its believers. The names of Catholic saints became the names of loa. In many cases, the loa's role reflected that of the corresponding saint. For example, Saint Peter holds the keys to the kingdom of Heaven and corresponds to the loa Papa Legba, who is the spirit world's gatekeeper [source: Dialogue Institute]. So you can rest assured that the information presented in this book comes from a relevant and highly informed source. Things that are discussed in Haitian Vodou include: For readers who are mostly interested in herb and root magic of voodoo this is the ultimate guide. It contains 750 traditional spells, recipes and explains over 500 herbs, roots, minerals and other ingredients. It was easy to meld the two faiths, because there are many similarities between Roman Catholicism and voodoo, Corbett said. Both venerate a supreme being and believe in the existence of invisible evil spirits or demons and in an afterlife.

What are the Beliefs of Voodoo?

Government of Tibet in Exile. "Nechung - The Oracle of Tibet." http://www.tibet.com/Buddhism/nechung_hh.html In parts of Africa, people who want to become spiritual leaders in the Voodoo community can enter religious centers, which are much like convents or monasteries. In some communities, initiates symbolically die, spending three days and nights in complete seclusion before being returned to the outside world. Initiates learn the rituals, colors, foods and objects associated with different deities, as well as how to communicate with the loa. The spirits have different personalities and different requirements of their followers, much like the gods in Greek and Roman myths.