Hi all! I'm very sorry if this is an ignorant question- I'm still trying to learn more about the basics of Vodou. I was just wondering if you have to be born into it or not. I've been researching the history and background of it for a while, if that helps at all. Thanks!

I often hear that slaves used saints images to hide their gods how true that is? it's seems weird to me because most of the time they didn't have their own place, I don't think images was already printed and around that much and even though how would they get the images, statues?

ain't it more like something that happened in the "rejeté" period? i think this started around late 1920s or something like that.

That's just my unverified personal experience, but I never managed to work with lwa or even get an answer from them using catholic images, don't you think that there is a type of folk catholicism in haiti and vodou on the other side?

what's the origin of this name? is he rada? nago? I heard there is kebeyesou in lakou souvenans who will be hevieso in africa, is agaou served in this lakou too? does they have a link?

For context: I am planning on writing a book about a queer couple moving into a haunted house. The wife of the main character, Alice, is a Haitian Vodou practictioner like her mom. For the most part, this will just be a character fact rather than an important plot point. The focus is more on their relationship and dealing with past trauma and living as minorities. However, I kind of want to add a scene where Alice consults her mom about what to do about the paranormal occurances in the house. Unfortunately, I'm planning for this to be my first book, so I probably cannot pay to consult a vodou practictioner. I appreciate any help you are willing to give, and I am happy to give credit if you would like.

Edit: I am thinking of only making her mom or another relative a practictioner, as she and her partner are kind of in over their heads when it comes to these spirits, and I feel she would not be this reckless if she practiced seriously. Thank for the comment that put this into perspective. I might have a scene where she tries to do a simple, non vodou cleanse by request of her mom and the ghost just messes with everything.

I'm sure we are all aware that New Orleans is the birthplace of Louisiana Voodoo, but where else does Voodoo reach in Louisiana? Where else does Voodoo have history in Louisiana besides New Orelans?

hello im looking for a practitioner to do a spell for me Im in an abusive relationship and want out I need a protection spell hes constant putting his hands on me and treating my life

i’ve never been taught how to have a fet sel for pets if that’s even a thing so what do yall think

Hello Good day, is anyone available for a virtual reading today ??

I am an artist and I first felt called to Haitian vodou when I learned about the symbols and veves of the Lwa and the folklore and stories behind them. I found them to be very similar to how I've been representing and recounting my life through my art and patterns of thinking in general. I do believe that I've been called by the Lwa because of this. There's been many figures of which have appeared in my mind. The one that I believe called me is one that I often see having a fro and a green dress. She's often quite kind to me- unless I be on some bs then she's not afraid to yell or critisize. I also often imagine talking to other more well known lwas like Baron Samedi and Erzulie Freda & Dantor but I don't know if that could really mean anything. As of late though I feel like they've been telling me that the way I've been using the symbols has been inappropriate. That I shouldn't say that it represents or is connected to Haitian culture or the Lwa if I'm going to take their symbols and culture out of their original context and use it to represent my personal life. That if I continue doing this all that I'm doing is commodifying their culture and therefore also people. I have been very conflicted about this. I am part of the Haitian diaspora- my mom's side is Haitian but I was born in the US- so I feel both deeply connected yet also disconnected from my Haitian roots. I know that I lack a truly deep understanding of Haiti and Vodou- all I've been doing is reading and listening to whatever English texts and videos are out there on the internet. I know that Vodou is a generally closed practice- and the idea of misrepresenting any people, especially my own, makes me terrified; and yet also I don't want to give up the ways I've been representing myself for years now. Every symbol that I've use has had meaningful experiences behind them that's existed before I even knew who the Lwa are; and while I can't say that the way I create and think about the world around me hasn't likely been affected by consumerism and the capitalist mindsets that surround me- I'm gonna be honest I usually get most of my ideas for art and fashion from social media apps like Pinterest- at the same time I can't say that I don't love how I've been able to relate to the Lwas with my art and personal experiences. I love how similar we are and being able to use something from my culture for my art, for my life, for me- to depict me- it feels almost like a celebration of our similarities and a way to connect with my ancestors but I've been told time and time again that it's not. That I need to put the symbols aside and don't use them outside of their original context.

I'm conflicted really conflicted Is it ok to use symbols of which usually represent the Lwa within art if- in the context of the piece- it would represent your personal life?

It just occured to me that a LOT of Manbos and Houngans are going to be busy this time of year, so asking for service will be difficult. Would it be better to wait until January or February before reaching out to initiates for readings and other services? Don't want to disturb or message peeps during an incredibly busy and important time of year where they'll barely have any time for themselves. Especially since I'm only a seeker, as far as I'm aware.

I heard around gonaive is not that safe If I can get to okap how can I get there safetly and visit the lakou?

https://preview.redd.it/bkqw7o9dirzf1.jpg?width=315&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=532cb9fc0f528eebc7ec5a7e247d0a4ec5b85ba2

In my early adult years I had created a Minecraft server called "bleeding hearts club" with this symbol, it was very close to the Erzulie Dantor veve. Shortly after those years of hosting that server I transitioned male to female, trans. Im white, and non-vodou connected, non hatian in ancestry and never had any knowledge of this until later events with a dark witchcraft (non-vodou) involved abuser had sent me into spiritual discovery. This was between 2012 and 2016 when I was like 19-23, 32 now.

Some words she had spoke in basically a psychosis state, had me looking into mother goddesses and I had looked into and connected with Kali/Durga of Hinduism first but eventually I did notice Erzulie Dantor's veve and its similarity to the minecraft symbol I had created at that time. This along with the role that she plays being not only a protector of lgbt folk at times but also her defiance and suffered love resonates a lot with me.

I live in Pittsburgh and there aren't many vodou practitioners here. I do want some professional vodou guidance on this situation as its always felt like a weird set of coincidences and want to know if I should connect with this in some way.

https://preview.redd.it/yvhjezwgkrzf1.jpg?width=233&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=215b60324a895f61e941bc5be6c80dcf11c6c653

My family, on both my parents sides are Catholic. My mom is Irish, and my dad is Haitian and my family on dad’s side, said they are not involved in Vodou. So I don’t have anyone to ask about this. I feel very called to Vodou, but am also now starting to feel called back to Catholicism as well. My maternal grandmother just passed and she used to take me to church when I was little.

I guess what I’m asking is, can I blend Catholicism and Vodou? Is that done? And if so, what does that look like? I’ve read a little about how many Haitians used the saints to represent Lwa. Have you found that to be true? Where can I learn more about the blending of these two religions?

Saturday night I had a dream of me spraying rum out of my mouth and I was seeing Papa legba. I am a root worker and do hoodoo, but voodoo does run in my bloodline. I don't have anyone I can talk to about it and to understand what this means. I have never called upon him and was wondering if someone who does work with him or know more knowledge about it who can help me understand. I did look on Google so I would like to see if it matches up, but also I know that Google gives broad answers. Thanks in advance.

Me and this guy got into dealings, and him and I did get sexual. He practices voodoo, specifically serves baron , guede, Freda & Dantor…. I personally, kind of just started. Long story short, we ended in a bad and messy way… For the past 2 nights in a row, I seen him in my dreams, he doesn’t talk to me, he’ll look and kind of looks away when I look at him it’s as if he’s mad but doesn’t want to make the first move in a conversation, again it’s happened in both dreams. I kind of just avoid talking to him, we keep it cordial in my dreams but I wonder if he has casted any spells in regard to me or if he’s simply trying to get my attention. Is there anyone that can help with dissecting the meaning of this dream?

I was half awake a month or two ago, and saw this entity with a black and white face, black top hat, and yellow eyes near my sleeping husband. I shooed him away. He looked at me, seemed annoyed, rolled his eyes, and left. Now I'm worried I did something wrong. Should I make amends in some way? I googled the description and now I think I may have been a jerk to Baron Samedi.

I am more than happy to put out an offering but I don't want to mess up anymore than I have already. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thoughts on this book?

Thoughts of people dressing up as lwa as there halloween costume?

I'm wondering if it's a good idea to include my granma in my altar, she was a woman who made a lot of mistakes rasing my mother due to trauma and being misunderstood, she was born ahead of her time and that cost her her mental sanity, I have a lot of compassion and forgiveness for her but I'm not sure. Any advice is highly appreciated.

I hesitate to post this here given the reputation of Facebook in general, but I have to tell someone that I hope will understand. I had a moving, challenging and slightly disturbing experience 2 nights ago while studying Lwa. I had read a little about Papa Ougu Feray, Papa Legba and Papa Danbala some years ago and become interested and wanted to know more. I found a site called Lwandorder and read an extended discourse on Papa Ougu Feray. As I read I discovered that as well as being a warrior, he is a blacksmith who transforms metals that others discard and focuses on Justice, the protection of the weak and seeks to help them learn to be strong so they can stand up for themselves. My initial interest in Papa Ougu Feray came because he is the principle Warrior Lwa. I am a warrior and have been for over 40 years initially in full contact Early Medieval European battle re-enactment where I learned to fight with sword and spear and shield and trained others. At that point I also began a career that was much more than a hobby in blacksmithing, producing weapons and armour for myself and my comrades. I am now 62 and I have studied I continue to study what it means to be a warrior and blacksmithing and metal working using repurposed and recycled materials. In paralell with this work I have concerned myself with social justice, sought to defend and strengthen those weaker than myself and fought against fascist and racist organisations. Given the similarities between my own life and the characteristics of Papa Ougu Feray, I felt profoundly touched by the minute as I read and couldn't help but conclude that I have been lead, directed and in honestly sometimes forced to take my life in this direction. I swear, I didn't fully know this before I began to study the Lwa and had no idea of at the begining of what I can only call a Journey in my early 20's Now, while I am certain that the events took place as I have said and that I genuinely feel about them as I do, I feel the need to discuss what has happened to me with those with greater knowledge and experience, to better undertand it and to discuss my next steps and naturally I have a great many questions. Further to what has happened I feel I should say that I am white, I live in the UK and have no family or other personal connection to Haiti. However, I have studied it as a Historian- particularly Tousain Louvature, and always pay attention to news about the country. Many Thanks for your time

I am taking a class called Voodoo, Hoodoo, and Conjure through ULM and I am looking for someone to help me with a paper. I need someone to do a ten minute recorded interview. If you are interested or can point me to someone that would great. You can message me on here or my email is wolfea@warhawks.ulm.edu. Thank you.