Interested in Voodoo.

[Caitlin.ann]

Hey everyone,

I am very interested in Voodoo but I simply don't know where to start looking, which sites and books offer valid information and which do not. I have ready many of you state that true learning comes from a guide, but at this point I don't know of any and I'd like to learn more about this path myself before I seek out a teacher.

Do any of you know of any sites with valid and true information on Voodoo or even related paths? Any help would be much appreciated. :)

I don't know how silly this will make me sound or not, but I first became interested in Voodoo through my fiance Nick who dabbled in it. He really called on Ayizan a lot and through him I've felt her presence and have felt a connection to her.

Lol, I know I probably sound so silly, but bear with me. I'm so new to all of this and desperately seeking information.

[Sage Rainsong]

Hey Sacredsin,

If you can get your hands on it, I would suggest the books:

Afro-Carribean Paganism by Lillith Dorsy

The Haitian Voodoo Handbook by Kenaz Filan

Here are a couple of websites that could help:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tristatevodou/

http://geocities.com/athens/delphi/5319/tableofcontents.htm

http://www.geocities.com/beargomke/orixa.html (not voodoo per say but they have a lot of info on many lwa and orishas)

I hope this helps!

[Caitlin.ann]

Thank you so much, Sage Rainsong! :)

I will take my time reading through them tonight after I get off work and I will definitely look into the books. Unfortunately though I have to get ready and head out the door until after 10. :(

Thanks again! :)

[Artiste-LiLi]

If you can get your hands on it, I would suggest the books:

Afro-Carribean Paganism by Lillith Dorsy



I have that book! I've just started reading it...I'm not even through the introduction yet.

I'll check out the other book and links when I can.

Sacredsin....from my understanding..from books, articles and my "adoptive" family (I was "adopted" into a New Orleans style VooDoo family and their tradition some years ago)...there are many "types" of "VooDoo" from many different cultures (as many and more types than there are spellings for the word "VooDoo"/"Vodou"/"Voudoun"/"Vodoun"...you get my drift)...Hatian, South American, all the different African traditions, several Caribe traditions....

I think it helpful to find a good basic reference and description of each "style" and see if you "feel" a "pull" from any one "style" and then begin reading. I get the feeling that the Lillith Dorsy book is such a book.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Blessings,
Artiste-LiLi (LaVeau)

[Teresa]

Secrets of Voodoo by Milo Rigaud is the most accurate informative one that I can think of.

Mama Lola is a nice read

Tell My Horse is a nice read as well.

[Caitlin.ann]

Thanks guys, I just ordered Milo Rigaud's "Secrets of Voodoo" as it looks like a good read and I couldn't find the others. :)

[RoseKitten]

Thanks guys, I just ordered Milo Rigaud's "Secrets of Voodoo" as it looks like a good read and I couldn't find the others. :)

I'm not sure what area you're from, but my university carries most of the books others have mentioned. Perhaps try that? Although, it may depend on if you have a major university in the area, as a lot of smaller ones don't seem to keep these kinds of books on hand (little need in most cases). Or, perhaps see if your local library could borrow them from another?

[Caitlin.ann]

I'm not sure what area you're from, but my university carries most of the books others have mentioned. Perhaps try that? Although, it may depend on if you have a major university in the area, as a lot of smaller ones don't seem to keep these kinds of books on hand (little need in most cases). Or, perhaps see if your local library could borrow them from another?

You think IUB would have them? I'll check the university library, and thanks for the tip. I know IUS won't have them, but I didn't think of the whole shipping between schools thing. I checked my local library and they didn't have them there. I'll post an update. :)

ETA: Bloomington has Kenaz Filan's book, but its currently checked out so I can't request a copy yet. :(

[Teresa]

Good to hear! I know that Amazon sells the other books to. let me check on the correct names of the Authors for ya. That will probably help most. There is another book on Urban Voodoo that I have not read personally but was told it was interesting.

[Teresa]

Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn was written by Karen McCarthy Brown

Sacred Arts of Haitian Voodoo by Donald J. Cosentino is expensive but worth it.

Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica by Zora Neal Hurston is an excellent read

Sally Ann Glassman also has a book but some deem her controversial as that she picks and chooses her path so to speak. She is a Mambo in the USA though.

I would suggest that perhaps you join Mambo Racine's yahoo chat group. She has much information on her site too to help those interested in looking into Voodoo.

[Artiste-LiLi]

Thanks guys, I just ordered Milo Rigaud's "Secrets of Voodoo" as it looks like a good read and I couldn't find the others. :)

I found my copy of the Lillith Dorsy book at Border's bookstore.

[Artiste-LiLi]

Sally Ann Glassman also has a book but some deem her controversial as that she picks and chooses her path so to speak. She is a Mambo in the USA though.

I would suggest that perhaps you join Mambo Racine's yahoo chat group. She has much information on her site too to help those interested in looking into Voodoo.

Some of the controversy that surrounds Sally Ann is because she is a white Mambo; there are those who believe that a white woman (or man for that matter) would have no way of being able to properly "feel" the "correct" connections to Vodou due to the fact that there is no African heritage in her blood. I think this view is silly...because when one is called.........one is CALLED. But, then I am one lone little "white voice" in my view; there are those who would say the same about me in my practice/belief. The view is "how can one who has no connection to Africa, one who has no African blood in their veins, one who is not of the African culture, one who has never had the "African experience" possibly relate to something so "truly African". Now, not everyone holds this belief...but it is there and it is prevelent. I think the lwa/loa know no color of skin...it is what is IN you that they know.

Also, the "style" of "New Orleans VooDoo" (which Sally Ann practices...sort of..we'll get to that in a minute) is seen by many as not being a "pure" Voudou/Voudoun practice. If you were to put it on par with say....Wicca which runs the gamut of Gardnerian to whatever someone wants to call their practice and many branches beyond.....New Orleans VooDoo would be along the lines of Gardnerian verses Alexanderian (spellings on those folks..please pardon it). What Sally Ann practices could be seen as something akin to "Ecclectic Wicca" a little of this...a bit of that...a dash of those; and therefore: controversy. In Christian terms: it is somewhere along the lines of a Fundimental Baptist's (not picking on anyone here..just pulling names from the air) feelings regarding Catholics.....ie: Catholics "aren't really Christians".

Ok...it is early and this probably made no sense...so if not...I'll try to clear it up later. Gotta Run!

[Sage Rainsong]

Some of the controversy that surrounds Sally Ann is because she is a white Mambo; there are those who believe that a white woman (or man for that matter) would have no way of being able to properly "feel" the "correct" connections to Vodou due to the fact that there is no African heritage in her blood. I think this view is silly...because when one is called.........one is CALLED. But, then I am one lone little "white voice" in my view; there are those who would say the same about me in my practice/belief. The view is "how can one who has no connection to Africa, one who has no African blood in their veins, one who is not of the African culture, one who has never had the "African experience" possibly relate to something so "truly African". Now, not everyone holds this belief...but it is there and it is prevelent. I think the lwa/loa know no color of skin...it is what is IN you that they know.

Also, the "style" of "New Orleans VooDoo" (which Sally Ann practices...sort of..we'll get to that in a minute) is seen by many as not being a "pure" Voudou/Voudoun practice. If you were to put it on par with say....Wicca which runs the gamut of Gardnerian to whatever someone wants to call their practice and many branches beyond.....New Orleans VooDoo would be along the lines of Gardnerian verses Alexanderian (spellings on those folks..please pardon it). What Sally Ann practices could be seen as something akin to "Ecclectic Wicca" a little of this...a bit of that...a dash of those; and therefore: controversy. In Christian terms: it is somewhere along the lines of a Fundimental Baptist's (not picking on anyone here..just pulling names from the air) feelings regarding Catholics.....ie: Catholics "aren't really Christians".

Ok...it is early and this probably made no sense...so if not...I'll try to clear it up later. Gotta Run!


I also heard that one of the big problems (besides many saying that you have to be white of course) is that she is a vegan. It's not veganism itself thats the problem but she also will not give and meat or dairy products to the loa and that is offensive to some people.

[Artiste-LiLi]

I also heard that one of the big problems (besides many saying that you have to be white of course) is that she is a vegan. It's not veganism itself thats the problem but she also will not give and meat or dairy products to the loa and that is offensive to some people.

I have heard that as well. Hmmmm....brings to mind that biblical story of Cain and Abel (not the slaying part...the offerings part). I do not know Sally Ann.....I just know "of" her from my "adoptive family" who follow the path and are teaching me (no they don't care for her...but are tolerant of her) and from what I have seen on television and read of her.

To each their own I say......Spirituality is such an individual thing.........yet.........to me and mine, there *are* certain "forms" that really *should* be followed to be "true". 'nuff said on that.

[DixieWitch]

I too have been called to Vodou recently. I've been scouring my local bookstores and libraries with no luck. BUT I was lucky to get a copy of Mama Lola on paperbackswap.com. I just finished it and it a great book!