Do you feel drawn or intrigued by these or any similar paths?

[Teresa]

If you feel called to or drawn to or intrigued any of these paths of similar paths. This is a thread to talk about our experiences.

[Darkest Eve]

Yes.... but where I thought a felt a full-fledged calling to the vodou path... I don't think I do. I can associate with and feel a sincere pull toward Papa Loko... but the rest of the lwa don't interest me, and I don't think I really interest them at this time either. ;) :lol: I think Papa appeals to me because I have been gravitating back toward my healing practices, whereas for awhile I had gotten away from them. I've seen him in dreams, and that calls for some further exploration of him and the path on my part.

I'm interested in incorporating some vodou/hoodoo into my path - but I don't think that I am necessarily right for the vodou path in the strict sense. (If that makes sense) I'm not ritual-oriented in the slightest, and take the more "what works for me" approach to most things. I'm more interested in developing my own tradition from the things that feel right... and I know that peeves a lot of people off, but I never said you had to follow my choices or my practices. ;) As long as the lwa consent, I don't know what you can really say. And how do I argue with that?

(Sorry, I'm rambling)

How do you incorporate this into your own life? Your own path? Do you follow vodou/hoodoo/voodoo traditions, or make your own? Is it really these things then?

[BlackLili]

I've always felt drawn to three things throughout my life; crossroads and graveyards and men. :thumbsup: :devil:

I started researching Voudon and New Orleans Voodoo a few years ago, after I found out that Coyotes are also sometimes associated with Papa Legba. I've had several experiences with coyotes and even once I believe with someone who was a vessel of the Trickster Coyote himself.

I also love the Ghede. I grew up in a family of morticians and funeral home directors, and my family reminds me of the Family of Ghede all the time. Dark, sometimes stern and stoic, sometimes jovial and even bawdy (bordering on crude), for all their flaws they understand the shortness of life and the importance of draining every last drop of joy we can get before its our time. When I think of the Ghede, I think of my family, and vice-versa.

I'm the most overt in my family with my spiritual beliefs. They are all practicing Catholics or Jews (depending on which side we're talking about) and tend to get a little touchy about any whiff of witchcraft. They're also all thoroughly modern and "don't believe in any of that." _firedevil (Suuuuuuuuure.)

So, for the most part, my interest in Voodoo and its flavors is all a part of my search for my own path, thus far what I just call American Witchcraft, or Melting Cauldron (instead of "melting pot" - get it?).

On a slightly less related note, I've really enjoyed finding the parallels between the faiths brought to this country by immigrant groups. My favorite parallels are between the Irish Catholicism flavors and the African-based and Equatorial-Influenced paths (not to mention the Latin Catholic-based paths). Due to the heavy influence of Catholicism on all of those cultures especially, there are some really interesting parallels that can be drawn between saints and the older, earlier entities they were related to over time. Saint Brigid comes readily to mind as a great example.

[Saggitario]

Hey all.

I found out about Orisha a few years ago. I was thumbing through Half-Priced Books' metaphysical section, and I found a book a about Afro-Brazilian Orixa traditions, mostly Umbanda and Candomble. I be came interested in ATR around that time, and so started looking up basic info.

When I moved out here to the San Francisco Bay Area, I found an Ile that was having open services once a month, and so I started going. I was involved with that house for about a year, but left last June. I really miss everyone there, and am trying to re-connect with them before I leave the area.

I'm not sure exactly what draws me to Orisha. I think it is the vibrant and clear personalities that they have. They seem very relatable and approachable to me.

Right now I'm trying to find a balance with my spirituality. On the one hand, I realize that ATR is a very lineaged tradition, which compels me to find someone to learn from. On the other hand, though, there are things that are preventing me from physically attending regular services and things like that, and that makes me want to try and carve out my own path.

I'm very interested in secular Druidry from a practical standpoint, as far as coming up with a structure and framework for practicing my beliefs, by providing a base for doing solitary ritual.

Lastly, I also feel drawn to Pantheism, which seems like a contradiction, because pantheism doesnt really leave much room for separate spiritual entities. I'm still trying to figure this out. Does Olodumare = The Universe? Sometimes it boggles the mind...

Anyway, thanks for reading. :hahugh:

[tallwoman.9169]

I'm drawn to Feri which uses some VooDoo and HooDoo, I think.

[LithiumViolets]

I'm drawn to Feri which uses some VooDoo and HooDoo, I think.


Feri? What's that?

[~Elise~]

it is the Victor and Cora Anderson Feri Tradition.

[TheWomanMonster]

I've started feeling a pull in this direction as of late.
I have my roots down in some other places but no strict traditions.

[dragoncrone]

...by the concept of voodoo ever since I can remember. Its volatility, its potency, glamour and secrecy, always have drawn me to it.

[PrincessKLS]

I'm drawn to Voodoo but I haven't really tried it. Any beginner's tips. I'm drawn to it because it's different (or at least seems different) than the new agey (sometimes phony) Wicca stuff or "beginner's witchcraft" crap (no offense) I'm just over it.

[GEBS]

I have always been drawn. I never put serious study into any of these paths though. I have had more interest over the last two years due to dreams I keep having and things that happen during meditation.

In the most recent dream I was doing surgery on a snake's head in a dark candlelit cave. I leaned closer to his face to examine him and he swallowed my head. His body coiled around me. I could feel my life leaving me but I was not scared. He ate me but I didn't die. I lived inside him. My face looked out through his mouth. We explored the cave together.



So yes, I do have interest but have not explored it. I have been concentrating my study on Ceremonial Magick for a few years. I don't know if I am ready to move on from that or if I should be studying both at the same time.

[Teresa]

I have always been drawn. I never put serious study into any of these paths though. I have had more interest over the last two years due to dreams I keep having and things that happen during meditation.

In the most recent dream I was doing surgery on a snake's head in a dark candlelit cave. I leaned closer to his face to examine him and he swallowed my head. His body coiled around me. I could feel my life leaving me but I was not scared. He ate me but I didn't die. I lived inside him. My face looked out through his mouth. We explored the cave together.



So yes, I do have interest but have not explored it. I have been concentrating my study on Ceremonial Magick for a few years. I don't know if I am ready to move on from that or if I should be studying both at the same time.

This sounds much like the dream I had when Damballah claimed me to join a certain house! :thumbsup: