Hello Everyone,
This is Ms. Q.
I have been slowly answering questions that have been sent to me, under various posts.
And again I apologize for any delay, but I was seriously devastated by the death of my younger sister, but I am also involved now with settling my late sisters estate, which is chewing up my time.
I will answer your questions and I'm looking at those that are more urgent.
Just so you know, when you post a question there appears to be a box which says "Notify Me" and it refers to you being informed when I post your question and do a response.
If any of you did not click that box and feel you have not received an answer, look at the posting where you posted your question to see if I have posted it and if I have replied.
Again I'm sorry for the delay, but I am only human and well over the age of 70.
Bright Blessings,
Ms. Q
ReplyDeleteDear Luze,
Sad to say I’ve come across more and more cons who do just that, but even if you decide to “apprentice” yourself to a true Houngan (Male Vodou Priest) or Mambo (Female Vodou Priest) and their temple or Hounfour. It can become expensive and time consuming and life consuming.
I know. When I was at a weak point in my life and without guidance (yes even old me can lose her way) I became involved with a woman who was working towards becoming a Mambo and was building up her following to create her temple. Now I have to say in terms of the workings, she was spot on the mark, she could do things and they were effective.
BUT, then she began demanding more and more of my time and more and more of my money, and I was afraid of getting into debt. And I told her that I needed to save up for this and that, or my family needed my help. She told me that her people were my family. I looked at her, said “Let me pray on this” and walked out of her store.
I did pray and that night I had a dream, it was all my deceased relative and they told me in the dream her path was not my path, to go back to my original “roots”, I woke up and knew what I had to do. And prepared an uncrossing bath.
A few days later, the woman’s spiritual Godfather paid her a visit, I sensed the spiritual power of this man, he hugged me after I gave him the correct respectful greeting, as he hugged me he breathed in my “essence” and looked at me and said “Your path is different than hers and mine, your ancestors are very strong with you, heed their advice.” I said “It would disappoint her.” He said “Better to disappoint her, than your ancestors.” He smoothed the way for me to leave her group, even though there were a few times she tried to see if I was working against her, but I wasn’t.
I found that my will was very strong and I did not enjoy being a part of something that was trying to dominate me, even though I had achieved my elekes and knew what orisha crowned me, which was what the woman wanted, I knew I could not be part of it, although I keep my elekes in a safe and sacred place, no matter what I was not going to piss off the Orisha’s.
I strongly recommend that you follow your own path in studying and understanding Haitian Voodoo (Voudou) as oppose to joining a group.
Here are some books I recommend so you will understand it:
Brown, Karen McCarthy (1991). Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-22475-2.
Brown, Karen McCarthy (1995). "Serving the Spirits: The Ritual Economy of Haitian Vodou". In Donald J., Cosentino. Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou. Los Angeles: UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. pp. 205–223. ISBN 0-930741-47-1.
McAlister, Elizabeth (1993). "Sacred Stories from the Haitian Diaspora: A Collective Biography of Seven Vodou Priestesses in New York City". Journal of Caribbean Studies. 9 (1 & 2 (Winter)): 10–27. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
Rigaud, Milo (2001). Secrets of Voodoo. New York: City Lights Publishers.
The Haitian Vodou Handbook: Protocols for Riding with the Lwa by Kenaz Filan
Haitian Vodou: An Introduction to Haiti's Indigenous Spiritual Tradition by Mambo Chita Tann
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic: A Materia Magica of African-American Conjure by Catherine Yronwode
Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti by Maya Deren
Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica by Zora Neale Hurston
Serving the Spirits: The Religion of Haitian Vodou by Mambo Vye Zo Komande la Menfo
You can order some of these books through Amazon or through inter-library loan through your local public Library.
Bright Blessings,
Ms. Q