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An Overview of Voodoo
Voodoo is a very prevalent part of American mythology, incredibly present in the world of Hollywood, and inevitably tied to diabolical acts of evil and most prominently work with puppets and the creation of zombies. Unfortunately, like most things that have gotten Hollywood’s loving attention, it has been deeply misrepresented in what it truly concerns.
What Is Voodoo?
First and foremost, it is important to understand that Voodoo is more than just a collection of dark magic and works with spirits of evil and malicious intent. It is a religion with deep roots and a heavy significance to those who practice it. Its original roots lay in Africa, brought to the Americas by the slaves sold by their people to white slave traders.
When they came to the new world, they encountered the very prevalent Catholic faith and incorporated it into their religious practices. This was partially a way to mask the continued practice of their home faith, and partially as the nature of Voodoo allows for the incorporation of the concept of Saints.
Voodoo Faith & Rituals
While the Voodoo faith does have a single creator, Bondye, and his mate Gran Met, they have largely become indifferent to the world they created and therefore don’t play much into its practice. Instead, the religion primarily concerns itself with powerful spiritual beings known as Lwa (pronounced Low-Uh).
There are also entities known as ‘The Twins‘, being concepts of good and evil, happy and sad, who are occasionally honored. The dead are also deeply revered and honored in the Voodoun faith.
Priests of Voodoo are known as Houngan, Priestesses are known as Mambos, and both are deeply respected members of their community. They serve as spiritual leaders to their community, performing various services for those among them.
Included in these services are healings, ceremonies to pacify, or even call upon the great spirit they serve. Initiations fall under their purview. They bring in new priestesses and priests. There are acts of divination, the creation of magical charms and potions. There are also workings of spells for protection and other purposes.
In those heartlands of Voodoo, such as New Orleans, Jamaica, and Haiti, there are both public and private ceremonies of Voodoo. Their holidays are often held where anyone who chooses to can attend. They include the calling of relevant Lwa to the ceremony.
One of the more remarkable aspects of the faith is that the Lwa can and will possess anyone. They are called chevrons or ‘horses’ when it happens. They use them to communicate with their followers, delivering messages and charges to those attending.
Animal Sacrifices In Voodoo
Animal sacrifices are common among the faith, but the nature of these sacrifices is often misrepresented. Yes, blood is important as the very essence of life in many workings. But, the Lwa hold a deep and abiding respect for life.
To kill an animal as part of a ceremony. And to then not honor its life by consuming it is a good way to gain the ire of the Lwa. With the deeply personal and interactive nature of the Lwa, this can lead to rather unpleasant consequences.
This is a scant and woefully insufficient introduction to this faith. But I hope that it will create some clarity, and merit further investigation. Especially by those who are interested in learning more.
Know that much like Wicca of the early 1900s, this faith has a public reputation that has little to do with its truths. Like all things, you should study more before thinking that Hollywood provides any true representation of its depth.