First, Last and Always: Ancestor Roundup

October 1, 2014 By Lilith Dorsey

Sleepy Hollow cemetery photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Honoring and recognizing the Ancestors comes first, last, and always in African Traditional Religions. Since this Voodoo Universe opened up its world, we have featured several articles for connecting with your ancestors. Through the ancestors we learn what is important, what to hold on to and what to let go.

Ancestor Food and Drink

New Orleans Voodoo, Haitian Vodou and La Regla Lucumi (Santeria) are all known for their sacred food and drink offerings for the spirit. These types of offerings are some of the most simple and sacred gifts to provide for those who have passed. Obviously, for the remembered dead you may leave offerings of the things they liked in life, Grandpa would love a can of his favorite beer or other beverage, and when you start serving it up on a regular basis you just might be amazed at the results. The following posts contain different recipes and ways to honor the spirit of those who have passed with food and drink. Please check them out!

Saints for the Sinners

St. Patrick photo by Gordon T. Lawson. Licensed under CC 2.0

In many ways Voodoo, Vodou, and La Regla Lucumi (Santeria) are mistakenly thought of as evil religions, which could not be farther from the truth. Many devotees of these traditions incorporate prayers and offerings to the saints as part of their practice. Some individuals, such as St. Dymphna and St. Expedite have taken on a whole new meaning in the religion. While others like St. Patrick seem to have been reclaimed and redeemed for a new era. The following posts tell these stories of turmoil, redemption, and spiritual resurrection.

St. Dymphna
St. Expedite
How Anti-Pagan St. Patrick became Voodoo’s Damballa

Shrines and Altars

Maman Brigitte Feast Altar. Photo by Lilith Dorsey

Altars and Shrines are not confined to the Voodoo religion. They are a time honored tradition for ancestor veneration. The posts below will hopefully give you some new and different ways of incorporating these sacred spaces into your own home.

There are a lot of great ancestors happening going on this month and every month here at Voodoo Universe. Do your ancestors and yourself a favor, subscribe to our RSS feed, and watch this space!

St. Dymphna: Lily of Fire

September 13, 2014 By Lilith Dorsey

St. Dymphna photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

This delicate flower certainly did take a lot of heat.

St. Dymphna is the patron saint of the mentally ill. Her legacy stands strong today for those who champion the weak and oppressed. Some refer to her as the “lily of fire.” This delicate flower certainly did take a lot of heat. St. Dymphna’s story, like that of most saints and holy people, is a gruesome one. History tells us that Dymphna was beheaded by her father at the young age of 15. He did this because she refused to become his wife. It is easy to see how she took her rightful place in history as the patroness of those with mental and nervous disorders.

Miraculous Healings

The Magical Power of the Saints by Ray Malbrough says she is petitioned for “cases of insanity, obsession with demons, nervous disorders, mental afflictions, family harmony, and epiplepsy.” Although she was born in Ireland in the 7^th century The Sacred shrine for her is located in Gheel, Belgium. The National Shrine of St. Dymphna talks of the circumstances surrounding her burial in Belgium. It seems after her unfortunate death her remains were placed in a cave in Gheel, when the people of the town went to remove them some years later it a white tomb had appeared, inside her coffin was a red tile which said “ Here lies the holy virgin and martyr, Dymphna.” The relics are housed in her church there. The site has been one of miraculous healings ever since.

St. Dymphna also holds a special place in the hearts of New Orleans residents, probably because of the large Irish population that immigrated to the city. A larger-than-life sized statue stands in the city’s International Shrine of St. Jude, located across from St. Louis cemetery Number One. The cemetery is said to house New Orleans’ most famous Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau. There is a special box located in the shrine next to the statue of St. Dymphna for offerings. Voodoo practitioners have been known to made pilgrimages to both Dymphna and Queen Marie Laveau when necessary.

Sainte Dymphna a Prague photo by Suzanne. Licensed under CC 2.0

St. Dymphna Pray for Us!

Dymphna can be turned to for help with charity, faith, fortitude and hope. Recite the following prayer three times before going to sleep, and in times of need.

St. Dymphna pray for us!

Look kindly on the pure deeds of those who struggle everywhere !

Help them/us find stability and security in the difficult storms that they find themselves in.

Help them/us be inspired by her example and comforted by her help !

Many blessings to you, now and always!

Blog Anniversary- Voodoo Universe’s Top Ten Posts You Probably Missed

September 9, 2014 By Lilith Dorsey

The Voodoo Universe blog has made it a whole year. It’s been a year of weirdness and wondrousness. We’ve manged to feature some amazing stuff about New Orleans Voodoo and Marie Laveau, as well as La Regla Lucumi (Santeria,) Candomble, Ifa, and Haitian Vodou. There were some wildly successful posts, usually having to do with American Horror Story Coven or Orange is the New Black, and some that didn’t get the notice they deserve. So I’m going to take this opportunity to sift through 169 pearls of online wisdom, and give you Lilith’s Top Ten Posts You Might Have Missed.

Techno-Voodoo 2.0 Simbi Altar photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Techno-Voodoo 2.0 : Technology Changes Religion. It only makes sense after a whole year of blogging to talk about the future. I am a techno-mage at heart, I went to school for film and video production (among other things) and I truly believe that magick can be created this way. This specific post talks about the issue of technology and communication which is associated in modern times with the great serpent Simbi. This snake delivers the message with lightning fast speed, and hopefully clarity. One of the amazing things about Vodou is in many ways it is a fluid tradition, making additions but still keeping sacred the old ways.

Legba Veve at the Cemetery: Voodoo Takes Action. This is a short experimental film I made about creating a Legba veve in the cemetery in New Orleans. It features myself and my dear friend and consummate artist Mina Bellavia as we lay down the crossroads. Please be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more Voodoo video.

Tarot, Jodorowsky, and Questions From a Crippled Hand. Jodorowsky has long been an idol of mine, I got the chance to shake his hand and listen to his wisdom, about tarot, religion, and his first new film in 25 years, The Dance of Reality. Jodorowsky himself re-tweeted this piece, I feel proud.

Santeria’s Ochosi Come and Live in My House. Although Ochosi is one of the major Orisha given out to every practitioner of La Regla Lucumi as part of their warriors, much of this secretive hunter still remains unexplored by most.

Ritual Skull Decoration and Feather. Photo by Lilith Dorsey.

Honor Your Ancestors: Sweet Potato Mash with Bourbon and Pecans Recipe. Ancestors first, last and always. I can not stress the importance of ancestor worship enough. It is an undercurrent in the religions of Haitian Vodou, New Orleans Voodoo, La Regla Lucumi (Santeria) and most of the Afro-Diasporan traditions. This ritual recipe is simple and delicious. Check it out, or maybe I should say drink up and don’t forget to share!

Real Voodoo and Santeria Possession. One of the most maligned and misunderstood aspects of Voodoo and La Regla Lucumi (Santeria.) Watch the film people.

Voodoo Veves. Veves are the doorway to the other world in Haitian Vodou and New Orleans Voodoo. They allow devotees of the religions to cross into the realm of the spirits. This post includes one of my favorite veves which highlights male genitalia.

Saut d’Eau. I decided to include this article on this list when I discover it was actually in the search result when someone typed in “naked Voodoo waterfall.” Well, I guess you could describe it that way, if you’re a moron. In actuality the waterfalls at Saut d’Eau in Haiti are the site of an annual pilgrimage for thousands of practitioners of Vodou. There ritual baths and offerings occur in the water to pay tribute to the Lwa (goddess) Erzulie.

Voodoo Definitions- More Than Just a Word. This piece gave an in depth look at the origins and history of the word Voodoo. What Does Voodoo Mean to You? I would still love to hear everyone’s answers, I know it’s not an easy question but if you come up with something leave it in the comments below.

The Voodoo Universe photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Thanks for a whole year of the Voodoo Universe !!!

The truth really is out there !

St. John’s Eve Blessings to You !!!

June 23, 2014 By Lilith Dorsey

stjohneveblessings2u — St. John’s eve blessings 2 u photo by Lilith Dorsey 2014. All rights reserved.

June 23 is St. John’s Eve, the most sacred night of New Orleans Voodoo. The original rites surrounding this day were led by the most famous of Voodoo Queens- Marie Laveau. Marie Laveau was a priestess of great magick and mystery and she is still worshiped by thousands today. Wandering Ghost by Jonathan Cott tells of the celebration of our spiritual ancestors that took place where “Bayou St. John enters Lake Ponchartrain…. Marie organized a fete, attended by several thousand persons in the midst of blazing pine-knot fires, that features ecstatic dancing to the accompaniment of goatskin drums, bone castanets, bamboo flutes, and two string fiddles.”

stjohn2014c — Beginnings of St. John’s Eve Altar 2014 photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

St. John’s eve is still a modern high holy holiday for Voodoo practitioners today. My own house in NYC celebrated with a feast and blessing at Brooklyn Bridge Park yesterday. We prepared a sacred water similar to the recipe for St. John’s eve water I posted recently. We barbecued organic hot dogs, and fed our spirits with collard greens, sweet potato salad, guacamole, beet salad, and strawberry lemonade. A most glorious time was had by all. Now we would like to offer our voodoo blessings to you!

May everyone have a divine and blessed St. John’s Eve!

May the gentle healing waters cleanse you!

May the gentle healing fires purge all you do not need!

May your sacred soul dance this night and kiss the stars!

St. John’s Eve Blessing Water Recipe

June 21, 2014 By Lilith Dorsey

stjohnblesswata — St. John’s Eve Voodoo Blessing Ceremony preparations 2014, photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

St. John’s Eve is thought of as the holiest day of the year in the New Orleans Voodoo tradition. Much of its popularity is due to the famous Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau who, it is believed, held large ceremonies for St. John Eve on the Bayou St. John and Lake Ponchartrain. There is much myth and misconception about this pioneering woman; for more information, please read the Real Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau.

St. John’s Eve is celebrated traditionally on June 23^rd. It was a sacred time occurring right around the solstice, a magickal time for light, joy, and blessings ! The following can be used as a blessing water for your self and home. Use liberally !

St. John’s Eve Blessing Water Recipe

Holy Water

River or Bayou Water (Preferably from the Mississippi or even better the Bayou St. John)

Florida Water

3 drops Frankincense Oil

1 handfuls white rose petals

Mix together equal parts of the three waters, along with the oil and rose petals. Take the mixture and make the sign of the cross with it in the air. It is now ready to use for blessings.

For those of you in NYC please join us for our annual St. John’s Eve Ceremony — this year we are having a Voodoo Blessing and BBQ at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Sunday June 22^nd 11:30 am (weather permitting.) There will be a chance to leave offerings, ask questions and gather together on this holiest day of Voodoo. Look for us near the BBQ area, bring offerings of flowers, fruit, and your smile!

#Patheos5yrs : Thanks for Faith, Voodoo and the Devil

May 5, 2014 By Lilith Dorsey

Patheos is 5 years old today. Five years of the conversation on Faith has expanded up our minds and hopefully our hearts. I’m a recent addition to the Patheos Pagan blogging team but I can honestly say I’m glad to be here. Patheos has opened up some difficult topics for discussion with my blog Voodoo Universe. My most popular piece to date was The Voodoo Truth About Papa Legba. As I write this it has received over 21,500 shares. It talks about how Voodoo has been demonized over the years in media and what the real truth is about this ancient religion. I talk about Papa Lebga our Voodoo guardian, and Marie Laveau the first Queen of the New Orleans tradition. The Truth about Voodoo is out there, thank you Patheos for letting me share it !

Battles and Big Chiefs: More History of the Mardi Gras Indians

February 28, 2014 By Lilith Dorsey

mardigrasindianskull1 — Skeleton Rifle Indian photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans. Text added. Licensed under CC 2.0

As I started writing about in my last post, the Mardi Gras Indians are one of the most fascinating and intense facets of Carnival in New Orleans. There are a lot of reasons the tradition continues and people still “mask as Indian.” Back in the day the tribes or gangs as they were called back then, would do actual battle in the street. Rival gangs fought it out with fists, knives, hatchets or worse, and there was much fear surrounding these altercations. The Violence came to an end however, with the man known as the chief of chiefs, Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana. He turned everyone’s focus towards the beauty and artistry of the suits, and made the competition about who was “the prettiest.” In 1987 he was made a National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow, in recognition of his work. He turned the focus from combat to art, that fact alone is enough to make him a legend. Throughout his life he continued to struggle for the rights of the Mardi Gras Indians. His story is profiled artfully in the documentary

Tootie’s Last Suit

The newspaper report of his death states, “On June 27, the night of Mr. Montana’s death, the City Council convened a hearing to address reports of police harassment on March 19, St. Joseph’s night, which Mardi Gras Indians consider sacred. Mr. Montana, a small man, stepped to the lectern and asked other chiefs in the room to stand behind him. He said that historically, the police had treated Mardi Gras Indians roughly. “I want this to stop,” he said, looking directly at the Council and top police officials. He then collapsed and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead of a heart attack.” July 11, 2005 New York Times

His legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of the people, the great man remembered as the “Chief of Chiefs.”

Big Chief… You the Prettiest!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Queens outside David Montana’s house, Mardi Gras 2013. Photo by Lilith Dorsey

Leading all the spyboys, the flagboys, the wildmen and the queens are the Big Chiefs. They function not only as leaders of the tribe but as patriarchs for the entire community. Big Chief David Montana, “Tootie’s” nephew, talks about how he lives, creates and rolls out from his home where his parents once resided, “There’s a Spirit there.” The glory and the majesty that rolls out from his house is truly a sight to behold.

There is Big Chief Donald Harrison , world renowned as both a Jazz performer and leader of the Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group. He graces the March issue of Offbeat magazine in his fantastic pink panther suit. I was fortunate enough to meet him a few years back and he is one of the most

Big Chief Donald Harrison and author Lilith Dorsey, photo by Lilith Dorsey

talented, respectful and powerful people I have ever worked with. I applaud his decision to name his group the “Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group,” which he explains gives honor to both the Afro-diasporan tradition, and Congo Square. Regular readers of this blog know Congo Square was a traditional site for ceremonies led by Marie Laveau, as well as social and cultural gatherings for Native people, slaves and immigrants alike.

On Mardi Gras Day maybe you will be lucky enough to see some Indians. Locals recommend checking the paper or asking around. Suits are on display at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Treme, and if you can check out The House of Dance and Feathers in the 9th Ward, more information is available on their facebook pages.

The Mardi Gras Indians are the prettiest, baddest, the toughest… they used their wit, wisdom, and artistry to keep their heritage and themselves alive. They have been here for hundreds of years, and most likely will continue for hundreds more with their fine feathers. Dance on my friends in all your crowning glory!