If it's weird, or gross, or gory, it must be Voodoo, right? Fox News Latino is reporting that Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York City councilwoman, is being sued in a 1 million dollar lawsuit alleging -- you guessed it -- Voodoo. Read more
If it's weird, or gross, or gory, it must be Voodoo, right? Fox News Latino is reporting that Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York City councilwoman, is being sued in a 1 million dollar lawsuit alleging -- you guessed it -- Voodoo. Read more
Simbi is a Haitian Vodou Snake Lwa whose realm is magic, mystery and communication. January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, is the traditional time for honoring this Lwa or God. The Simbi snakes are said to reside in the trees, descending to the earth to deliver their divine magic to the world. Read more
Here in NYC the Three Kings are a big deal. We have parades with camels, parties, and hundreds of school kids lining the streets wearing paper crowns. In the Santeria religion, also better known as La Regla Lucumi, the Three Kings are a big deal too. It is a time for bringing in luck and success. Read more
According to El Nuevo Herald, for the first time in anyone's memory three separate Santeria houses, two in Cuba and one in Miami are reporting the same outcome for this year's divination, Egiobe or Ejiogbe. The houses' agreement about the specific predictions are ongoing but the general feeling is that this means optimism for the coming year. Read more
Santeria (Lucumi) and New Orleans Voodoo are both “get your hands dirty” religions, literally. Some even theorize that the reason participants frequently wear spotless white clothes, only to the roll around on the ground and dirt is a test of practitioners devotion and resolve. The New Year is a time for new beginnings. Out with the old and in with the new as the saying goes. This year the New Year coincides with the new moon. This moon phase is... Read more
No Voodoo or Hoodoo discussion about this time of year would be complete without talking about the traditional New Year’s recipe for collard greens. This dish is served just after midnight. If eaten and prepared right, it is said to bring divine blessings of money and success. Read more
New Year's is a time for huge ceremonies in the Brazilian traditions of Umbanda and Candomble. It is a time for pilgrimages and journeys to the sea to honor this Orixa or goddess.The immense celebrations that occur here are truly a sight to behold. People craft elaborate rafts and small boats on which they float their lavish offerings out to the sea. Read more
I'm an anthropologist, in addition to being a Voodoo priestess, and this work is important for the study of Witchcraft, the Occult, and African and Afro-Diasporan Religions (be it New Orleans Voodoo, Haitian Vodou, Cuban Santeria, or Brazilian Candomble) across the globe. Peter Geschiere is a professor at the University of Amsterdam and Witchcraft, Intimacy and Trust: Africa in Comparison is his latest contribution to the discipline of African anthropology. Read more
Someone just posted on my Facebook wall that “Kwanzaa is crap.” So much for hopes of U-N-I-T-Y, in the community, in the world, even on my fracking wall. Okay, Kwanzaa is a relatively new holiday. It's not associated with any religion in particular and is designed to, in the words of its creator Dr. Maulana Karenga, "bring a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and Human in the fullest sense." Read more
Marie Laveau's Tomb has stood the test of time. It has seen flood, violence, disrespect, haters, and now someone has painted it pink. Marie Laveau's Tomb is a shrine to Voodoo practitioners around the globe, a mecca if you will, that is the second most visited grave in the United States. Read more
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