#voodoo lwa

Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte by IrenHorrors

Alright. It’s about time we have the first of many stories on this blog. I have many. Both about how I got stuck with the Lwa I am now(Love you boys~), and about some truly terrifying events that shook me to the core.

This, however, is about how it all started. Although I’ve already answered this in an ask, I’d like to give a proper retelling. 

It all started in 2015, so I’m not a professional, and I’m still learning. In 2015, I got in contact with someone, who would reveal, after a few months of talking, that she was a Mambo, and had been practicing Voodoo for a long time. I’ll be honest, I didn’t believe in it at first. I was very skeptic, and basically thought that it was just odd. But the more I talked to this person, the more in had me interested. I had been reading up on Voodoo and Hoodoo before, but I’d never met anyone who actually practiced Voodoo before. 

Now, what had me convinced that this was actually real? See, at the time, I had an issue, that I had no idea how to resolve. And my friend would then suggest that I tried some spells to see if that could help. I was very skeptic, but I needed the help, so I tried. And what do you know.... I actually, for a period, got exactly what I wanted. It only worked, as long as my heart was in it, so I don’t ask for it anymore, nor do I do spells to maintain it. Bottom line is, it worked. And I started believing that there was something more, that I’d had no idea was even there. 

So, I started asking questions. About the Lwa, about the one who had helped with the spellwork I did, and about the one my friend usually sent my way to try and help, if something was wrong. And so it happened that my first patron Lwa was Erzulie Dantor. She’s still around, even to this day, although I don’t have as close a relationship with her, as the other two I usually have contact with. 

This is where the... Strange things started happening. Now, I’ve always had the ability to sense anomalies around me. Know when things had happened, before anyone told me, know why was calling before the phone was answered, had deja vu experiences on a regular basis. As far back as I can remember, I had strange abilities. It just hadn’t happened in a while, so when I started hearing sounds around the apartment, knocks on the walls, strange scents that didn’t match with anything I had around, I was, naturally, somewhat freaked out. Now? Well, now it’s just regular occurrences to me. I’m used to it. But boy, has the activity also picked up over the years.

The most prominent story about something that happened in those early stages of me practicing Voodoo? Well, I’ll leave that for another story. Because this was just about how I started, and why I stayed with it. I was pulled in. I’d originally had no intentions of even practicing Voodoo. But here we are, almost 5 years later, a good deal wiser than before, with an alter in my living room and everything. 

Thank you for reading, and until next time, that might be a little creepier, have a blessed day. 

We all know we go through legba before another spirits but what if you want to ant don't have any of his offerings.

It's ok.

let's start with two things candle and water.

Water. If you have no clear rum or any other offerings for legba splashing a little water on the floor for Papa Legba is a respectful thing to do.

Why? It's a libation. water is cool and purifying. Splashing a little water on the ground is a way of spiritually cleansing and cooling the path, making it ready for Papa Legba to arrive and open the gate.

Before you light your candle, stand before your altar and speak directly to Papa Legba.

"Papa Legba, I greet you. I come to you with a pure heart.I ask you to open the gates between the worlds, so that my words may be heard.Papa Legba, I ask for your permission to speak to the lwa. Thank you, Papa Legba."

(You can also say the traditional line: "Papa Legba, ouvri bayè pou mwen" which means, "Papa Legba, open the gate for me.").

Light his candle.

Why Like This? Because you have his offerings to give so the candle and water is a offering and you use it as such, so you like it after instead of before..

Then you ask legba to the the lwa you want speak to, take a moment to feel your intention and connection to that spirit.

Light that lwa candle. And place a cup of water on the table/altar.

Once the candle is lit and the water is on the altar, you can speak."I greet you, [lwa name]. I thank you. I come to you today to give thanks for [mention something you are grateful for].

I also come to you for guidance on [mention your concern or question].

Please guide me and help me to [mention your specific request].

I thank you for listening to my prayer.".

When You Are Finished. It's is important to close the gates.

"I thank you, [your spirit name], for listening to me.I thank you, Papa Legba, for opening the gates for me and for closing them now.

This lwa of one of my favorite I'm going to speak a little about him.

Gran Bwa is a big part of all forms of voodoo. He is the lwa of the forest, he's a healer who has power of the sacred forest. He is a powerful lwa. He may or may not be of Congolese origin originally, but some believe have originally been a Taino spirit incorporated into the Vodou pantheon.

What Nation Is Gran Bwa From? He is from the Rada Nation, Not Petro like the internet says. He is a patron of initiations. Gran Bwa is considered the Tree of Life that connects the celestial realms with those of the living and the dead. I won't say he is the ruler of the forest but it's protector and you can find him their or at any tree if needed.

Gran Bwa can help you make baths and washes,wanga bottles, packet etc. He is a great healer who can bring luck to you and he would come to your defence. He can break strong black magic and curses and cleanse negativity. He can help you connect to your ancestors and your spiritual home in Vodou.

Gran Bwa is the Shade tree, Giving tree, Medicine tree, and the Hanging tree all at the same time. Tell him what you require and he'll help you.

If you follow the Catholicism path he is synchronize with Saint Sebastian.

St. Sebastian photo.

In other African religion like Puerto Rican Sanse, he is St. Sebastian or St. Jude.

Even thou voodoo spirit aren't saints he knows who your truly speaking too when you call apon him.

ANIMALS: He protects all forest animals.

COLOURS: Green or Red.

DAY: Saturday.

ALTAR: You can hang offerings from a any tree branch or lay them at the foot of the tree. Your altar is fine also.

Where To Find Him: You can find him in any forest area. Are if you have a place with a large old tree or a sacred tree (Eggun Tree) you'll find him their.

Let’s start this off with an introduction. 

My name is Elisabeth, I’m a cosplayer, singer and artist, but I’m also a voodooist, or vodouisant, if you prefer to call it that. This blog will be for sharing my experiences, tips and tricks, and generally my passion regarding Voodoo. 

The Lwa I work with is Baron Samedi, Baron Kriminel, and Erzulie Dantor. Mostly Kriminel and Samedi, though. But Dantor stays around sometimes, since she was the first Lwa I came into contact with. I’m not here to brag about my relationships with the Lwa, since I know that everything is very personal, and changes from person to person. I might tell y’all just what kind of relationship I have with the Lwa I’ve mentioned, but my main goal with this blog, is just to have a place where I can share my experiences and stories. And freely be able to talk about Voodoo and magic in general, while keeping my personal blog related to my cosplays and my art.

I hope that people will find something of interest here!