Facebook Essays September 2015

VODUN AND RED FLAGS
So many individuals interested in pursuing African traditional spirituality have been taken advantage of, in the diaspora and abroad, that I have put together an initial list of RED FLAGS to look out for. Please feel free to add your own to this list that those who come after you may learn from our or other's mistakes.
Specifically for Sistahs:
1. If an African male, while perusing the internet, identifies himself as an African priest, promises to perform ceremonies for you and ask if you are married all in the same breath...that's a red flag! He may or may not be an authentic priest by African standards; could possibly have a village full of traditional wives and be looking for foreign financial support as well as a green card. He will also expect a kickback from whomever he takes you to for ceremonies.
2. If you have the opportunity to visit Africa, is lured there by the above or arrive by whatever means to work with a priest and end up laying on your back with that priest...this is a red flag! The emphasis of this man isn't on the spiritual but the carnal. The problem is that some of our sistahs are so desperate for a man that the idea that the man is claiming the priesthood lowers our standards and we are easily duped into believing that who he claims to be...his status...makes it ok. Panties hit the ground and instead of falling in love we fall down! Remember sistahs....scoundrels can be found wearing all types of white robes.
3. If you meet an African American brotha who has visited the motherland, for a brief while, and returns with so many titles that you can't read them all and proceeds to impose his will as well as his "3rd leg" upon you...this too is a red flag! The man is not only a male chauvinist pig; but, he has severe issues steaming from his hatred of his mama!
For everyone:
4. If you choose to be initiated in these United States and come out of an initiation chamber knowing absolutely nothing and must go on the internet to try and learn something about the very spirit you were supposed to have been initiated into...that is not just a red flag but a travesty. If that person cannot teach you about that which you were supposed be initiated into, then, where did they get the knowledge to initiate you in the first place? Here is the reality...they never had it; and, you have wasted your money. In African vodun your time in the initiation chamber is where you learn about the spirits you are being initiated into; the dances, the songs, how to care for your spirits, if you are of the priesthood, and every other thing essential to your effectiveness in serving these spirits. Understand this my sistahs and brothas...in traditional African vodun you can ONLY be initiated by someone who has been duly initiated and ordained by the spirits in which you are being initiated into. It is a misnomer in the diaspora that ANY priest or priestess can initiate you. This is not true! Think about it? How can they initiate you into something they themselves do not have nor have any information about? Would you go to a car mechanic for a heart transplant?
5. If you arrive in Africa and ask the diviner to reveal your ancestral line, spirits etc. and they stall...getta gettin! They are hiding who you are because they could be afraid you will take leave of them and find your ancestral village taking your money there. In these cases they are to help you make that connection by either escorting you to that ancestral village or making contact with them that they come to you sending the message that one of their children has come. And be sure that they will verify if you belong to them through their own divination process as well.
6. You arrive in Africa for ceremonies; and, they tell you that you are not only the grand pooh pah of the pooh pah and have big authority in the diaspora; but, you are actually over voduns that you haven't even been initiated into....serious red flag! Any African will tell you that if you haven't been initiated into a thing you have no power over the thing! That's of course after they stop laughing. Folks use your common sense! Look at this way....you were trained as a mechanic; but, you have authority over a surgeon from the medical profession? No schooling or training in that field. What happened to "mother wit" in America? Are we so desperate for identity that we believe any and everything?
7. You arrive in Africa for ceremonies. You are there less than a month or a bit longer; but, you return thinking you have been fully initiated into something...red flag! Authentic African initiations may take years alone just in the preparations themselves. Most Africans spend years preparing and months in initiation chambers. Nothing tangible happens in African vodun overnight. Most either spend months at a time in Africa or return once or several times a year working on initiation into various spirits. One may began the process by having authentic divination done, proceed to having spiritual baths done, feeding of one's ancestors and so forth and so on. One needs to consult with the spirits and the priest or priestess, you are dealing with, as to how long one's full initiation may take. And the priesthood of Ifa takes a lifetime of training. These folks coming back here starting up a divination business because someone did Ifa for them haven't a clue as to what they are doing. They treat spiritual work like it is a series of college courses. What a mess!

VODUN AND FALSE PROPHETS
As many diasporans return to Africa to take on ancestors and spirits of all kinds, as with anything else that exists, we have many returning with claims that are simply not true. In that a trip to Africa is beyond the means of many it is easy to be caught up in the hype. Those of apparent African descent instinctively understand that Africa holds the keys to who and what we are as a people; so, the thirst for connection is more than real. And for those considered furthest removed from this ancestry the instinct of the exotic, mystical and of unadulterated power beacons. Even though in many white bodies we can find some very African spirits. But, in either of these events, we are drawn to the motherland like moths to a flame. So why not appreciate and be in awe of the one who has freshly journeyed to that most desired and spiritually sacred place?
Because they might be a false prophet...a dud. Now this is where my critics will surface and say, "You continually knock us down! You are a destructive force!" My brothers and sisters that is not it! People who return with these false claims are coming to promote themselves and not that of the spirits. There are certain realities that we must face as a people. Yes, the ancestors and the divine ones want us to reconnect; but, do so correctly! So much knowledge of who our ancestors and spirits are were lost due to the ravishes of the transatlantic slave trade on both sides of the aisle; so, to travel that far just to do it wrong or half a** and come back with false claims is an absolute waste. It brings too much harm to those who are seeking the spirits in earnest. Ceremonies done by uninitiated or unqualified individuals, for the sake of financial gain, can ruin a person's life and bring about irreparable spiritual harm. To clean up this harm can be costly for those affected and grueling on the priest or priestess that has to clean it up...if the person has survived long enough to get to them.
People who want to return to the diaspora claiming African spirituality yet reject the authority of those put into place, by the spirits themselves, is doing so that their actions and/ or indiscretions, as practitioners here in the states, may not be scrutinized. One knows that in Africa not only are they not qualified to do anything there; but, they wouldn't even have the guts to try. So, they return here with the nonsense assuming that the distance allows them safety. Hey, it might have if I hadn't shown up! The spirits have their own way of doing things. What would it be like if I hadn't been obedient to their command that I return?
We witness in every "organized" religion that those in authority must answer to someone. What makes you think that this is less so in the world's oldest spiritual systems on the continent of Africa. Just because folks serving the spirits, in the diaspora, have done so in a disjointed fashion with everybody doing their own thing doesn't mean that it is the optimum. But, it does mean that even without a central authority, in the diaspora, vodun with its great tenacity survived due to the men and women, as vessels for their spirits, who simply refused to give it up regardless of the odds! Therefore for those great Mambos and Hougans we must give the highest of honor and respect! But now it is time for repair and healing. Even in Haitian Vodou one of its most respected and honored Hougans served as its Supreme Chief and joined his ancestors recently...the blessed Max Beauvoir. Beauvoir, and those who respected him, was modeling his authority on that which they observed in Benin, West Africa.
While it is not apparent to some and appears allusive to most researchers African Vodun is most organized...not by edicts or decrees but by the divine ones themselves. And those authentically initiated into it know this, are taught this and give honor to those in authority from their spiritual parents on up the ladder. For years I had people, on the internet, arguing with me about the existence of the Supreme Chief of Vodun who resides in Ouidah, the Republic of Benin. My answer to them was this, "Go to that man's temple, in Ouidah there, and to all of those who serve African Vodun throughout the continent of Africa and tell THEM that he doesn't exist!" Here's the deal folks! Someone recently came to me saying that someone claiming to be of African Vodun, here in the states, said that no one had authority outside of their own "egbe". Well, first after explaining that such terminology was not used in vodun, I proceeded to explain that it was untrue. Knowing the person to whom it came from I knew that the person was attempting to get past the fact that they have not been authentically initiated into the thing in which they are claiming and are defrauding people right and left in this diaspora. But there exists in Africa a Supreme Chief of Vodun, Chief of each pantheon of spirits and on down the ladder. In addition no politically drawn borders delineating particular countries disrupt this reality. Vodun is an ancient and pre-colonial spiritual system that recognizes those that serve regardless of where they live. Its followers can be summoned from any country if needed. So the idea that those who serve are only subject to those in their immediate sphere is ludicrous and coming from someone without a clue of the workings of African Vodun. Why? Because they simply have not been authentically initiated or they would know. Therefore, if someone within the authority ranks of African Vodun is telling you that a particular person has not been authentically initiated into that pantheon of spirits believe it! Because one day those authority figures will put their feet down in this diaspora and the jig will be up! The spirits have their own means of exposing that which is not from them!

VODUN: ON ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
As more and more persons search for the "self", by seeking the ancestors and the divine ones, they come seeking answers to deep spiritual questions. Some, for instance, want to know about various spirits that they have come to know, how those spirits might help them in their everyday lives, their power and how they may acquire said spirits. However, these are not the right questions to ask. For in so doing we are approaching a very deep personal issue topographically or from the outside looking in versus those that help us to understand our inner selves as well as the spiritual more intimately. It is not our fault however. This nation's history does not lend itself to the adaptation of African traditional spiritual systems. In fact, except for the traditions of the First Americans, it has spent most of its history denying the worth of such systems unless considered exotic.
But to know the "self" in that it emanates from the 'inside out' rather than the 'outside in' one must ask a different set of questions; and, in so doing these questions can help us to understand who and what we are. For who we are is who we were; therefore, I submit to you a better set of questions that, if answered, will allow one to go forward in truly understanding the "self" meaning who and what we are in the spiritual realm and our purpose for coming to the earth...one's destiny if you will. Whether you choose to meet that destiny is your choice to make; however, at least you will know and have a better blueprint for your life:
WHO AM I?
1. Who are my ancestors...from the oldest to the newest, darkest to the lightest?
2. What are their origins?
3. How did I come to be in the diaspora?
4. What is the pantheon of spirits to which I was born?
5. What is my head spirit and those accompanying spirits with him or her?
6. Was I born to serve the spirits; and, if so in what capacity?
7. What is the spiritual root of my presenting problem(s) if applicable?
8. How do my ancestors and the divine ones, living within me, say I repair this/these problem(s)?...What ceremonies are to be performed and their cost?
9. What is my destiny and how do I go about meeting that destiny?
If the persons you approach cannot provide the answers to these questions through authentic African divination, by a reputable and experienced priest, or Ifa diviner, then, you must keep on stepping. I have encountered far too many people who have come to us and have had ceremony after ceremony; but, no one out of the group of people they have encountered have answered the questions above. But remember one cannot serve the spirits effectively without knowing who your ancestors are or the very spirits that gave you breath. It is THEY that have shepherded you throughout your entire life. To know them is to know thyself. For THIS is your starting place!

VODUN: A SPIRITUAL SYSTEM OF TOLERANCE
In Ouidah, the Republic of Benin where the Supreme Chief of Vodun lives, one finds a juxtaposition of spiritual houses on one street. Across from the Python Temple, where tourists to the country flock, is a Catholic cathedral and across from it a Mosque; three unique spiritual systems co-existing side by side.
I thought of this because as I have been perusing my facebook newsfeed, since the pope has visited Cuba and come to the United States, I am seeing many of the critics of the Catholic church verse their disdain. Someone even called the pope a king of pedophiles. While I very much love and is committed to the service of the ancestors and the spirits I was a bit saddened. Why? Because it is my belief that the hand of the spirits exists in all of the world's spiritual systems... traditional as well as conventional. Vodun, to me, is what we encounter when we take spirituality to its absolute roots; and, that is where we find the spirits themselves.
We must understand that many of the world's conventional spiritual systems were put into place by the spirits themselves for whatever reason and for whatever group of people. And, further, it is not so much that the systems themselves are corrupt; but, rather, as human frailty exists in us all, it is through those, with these frailties, who if in roles of leadership and serve in these systems bring about this corruption. The divinities, themselves, are pure and undefiled; but, humankind is subject to all kinds of inhumanity to man. Therefore it is unfair to paint all in Catholicism with the broad brush of pedophilia.
It equally bothers me when our politicians, running for President of the United States in their words, paint all Muslims as terrorists. These types of prejudices bring derision and every other bad thing to our culture. In spirituality one must learn to co-exist. And, in vodun especially, as we are all born of spirits understand that we are all similar under the skin. But most of all we are all of one race; and, that is of the human race.

VODUN: CONVENTIONAL AND TRADITIONAL PRIESTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD... A VOCATION OF SERVICE
As the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, is beginning his tour of Cuba and the Americas I cannot help but think about what a spiritual leader is really supposed to be. Whether it be a traditional priest or one of a conventional religion; it is a vocation of service. Throughout the Christian Bible there are numerous passages denoting service to others; and, we see the example, in John 13:1-17, of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. In the Holy Quran we see many verses describing compassionate living such as:
And as for those who strive in our path — we will surely guide them in our ways. And Indeed, Allah is with those who are of service to others. (Al Quran 29:70); Indeed, Allah is with those who are righteous and those who do good. (Al Quran 16:129).
The spirits (God) created humanity; and, in their infinite wisdom sent those to be among us that would assist in our journeys while here on earth. Why? Because in every aspect of our physical and emotional lives there exists a spiritual component. So, when our lives are off kilter in the psychical world it is often rooted in something that is off kilter in the spiritual realm. Therefore the priesthood is a divine calling; one where one must prove worthy of that calling or it will be taken away. As a person born in the diaspora I grew up in the church; but, I later found that which is fundamental in every religion that exists...the spirits themselves. And in vodun I have seen the verification of all that I had learned spiritually before. And as such this is one passage that I know to be consistent and true in all of the world's spiritual systems because this is WHY we of the priesthood are here:
Romans 12:1 (KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
While we of the priesthood, as humans, are imperfect, if we keep our eyes on the spirits daily and are obedient to their will, we as vessels, can always help to serve others. Make it forever so. Amen....

HEY, I DID IT! LISTEN TO MY FIRST-EVER RADIO INTERVIEW ON VODUN & AFRICAN SPIRITUALITY, WHICH AIRED ON THE "ENVISION THIS" BLOGTALK RADIO SHOW:
THE SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF AFRICAN VODUN- MAMI WATA PRIESTESS: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/envision-this/2015/09/18/the-spiritual-and-psychological-benefits-of-african-vodun-mami-wata-priestess

VODUN: PLEASE DO NOT SELL OUR THRONES
This essay is specific to those Africans who have turned away from the traditional spiritual systems of Africa and sell off the spiritual artifacts or voduns from their familial temples.
I am reminded of a good friend of mine here in the States. She is a Nigerian and a staunch Christian. She related to me, on one occasion, that when the last traditional priest, in her family, died and was buried the family got together and literally torched the temple and sold off all the artifacts or vessels containing the voduns to various museums or whoever would buy them. I, myself, standing in a South African market, in 1998, became attracted to two traditional dolls and found out, in divination, that the dolls were vodun and had been taken from a temple. They revealed their names, their history and have been with me and a part of our temple ever since. While I believe that every human being has the right to make choices in their own lives I shudder at the thought that such a thing could happen. For I know that her ancestors were angered at their actions and that somewhere down the line her family will see their mistake. Her ancestors will not let this go unpunished if they haven't dealt with it already. But here is my concern.
As my team has been working diligently, in the diaspora, to reconnect our brothers and sisters to their ancestors and traditional spiritual systems there is a stark reality that we are discovering. The heirs to these ancestral seats, voduns and/or artifacts are being instructed to go and find them. And many of them are sitting in European or American museums. As a result the search for them can be an expensive endeavor; but, often times they must recover them because the spiritual wellbeing of that person is tied up in the recovery of these spiritual thrones and/or artifacts. So, here is the deal my African brethren.
Because our old mothers and fathers left the motherland in shackles does not mean that their lineage is gone forever. Through the great Ifa we are discovering our ancestors and thus who and what we are. And we are an extension of your families, part of your history as well as your future and true heirs to that to which was stolen from us. So, I beseech you, if you choose to turn from the old ways it is your right and your choice. But do not sell or destroy that which can one day be claimed by a child born outside of Africa who chooses to remember, serve, and accept what is his or her birthright. Africa is the root of all humankind; but, its branches extend around the globe regardless of race, creed, color or gender. Store these precious items if they offend your "enlightened" sensibilities. For it is not for me to say that you have been duped by missionaries nor do I know your personal destiny. But I do know that we the children of African slaves as well as those farthest removed from African ancestry are waking up. For the invisible hands of the ancestors are upon us; and, we are returning...in force.

VODUN: POPULAR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (PART 1)
1. What is Vodun? Is it the same, equivalent or similar to the Orisa and other systems throughout the African continent?
A: The term "vodun" simply means "spirit" in the language of the Fon people and others who serve under this term. And, as such, refers to those who serve the spirits throughout all of the traditional societies of Africa. In fact the Fon refers to the Orisa as Nigeria's vodun or the Sangoma as South Africa's vodun. In each of the traditional regions, of Africa, specific spirits reign or hail from those areas among specific ancestral groups. That is WHY it is important, in serving the spirits in any capacity, to first find one's ancestors because it is from this starting point that we understand what spirits we carry and/or have inherited and what cultural and spiritual rituals and ceremonies, specific to each individual, we must follow. For instance, the Yoruba culture observe rituals of the EGUNGUN whereby the Fon has the ASAN and the Ashanti observes neither but rituals specific to their own ancestral clan.
2. I was born with spiritual gifts can I serve without initiation?
A. Absolutely and unequivocally NO! This is a common mistake in the diaspora and one that puts me in direct odds with many. Why? Because for one these gifts are only a shadow of what is actually spiritually there. It is through the initiation process that one is prepared BY THE SPIRITS THEMSELVES to serve. The initiation process cleans you up spiritually as well as knocks down that physical wall between you and the spiritual realm in order that the spirits have more access to you and you to them. Through their own invisible hands the spirits prepare you for the work and activate those things born within you that will allow you to carry out that work. In traditional Africa the priest consults the spirits, through divination, on every stage of your initiation process that each of the spirits living within you is given what it needs and you what is needed to ordain you for the work. An uninitiated and untrained person, working with spirits, can cause themselves as well as others great spiritual harm. We have witnessed people's very souls being inadvertently pushed out of their bodies by unqualified persons or malevolent priests. I love what one of my facebook friends said recently when he stated: "You cannot put a crown on a dirty head!"
3. What happens if, through divination, I am found to have been born of the priesthood; but, I do not want to serve?

A. It is always a choice if one wants to serve or not; however; in some instances if the spirits feel you are sorely needed, or for whatever other reason they choose, they could make it extremely difficult for you not to serve. This must be discussed between you, the priest or priestess who is working with you and what your personal spirits, themselves, are saying. Many have found their lives turned upside down when they choose not to serve. Remember there are more behind us that need us (those of our clan who have passed over and need our assistance) than those that might end up actually coming to us, in our physical world, for help.
VODUN: POPULAR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (PART 2)
4. So, I am just a working stiff, I am not interested in the priesthood or serving the spirits, in any leadership capacity, what can vodun do for me?
A: Vodun, though timeless, is relevant in handling today's issues and can assist in all areas of our lives if so desired. Through its divination process (Ifa) one can receive help in determining the health of our relationships, avoid pitfalls in the workplace, secure more prosperous jobs, find that appropriate mate, receive protection from one's enemies as well as communicate with ancestors and/or deceased loved ones in addition to much more. Through the great Ifa (Nigeria)/Fa (Benin)/Afa (Ghana) one can go direct to the spirits to inquire as to those things that concern our everyday lives. One must understand that for whatever successes or pitfalls that we experience in life there is always a spiritual component.
5. Could one be initiated directly by spirit without a priest?
A. I am sorry; but, no they cannot! One needs to understand that the spirits we serve are divine beings. Not only will they not answer to just any "Joe Schmoe" or "Sally Sue" which wishes to summon them; but, they, themselves, have put specific tenets in place on how they are to be contacted and/or summoned. I go back to quoting my facebook friend who said. "You can't put a crown on a dirty head!" The everyday person simply isn't clean or pure enough. These are divine beings. They created the universe and all it contains. Certain rituals would have to be performed in order to purify and ordain a person that could call spirits. And they need physical hands to do this. Ergo...this is why we have those of the priesthood. Only the ordained may summon them; and, even in the case of their ordained ones (those authentically initiated) they will only answer to whom they choose. If they see that someone interested in summoning them does not know their ceremonies or hasn't the correct character or is spiritually worthy...they simply will not show themselves. In addition, in the African priesthood there are levels of priests/priestesses born to do specific things with specific abilities. Not all priests are equal in ability or birthright. In vodun there is hierarchy. This is one of the main reasons why many diasporans do not have access to their true head spirits or even are aware that these highest of divinities can be born to them (i.e. many of the known Hindu Gods, known in Africa as Mami Dan) regardless of race, nationality, sexuality and/or gender.
6. How different is vodun in Benin, Togo or Ghana; and, is the Akan tradition different from vodun?
A. First and foremost the Akan tradition is vodun. When it comes to Benin, Togo and Ghana one has to understand that vodun is a pre-colonial spiritual system. The present-day political borders of countries serve only to superficially divide groups that have been living in these regions for eons. The Mina, for instance, can be found living from southern Benin all the way up into Ghana. And wherever traditional Africans live, travel, or end up they serve the spirits of their ancestors and personal spirits. That is why one must find one's ancestors first in order to serve in earnest in African spirituality. All things begin and end with them.

VODUN: STANDING BESIDE EVERY SPIRITUALLY SUCCESSFUL MAN IS A GOOD, GOOD WOMAN
In African Spirituality a successful and prosperous man can be directly tied to his relationship with the spirits. For a man (or woman) is only as spiritually powerful as his (or her) relationship with the spirits is strong. This writing, therefore, warns against women so hell bent on their own importance, or desire to have spiritual ceremonies done, that they are drawn into inappropriate relationships, with foreign born men, whose main goal is to obtain a green card, or seek financial success on the backs of their diaspora citizenship.
When I was in my youth there were always those sistahs that were looking for that MRS DEGREE. They would attend the right colleges (if the family could afford it) so as to be in the right place to meet that MR. RIGHT...a doctor, lawyer, or professional man of some type. Other sistahs, just looking for a good provider, kept a look out for the brotha who was a hard worker, worked with his hands or had a trade that brought him an excellent income. In other words, for all of us, who and what the man did mattered. No woman, then or now, wants to be attached to a man who is lazy and refuses to provide. Unattached church going sistahs were always on the lookout for that spiritual brother, preacher, preacher's son or whatever. Such is life! So, when I see sistahs availing themselves to our African brothers, to whom they consider spiritual, while the possibility of giving them status in the bargain, hey, what can I say? BE CAREFUL!
In African spirituality, as well as in life in general, one must develop themselves first by concentrating on one's own relationship with the spirits, then, that appropriate mate will be given. It is not our spirit's intention that we walk this earth alone. But for a woman of the spirits we must wait on the spirits. And when it is time they, themselves, will bring that person in our lives. In fact that is one of the duties of our ancestors to find us an appropriate mate. That is why it is so important to keep them fed and content. They decide who is appropriate to be a part of our familial clan.
So for sistahs running to Africa and ending up in a priest's (or one claiming to be's) bed, thus, becoming his wife will not earn you any brownie points with the spirits. Neither should we, as women, barter our bodies for ceremonies needing to be done. It is prostitution any way you look at it! And a prostitute ain't nobody's spiritual leader. Now, of course, you are gonna have wicked women who attract a wicked counterpart and vice versa. But a woman wanting to serve the spirits, in earnest, should be above reproach...that means keeping her eyes on the spirits, being obedient to their will and keeping her panties up!