Cutting Psychic Cords - Reclaiming Yourself

~ Cutting Psychic Cords ~

 Reclaiming Yourself

Psychic Cords are unlimitedly-elastic, ethereal energy conduit formations that literally hook into you through your subtle-body energy-system ... specifically your Chakras.

Now, Chakras are not a traditional inclusion in Voodoou cosmology.  But the do exist, and they are the areas through which ethereal Psyhic Cords enter and hood into us.

Psychic Cords are naturally generated between friends and especially people who are in love with each other.  They remain, even after a relationship ends.

Psychic Cords also originate from obsessively needy, clinging, controlling persons who - consciously or unconsciously - are stealing and controlling your Emotions and Power. 

Once embedded, Psychic Cords will continue to affect you until you take charge of them.

Here's my Voodou-Magickal method for actually cutting - thus disconnecting - Psychic Cords.

First, discern which cords need cutting.

The two main types are Emotional-draining/controlling Cords and Personal Power-draining/controlling Cords. 

You may need to cut both (and even other) types of Cords. 

The other types of Cords and their placements are listed at the bottom of the commentary - the process is the same.  For now, let's start simple ...

Emotion-draining/controlling Cords enter you in the area centered between your navel and top of your pubic bone ("Sacral" - Swadhisthana Chakra).

Personal Power-draining/controlling Cords enter you in the area centered between the bottom of your sternum ("breastbone") and navel ("Solar-Plexus" - Manipura Chakra).

Use 3 US Dimes (minted before 1964 are 90% silver, so are the most powerful ones for this procedure) and once lemon cut in half width-wise.

• Place one dime between the bases of each closed-together fingers (not including the thumb) of your stronger (writing) hand.

• Hold 1/2 of the lemon facing outward in the palm of that hand, bracing in place with the thumb.
  
  
• Inhale, and holding the breath, sharply pull the cords out from your body about a foot with your other hand.  (Use your imagination is you're not yet able to see or feel the Cords)
  
  
• Immediately make the hard, sharp and fast, downward cutting motion through the space between the hand holding the Cords and your body (the lemon faces the body) while exhaling completely hard & quick through your open mouth making a short, harsh "HA!" breath-sound.
  
  
• Holding the bottom of your exhale, immediately throw the cord ends in the Cord-holding hand out, violently hard and sharply away from You.
  
  
• Only breathe again after throwing the cord ends out and away.

• Repeat the process two more times.

• Afterward wash your hands, then rub the area of your body where the cords were entering, with the other 1/2 lemon dipped in salt, and then rinse the lemon/salt off thoroughly with pure clean water.
  
  
• You may need to repeat the process daily for several days.

The Other Cord Placements:

Now, Chakras are not a traditional inclusion in Voodoou cosmology.  But the do exist, and they are the areas through which ethereal Psyhic Cords enter and hook into us.

• The "Root" - Muladhara Chakra: These cords are intentionally damaging, hooked into you with the intention of killing you.  You'll recognize them if you suddenly experience dispair, even suicidal thoughts.  To access them, stand with your legs spread widely.  Pull the cords down out from the perineal (crotch) area between your legs.  The 1/2 Lemon dipped in salt is rubbed over the area of your tailbone.

• The "Heart Center" - Anahata Chakra: These Cords can also be intentionally damaging as described above, or they may be hooked-in by the same kind of person as described for the Emotional - Chakra.
  Cords accessing this area, centered in your heart area, can also be recognized by the same experiences described above, or by a feeling of total disconnection from all other living beings: with no like, love or compassion.

• The "Throat Center" - Vishuddha Chakra: Cords can be hooked here by a person who obsessively insists you say something ("Tell me you love me") ... it feels like you're reading from a script - not actually communicating your truth.

• The "Third-Eye" - Ajña Chakra:  These cords are usually intentionally placed by someone who is psychically attacking you.  You'll usually know when such an attack is happening.  Cords hooked there feel like a kind of sick-headache, squirrely feeling in your eyes and forehead area.

• The "Crown" - Sahasrara Chakra:  Psychic cords cannot embed here.  I will go into this specific  topic at a later time.

Bondye Ou,
Dieudonne Bokor

Copyright © 2020, Dieudonne Bokor (aka W.A. Ryan)

(Chakra images from Touch of Heaven website)

Sacrifice In Voodou

SACRIFICE IN VOODOU

Courir Le Mardi Gras

New Orleans Voodoo Tarot

Sally Ann Glassman, Artist

From The Dictionary:

• sac·ri·fice /ˈsakrəˌfīs/
  
  Noun: an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure
  
  Similar: ritual slaughter, hecatomb, immolation, offering, oblation, self-sacrifice, self-immolation
  
  VERB: offer or kill as a religious sacrifice.

The Etymology:

• Sacer = Latin for "holy"
  Facere = Latin for "to make"
  Thus, "Sacrifice" = "To Make Holy"

The popular interpretation of this is that offering

Sacrifices can result in making us Holy.

Now, according to certain ignorant religious zealots - "Everybody knows" all Voodouists  sacrifice babies, eat their flesh and drink their blood.  

Yeah, sure ...
(Dangerous Lie, anyone?)

All Vodouisants do make sacrificial offerings to the Lwa, as well as to the Ancestors. 

Some Voudouists, as most Haitian practitioners do, sacrifice certain animals and fowls.  Blood is the acknowledged carrier of life ... it carries and distributes nutrition, fluid and oxygen throughout the body.  Thus, offering such bloody sacrifices are considered, in part, to be a way of "feeding the Lwa."

The resulting meats aren't wasted, nearly always being cooked and made into food for those folks attending such Rites. 

Destitution being a fact of life in Haiti, meat is hard to come by for many people.  Thus these post-celebration feasts are considered very positive - even necessary - occasions.

There are an increasing number of American Voodouist Vegetarians and Vegans, who - mostly for social-conscious reasons - cannot abide by the ecologically unsound, animal rights ignorant Killing Industry.

Thus, Mange sec offerings are becoming more and more popular in Voodoo society.

I think one source of the popularity of Mange sec appeared in the brilliant New Orleans Voodoo Tarot,  In which such offerings are listed for each of the Lwa honored in the book and deck.

Now, having said all this, although I'm essentially Vegan, there are times when I am lead to include a little blood as a component of a specific sacrificial offering.

Some Voudouists offer the fluids from processed store-bought animal products.  For me, this isn't an option: it supports the Killing Industry.  

• A Happy Coincidence of my being a diabetic required to perform finger sticks for Glucose tessting, is that I can occasionally offer a little of my own blood.
  
  And the pain of those finger sticks (don't let anybody tell you, "Oh, they don't hurt" - they do, at least enough to count) can be a contributing factor to the potency of the Sacrifice.  So I am able to offer something desired by those Lwa who are particular in their taste for blood offerings.
  
  This idea was inspired by a discussion with my Mambo, Joleen Jackson, years before my diabetes diagnosis,  wherein she mentioned that some Voudouists add bit of their own blood to some offerings.

The specific objects and products offered to the Lwa are very important.  Like us, the Lwa have traditionally established tastes and preferences.

We wouldn't make the mistake of baking a chocolate cake for a dear friend who loves vanilla.  So it is with the Lwa ...

For example, Bablu Aye is popularly known as a Santeria Orisha and is also a Lwa in many Voodou Houses.  

He loves Beans & Rice dishes, grains, roasted or popped corn, rum or dry white wine, tobacco, lit yellow and purple candles. He hates peanuts or sesame seeds -- so they are considered absolutely taboo.  

Now, in Voodou, along with making regular offerings, we also make a Friendship Offering when requesting supernatural assistance from a Lwa.  

And we promise to give a specific offering at a precise time and date in gratitude for assistance given.  Like us, the Lwa anticipate such fore-promised gifts. 

• When I was a child, Ventriloquism was a favorite hobby.  The only toy on my 9th Christmas List was an "almost professional" Jerry Mahoney dummy - the kind with a hole in the back, where you could put your hand inside, and control the head, mouth and eye movements.
  
  Mom and Dad promised Santa Claus would bring me that present.  But what I got was a smaller, stuffed "doll" with a string coming out the back of the thing's neck to control only its mouth.
  
  I was SO disappointed!  And having a hair-trigger temper, I angrily rejected the doll altogether, imprisoning it in the back of the closet, and never playing with it.

Even as adults, we are very childlike about such transactions.

This is how it is for the Lwa: not being given a promised Gratitude Offering and/or not at the promised time & date can sorely disappoint the offended Lwa.  This often results in the withdrawal of the supernatural assistance obtained as well as potentially mental and physical disturbing retaliative manifestations.

Thus it not only behooves us to be careful what we ask for, but also from whom we ask for it, as well as being absolutely conscious about sacrificial promises made during our transactions the Lwa. 

You'll have to excuse me now - I have a baby in the oven that needs basting!  (J/k)

Bondye Ou,
Dieudonne Bokor

Copyright © 2019, Dieudonne Bokor (aka W.A. Ryan)

The Religion of Voodou - An Historical Survey

~ This Religion Called Voodou ~

A Spirituality of many complexities 

similarities and dissimilarities.

Perhaps the most accessible-to-understand manifestation of the many, often diverging  facets of Voodou, is in the differences in the essential natures of American Voudou and Haitian Vodou.

It takes a little understanding of the sociological and geographical histories of the two countries to make clear the reasons for, and factors informing, the two Voodous.

Haitian Vodou, sometimes called Sevis Gineh (“African Service”) is the primary culture and religion of the over eleven million people presently walking the roads of that once-beautiful & slowly-recovering island. 

The primary roots of the Vodou religion in Haiti come from those people who were  torn-away from their homelands and families among the Fon-Ewe peoples of West Africa (now called  Benin) - once known as the Kingdom of Dahomey.  

Additional roots include elements of the religions of the Ibo and Kongo peoples of Central Africa and the Yoruba of Nigeria, as well as a smattering of beliefs and practices of the Taino "Indians" - the original peoples of the Haitian island, who were literally obliterated by the heart- & soul-less  Spanish conquistadors who literally worked that entire people to death.

Vodou - developed on Haiti's geographically and sociologically isolated circumstances to a greater extent than the those enslaved in America -  became more strictly tradition-bound, with much less assimilation of outside influences than American Voudou. 

In terms of the Christianity-factor, Vodou was impacted mainly by the Roman Catholicism of the Island's illicit Spanish and French propriators .  

The Evanglical Protestant Christian Intrusion beginning immeadiately after the 2010 Earthquake, preaching their narrowly limited sexual morality standards, quickly and substantially perverted the formerly more relaxed, kindly and inclusive social paradigm of Haiti.  

In regards to American Voudou, most slaves who were initially brought to the Thirteen British colonies, which later became the United States, were imported directly from Africa.

Before and after their arrival, Catholicism was the religion enforced upon them.

Indigenous Native Americans were also enslaved in the Colonies.  Thus, American Voudou also includes rich & hearty spicing of Native American Spirituality.

Immigrants and castoffs from the Caribbean arrived at a later time, and Voudou became  further informed  by the religious paradigm of Haitian Vodou (when it was still in its infancy). While most Africans in America's past were considered chattle (property) a number of free Africans also immigrated to the States before and even during the Slavery Times.

And so, American Voudou has been influenced by a wider number of religious idiologies than Haitian Vodou.

One present  example of assimilation of American spiritual cosmology into Voudou is the concept of Reincarnation. 

Reincarnation has distinctly not been a belief in Voodou overall, because of the specific theology about the afterlife, in which most  departed ancestors exist in a specific place (the astral city of La Ville Auz Campe) wherefrom many continue to maintain helpful interests in our earthly lives, with some even going on to take their place in the pantheon of Lwa who reside in the other-dimensional city called Hé.  

Many American Vodouisants believe Marie Laveau - still popularly known as New Orlean's foremost Voodoo Queen - is now, or is becoming such a Lwa.

In recent decades, Reincarnation has become integrated in a number of American Voudou Houses, and accepted by more practitioners - due in large part to the non-African Voudou practitioners, many of whom have been strongly influenced the tenets of Witchcraft, Wicca and the New Age movement.

• My Mari Renman Etenel (beloved eternal husband) Jean-Baptist Bokor and I accept, as fact, Reincarnation because of our shared experiential memories of past lives together.  This is detailed in our story told in the My Own Private Peristyle blog.

Added to the Diversification-Equation, the different African countries' unique religious traditions being blended together in various degrees by tribaally-intermixed slaves, is also a prominent factor contributing to Voodou Houses' (Socyetes') uniquely individual paradigms of beliefs and practices.

While there a shared fundamental tenets-of-faith, the philosophical, cosmological and theological intricacies of each Socyete is largely a matter of the training, experience and Lwa-relationships of its priestly leadership - the Queens, Kings, Houngans and/or Mambos of each such House.

Socyetes serve their own assortment of Lwa often with differing names, personalities, interpersonal relationships and empowerments, songs, drumbeats, and technicalities of Serimoni, as well as terminology and ceremonial Veves, dress and color combinations.

Furthermore, there are many Voodou-associated Religions - each with their unique beliefs, pantheons and practices in other countries - such as Brazil's Candomble, and Cuba's Lucumi/Santria.

Thus, Voodou is, to my Mind's Heart, the most beautifully wideranging Religion presently manifesting on Planet Earth.

Beni Ou,

Dieudonne Bokor

Copyright © 2019, Dieudonne Bokor (aka W.A. Ryan)

Wham! Bam! Scam You, Ma'am!

~ Fakesters of Voodou, Hoodoo & Conjure ~

(with a little help from your friends)

I'm going to talk straight-up serious about Scammers, Fakesters and Fraudulant Queens, Kings, Houngans, Mambos, Bokors and Hoodoo Doktors and Conjures...

First, you need to understand that authentic Voodou Queens, Kinds, Houngans and Mambos are not salaried employees of an established Church.  The Hounfors they personally operate are their Churches, and they frequently purchase the many, often expensive, items necessary for the various free Seremonis and Fetes they conduct - without charging entrance fees to the rituals.  

As such, they understandably charge fees for consultations, readings and Spellworks privately administered for individuals seeking their help.

Many folks hire a Worker to perform a Spell, then almost immediately detract from the Spell's Flow-of-Intention, by adding-in their Anxious  Impatience.  Here's some really good advice from Rev. Mother Denise Alvarado for anyone seeking hands-on help from any kind of Spiritual Worker:  The Six Dumbest Things You Can do... 

Unfortunately there are probably as many, if not more, hucksters with nefarious intentions posing as experts offering hellishly overpriced, often worthless, impotent (if not actually harmful) Voodou/Hoodoo/Conjure "services" as there are credible Practitioners.

The legal term for such fakery is Bunko, which is defined as:  "A swindle in which a person is cheated at gambling, persuaded to buy a nonexistent, unsalable, or worthless object, or otherwise victimized."

While Bunko schemes are illegal, and prosecutable - they are often difficult to prove because most folks don't document every detail of every such transaction.

Anyone can have business cards printed and internet websites promoting themself as a Voodou Queen, Papa, Doktor, Mambo, Hoodoo or Conjure.   

It behooves you to be very cautious in seeking Voodou-centric and Hoodoo/Conjure Magickal assistance - especially online. 

~ Never Fear - Help Is Here ~

I can confidently recommend some high-intentioned books, providing instruction on authentic Voodou/Hoodoo/Conjure Spellworks you can perform for yourself:

• The Conjure Workbook - Workin' The Root
  Written by Mama Starr Casas, this is the go-to source for understanding Conjure (Hoodoo) from the inside.  It includes enough Spells to keep you happily engaged for a long time.
  Mama Starr also has other, topical books that will help you in working Conjure for specific goals:
• Working Conjure: A Guide To Hoodoo Folk Magic
  Expert Hoodoo Sen Moise uses his decades of experience to inform us about Conjure's history, principles, fundamentals, and (most importantly) ethics, while providing practical how-to instructions for making Conjure work for your intentions.  He also has a number of presentations on Youtube
• A great Voodoo-centric book by New Orleans Voudou Queen Denise Alvarado, filled with authentic details about Voudou and associated Spells.
• The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook
  
• Charms, Spells and Formulas
  Ray Malborough, a highly experienced Hoodoo offers straightforward, uncomplicated Spells, including the authentic use of Poppets (aka "Voodoo Dolls")
• Backwoods Shaminism
  Ray "Doctor Hawk" Hess' comes from a family of Hoodos.  His book includes history, philosophy and social commentary, making this book far more than a Book of Spells.
• Voodoo Visions: An Encounter With Divine Mystery
  In this inspiring book, Sally Ann Glassman, illustrator of the beautiful New Orleans Voodoo Tarot, offers a basic understanding of our relationships with, and obtaining powerful help from a number of Voudou Lwa.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

I can confidentally recommend only the following  Voodou/Hoodoo/Conjure providers, whom I know by experience, to be expert, authentic and honest.  They can help you by both supplying needed objects, as well as setting Spells for your desires at more reasonable prices.  (And no, I don't get "kickbacks" from them...)

• Mama Izzy - a personal friend of many years, Mama Izzy is a powerful, high-intentioned, first-class Conjure.  She offers both items and personally-conducted SpellWorks at most-reasonable costs.
  Her beautiful IRL Conjure Shop is cock-full of goodies, and she is most knowledgeable and can help you in planning desired Spellworks.  The shop also hosts some of the best Diviners in the midwest,
   
• Mama Starr Casas In addition to her wonderful books, Mama Starr (another personal friend) also provides the tools for Conjuring, as well as personal consultations and the setting of Spells for you.
  Additionally, she conducts classes through the Conjure Acadamy - and also partners with Hoodoo Sen Moise, - a genuinely honest, reliable Hoodoo, sharing ownership in the Conjure New Orleans Shop.
• The third recommendation I confidently offer is Denise Alvarado's Creole Moon virtual shop.  Denise, a Voodoo Queen, labors to provide inspiration, authentic information in her beautiful books and Courses, as well as genuine, empowered Hoodoo products on her website.
• Finally, I highly recommend Sally Ann Glassman's Island of Salvation Botanica, located in the New Orleans Healing Center.  It's chock-full of wonderful, authentic Hoodoo and Voodou paraphernalia. 
  Sally Ann Glassman is the artist behind the awesome images in the New Orleans Voodoo Tarot, and one of the most personable public figures in New Orleans.  She also did a fabulous job painting the images of the nearly unapproachable spirits for the Enochian (Magick) Tarot.
  
  It's my hope that no one be taken in by the money-mongers who pretend to be empowered Sppiritual Workers.  Best to stick with the renowned, proven few.
  
  
  Now begone Fakes, Frauds and Bunko-artists!
  You have no power here!

Beni Ou,

Dieudonne Bokor

Copyright © 2019, Dieudonne Bokor (aka W.A. Ryan)

Have I Got A Lwa For You!

Papa Legba

Image from New Orleans Voodoo Tarot,

Sally Ann Glassan, illustrator

Venerated by all of Voodou,  the real Lwa Papa Legba is nothing like  the character from the 3rd season of the television program "American Horror Story."  That show added to the usual superstitions promoted by Hollywood and pulp fiction writers about Voodou. 

Papa Legba is actually the Lwa presiding over Speech, Communication and more ...

His most essential role is as Guardian and Controller of the Crossroads: the Gate between this ordinary world and the Spirit World where the Loa reside.  Thus, Papa Legba is the first Lwa honored in the rites of virtually every Voodou Hounfor, so that he will open that Gate, allowing the Lwa to manifest and participate in the Seremony.

Here is the version of his traditional salutation prayer that I was given by my Mambo Joleen Jackson in my American Voudou training:

    (In Creole)
     Papa Legba ouvre baye pou mwen,
     Atibon Legba Ouvre baye pou mwen.
     Ouvre baye pou mwen, Papa, pou mwen                  passe.
     Le’m tounnen map remesi Lwa yo!

    (In English)
     Papa Legba, open the gate for me,
     Atibon Legba, open the gate for me.
     Open the gate, Papa, for me to pass. 
     When I return I will thank the Lwa!

Whenever invoking Papa Legba, it is good to have a fresh drawing of his Veve (sacred, spiritual conduit-diagram - shown below) on the altar - or more traditionally, in cornmeal on the floor.

It is also traditional to pour a little Rum in offering: I offer it in a small bowl, reserved for this function, set next to the Veve on the altar.  (My floors are hardwood, so pouring Rum directly on them would ruin the floor's finish.)

Now, if you have seen that film An American Horror Story, dump that creepy image of him out of your head ... it's nothing more than a figment of Hollywood's sick, twisted imagination.


It is his usually benevolent & forgiving, fatherly demeanor that makes him an excellent choice for one's first contact with a Lwa.  

• Sidenote:  Some time ago, while the weather was hot and muggy, I was just starting a celebration.  As happens in every Hounfor, I first invoked Papa Legba, asking him to open the Gate.
  
  It being very late at night, I thought it best to respond.  Opening the door, I found a very old man with a cane.  He looked like he might be homeless.
  
  He said he had been taking a long walk, and was "dry" - asking if he could get something to drink.
  
  Well, I invited him in, gave him a chair, and got a glass of nice cold water for him.  Taking it, he asked if I didn't have anything "a little stronger."  Apologizing, I told him I only rarely have any alcohol in the house.
  He appeared satisfied, and slowly drank the water.  Then he handed the glass back, went to the door and, opening it, stepped out.
  
  Just before he closed the door, chuckled and said, "It's always good to keep a little spirits handy...you never know who will drop in!"
  
  About a minute after he closed the door - it hit me!  So I quickly opened the door, but unfortunately the fellow was nowhere to be seen.  But I knew then, and I still know now, it was Papa Legba himself who came knocking att my door, responding to my invocation of him that night.

In both Haitian Vodou and American Voudou, Legba usually appears as a sometimes cranky, sometimes giddy, always humorous old man with a wooden cane, wearing a broad brimmed straw hat, and often smoking a pipe or cigar. 
Papa Legba's sense of humor can often be quite  rowdy and extremely, even embarrassingly, bawdy.

Yet, as with all Loa - who exist on a higher, more powerful dimension than us - when approaching Papa Legba, we always do so with utter, genuine reverence and respect.

Legba is syncretized with the Catholic St. Peter (who holds the Keys to Heaven) and also St. Anthony of Padua (Catholic Patron of Lost Items.)  

As such, his Feast Days on Feb. 22 (old Catholic Calendar) or June 29th, depending on whom you ask, when syncretized with St. Peter ... and June 13th as St. Anthony of Padua. 

(Dont get too anal about these Feast Dates, you can celebrate Papa Legba on any and/or all of them!)

In the African Nations of Benin, Nigeria and Togo, Legba is perceived as young trickster, ofttimes horned and enormously phallic.  It is for this reason that certain superstitiously ignorant religions associate him with their perception of the devil.  

Legba's shrines are frequently located at the gates of rural African villages.

Depending on the Hounfor in which he is venerated, Legba's colors are Red and Black, White and Red, and/or Yellow.   Scarves of these colors are often used to dress his altar.

• He is always happy to be given gifts such as rum, lighted red & black, white & red or yellow candles, strong black coffee, cane syrup, a wooden cane, a pipe and tobacco, a cigar, small candies, toys (especially keys) plantains, coconut, and playing cards.  

You can make offerings at any time - especially on his Days & Feasts as well as when making a special request and gratitude-payment for his help.

Legba's Veve

An efficacious way to see if Papa Legba is well-disposed to becoming present to you at any time, is to carefully draw his Veve (as shown above) in black on a piece of red paper.  Don't be lazy, using a copier to generate the Veve draw it by hand. Artistic talent isn't necessary - Sincerity-of-Intent is. 

Then, drip three drops of rum on the center of the Veve, and with genuine respectful reverence, requesting him to allow you to come into his sacred presence, gently drop three pennies onto the Veve.  

Count the number of "heads" facing up.

• 2 or 3 heads-up indicates Papa Legba's positive  response for contact, with 3 heads-up pennies being the strongest positive ressponse.
• 0 or 1 heads-up means "not at this time - try again later."

Because Papa Legba is responsible for Crossroads and Gates - his powers include removing all kinds of obstacles.  

In this pastime, he is similar to, and can be symbolized by the Hindu demigod Lord Ganesha.

• If you use an image or statue of Lord Ganesha in this way, don't call him by that name - always refer to him as Papa Legba"

So if you are in a situation that presents difficult blockages or obstacles to resolve, Papa Legba is the go-to Lwa to help you!

A friendly word of warning: Don't bother Papa Legba with trivial pursuits.  Always put forth your own best efforts to overcome obstacles and finding missing objects before seeking his help.  

He can become exceedingly cranky if you lean on him for your own comfy convenience.  

Voodou is an inter-dimensional process of spiritual participation, not a quick and easy means of getting whatever you want, whenever you want it.
Also, like all Lwa, Papa Legba must be compensated for his efforts in your behalf.  

So when making a request (while giving him an offering from the list above) promise to give him a special gift in gratitude at a specific time in the very near future.  

Never neglect to give him that offering when you promised to do so.  When disappointed, Papa Legba's anger can become quite distracting to your peaceful existence!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

There is another manifestation - perceived by some Voodouisants as the  dark side of Legba -- and by others as an entirely separate Lwa - that you should know about, especially if you're going to visit a physical Crossroad.

In order to keep that Lwa's negative energy separate from the positive energetics of Papa Legba's page here, please Click Here to learn about this antithetical Lwa.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

All things considered, just as Papa Legba is the first Lwa invoked in Voodou Rites, and due to his usually pleasant and fatherly demeanor, he is truly the best first Lwa with whom budding Voodouisants can safely come into contact. 

Beni Ou,

Dieudonne Bokor

Copyright © 2019, Dieudonne Bokor (aka W.A. Ryan)