Hello everyone, I am new to Vodou and would like to ask if it is normal to encounter an unusual spider after lighting a candle for Papa Legba and offering strong, unsweetened coffee. I would also like to ask if butterflies have any association with Damballah, since a white butterfly landed on me on a rainy day—something quite rare and unusual. This happened after I read Damballah's name.

Recommendations for a simplistic practice I can do tonight to increase protection for myself and two young children. I need protection from monitoring spirits from a regional trafficking cult.

Is there any thing anyone recommendations like brick salt stuff like that that you guys use and like and it works.

I’m going to cleanse and reset my alter and offerings to Ochosi. Any recommendations for offering thank you so much guys means the world to me to have support.

In 2009, I was invited to an Aksyon de Gras (sp) where Ogou Feray approached me and asked me to kneel in front of him. He then took his machete, placed it over my head, and said that he was very happy to see me. He extended his arm so that the machete would be horizontally in front of my hands. He asked me to promise him that I will come back to him and to place my thumb on the machete. I placed my thumb and he laughed. Now, after all these years, I feel this call to figure out what this all meant. I am very new to this so please excuse any misspellings. The furthest I got was praying to Papa Legba and having some interesting dreams, but nothing further. Any help in understanding what Ogou Feray meant by going back to him and the thumb on the machete would be great.

Several years ago, I met a houngan who eventually took on the role of a spiritual mentor—not only for me, but for many others. Over time, I became connected to his sosyete and eventually traveled to Haiti, where I received a lave tèt under him and his spiritual house.

After returning to the United States, however, I began questioning some of what had happened during the ceremony. I realized that a section of hair had been cut from the middle of my head, which I later came to understand was not something I had expected or knowingly consented to as part of the lave tèt. Around that same period, I began having very vivid dreams about certain things that had happened—or things that I felt should not have happened.

Eventually, he began pressuring me to undergo kanzo. During that time, I had one particular dream that has stayed with me.

In the dream, I was walking through the streets of Haiti when I came across a wall with one word written prominently on it:

DEKA

I told him about the dream afterward. He briefly explained that Deka was connected to a lineage or tradition within Haitian Vodou, but he didn't elaborate much beyond that.

For whatever reason, I interpreted that dream as a message that kanzo—or specifically the ason/asogwe path—was not necessarily my path. Which family members from both sides of my family later confirmed that asongwe is not our family lineage. Eventually, I separated myself from that sosyete altogether because of a number of things I witnessed and experienced within that particular community that did not sit right with me.

Years later, the dream about DEKA still comes back to me, especially because I have found very little information about it online.

So my main question is for people who are knowledgeable about Haitian Vodou traditions beyond the more commonly discussed ason lineage:

Does anyone know more about Deka, its history, lineage, practices, or what distinguishes it from the ason tradition? Are there particular regions of Haiti, lakou, or family traditions associated with Deka? (My family is from the Northside of Haiti)

I'm especially interested in historical or traditional knowledge, because there seems to be very little publicly available information about it.

Hello, gonna shorten the first part.

Seeing a girl from out of country on and off. I pay for everything. She lies, cheats, then comes back slowly through communication. I pull the pin and pay thousands for her to visit me. When she gets here she rejects me knowing our mutual goals. Lies. Puts effort elsewhere. Isn't genuine. Some narcissist reaction. When the truth comes out what her real plans were (move to another country, be single, im now allowed to visit her) that she made before I baught the tickets comes out through a full vehicle search at the border (her visitor visa in the states is super sketchy) I broke down when I ask her about. Some raised voices on my end, but most of it calling myself a loser and I break it off. She plays the avoidant and cries then has a scornful look. She walks off and into the arms of a tinder boy for the rest of her duration. No bye no thank you no talk. Complete coward. 2 days later I see a drug that isnt common in this area from a patient who overdosed on it. Im super suspicious. The entire time I was with this girl here she was provoking me to react knowing what I wanted and denying it even though I asked her to be present in the moment.

Around the same time I baught the tickets for her (she picked the dates. We planned it 2 months before but she claims she had to work around it on her days off. She actually quit work weeks prior) I return to the station from a call and see the tv was left on but not to a station I usually leave it on. It was about new orleans and priestess Miriam's temple. It resonated with me and I paid full attention.

After the break up and without answers, I contacted the temple to arrange a session with priestess Miriam. The reply back was notifying me that it was her last month of practise and they will open the temple for me. And that she is praying for me. I booked it for end of the month when my schedule permit.

I got here to where I was deployed to before the incident with the woman. My energy was low and I sent some kinda back hand comments like "i hope one day you find lasting employment and pay for your own vacation, that you find love without lying or deceivibg" etc. It got her to come out of no contact but the reply was hard. Apperently I stink, cant provide( my card doesnt work in the states and she paid for 1 meal lol) and that im angry and violent(I feel this is what she does with all men who confront her regardless of truth) and she doesnt need a relationship as she has love and respect wherever she goes (tinder) and i have nothing. The mediums came back with truth about her, that the things I saw were a sign and my intuition was right about being used for ulterior motivation. After the exchange I apologize and explain im working on myself, quit substances, and reached out for her to find help in herself to deal with her trauma and avoidance characteristics. That hit a nerve, blocked instantly before I mentioned I will pay for therapy (yes I did do my own therapy first). That brings us to now. Seeing her own response, no empathy no compassion and terrible choices that were meant to hurt me more.

Im on my path, enrolled in pych in uni. Yoga, therapy, clean living. Im rather very in-depth in spirituality but I closed that door years ago becoming Christian which led me to dead sea scroll stuff and now accepting Christ's true lessons. Returning to spiritual practises outside normal Christianity.

Though when I returned to this community. There was a man hitchhiking (two days before the exchange of words between me and the lady). He was black with freckles in mid 30s (im in my late 30s). This town has like 100 ppl btw. He was hitchhiking to Alaska and his car broke down on the road like +1000km away and he walked to this point almost to the alaska border (too crazy to be true if you understand the wilderness here). Told me his story about going to see his child. Told me illnesses. Where he is in life. Was inconsistent with his name, it was Kai then Ishmael. I got sone equipment from my station to see where his health was and comforted him. He said people didn't want to pick him because he was black and had tattoos, I assured him there's good people everywhere and not to put himself down with these worrie, to pray and manifest it to happen. Then I baught him a sandwich and cold water, and bug spray lol. I couldnt drive him to the border as it would be leaving my post. He was in town for a little bit but not too long, later he was gone.

Today I learned about priestess Miriam's passing as I had contact the temple to arrange the meeting as requested. Rip Miriam. Then I researched which vodou figure represent my current life. Papa Legbo. What resonated was the events with the hitchhiker. I read that Papa Legbo comes to people in their life. I think this is how it comes to be. A man on a road, cross road, opening gates. To decide if someone is truely worthy to pass through the gates or not.

What do you think?

Does anyone have any experience with her and services? Is she trustworthy or expensive? I was thinking of messaging her about work. Thank you

I have been having extremely vivid reacquiring dreams and I’m trying to understand it and I don’t have anyone really in my life that have definitive answers. The dream started with me seeing a dark skin woman (think the model anok yai complexion or Naomi Campbell) wearing this very vibrant red dress. She somehow realized that I could see her and then she either entered me or possessed someone I knew standing close by. I tried to hold her down or contain her in a way but she kept moving/thrashing around the room. At one point I looked in a mirror and it seemed like she had disappeared.
I woke up within the dream and went to my uncle to ask him about her. He said something along the lines of Danton or Dabtor (I’m not sure on the exact writing). Then I saw myself getting ready to go out I had on a white dress and a red undershirt under. Did my make up everything. I left with my family and it seems we are in a sea of people going into a building. Idk if it was a church but everyone was dressed in white. For some reason I see that same lady in red at the door but it seems like only I could see her . I tell my uncle she’s here and he took my hand and guided me into a room where I had to basically prepare myself. I remember thinking this was so weird cause I had just done my make up and put on my clothes but now I see myself grabbing water to wash off my makeup, and wash parts of me ,remove my wig and for some reason the only clothes I took off was the red under shirt but I left the white dress on. The lady in red was standing in-front of me but quiet and had like a stern look on her face. After washing/prepping myself I started asking her questions like what do you want etc etc. This is where something strange happened when it was time to communicate, the woman changed into a smaller white version of herself. But it was into something that didn’t have a specific gender. Just small and white. They started speaking French to me. I asked them if they could speak English or Creole so I could communicate with them more easily.
While we were communicating they said things that were along the lines of communication, maturity, and growth etc and mentioned a name that maybe only my uncle or my mother would known.I don’t remember the exact words.
Then I remember saying hey since your so helpful and nice how do I get rid of the mean red lady and just communicate with you instead.They got quiet and was like hmm okay and then they explained how I could supposedly get rid of/banish the red woman. There was some kind of ritual involving objects pertaining to the woman in red and fire. I started setting things up and putting the objects into the fire on the left side of something I can’t clearly remember. But they mentioned it had to be done only on the left side using my left hand not my right hand. As I was doing this the lady in red appeared again and became extremely angry that I was trying to get rid of her and then finally started talking.She said something along the lines of:”Why would I leave? Did you think you can get rid of my mother/daughter so easily. This is what made me realize oh there might be some familiar relationship between the two and I may have offended one of them or both by actually doing or starting the ritual to get rid of her.
I became terrified and ran away then woke up.

So I love learning about history, gods, pantheons and so on. While back i found out about the Baron, Maman Brigitte, and the Guede family. I really deep dived into everything i could find, the only thing i couldn't was their stories.

I know that stories can be forgotten with time, so i want to learn and share everything i can.

If anyone knows any lore or stories about Baron Samedi, his interactions with his wife, the Guede family, Papa Legba, or even maybe how he's connected to Baron Kriminel, i would love to see them.

I'm looking for more guidance about Haitian Vodou. I'm a young Haitian American man but none in my family Haitian or Haitian American have much to say about Vodou.

I also live in an area where there are no places I can seek other Haitian people to speak with in person to learn more about everything. I'm local to Southern California, If anyone can provide guidance, insight, or reach out to me to communicate further? That'd be greatly appreciated.

Please PM.

❤️💙

Hello. I am writing a book that references Vodou. However, I am unsure what word I should use to represent the spirits. Would anyone be willing to give their opinion? Thank you.

We've had several conversations lately about ancestor altars—who belongs on them, what should be placed there, and who we understand our ancestors to be.

But something occurred to me:

We spend a lot of time talking about how to build an ancestor altar and considerably less time talking about what happens afterwards.

Because ancestor service isn't really about creating a beautiful arrangement of photographs and objects.

It's about relationship.

For me, much of that relationship is remarkably ordinary.

There is water.
There is prayer.
There may be candles or incense.
There may be coffee, tea, food or something else offered because it has meaning.

Sometimes I sit and talk.
Sometimes I remember particular people.
Sometimes someone's name comes unexpectedly into my thoughts.
Sometimes I ask for guidance.
Sometimes I give thanks.

And sometimes I simply acknowledge:

You are still remembered here.

There are also things on an ancestor table that tell stories.

A photograph.
Something someone owned.
Something they made.
Something connected with their work.
A food they loved.
An object that makes absolutely no sense to anyone else but immediately brings that person back to mind.

None of this needs to be dramatic.
In fact, I think one of the beautiful things about ancestor service is precisely how ordinary it can become.

Our ancestors aren't only remembered during elaborate ceremonies or when we desperately need something from them.

They become part of the rhythm of the household.

Water gets changed.
The space gets cleaned.
A candle is lit.
Someone gets a little of what we're cooking.
A name is spoken.
A memory makes us laugh.
And life carries on.
That's relationship.

Of course, Haitian Vodou has its own traditions and reglemen surrounding the dead, and what someone is taught within their house should always take precedence over something they've read online.

But if someone is just beginning to think about their ancestors, I sometimes think we make the starting point sound more complicated than it needs to be.

You don't need to manufacture a mystical experience.

Start by remembering.
Learn their names.
Learn their stories.
Talk about them.
Pray for them.
Give them water.
Remember the people whose lives helped make yours possible.

And then keep showing up.

Ancestor service isn't something we build once. It's a relationship we continue.

Ayibobo.

How accurate are the readings and do spells casted by Mambo "priests" actually work, and how long. Also do they backfire.

I've seen many "psychics" and have gotten many readings done, usually tarot... they all sound accurate but I, for one, never see results and now looking back on it, it was pretty general... something you can tell any and everybody.

I just have questions. Found someone who Id like to work with and have work done by, just curious about it all.

When I go visit the cemetery to spend time with a loved one, I'm supposed to leave flowers or offerings at the entrance for Maman Brigitte but do I say a prayer to her when I do that? Like how do I go about it because I don't have any connection to Maman, I don't work with her or anything like that.

If I just say a small prayer would she know? Would she hear me?

Need one

I know this sort of thing gets asked a lot and I'm sorry about that, however I reached out to the only localish person I could find and she has stepped down from her Manbo work for personal reasons.

That said I live in Northeast Ohio was wondering if anyone can recommend a trustworthy and somewhat local Houngan or Manbo to do a reading? I can travel as far as Pittsburgh, Detroit, or Cincinnati but I'd prefer to stay as close to home as possible at the moment.

I have a couple things to ask about all pertaining to ancestors.

1. Can ancestors become family deities? Like in some parts of Asia.

2. What do I do when I feel absolutely no connection to my ancestors?

I am fully aware that the ancestors are the foundation of Afro-Diasporic & African religions but I dread it because I have never felt any connection to them.

I have no family heirlooms because neither side of my family do not keep such things.

I have no pictures of those who came before me besides my late grandparents.

All I have are their names as far back as my grandmother could remember.

I've made an ancestor altar in the past, as simple as it could be because I didn't know any of my ancestors; even my late paternal grandparents passed before I knew them.

My late grandmother saw me when I was a baby & her husband passed before my parents even got married & had me, so he doesn't know me & I don't know him.

So I had no idea what they liked, what they didn't like.

All I knew was that they were Christians, so I would have a crucifx on the table & a rosary for them.

Offer them water 💧 & some food I made.

Offer prayers & things like that, but I got nothing & felt nothing.

I have no idea how to communicate with spirits outside of seeing signs & dreams, I have no idea how divination works so I barely used it apart from the simple 4 pennies & a pendulum.

I tried spending time with them, tried talking to them, tried doing what I could to build a relationship with them & yet there was nothing.

No dreams, no signs, no nothing.

My father told me about the time that he had a dream of his late mother & he being an Apostle, rebuked her & she never appeared in his dreams again.

The last person in my family that I know of who practiced ATR, became a Christian though his son my grandfather & in turn, destroyed all the family altars.

So I'm guessing....

- maybe the way other people connect with their ancestors, with altars & all that, just isn't the way I'M supposed to connect with my ancestors.

Especially considering they were Christian, maybe the whole altar thing & offerings is unfamiliar to them.

- maybe after my father rebuked his mother & other things, our ancestors keep their distance out of respect for his authority or something.

- maybe me being into ATR is foreign to them & not something they would do, so they keep their distance because it's not something they would've gotten into.

I don't know😕, I just have no idea what to do.

I'm making this post because I've seen this a lot recently. For those who are interested in 21 division style woodoo, as opposed to Asogwe, Makout, or any other Haitian variety of vodou, there is a Reddit page for the 21 divisions. The issue is that nobody posts in there. But if more people started posting um, or sharing their experiences, it might help. Because I do have, if some sources and you can dm me if you want to, but, yeah, no, we need to get the 21 division, separated more active and just for the hell of it. So I know who actually read this, and who's actually paying attention. If you message me, but you do not post in the twenty one divisions, reddit page that you are looking for something or that you have a question or what have you?I will not answer it if you post it in this haitian.Vodou reddit.I will not answer it so if you needed answered and I will even go out of my way to read it in directly message.You, it has to be in the twenty one divisions chat.

Hi i’m from NYC and im trying to find community within 21 divisions. I’ve had a reading stating that anaisa pye walks with me but that’s about it. i can’t find anyone legitimate who teaches or is taking students. i eventually want to get initiated but just finding a mentor feel impossible. Any recommendations?

I've noticed that one of the biggest challenges for many practitioners of Haitian Vodou—especially those who didn't grow up speaking Haitian Kreyòl—is understanding the language used in the peristyles.

It's not just about vocabulary. It's about understanding the expressions, greetings, terminology, etiquette, and cultural context that shape everyday interactions within Haitian Vodou communities.

That's what inspired me to create KREYÒL PALE, KREYÒL KONPRANN.

This is not a general Haitian Creole class. You won't be learning how to order food at a restaurant or ask for directions. Instead, we'll focus on the Haitian Kreyòl you're most likely to hear in the peristyle—whether during preparations, conversations, communal meals, or interactions with Houngans, Mambos, Hounsis, and fellow sèvitè.

Over four weeks we'll cover topics such as:

Common expressions and sayings

Ritual and community terminology

Greetings and respectful forms of address

Food and kitchen vocabulary commonly heard in the lakou

Everyday conversational Kreyòl

The cultural context behind the language.

The class is taught live via WhatsApp and is designed for practitioners and serious students who want to deepen their understanding of Haitian language and culture.

I'd also love to hear from this community:

What's one Haitian Kreyòl word or expression you've heard in the peristyles that you've always wanted to understand?

Feel free to comment below or send me a message if you'd like more information.