Nowdays, people show interest for Vodu but many of them are deceived, ripped off by some hustlers who pretend to serve Vodu. What people don't know is that, if a patient is not satified, he will denigrate the deities or worse the entire spirituality. Many of unsatisfied patients are complaining about those unfair practices. It is therefore necessary to guide those who desire to be initiated to know what they must do.
First of all, there are many hustlers in Vodu field nowadays. People are using Vodu as business whether you are dealing with, Latina America, Europe, United State, Asian Vodu or African Vodu. Therefore, you must be very careful before going on Vodu ceremonies. We cannot tell you which Vodu tradition is good or bad because Vodu Spirituality is large and deep. However, we can tell you the RISK you bear when doing a specific thing in our Spirituality. If you have a problem and you want help from Vodus, follow these steps:
Step1: Find someone credible
It is very difficult to trust someone in Vodu domain. Thus, search for someone who has a reputation for defending Vodu values and dignity. The risk is very low for people like that to deceive you because it would be contrary to their worldview since they know you can destroy their reputation: Losing face is their nightmare.
You can also look for a Vodu priest who is known in Vodu domain. Those who are known in the domain are supposed to have experience. Therefore, they must have a reputation to defend; thus the risk here is also minimal.
Step2 : Don't spend money quickly
People quickly spend money for ceremonies because they want to solve quickly a problem. Sometimes, you only need a Fa reading to know what to do without doing any ceremony. Fa reading can solve many of your problems by providing you with useful advices. YOU DON'T NEED TO DO CEREMONIES ALL THE TIME.
Step 3: Does the priest you contact use any divination art?
There are many divination arts the priests use to know what is wrong with you before doing any ceremony for you. If you go to see a priest and, as soon as you tell him/her your problems he/she asks you to do a ceremony whithout consulting the divinities, there is HIGH RISK that you are getting ripped off. A good priest always has the necessary to communicate with the divinities. Whithout divination art, you will not be able to know the value of the ceremony you have done.
-The special case of IFA Divination
Vodu Alafia, a very powerful Vodu, had killed a patient during the 1950's and the priest (TONYEVIADZI) was jailed because they used a simple divination art functioning with cola nuts which is very limited. This art is able to say if the spirit has said yes or no but cannot dig up the issue deeper. Therefore, the priest was unable to predict the death threats laying on his patient. Mr GOKA, another Alafia priest, had introduced FA Divination into the Alafia's ceremony processes. No one died in his temple: From that fact on, Ifa divination is obligatory for anyone seeking to hold an Alafia Vodu.
NB: Good Vodu priests use Ifa divination. And, the Ifa divination art, is the BEST divination art we have ever known in Vodu domain since it is deep, rich and informative...IF your priest is using Ifa divination, sure you are at the right adress; if not BE CAREFUL! However, I am not saying that Ifa divination is the ONLY art to trust; there are other divination art which are efficient too. Other honest priests may not use Ifa.
Step 4: If you send money for a ceremony, ask for proofs!
Primarily, if you have to pay an initiation or a ceremony more than 2000 dollars, BE CAREFUL. Ask other people and gather information about your ceremony near people who have done it or near credible persons.
For exemple, if you live in Europe and you send money for a ceremony in Africa, ask for video records, photos and so on. Make sure your ceremony is done and well. Photos and videos must be dated, proving the day they have been recorded. Good priests hold camera now to send videos and photos to those who send them money for a specific ceremony.
Additional information
Additional information
There are many writings on the net and many books that contain false information about Vodu. You must be careful about what you are reading. Try to know who is the author and gather information about him/her. This is essential to have precise information about Vodu. You must also note that, there is syncretism in nowaday's Vodu practicing. Don't be surprised to find people asking you to read Bible or Coran! What I can tell is that, we DON'T USE BIBLE, TORAH, CORAN in Vodu!!! The message we receive from God is the HOLLY FA/IFA. It is therefore up to you to choose between practicing Vodu in an authentic way or in a syncretist one.
NB: To help you, Vodu is from AFRICA. Vodu is an AUTONOME Spirituality which has NOTHING to envy other religions because, whatever people think they add to Vodu, already exists in it. Vodu doesn't care about race or sexual orientation of people. Vodu is UNIVERSAL.
NB: To help you, Vodu is from AFRICA. Vodu is an AUTONOME Spirituality which has NOTHING to envy other religions because, whatever people think they add to Vodu, already exists in it. Vodu doesn't care about race or sexual orientation of people. Vodu is UNIVERSAL.
We are not throwing down any particular Vodu priest by writing this article. We are seeking to help everyone for an express purpose: REESTABLISH THE TRADITION OF DIGNITY AND HONESTY OF OUR ANCESTORS.
Tsetula TSAGLI
