I understand completely what you mean. I do feel that because of the religion being a mystery religion it is important to have initiation to learn the in and outs of the Loa what they need, the songs that call them and the community that comes with vodun. But I do believe that the Loa do change and grow to the believer of the people. Meaning that the Loa takes on stronger personalities of their character through the eyes of the ones who serve them, I mean my Erzuile freda might be different from your Erzuile Freda. She will always be a spirit of Love, wealth, luxury and passion but I may see her as the white mater delerosa , a wealthy but tragic figure never happy and alway wanting more you may see her as the mullato social butterfly always flirting always giving of herself, always open, preening and dolling herself up. So they do change themselves too the view of the seeker. Not drastically erzuile freda might not ever be seen as a warrior spirit military regalia and guns at hand but she becomes something different to each person. Thats why the Loa call to me they are ever evolving , never stagnant, they changed for the african who became slaves and they continue to change for me , a middle class jamaican/cuban from queens lol

>... this young man is asking about initiation into vodun. That is a very serious matter. When it comes to vodun, I am not here to give >opinions. I am a practioner of vodun who has an intimate relationship with the spirits. Therefore, I would be remiss, as a high priestess, if I >did not give council correctly.

Of course it is a serious matter. I have said no different. I have also tended to agree with you on many points. If i take issue with you it is not because i am looking for an argument.

>What ever people's reasons are for being on this forum is their own business. As for vodun...that is my matter; and sugar coating it is not >my style. I am under obligation to both the ancestors and the divine spirits to give truthful information; and, that is what I intend to do where >decision (such a life changing decision) I will stand up to the plate and do my duty.

No one is "sugar-coating" anything here and i am not sure why you think so. I was merely commenting on what seems to me to be your pre-occupation with the power death your Vodoun can wield. You have mentioned it numerous times now, so it must be an issue with you.
Truth on this plane of existence is ALWAYS a relative matter. That said i believe you are absolutely right to present your truths as they apply to you and your place in time and space. My mileage may vary.

>The things that you have mentioned about a mother and a child are nice! But, that is not how vodun works! These spirits are the same, >yesterday, today and forever. THEY DO NOT CHANGE! Neither do their requirements. I have NEVER said African vodun is superior (even >though I feel it actually is)...I have simply said that vodun's origins are African.

Well Wedosi, you really don't have to say that you believe African Vodoun is superior to that of the diaspora. You imply it at every turn. And actually, when you make statements about your Vodoun being more powerful you ARE actually saying it is superior aren't you. What i have said about mother and child isn't "nice", it's the way of the world. What changes is not the old African spirits or African ancestors. Yes, they stay the same as does "the Mother". It's all the new spirits that have been added. And they are practically countless. In Haiti, for instance, you have many spirits that they have never even heard of in Africa. You can deny their power, but i think that would be short-sighted of you.

>While in the diaspora the conditions of slavery changed our views toward it and how it was practiced. It had to go underground and many >of its rituals were shortened etc. This had to happen for it's survival. Those who died locally and became spirits have their own ways; but, >the time has come to take back that which was lost! ALL of the ancestors of old, of the African diasporans, still remain on the coast of >Africa. And THEY have not changed. They require the same devotion, sacrifices and praise. A Haitian or any other person of African >decent owes their first loyalties to their African ancestors. The slave experience took away....from us. Understanding African Vodun gives >back to us....our ancestors, our power, our dignity! For me it is a restoration of faith and power! For my mission is to work tirelessly for the >African ancestor!

I would never argue with you about the importance of re-connecting with the African spirits if that has been lost. I also am not arguing against the importance of understanding African Vodoun. But i also think that you greatly under-estimate Haitian Vodoun and in doing so you do it a great disservice. I think that you also miss the great empowerment of the Haitian revolution. Yes, slavery took away so much from the African people. It was perhaps one of the worlds greatest injustices ever. But the enslaved Africans of Haiti rose up and took back their freedom, the only time that an enslaved people have every managed to do this sucessfully. They did that with the help of spirits that do NOT reside on the African coast, the Petwo spirits. They did that with New World spirits. Of course the old ancestors should never be forgotten. But i am undecided on where the Haitian's first loyalties should lie. BTW, AFAIK, Africa is the Mother to all of us, regardless of race. It is the source of all humanity.

>So, while I appreciate your comments they cannot deter me. For those of you who will never serve vodun...if I can be of any assistance for >you or you can leran something from my....YOU are most welcome to do so. But, for those who are serious about Vodun, I will teach them >the ways of their forefathers. That is MY mission as a priestess!

Who is trying to deter you? More power to you sister! The point i am trying to make with my comments is that there are many folks out there who are as passionate about their Haitian or New Orleans system of Vodoun as you are about your African system. They are work with what best meshes with their own personalities. Most of them would not disagree that a closer study of the "purer" forms of Vodoun is a good idea or that honoring the African ancestors is indeed very important. But that doesn't mean that they need to change their ways of serving their spirits to fall in line with the ways and methods that you might see as superior. It is very wonderful and giving of you to offer assistance to any of us regardless of our desire for initiation (BTW, i am not against initiation. I do believe that if and when it is necessary in my live the spirits will be very insistent about it with me) . I do believe that there is much we can all learn from you and i'm greatful for your presence here. But i also wonder if perhaps you are not as willing to see that there might indeed be something that you could learn from one of us. We all students on the path and we are all teachers as well, even if we don't realize it.