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An old and often misunderstood religion, Voodoo is one of a good deal of pre-Christian faiths that may be traced to all the way to West Africa and Haiti. Even even though it has been depicted as evil by Hollywood and the mainstream media, some of the deities and exercises are in no way used for demonic or negative purposes. Instead, they percentage similar characteristics to Catholicism and some Pagan faiths. You have one God, but multiple deities that govern over nature, emotions, and even sure animals. Where Voodoo gets a bad rap the most is for it is rituals and negative uses in sure regions of the world. Ancestor worship in Voodoo is very prevalent in prayers and rituals, but with a twist. Instead of an afterlife, followers believe that their dead ancestors are still living among them as spirits. Aside from that, the exercises and rituals vary from one congregation to another. Many still believe in animal sacrifices to show gratitude for a successful hunt, harvest, or other joyous occasions. One that stays solid is the appointment of Queen Mothers (similar to bishops or imams, but made to provide spiritual needs for their valued family clans). They are distinctively the elderly women in the clans and given a title based on their most valued ancestors (much like how the Pope is given his). Animal sacrifices may turn a good deal of non-believers green in the face, but other rituals hold a more tolerable place in Voodoo. Special talismans, or “fetishes”, are once in a while made from or are dried animal parts that support recharge a worshipper’s soul or provided for sure intents (ie: shelter for evil). Other talismans are devised from plants or other natural resources. The widely known and esteemed “Voodoo Doll” is one of them, but it’s far from the doll-shaped pin cushion used in TV and movies. Where Voodoo has been known for it is negative uses is in the American southeast and any country that brought slaves from West Africa. During captivity, a great deal of practitioners would cast hexes and spells on their owners and bosses when their fellow worker was beaten or killed. One of the signs that they were used was a black X that may be found on or around old slave quarters. Some slaves even went as far as defacing free pendants given by Christian missionaries to show honor towards sure female deities. Many of those pendants were made of gold or silver at the time, making them last for generations. Today, Voodoo is a minority religion that has pulled through and kept a strong following since. It is still prevalent in West Africa to a sure degree, but Haiti and the U.S. (specifically Louisiana and other southern states) have the most well-known presence when the religion is brought up to non-believers. Like other religions, Voodoo has and may be employed for both good and evil purposes. However, a good deal of go with the firstborn due to the aftermaths that may arise with the second (having a hex backfire is one of them). Otherwise, Voodoo as a whole may be just as complex and positive as other organized faiths, but with it is own set of beliefs and deities to worship. |
