Celtic Deities

I wanted to take some time to focus on the Celtic deities for those of you with an interest in the Celts. I will focus mainly on those of early Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The ones I am most familiar with and their attributes.  There are many excellent texts available where you may study these in depth.

Celtic Deities
 
ANGUS MAC OG (Makohk) ((Ireland)) *God*
One of the Tuatha De Danann. God of youth, love and beauty.
ANU (An-oo) / ANANN / DANA / DANA-ANA ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
Mother Earth, Goddess of fertility, prosperity, comfort.
ARAWN (Ar-awn) ((Wales)) *God*
God of the underground kingdom of the dead. Revenge, terror and war.
ARIANRHOD (Ari-an-rod) ((Wales)) Goddess
Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess. Honored at the full moon, beauty, fertility, reincarnation.
BADB (Bibe) / BADHBH / BADB CATHA ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess in Ireland. Associated with the cauldron, crows and ravens. Life, wisdom, inspiration and enlightenment.
BANBA ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
Part of a triad with Fotia and Eriu. They used magick to repel invaders.
BEL /BELENUS / BELINUS / BELENOS / BELIMAWR ((Ireland)) *God*
Closely connected to the Druids. Science, healing, hot springs, fire, success, prosperity, purification, crops, vegetation, fertility. A sun and fire god.
BLODEUWEDD (blod-oo-eeth) / BLODWIN / BLANCHEFLOR ((Wales)) *Goddess*
The maiden form of the Triple Goddess. Goddess of the earth in bloom, flowers, wisdom, lunar mysteries, initiations.
BOANN (Boo-an) / BOANNAN / BOYNE ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
Goddess of the river Boyne; mother of Angus mac Og.
BRAN THE BLESSED / BENEDIGEIDFRAN (Bran) ((Wales)) *God*
God of prophecy, the arts, leaders, war, the sun, music, writing.
BRANWEN (Bran-oo-en) ((Wales)) *Goddess*
Goddess of love and beauty.
BRIGIT (Breet) / BRID (Breed) / BRIG / BRIGID / BRIGHID ((Ireland, Wales, Spain, France)) *goddess*
Associated with Imbloc. Goddess of fire, fertility, the hearth, all feminine arts and crafts and martial arts. Healing, physicians, agriculture, inspiration, learning, poetry, divination, prophecy, smithcraft, animal husbandry, love, witchcraft, occult knowledge.
CERNUNNOS (Ker-noo-nos) / CERNOWAIN / CERNENUS / HERNE THE HUNTER ((Known to all Celtic areas in one form or another)) *God*
God of nature and all wild things. Virility, fertility, animals, physical love, nature, woodlands, reincarnation, crossroads, wealth, commerce, warriors.
CERRIDWEN / CARIDWEN / CERIDWEN ((Wales)) *Goddess*
Goddess of nature. Death, fertility, regeneration, inspiration, magick, astrology, herbs, science, poetry, spells, knowledge.
CREIDDYLAD / CREUDYLAD / CORDELLIA ((Wales)) *Goddess*
Connected with Beltane, often called the May Queen. Goddess of summer flowers, love.
THE CRONE ((Known in all Celtic regions)) *Goddess*
One aspect of the Triple Goddess. She represents old age or death, winter, the end of all things, the waning moon, post-menstrual phases of women's lives. All destruction that precedes regeneration through her cauldron of rebirth.
THE DAGDA ((Ireland)) *God*
Protection, warriors, knowledge, magick, fire, prophecy, weather, reincarnation, the arts, initiation, the sun, healing, regeneration, prosperity and plenty, music, the harp.
DANU / DANANN / DANA (Thana) ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
Probably the same as Anu. Mother of the Gods, Great Mother, Moon Goddess. Patroness of wizards, rivers, water, wells, prosperity and plenty, magick wisdom.
DIANCECHT (Dian-ket) / DIAN CECHT ((Ireland)) *God*
Physician-magician of the Tuatha. God of healing, medicine, regeneration, magick, silver working.
DON / DOMNU (Dom-noo) ((Ireland and Wales)) *God*
Ruler of the land of the dead and entrances to the otherworld. Control of the elements, eloquence.
DRUANTIA ((All Celtic regions)) *Goddess*
Mother of the tree calendar. Fertility, passion, sexual activities, trees, protection, knowledge, creativity.
DYLAN ((Wales)) *God*
God of the sea.
ELAINE ((Wales)) *Goddess*
Maiden aspect of the Goddess.
EPONA ((Britain, Gaul)) *Goddess*
Goddess of fertility, maternity, protectress of horses, horse breeding, prosperity, dogs, healing springs, crops.
ERIU (Err-i-oo) / ERIN ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
One of three queens of the Tuatha Da Danann.
FLIDAIS ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
Goddess of forests, woodlands and wild things.
GOIBNIU / GOFANNON / GOVANNON (Gov-ann-on) ((Ireland and Wales)) *God*
God of blacksmiths, weapon makers, jewelry making, brewing, fire, metalworking.
GREAT FATHER ((All Celtic regions)) *God*
The Lord. The horned god, (Not Satan) lord of winter, harvest, land of the dead, the sky, animals, mountains, lust, powers of destruction and regeneration. The male aspect of creation.
GREAT MOTHER ((All Celtic regions)) *Goddess*
The Lady. The female aspect of creation, goddess of fertility, the moon, summer, flowers, love, healing.
THE GREEN MAN ((All Celtic regions)) *God*
See Cernunnos. A horned deity of trees and green growing things of earth. God of the woodlands.
GWYDION (Gwi-dee-on) ((Wales)) *God*
Greatest of the enchanters, warrior-magician. Illusion, changes, magick, the sky, healing.
GWYNN AP NUDD (Gwin ap Neethe) ((Wales)) *God*
King of the fairies and the underworld.
GWYTHYR (Gwee-theer) ((Wales)) *God*
Opposite of Gwynn ap Nudd. King of the upper world.
HERNE THE HUNTER ((All Celtic regions)) *God*
See Cernunnos, The Horned God, and Green Man.
THE HORNED GOD ((All Celtic regions)) *God*
Lord of the wild hunt. The masculine, active side of nature. Earth father, growing things, wild animals, alertness, fertility, desire, physical love, agriculture, flocks, brewing.
LLYR (Thleer) / LEAR / LIR (Hlir) ((Ireland and Wales)) *God*
God of the sea and water.
LUGH (loo or loog) ((Ireland)) *God*
God of skills. Druid, physician, smithing, war, magick, commerce, reincarnation, lightning, water, arts and crafts, manual arts, journeys, martial arts, poets, musicians, historians, sorcerers, healing, revenge, initiation, prophecy.
MACHA (Maax-ah) ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
Protectress in war as in peace, goddess of war and death. Cunning, sheer physical force, sexuality, fertility, dominance over men.
MANANNAN MAC LIR (Mannan-awn maklir) ((Ireland and Wales)) *God*
God of the sea, navigators, storms, weather at sea, fertility, sailing, weather forecasting, magick, arts, merchants and commerce, rebirth.
MARGAWSE ((Wales)) *Goddess*
Mother aspect of the Goddess.
MATH MATHONWY (Math math-on-oo-ee) ((Wales)) *God*
God of sorcery, magick, enchantment.
MERLIN / MERDDIN / MYRDDIN (Meer-din) ((Wales and Britain)) *God*
Great sorcerer, Druid, magician. Illusion, shape-shifting, herbs, healing, woodlands, nature, protection, counseling, prophecy, divination, psychic abilities, foreseeing, crystal reading, tarot, magick, rituals, spells, incantations, artisans and smiths.
THE MORRIGU (Moor-rig-oo) / MORRIGAN (Mor-ee-gan) / MORRIGHAN / MORGAN (Moor-gan) ((Ireland, Wales, and Britain)) *Goddess*
Supreme war goddess. Queen of phantoms and demons, shape-shifter. The crone aspect of the goddess, great white goddess. Patroness of priestesses and witches. Revenge, night, magick, prophecy.
NUADA / NUDD/ NODONS ((Ireland and Wales)) *God*
Similar to Neptune. God of the water, oceans, fishing, the sun, sailing.
OGMA / OGHMA / OGMIOS ((Ireland)) *God*
Similar to Hercules.
PWYLL ((Wales)) *God*
Ruler of the underworld.
RHIANNON (Hri-an-non) ((Wales)) *Goddess*
The great Queen. Goddess of birds and horses. Enchantments, fertility and the underworld.
SCATHACH / SCOTA/ SCATHA ((Ireland)) *Goddess*
The shadowy one. Goddess in the destroyer aspect. A warrior woman and prophetess who lived in Albion (Scotland), probably on the Isle of Skye and taught the martial arts. Patroness of blacksmiths, healing, magick, prophecy, martials arts.
TALIESIN (Tal-i-ess-in) ((Wales)) *God*
God of the bards. Poetry, wisdom, wizards, music, knowledge, magick.
WHITE LADY ((All Celtic regions)) *Goddess*
Associated with the Crone aspect of the Goddess. Dryad of death, destruction, annihilation.

A look at life.

While I will primarily blog about spirituality, I will also talk about other things, share recipes and tidbits of life.  My life is crazy.  I mean completely.  Currently I have this overwhelming feeling of happiness, but, at night when it is dark and everything sleeps the darkness deep in my soul comes back in.  I fight it while I am awake but when I sleep it overcomes me.  I am working on dealing with that darkness.  I keep it at bay.  there is a darkside to all of us.  Sometimes we just need to embrace it and learn to become one with it.  I am trying to tame my darkness.  I do not like the dark side of me.  Do you have darkness? 

Vodoo Cont.

The Mysteres

Also called the Loa or Mystere, an Orisha is a particularly powerful spirit of a type called "the Incarna", who all live in a Far Realm called the Dark Kingdom of Ivory, a spirit-kingdom outside of the reach of most mages and werewolves. In Voodoo, the place where the spirits reside is Ife, a land in Africa from where all things in Voodoo are traced back to. In Haiti, the place where the ancestral spirits dwell is called La Ville Aux Camps.
They have magical ties to certain parts of the Earth, ties that wax and wane depending on the area, the time of year, and the phase of the Moon. They are natural spirits for the most part, and very ancient: they were old when humanity was new. These magical ties allow them to freely travel back and forth between their Kingdom and the realm of Earth.
The Orisha aren't immortal, but they are extremely long-lived. They're not omnipotent, but they are extremely powerful. They're not omniscient, but they can fake the illusion of omnipresence, especially in areas where they are established as powers. They are not infinitely divisible, but they do divide themselves without diminishing their power and show certain facets to some, and other facets to others. They're very discerning. They're incredibly intelligent, very wise, and very knowledgeable.
Each Orisha has several areas of influence in which they can affect everyday life and existence on Earth. These areas are not very specific, and occasionally overlap. For example, Oshun could be called upon for a divination on romance in someone's life, but so could Obatala, the Orisha of divination. Yemaya could be asked to help lost sailors on the sea, as she is the Mother of Oceans, but so could Legba, who is the patron of directions and the lost.
What is important is that the Orisha are not mindless, heartless, or thoughtless entities. They're characters in and of themselves - they have feelings, thoughts, plans, strategies, agendas, and quirks. They're quite human in many ways. Whether this is because they were once human beings, or because their interactions with humans have forced them to be so remains to be seen. A Divine Motivation What is it that the Orisha want? Well, first and foremost, like all of us, they want to survive. The prevailing rule of reality these days being counter to the survival of the Loa, they have endeavored to imbed themselves deeper in the consciousness of the world - with varying levels of success.
They also wish to thrive. They have managed to create a few places in the world where their power can still be felt. New Orleans is still one of them. Some parts of Africa in the deep jungle and the island of Haiti are another. Their power is spreading throughout Miami with the rise of Santeria, which is a similar but different religion.
Although in recent years they have become much more cooperative with each other, the old rivalries do flare up. Sometimes it's Oya versus Chango. Sometimes its Ogoun versus Chango, or Yemaya. Sometimes Oshun makes Legba jealous of Chango, or Chango unwisely bans Legba, or Baron Samedi shows up to try and take one of them to Death. It's all an integral part of their personality. Everything is so contrary that each Orisha isn't always sure where their true allies are - and often don't know for certain who's what until they take a stand and see how the chips fall.
Finally, they can't help but play Deity where they have power. They pursue their old spheres of influence, and through their Voodoun, try to learn more about the state of the world around them. Slowly, but surely, they're entering into the 20th century, just in time for the 21st.
Keeping it simple.... The character cannot make an Orisha Ride them. It's that simple. The Voodoun can beg and plead, but it's purely up to the whims of the Orisha/Storyteller. When the Voodoun is actually Ridden, he will take on the personality traits and habits of the Orisha. The Voodoun is pretty much helpless. A Willpower roll vs. 10 minus Knowing for that Orisha will allow the Voodoun to make one action per success. This, however, may anger the Orisha. Keep that in mind.
Essentially, the Orisha are Incarna-level spirits who create a kind of spirit bond with a normal mortal. Through that bond, they filter a kind of specially flavored Quintessence (Mojo) that allows those mortals to have an effect on the world. What is actually happening is that the Mojo itself forges a brief spirit link with the Voodoun, and the Orisha himself is the one who actually does "the magic." The spirit bond is totally up to the Orisha, but technically, if a Voodoun wished to escape his bond, he could be cleansed of it by someone sufficiently knowledgeable in spirit magic.
The reason no Paradox is involved is because the effects tend to be coincidental in nature, and when they're not, they're explainable as "voodoo" - the mythic thread that the Orisha exploit just to exist.
In Mage Terms: A Voodoun could be temporarily crippled by a Spirit 4 Ward which cut him off from his Orisha. Spirit Mages can use their sphere to undo some effects from a Working, but not always all. Unweaving a Working requires knowledge of, at the very least, Spirit 2.
During chargen, you will select an Orisha to be your primary. This is usually the one who first Touched you and brought you into the Voodoun life. With this in mind, your character's lifestyle and Nature should closely match the goals of the Orisha who have chosen him. For example, Oshun wouldn't have any real interest in a street gang assassin with Bravo or Monster Nature. She would, however, grow close to a doctor (mental or physical) with a Caregiver or Visionary Nature. Only under extreme circumstances (usually involving a change of Nature and lifestyle), can you have more Knowing in any Orisha higher than the knowing in the primary you chose in chargen. Such a change is very difficult and may anger the Orisha have just turned your back on. Not wise.
It has been known to happen that an Ancestor Orisha has 'transcended' in the Shadowlands and actually become reborn in a human body. Some believe that Marie Laveau, the one-time Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, will do this one day. Although the reincarnated Ancestor must begin her relationship over with the Orisha, she is born a Mambo, already Initiated.

Voodoo Gods and Goddesses

I am going to try to make this as complete a list as possible.

Gods and Goddess of Voodoo

The Court Loas

Papa Legba: The trickster, the opener of the way and the guardian of the crossroads, both physical and spiritual. Comparable to Hermes or Mercury in the European tradition, Legba makes the impossible possible. He lifts us beyond the limitation we impose upon ourselves in daily life. He is identified with portrayals of St. Peter and St. Nicholas. His favorite offering is candy and tobacco and coconuts. He is the chief, or king, of the voodoun Loas, and is symbolized by the sun, and gold. He is the origin and male prototype. Legba is the synthesizing god of Voodoo, and as such, you must first ask him to carry your words to the other Loas. He is the Orient, the East, the chief cardinal point, the point of space which presides at or governs the magic. His wife is Maitresse Erzulie.
Erzulie: The origin and the female prototype, she is the moon. She is represented as a dark-skinned Ethiopian woman. She is necessarily dark because she is burned by her husband, the sun, Papa Legba Antibon. She is the magic principle of wealth and prosperity. She is invoked by all who desire a change of fortune or who wish to become wealthy. Her symbols are the rainbow and the moon, and favors silver. She is associated with the Virgin Mary. She is good will, perpetual help, she can also be envy and discord when angered.
Obatala: The "old man of the mountain", responsible for the creation of our physical bodies. Literally "chief of the white cloth." Obatala's help is sought in ethical dilemmas and the problems of self-discipline. He is generally identified with the crucified Christ. Obatala is androgynous and very old: he is gentle, a sky god, and taught the people how to do Ifa, the table divination system.
Yemaya: Literally "mother of fishes". She rules birth and the surface of the oceans, and works closely with Olokun, who rules the depths. She works through dreams and intuition. Her waves wash away all sorrow. Her compassion nurtures her children through any spiritual or emotional crisis. Her love sustains life. She is identified with Mary, Star of the Sea.
Oshun: The Goddess of love and abundance. The power of desire is hers, and she often uses s this power to transform. She is beauty, laughter, and generosity. The erotic is her sacrament. She is often compared to Aphrodite, and is identified with the portrayal of Our Lady of Caridad. Oshun likes to heal hurt with love, and plants seeds of change in people. She can also be the Mystere of jealousy and vengeance, she shares these traits with Maitresse Erzulie.
Oya: A revolution in constant progress, Oya brings sudden change. She is a whirlwind, an amazon, a huntress, and a wild buffalo. Lightning and rainbows are signs of her presence. She also rules communication between the living and the dead. Think of Hecate or Artemis. She is identified with St. Catherine and St. Theresa.
Chango: Chango is a king, and his name is synonymous with justice. He lived in historical times and ruled as the fourth Alafin (or chieftain) of Oyo, a city in modern day Nigeria. He is a knight in shining armor. He uses lightning and thunder to enhance the fertility of the earth and of his followers. Myths concerning his death (or rather the fact that it did not occur) link him to the European figure of the Hanged God. He is identified with representations of St. Barbara.
Ogoun: God of iron and machines, Ogoun is a smith, a soldier, and a politician. In modern times he has come to be known as the patron of truck drivers. He is the spirit of the frontier, cutting paths, through the wilderness with his ever-present machete. Although Ogoun clears the way for civilization, he often prefers to dwell alone in the wilderness. He is identified with St. Anthony.
Guede Baron Samedi: Lord of the crossroads and the cemetery and death. The baron revives, kills or enslaves, and often grants deviations which can bring on or ward off death. His colour of course is black, his ritual food offerings must be fish and black chickens. Otherwise, he has a fondness for whiskey and cigars. When he takes possession, his horses often laugh evilly, conceal their eyes from light. Like all the Guede Mysteres, he is a caustic character, and a prankster.

The Voodoun Pantheon
There are thousands upon thousands of Voodoun Gods. It would be nearly impossible to list them all. Every voodoo rich culture brings more into the list, as Houn'gan or Mambos die, they too, are added into the fold. They are easier to classify in the various rites, or divisions of Voodoo. This is also called the Mysteres. Sometime a specific Mystere will cross over into another Rite, or be part of all the different Rites. A mystere generally belongs to the rite he or she is served in, with the exception of the Guinin mysteres who prefer to keep themselves traditionally pure. The loas of death and the cemeteries are classed separately because they all have several noms vaillants, a name they appear under because they do not wish their real names to be known.
While Pethro or Congo Rites are termed here as the paths of "black" magic, in reality they are not necessarily evil.
A listing of some of the Rites:

• Rada
• Rada-Dahomey
• Rada-Nago-Congo-Dahomey
• Nago
• Pethro
• Dantor
• Kitha
• Zandor
• Ibo
• Congo
• Boum'ba
• Canga
• and the Guedes 

 

The Rada Mysteres

This is main pantheon of benevolent gods, those that are called upon to do "white" magic.

The Voodoo Pantheon
A Dan-hi	Adanhi Loko	Adanmansih Wedo	Adelaide
Adya Houn'to	Aganman, Caimon, Anolis	Agaou Comble	Agassou Allada
Agoueh R Oyo	Agoueh Tha Oyo	Aida Wedo	Aizan Avelekethe
Amisi Wedo	An Oue-Zo	An Tha-hi Medeh	Aroyo
Assato	Ate Gbini Mon Se	Ati Dan-hi Ibo Loko	Avadra Bo-roi
Azaca Medeh	Bade	Bade'sih Cala Houn'sou	Baron Cimetie
Baron La Croix	Baron Samedi	Bayacou	Belecou-n
Boco Legba	Captain Debas	Clairmesine Clairmeille	Cousin Zaca
Dame Houn'to	Dan Pethro	Danbhalah Grand Chemin	Danbhalah To Can
Danbhalah Wedo	Danbhalah Ye-We	Erzulie Dos-bas	Erzulie Freda
Erzulie Severine Belle-Femme	Fleurizon	Gougoune Dan Leh	Grand Bois Megui
Grande Ai-Zan	Grande Allaba	Grande Brigitte	Grande Miroi Ze
Grande Sim-ba	Grande Sobo	Grande Vavo	Guede Agu Roi Linsou
Guede Mazaca	Guede Nibbho	Guede Nouvavou	Houn
Houn'gan	Houn'guenicon	Houn'sih	Houn'to
La Baleine	La Belle Venus	La Sirene	Legba Ati (n) Bon
Lihsah	Linglessou	Loco A Dan-hi-co	Loko Azamblo Guidi
Mademoiselle Flordia	Maitre Ka-Fu	Maitresse Mam'bo	Maitresse and Grande Erzulie
Manman Diamant	Marassah	Marassah Guinin	Marie-Louise
Mawu-Lihsan	Ogou Bacouleh	Papa Houn'to	Papa Pierre
Quebiesou	Quebiesou Dan Leh	Roi Louanges	Silibo Vavo
Sim'bi Yandehzo	Sim'bi Yanphaca	Sim'bi Yanpolah	Sim'bi d'l'eau
Sobo	Sobo Quersou	Sophie Bade	Ti Jean
Ti Pierre Dantor	Ye Dan-Gbe	Zan Tha-hi	Zinclizin
Zo	Zo Man Kile

The Rada-Dahomey Mysteres

A smaller Rite dedicated to the benevolent gods.
Ate Gbini Mon Se	Ye Dan Gbe	Ayidohwedo	Maou-Lihsah
Lihsan Gba Dya	Legba Atin Bon	Quebiesou	Ai-Zan
Sobo	Bade	An Que Zo	Sophie Bade
Erzulie Freda	Grande Sobo	Zan-Madone	A Dan-hi Loko
Erzulie La Belle Venus

The Nago Mysteres

A smaller Rite dedicated to the benevolent gods of Voodoo.
Ogou Fer	Ogou Bha Lin Dyo	Ogou Bah Tha Lah	Ogou Chango
Adoum Guidi	Lam'ba File Sabre	Ogou Bha Da Gri	Ossangne
Ogou Yamsan	Ogou Cancannican	Ogou Bhacouleh	Ti Pierre Dantor
Ti Jean	Bo-Sou Ashadeh	Ashadeh Boco	Bolishah
Olishah	Grande O-Bhathalah	Bacossou	Ogou-Tonnerre
Ogou Baba	Ogou Balisere	General Jules Canmil	Jean-Pierre Poungoueh
Ogou Palama

The Pethro Mysteres

This is one of the two major Rites dedicated to the "evil" gods, or "black" magic.
Ogou Chango	Sim'bi Y-An-Kitha	Lem'ba File Sabre	Ti Gougoune
Lem'ba Zaou	Zaou Pem'ba	Manman Pem'ba	Mackandal
Sim'ba Maza	Danbhalah La Flembeau	Linglinzin	Ogou Yamsan
Guede Mazaca	Guede L'Orage	Zazi Boulonnin	Ogou Cancan Ni Can
Criminel Pethro	Prin'ga Maza	Brise Macaya	Brize Pem'ba
Erzulie Toro	Erzulie Ge Rouge	Erzulie Mapian	Ashadeh Boco
Boco Legba	Linglessou Bassin-sang	Marinette Bois-Cheche	Marinette Lumin-di-fe
Ti Jean Pethro	Jean-Philippe Pethro	Guede Baron La Croix	Guede Baron Cimetie
Baron Samedi	Grande Brigitte	Similor	Guede Nibbho
Ibo Can-Man	Maitre Pem'ba	Dan Pethro	Ti Jean Pied Cheche
Simalo	Jean Zombi	Captain Zombi	Guede Agu Roi Linsou
Ogou Tonnerre	Brise Pem'ba	Maloulou	Madame Travaux
Sidor Pem'ba	Grand Bois Megui	Escalie Boum'ba	Trois Feuilles, Trois Racines
Marinette Pieds Cheches	Ogou Dan Pethro	Marie Louise	Trois Carrefours
Zo Flanco Pethro	Toro Pethro	Kanga Pethro	Six Milles Hommes
Djobolo Bossou

The Congo Mysteres

This is one of the two main divisions dedicated to the left handed path, or "black" magic
Sim'bi d'l'eau	Grande Alouba	Grande Aloumandia	Canga
Zin'ga	Lem'ba Za-ou	Man Inan	Madame Lah-Oue
Laoca	Zaou Pem'ba	Manman Pem'ba	Roi Ou-Angole
Marassah Congo Bord-de-Mer	Maitre Pem'ba	Sinigal	Roi Louanges
Caplaou Pem'ba	Maloulou	Sidor Pem'ba	Zilah Moyo
Reine Congo Franc	Djobolo	Bazou

Mysteres Belonging To All Rites

Assato	Aganman, Caiman	Adya Houn'to	Maitresse et Grande Erzulie
Sim'bi d'l'eau	Sim'bi Yandehzo	Sim'bi Yanphaca	Sim'bi Yanpolah
Marassah	Houn'	Houn'sih	Houn'guenicon
Houn'to	Quebiesou Dan Leh	Grande Sim'ba	Zo
Zo Man Kile	Danbhalah Grand Chemin	Maitresse Mam'bo	Maitre Ka-Fu
Papa Houn'to	Dame Houn'to

The Guedes

Guede L' Orage	Guede Cinq Jours Malheureux	Guede Ti Puce Lan d'l'eau	Guede Ti Wawa or Ti Oua-Oue
Guede Ti Pete	Guede Vi	Guede Bon Poussiere de la Croix	Guede Sabalah
Guede Doube	Guede Fatraas	Guede Ti Clos	Guede Docteur Piqures
Guede Souffrant		Guede Ratalon	Guede Morpion	Guede Samedi

Black Salt

Black salt is sometimes called Sal Negro, Witches' Salt, Drive Away Salt, Voodoo Salt or Santeria Salt.  Though it does have some negative connotations, black salt can be used in a positive way as a powerful tool of protection.  Sprinkled in doorways and corners, it can be used as a protection against bad neighbors or co-workers and drive away negativity.  Black salt can be scattered around the perimeter of your property or garden as a protective shield.  When a spell or ritual calls for a strong circle of protection, black salt can be used.  In Hoodoo magic, it's an additive for war water and is also used traditionally to remove a hex or jinx.
Making black salt is quite simple.  There are several different ways, most of  which include mixing 2 parts salt to 1 part of another substance; cast iron scrapings, ash from a fire place, charcoal, black pepper or even  black dye.
Traditional recipes generally call for the scraping of a cast iron pot or cauldron.  To make a custom black salt, try burning herbs of protection in a cast iron cauldron over a self-lighting charcoal.  Use the ash, charcoal and scrapings from the pot and mix with twice as much salt.  Store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid until ready to use.
 Black salt can also be purchased online or in magickal stores those salts are actually dyed with black dye and are said to work just as well.

 A basic guide for the traditional uses of black salt can be found below.
-To rid evil and negativity from one's home, sprinkle black salt on the floor and then sweep it up and out the front door and off the porch toward the street. This would be an example of a white magic spell.

-To prevent a troublesome person from returning to one's home, as soon as they leave throw black salt on the porch or sidewalk and then quickly and vigorously sweep it out to the street while cursing or cussing them. If you are bold you can throw black salt at their back as they walk away. This would be an example of a black magic spell; however such could easily be adapted into a white magic spell by addressing the salt and asking that it remove this person without harming him/her and then not cursing the person.
  
-To gain revenge on an enemy, sprinkle black salt into a doll baby or voodoo doll containing a personal concern from the enemy, such as a photograph, snip of hair or fingernail clippings. Black salt can be added to black magic mojos or bottle spells which are to be buried on the property of the victim or else hidden inside their home or car. Black salt can also be used to create a potion which is used to curse an enemy. To make this potion, dissolve black salt (the kind that has been dyed with black food coloring) in water. One can use a plastic water bottle or any container with a lid for this. Add to it graveyard dirt, black pepper, and one whole bottle of a black magic oil. Close the lid and shake well while cursing one's enemy. The potion is deployed by dumping it on the enemy's car or porch. These would be examples of black magic uses of black salt.

In another Blog I will discuss some of the other versatile uses of salt in magickal workings
 

Voodoo

Voodoo to me has always been one of the most misunderstood of all spiritual paths.  To me voodoo is a very interesting practice and something I have spent a lot of time studying.  Being very broad in my beliefs I have melded some voodoo practices into my own belief systems and it works for me.

What is Voodoo? 

Voodoo (also spelled Vodou) is an ancient West African religion practiced by more than 30 million people in Benin, Togo and Ghana. Voodoo varieties are also present in the United States, and the Caribbean. The word ‘vodou’ comes from the languages of West Africa, and means ‘spirit’. That is appropriate as Voodoo is a religion of spirits. Practitioners of Voodoo (who are called Voodooists) believe that the world of humans is shared by the world of the spirits. When a person dies, his spirit passed to the world of the unseen but is still able to see the human world, the visible world. Spirits, it is believed, in some cases can even impact the world of the living.

Belief in Voodoo crossed the Pacific ocean when captured slaves came to the Americas from Africa, more than 400 years ago. Different Voodoo traditions intermingled and formed the different varieties of Voodoo we see today in the Americas. Voodoo believers and practitioners keep alive an oral tradition of their religion and culture which includes rites, chants, and the use of a variety of voodoo supplies including dolls, candles, and other paraphernalia. The three main varieties of Voodoo are:

• Haitian Vodou
• Louisanna Voodoo
• West African Vodun

 

Haitian Vodou

Haitian Vodou is a syncretic religion, which means that it is a combination of multiple varieties of Vodou. Haitian Vodou originates in the Caribbean country of Haiti, and is a result of the combination of beliefs and practices from the West African religion, Arawakian beliefs, and Roman Catholic Christianity. Vodou was created by African slaves who were brought to the Americas from West Africa and is based on their traditional African beliefs.
The basic belief of Haitian Vodou is that spirits or deities called Lwa, which are subordinate to a higher god called Bondye, can and do interact with the human world and can affect change beyond the spirit world in which they ‘live’. Bondye, the supreme being of the Vodou religion, does not interfere with human affairs, so most of communication and prayers of Haitian Vodou is directed towards the Lwa.
The Haitian form of Vodou is practiced not only in Haiti but also parts of the Dominican Republic, eastern Cuba, some minor islands of the Bahamas, the United States, and wherever there is a migrant Haitian population.

Louisiana Voodoo (New Orleans Voodoo)

Louisiana Voodoo, which is also known as New Orleans Voodoo, like other forms of Vodou, is based on West African religious traditions which were brought over by slaves hundreds of years ago. The Louisiana Voodoo was developed among the French, Spanish, and Creole speaking Africans of the state of Louisiana.
Often confused with Haitian Vodou, Louisiana Voodoo is different int he sense that it puts a lot of emphasis on Gris-gris, voodoo queens, the use of occult paraphernalia, and the snake deity called Li Grand Zombi.
Louisiana Voodoo is a collection of beliefs that have come together overtime and are still evolving to the changing society around them. It combines elements and beliefs from European, African, and Roman Catholicism. Louisiana Voodoo has had a great impact on the culture of New Orleans, and has shaped the image of that city to a great extent. As a result of being in close proximity to Christianity in New Orleans, Louisiana Voodoo has taken on a lot of characteristics of those religions, including the association of Voodoo spirits with Christian saints; these associations are created through the overlap of dominions presided over by both the Christian saints and Voodoo spirits.
As with other forms of voodoo, Louisiana Voodoo is not a highly popular religion and is limited to certain areas of the southern U.S. especially Louisiana, and specifically New Orleans.

 West African Vodun
Vodun, also known as Vudun, is a religion of coastal West Africa, stretching from Nigeria to Ghana. Vodun is practiced by some of the peoples in the following areas: Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
West African Vodun is the original form of the religions of Voodoo and Vodou found in the Americas including Haiti, the Caribbeans, and southern United States.
Vodun beliefs are built around spirits and other elements of divine origin which govern the human World. The hierarchy of these being ranges from major gods governing the elements, as well as human society, to vodun that deal with more minor concerns such as streams, trees, rocks, certain clans and tribes, or nations.
Believers and adherents of Vodun emphasise ancestor worship and believe that humans and spirits occupy the same plane of existance. Each family of spirits is believed to have its own female priest, which is usually passed on from mother to daughter.
Close to 30 million people in Africa practice West African Vodun.

Simplistic Binding

As Children we learn to walk before we can run.  We utter sounds, than words, than sentences.  Everything in life has a beginning. So just like life spellcasting also has a beginning.  You need to learn how to bind. Before you can conjure, invoke, or do any other spell you need to know exactly how to stop it or bind it.
So what is binding: Typically, a magical binding is simply a spell or working that restrains someone metaphysically, preventing them from doing something. It is often used to keep the individual from causing harm to themselves or to others.

Here is some further information on binding:
 Stones for Binding Spells
Agate, beryl, bloodstone, chrysoprase, coral, emrald, hematite, jet, malachite, black obsidian, black onyx, pyrite.

 Oils For Binding Spells Dragons blood for protection
Frankincense for protection
Lilac for protection/wards off evil
Myrrh breaks hexes and provides protection


Binding Spell for General Use
Take a piece of light-weight cardboard and draw images and write words on it to represent the evils that you wish to bind...examples being a man with an X crossing out his heart to show it is closed, words like Greed, Irresponsibility, Disrespect, etc...then crumple the cardboard up into a loose ball.

Take a piece of black yarn and wind it around the cardboard twenty one times. With each time you loop the string around the cardboard, say one line of the following chant...

With the thread of the crimes
of your own design
I bind your evil
Three times seven times.
I bind you from Behind
I bind you from Before
That you'll hurt my people
never ever more
I bind you from the Left
I bind you from the Right
I bind you by Day
And I bind you by Night.
I bind you from Below
I bind you from Above
That you may ever know
The laws of Life and Love
I bind you with your own
Good conscience Within
And so let this magic
Unfold
And spin....

Tie off the ends of the yarn with three sturdy knots to seal the spell. When done with this, burn the wrapped images and words in a loud, strong, crackling fire. Chant these words until it is thoroughly burned:

Goddess of darkest night
Send our troubles all to flight
Burn them in thy sacred fires
And replace them with our hearts' desires!

Once the image is burned and all negativity removed, do a positive visualization to replace it...for example, people laughing and dancing in rainbows, etc. Be sure that when you do this you cast a strong protective circle around yourself and all participants before you begin.


Quick Binding Spells

1. Take the business card of whoever is bothering you and use pushpins to bind it to a cork board or wall at work.

2. Write the problem or name of person causing the problem on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope.

3. Write the name of the problem or person causing the problem on a piece of paper. Put it in a little plastic bag with some water and throw it in the freezer. (this is also known as the freezer bind.  It is a favorite)


Spell to Bind A Person
Take an artifact or picture of the person and bind it with tape while saying:

(Person's name) I bind you from doing harm to others or your self.

Repeat 3 times.



Binding a Person From Doing Harm
Need: A picture or artifact of the person, tape

Take an artifact or picture of the person and bind it with tape while saying:

(Name of person) I bind you from doing harm to others or yourself.

Repeat that 3 times.



Binding off Harm
If a person wishes to harm you: Take their picture, write their name 9 times on the back in black. Take a black glove and place 3 tsp of black pepper in the glove. Take a small round mirror and place this picture facing the mirror, and place the glove stretched out as a hand on the back of this picture. Take some twine and wrap it all together while saying:

"Everything you say to me, everything you do,
bounces off of me three times, and sticks itself on you."

Then wrap it into a dark or black clothe and hide it some where near your entry door which is most used in your house. You can burn a black candle while you do this spell if you wish. Results should start to be evident in about three days. Best done on a Wednesday night.