Nobody dies at a funeral. The dead arrive that way, and the living are supposed to leave that way. But the Rev Willie Maxwell walked into a funeral that he never left. It was 18 June, 1977, and Maxwell, a rural preacher living just outside Alexander City, Alabama, was at the House of Hutchinson Funeral Home – not to conduct a service, but to attend one for his 16-year-old stepdaughter, who had been murdered the week before. It was a stifling day, and with only one storey in the funeral home, there was nowhere for the heat to rise. Ceiling fans shuffled air around the chapel, and ushers offered paper fans to each of the 300 mourners as they made their way to the pews. Up in front of them, Shirley Ann Ellington’s slight body rested in an open casket. If you’re as fascinated by the history of voodoo, you’ll find this book incredibly interesting. You will learn about: It is said that the Loa sometimes communicate prophecies, advice, or warnings while the believer is possessed. Other messages are sent through the priest or priestess, or sometimes come later in dreams. An item called a pwen is filled with objects to attract a loa and gain some kind of influence over a person. A pwen can come in many forms, one of which happens to be a doll [source: Learn Religions].

Get the book here. 3. The Voodoo Doll Spellbook: A Compendium of Ancient and Contemporary Spells and Rituals

References

Here is another voodoo classic from Denise Alvarado. Knowing full well that most people who are interested in voodoo have come to that conclusion by observing doll spells in movies and other forms of entertainment, she wrote an entire book explaining them in detail. These spells can be used for good or bad. For example, inflicting harm on your enemies or healing your friends, making people fall in love with you or bringing other people together.

Handwerk, Brian. "Voodoo a Legitimate Religion, Anthropologist Says." National Geographic News. 10/21/2002. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/ 1021_021021_taboovoodoo.html The association of colors, foods, plants and other items with specific loa and the use of these items to pay tribute to the loa These practices have been used for centuries, and the book was written by Denise Alvarado who grew up in a family of voodoo practitioners in New Orleans.Bartholet, Jeffrey. "Tibet's National Spirit Advisor." Pulitzer Center. July 16, 2013 (April 29, 2022) https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/tibets-national-spirit-advisor This episode in the history of the early Church shows how easily a religion, especially a relatively secretive one, can be misunderstood and misrepresented. A similar case can perhaps be seen in the religion known as Voodoo (also known as Vodou or Voudon).

In spite of their prevalence in most people's minds, many of these stereotypes have nothing to do with Voodoo. Others are related only tangentially. However, some of the stereotypes include a grain of truth, and one — spirit possession — is central to the Voodoo religion. Correspondence tables, Kreyol glossary, supplemental prayer texts, and an extensive list of reference books and online resources Voudon believers worship many spirits (called loa or Iwa), each one of whom is responsible for a specific domain or part of life. So, for example, if you are a farmer you might give praise and offerings to the spirit of agriculture; if you are suffering from unrequited love, you would praise or leave offerings for Erzulie Freda, the spirit of love, and so on. In addition to helping (or impeding) human affairs, loa can also manifest themselves by possessing the bodies of their worshipers. Followers of voudon also believe in a universal energy and a soul that can leave the body during dreams and spirit possession.” All of the recommended books bring something different to the table. If you want a comprehensive overview of the general history and practice, then get The New Orleans Voodoo Handbook. Other books deal with specific topics like the Haitian Voodoo, doll spells, herbs and other matters in more detail. Visit Haiti. "Haitian Vodou Revealed" (April 29, 2022) https://visithaiti.com/haiti-up-close/haitian-vodou-revealed/

It is an honor to be entered and "ridden" by a Loa, or spirit. In Haiti these rituals are commonplace: Voodoo is the dominant religion. Part of the Voodoo belief is that loa communicate with followers through possession. The loa temporarily displaces the soul of its host, or medium, and takes control of the medium's body. According to this belief, the medium cannot feel pain or become injured while possessed. The loa speaks through the medium, often giving instructions, advice or prophecies of future events. Sometimes, a loa rebukes followers for failing to perform their duties to the loa, their family or their community. In some Voodoo traditions, a few select people have the privilege of becoming possessed. In others, the loa may choose to possess anyone at any time. But the slaves continued to practice in secret while attending masses. What emerged was a religion that the colonialists thought was Catholicism—but they were outfoxed. Hybrid Rituals

The Haitian people have a view of the world that is unimaginably different from ours," Corbett said. The Loa are believed to determine our lives to an astonishing degree, he explains, and they are always present in great numbers: There might be two people in a room, but there are also 20 Loa. Many of the Loa resemble Christian saints, endowed with similar responsibilities or attributes. For example, Legba, an old man, is said to open the gates between Earth and the world of the Loa, much like St. Peter traditionally throws wide the gates to heaven. History of American Women. "Marie Laveau" (April 29, 2022) https://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2012/07/marie-laveau.html

The History of Voodoo

If you're ready to learn the ways of Voodoo and finally take control of your own destiny, then this book is for you! If you’re after specific voodoo spells for health, love, success, happiness and much more, than look no further. In Voodoo Hoodoo you will find over 300 recipes, spells and rituals from authentic sources. Guynup, Sharon. "Haiti: Possessed by Voodoo." National Geographic. July 6, 2004 (April 29, 2022) https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/haiti-ancient-traditions-voodoo Most people associate Voodoo with pin-filled dolls, designed to inflict pain on a cursed individual. ( Public domain ) What are the Beliefs of Voodoo?