Monthly Archives: February 2010

Voodoo Spiritual Growth

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Spiritual Growth-

spiritual Growth is something that we as spiritual people should be constantly seeking.  To become better, wiser,

and to develop continually as better and better individuals. 

Unfortunately, all too often we (as people in general) get caught up in many other things, and many other things

often come in the way of spiritual growth and progress.  Daily life is often taxing, and we have many

responsibilities.

However, as spiritual people, we must strive to continually make the time and effort that needs to be made to make

this goal a reality.

Along with spiritual growth comes change.  Many often feel threatened or draw more within themselves when change

happens . . . and although this may make you feel comfortable, it doesn’t really resolve the situation.  Embracing

the change will lead you to a greater place and a wiser place.

In all this, I am not saying that spiritual growth is easy or fast.  Quite the opposite, it is alot of work.  Many

seeking the spiritual path are looking for short cuts.  Or a miracle pill that cures all the ills.  But this is not

so, this is not the way things work. 

Spiritual growth, ability, and power doesn’t mean that you will never face a problem, trial or tribulation.  In

fact, as you know, growth often involves growing pains.  Some of the problems, trials and tribulations that you face

are huge blessings:  Opportunities for you to grow spiritually, physically, mentally and gain a huge amount of

wisdom, power and understanding.

If you take into account, most of the world’s most reknowned and followed Spiritual Leaders faced great opposition,

underwent huge trials, and had more than their fair share of tribulations.  They did not allow this things to make

them weaker, but used them to make themselves stronger, wiser and more spiritually connected beings.

This is for you, my fellow Vodouisant.  If you are expierencing some type of trial, tribulation, do not give up. 

Trust in God and Ginen, for they are with you and because of that, and because you know that they will see you out

of any situation safely and marvelously.  Trust me, I know that.

Luck

Houngan Hector

Kanzo Initiation in the US

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Kanzo in the US – Thoughts

This is a topic that I have been seeing discussed in other forums.  And I have a few things to say about this topic.

I have been to, seen and even assisted some Kanzos done here in the Us.  I have also heard some tales about some

Kanzos here in the US. 

To tell you the truth, some of them were very well done (done exactly as seen in Haiti), some were sloppily put

together, and I’ve seen some were done incorrectly all together.  Some people skipped steps, some didn’t.  Honestly,

though, I believe that those individuals who did the Kanzos incorrectly here would more than likely do the same even

in Haiti.

I have also asked the Question to many Houngans and Mambos in Haiti:  Can you do Kanzos outside of Haiti?

Unlike what some may think, as with many questions and things in Vodou, the answer is often varied.

Some say that they can be done only in Haiti.  Others say they can be done anywhere on Hispanola (Haiti or DR).  Yet

very many others still state that they can be done anywhere so long as the Regleman is being followed. 

Personally, I’ve seen Houngans and Mambos who were made in Haiti who have very little clue as to what to do in

Vodou, as well as Houngas and Mambos (made in the us) who were very knowledgable and skilled.  And vice versa as

well.  As such, made in Haiti or in the US, it is konnesans, ethics and following of proper regleman that is more

important to me and gains my respect as to the practices of Kanzoing in the US.

Our lineage still does our Kanzos in Haiti.  Personally, I prefer it this way and this is the way that I still do

it.

However, I am also aware that “Chak Houngan, Chak Kay Li” and as the answers from above show you, that is certainly

the case. 

I am not against Kanzoing in the US so long as the proper regleman is being followed.  Speaking of myself, I have

kanzo’d in Haiti, and if I had the choice would do so again.  But that is what is for me.

Why?

Vodou has always been a very fluid tradition.  That is what has made us survive and prosper in all these years.   I

believe in evolution and progress, and if it is done in the proper manner, I respect it.  I know that there is no

reason a proper kanzo cannot be done here in the Us, I know because I’ve seen them done.

It is similair to the History of some of our Sister traditions.  Many Santero/as of my acquaintance, have attested

to the fact that at one point in time, many in Cuba stated that initiations must be done in Cuba in order to be

considered correct.  Over time, things changed and progressed, and to the point where we are today, where this

belief is generally unheard of (unless we are talking history) and more initiations into Santeria are done here than

in Cuba.

I believe in time, the same will happen in Haitian Vodou.  In fact, it is happening now as we speak.  I see more and

more Sosyetes turning to doing it this way, or offering this as an option. 

I also see less and less Houngans and Mambos who say it cannot be done, and more who are accepting it as legitamate

(even if they don’t or are unwilling to do it themselves).  Those who seem obsessed with the idea of not doing it

here in the states are often those who benefit most from doing it in Haiti, seeing as they are unable to obtain  the

proper resources here to do it.

And as far as getting the proper ingredients in the proper way, I have seen it done here in the US.  It can be done.

There are pros and cons to each side of the case, but ultimately it is something that you must decide for yourself.

Just some of my thoughts for you to ponder on . . .

Love to hear some of yours . . .
Luck
Houngan Hector

EarthQuake in Haiti

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Fellow Vodouisants,

Wishing you the best.

I have a few thoughts as to the EarthQuake in Haiti that I would like to share with all of my fellow Vodouisants and

keep you up to date as to what we have been up to.

While the earth quake in Haiti was definately tragic, as Spiritual people and as Vodouisants we know that everything

has significance.  We must remember, that every cloud has a silver lining. Even destruction (or things some may

consider negative) can bring about great blessings, opportunity and change.

I also know that sometimes something really bad needs to happen in order for something really good to happen.  Not

all the time, but there are times that necessitate it.  And that often what many see as a great tragedy, turns out

to be a true blessing.

This is not however to negate the fact that the situation in Haiti is not good.  I realize that.  And our Sosyete

has been collecting funds (mostly within our own membership) to send to our Sosyete in Haiti.  Unfortunately, it is

all too true that Vodouisants are often denied when it comes to receiving aid.  I have also sent money to a few

other Sosyetes and Vodouisant friends. 

I also think that this is a great opportunity for all of us Vodouisants to stop fighting amongst each other and bind

together.  The fact that we are so discriminated against by outsiders only further reinforces this fact.  (Plus it

makes the Vodou religion look bad and makes people think that they are right in believing the false myths that they

have been told/fed)

I am just hoping that out of this True and Permanant Positive change can come to our beloved Haiti.

Some Vodouisants have negated the power of prayer, saying prayer is not what is needed at this time.  With this, I

disagree.  As Vodouisants, we know that prayer and service are powerfully effective in assisting ourselves and

others.  This is what we profess at any other time, and should do so even more in the face of opposition.  However,

prayer alone is not the answer or sufficient, as with anything in life.  Proper steps must be taken in the physical

realm to resolve the situation as well.  Prayer in conjunction with money and charity will take us where we need to

go in order to resolve these issues.

This will not be resolved over night, many problems were there before the quake, and the quake just made things

worse.  This problem wasn’t created, as such, overnight and thus we cannot expect a full turn around quickly.  But

every bit, every day that can be done, gets us a little bit closer.

I want to thank all my fellow Vodouisants who have worked hard to get the information dispersed and really are

getting more and more attention focused onto the problem. To all of those who have prayed for Haiti, done a service,

sent in a donation of any sort.  Every little bit helps.  I want to thank the members of Gade Nou Leve who have been

creating forums and events to generate charity to Haiti and attention, as well as for all the donations they have

sent in for our family back home.

Luck
Houngan Hector

Voodoo Blog

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Hello Fellow Vodouisants,

I am hoping to use this blog to share with you some of my thoughts, expierences and knowledge on Vodou and the Spiritual world.  Feel free to comment, ask questions and participate.  I want to hear from all of you!   Feel free to make suggestions for topics.

Luck

Houngan Hector