Secrets Of Voodoo

by
Milo Rigaud

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Secrets Of Voodoo

by Milo Rigaud

3.62 of 5 stars 3.62 · rating details · 58 ratings · 6 reviews

Secrets of Voodoo traces the development of this complex religion (in Haiti and the Americas) from its sources in the brilliant civilizations of ancient Africa. This book presents a straightforward account of the gods or loas and their function, the symbols and signs, rituals, the ceremonial calendar of Voodoo, and the procedures for performing magical rites are given.

"Vo

...more

Published (first published January 1st 1971)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 117)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 23, 2008 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Ralph

This book is hardcore, fullthrottle Vodou from a Haitian, translated from French. Real deal. The massive detailed missives add a whole new level to Vodou rituals. But I think it is a sign of the time in which he grew up as a Black Caribbean man that Ethiopia and Moses and Sheeba are mentioned a lot. It's the same time when Rastafarian events began. But also, I think he also uses the Bible to give Vodou a credibility it doesn't in my opinion need. It can stand on its own.

However, I am not sure a...more This book is hardcore, fullthrottle Vodou from a Haitian, translated from French. Real deal. The massive detailed missives add a whole new level to Vodou rituals. But I think it is a sign of the time in which he grew up as a Black Caribbean man that Ethiopia and Moses and Sheeba are mentioned a lot. It's the same time when Rastafarian events began. But also, I think he also uses the Bible to give Vodou a credibility it doesn't in my opinion need. It can stand on its own.

However, I am not sure about the masons and geomancy stuff - where did that come from? Is that to connect Vodou to European magical practices? He even talks about Hermeticism. The thing is, I bet if I could read French, in the original version these Europeans systems of magic might make sense connected to Vodou. The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot deck does that very well, merging thelema with Vodou. Even the Cabballa is mentioned - decades before Madonna ruined it for everyone.

But why does he constantly call it a solar religion? I don't remember ever hearing about anyone in Haitian Vodou using Western astrology and casting charts of patients either. But he says that the lwa are the "heavenly bodies, stars, and planets". And Erzuli Freda Dahomey is white or of mixed race in every book I've seen and conversation I've had about Vodou, yet he says she's "a dark skinned Ethiopian woman". Again, the times? I am impressed by the pages of names of the lwa, but wish he'd have stated what they do. With the few he does talk about confuses me. The Marassah I assumed were the twin children, but he says they are "The sun in magic regency of the sky through birth and rebirth." (That's the way the book reads.) Legba is Christ. Erzuli is the Virgin. Danballah somehow creates the rest of the Trinity.

So while there is some good stuff in here, it's pretty confusing. I know Vodou is not the same town to town, and it has probably changed a lot since the 50s and 60s. So some of the facts that I question may actually have been real Vodou somewhere sometime. They may still be.

But I do think this is a good book for someone who knows a lot already and wants to add a new layer to their understanding.

(less)

like · see review

Jan 26, 2011 Anikia Williams added it · review of another edition

i dont like it at all voodoo is scary better yet creepy i advise dont go near it danger is ahead believe me

like · see review

Jun 10, 2011 Tammy Moreau rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Interesting read. Goes into background and history of Voodoo. Has boring moments.

like · see review

Aug 29, 2012 Valeria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very helpful!

like · see review

Nov 28, 2011 David Bales rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

Exhaustively researched, it sorts out the bewilderingly complex (to a Western mind) religion of Voodoo in Haiti and traces its origins to West Africa.

like · see review

Dec 30, 2007 Cat rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: no one, basically.

translated from the french by someone who speaks bad french? I could barely understand this book for the life of me. Made it about 2/3 of the way and gave up. Sheesh! Don't read this book!

like · see review

May 18, 2013 Ayahna Kumarroy is currently reading it · review of another edition

May 17, 2013 Jullawrence marked it as to-read · review of another edition

May 11, 2013 Danny Bogen marked it as to-read · review of another edition

May 10, 2013 Sean is currently reading it · review of another edition

May 08, 2013 Astro Sakhi marked it as to-read · review of another edition

May 05, 2013 Suzanne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Apr 28, 2013 Juliette marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Apr 20, 2013 Tamani K marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Apr 18, 2013 Pèdrhina Molière-ripèrt marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Apr 14, 2013 Bill added it · review of another edition

Shelves: religion

Apr 11, 2013 Ginny Greer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Apr 09, 2013 Grumpy Lokean marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: atrs

Mar 19, 2013 Sony Hinojosa marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Mar 10, 2013 Nori Pacquiao marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Mar 03, 2013 Adam added it · review of another edition

Feb 26, 2013 Jeff Vandivor rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Feb 13, 2013 Christopher Ikechukwu marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Feb 10, 2013 Blake Blackamoor rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Feb 06, 2013 Ty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Feb 02, 2013 Honeypeaches marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jan 25, 2013 Jurnee Ford marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jan 16, 2013 Nancy Chandler rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jan 09, 2013 Luis Velazquez added it · review of another edition

Jan 07, 2013 Kitsey marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: tarot-voodoo-natural-healing

« previous 1 2 3 4 next »

Religion

4 users

Occult

2 users

See top shelves...

Books by Milo Rigaud

Ve-ve: Diagrammes Rituels Du Voudou (Trilingual Edition: French - English - Spanish)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Secrets Of Voodoo

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Secrets Of Voodoo
avg rating	preview: Secrets Of Voodoo Goodreads rating: 3.62 (58 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4346921-secrets-of-voodoo?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]/assets/nocover/111x148.png[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4346921-secrets-of-voodoo?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Secrets Of Voodoo by Milo Rigaud[/url]

Secrets Of Voodoo

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Books by Milo Rigaud

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Secrets Of Voodoo

Secrets Of Voodoo

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (3)

Genres

Books by Milo Rigaud

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Secrets Of Voodoo

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (3)