Secrets of Voodoo

by Milo Rigaud, Robert Cross (Translation)

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. “Voodoo,” derived from words meaning “introspection” and “mystery,” is a system of belief about the formation of the world and human destiny with clear correspondences in other world religions. Rigaud makes these connections and discloses the esoteric meaning underlying Voodoo’s outward manifestations, which are often misinterpreted. The book is translated from the French by Robert B. Cross and includes drawings and photographs by Odette Mennesson-Rigaud. Milo Rigaud was born in Port au Prince, Haiti, in 1903, where he spent the greater part of his life studying the Voodoo tradition. In Haiti he studied law, and in France ethnology, psychology, and theology. The involvement of Voodoo in the political struggle of Haitian blacks for independence was one of his main concerns.

Genres: Nonfiction, Occult, Religion, Witchcraft, Spirituality, Anthropology

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Lara Garbero Tais]

ENG: I am having a very hard time finishing this book.
So far it seems mostly a very dry inventory of external tools of voodoo with no regard for purpose or cosmology, and I am not at all closer to feeling the religion after reading it. Honestly, it doesn't really sound like the author feels it either. He sounds a lot like an anthropologist describing a faith he does not share and kinda disdains, but of which he is still weirdly possessive. The whole book gives out this vibe of 'Look but don't touch, also, wait, don't look too much either. I'll tell you what you need to know'. So pretty boring and stuck up so far. I'll try to finish it in case it picks up later.

ESP: Hasta ahora un inventario pechofrío y secote de los símbolos externos del vudú, sin mucha contemplación de la ética involucrada. No termino de entender la posición del autor, si es un texto antropológico o religioso, y para qué escribió este libro si es todo tan secreto.

[Håkan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This classic book is interesting and well-written, but it is far too short to give any proper understanding of such a complex topic. The chapter on the loas only scratches the surface. Also, the many parallels to Christian and Roman pantheons are not very helpful, since the semantics of the parallels are not detailed. The chapter on rituals contains detailed notes from several rituals, but does not explain or interpret, and thus does not give the reader any understanding of them. After reading this book, I don't feel that I know much more about voodoo than I did before.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the classic studies (?) on voodoo. Suffers from the repeated attempt to establish at times too - at least I think so - forcefully a bridge between voodoo and freemasonry. Also the strcuture isn't very good, the whole thing often reads like a laundry-list rather than an inspiring and/ or insightful encounter with a foreign culture.

[Creola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you my love 💓 for recommending me these books for journey 🥰

[Jordan Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good work on Haitian Voodoo by a Haitian Adept. It gives a very broad picture of everything that goes on inside this religion; and it is much more than the spook tales that Hollywood tries to sell. It has a very rich history stretching all the way back to Africa. The author explains this history as well as the many splits and syncretism that one will find today. He explains a lot of obscure ideas that I have not seen on other works on the topic. A must read for anyone interested in occultism or comparative theology. Also, there are several Veves in here that are pretty good.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esoteric and nuanced study of Voodoo as practiced in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. While the author makes clear that his work is specific to the Port-au-Prince Voodoo religion, I'm thankful I came to this work having read Zora Neal Hurston's Tell My Horse, a more generalized (but no less important) work on Haitian Voodoo.

[Thaika Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I can only say wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. I wish there was more that I could say but as a Haitian woman I am rendered speechless by this accurate explanation of vodou. By far it is the only one of it's kind that I have ever come across. Wow!

[Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

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!

[Anikia Williams]

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

[Tammy Moreau · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Lorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This BOOK gives you ANOTHER LEVEL on the DARKSIDE of the FORCE.It gives a new meaning of "GET BEHIND ME SATAN",BUT NOT what you been taught!!!

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful!