Why voodoo in new orleans

After Gilmore finished serving in the military and attended college at LSU, he moved to New Orleans, and soon thereafter his faith called him to his ancestral land of Haiti to be ordained as a Middle Priest, meaning he served as an assistant to the High Priest or Priestess.

I think the spirit is calling you to be a High Priest. High Priests known as Houngans, while Priestesses are regarded as Mambos are responsible for leading ceremonies and maintaining the relationship between the spirits and the community. According to Chireau, there has been a movement within the last century of Vodouisants traveling to Haiti or Africa for initiations and returning to form Vodou communities in America. Back in New Orleans, Gilmore was initially excited to connect with more people who shared his faith.

He heard stories growing up and saw images on television of the large community of Vodouisants there, and he had looked forward to joining them. During a true traditional Vodou ceremony, Viddal explained, practitioners summon the spirits to grace them more immediately with their presence, as opposed to in Christianity where God is perceived as being elsewhere, like up in the sky.

If they like cakes, you have cakes; if they like mutton, you have mutton. In the U. Vodou ceremonies—which are only held a few times a year, contrary to the popular belief that they are a weekly occurrence—are also performed partially with the intent of feeding the poor. When Gilmore discovered some individuals in New Orleans were charging ceremony attendees, he was shocked. As simple as that might sound, there remains a culture of secrecy in the Vodou community today where outsiders are concerned, and not without good reason.

As is the case with most religions, there are also elements of ritual that are revealed only to those initiated into the faith. Gilmore believes this secrecy, where outsiders are concerned, has partially contributed to preventing misconceptions from being more widely dismantled. For that reason, he has created a Youtube channel where he openly and casually discusses aspects of his faith. Robi Gilmore stands next to an altar for all religions, at the door of Carmel and Sons Botanica.

Iconography from Vodou, Catholicism, Santeria, and other faiths all intermingle and welcome those who enter. Until then, he will continue giving tours, making videos, and explaining to old friends that his religion has the same intent as others that are embraced worldwide: serve God, help others, and be happy. In addition to aisles full of candles, the store contains a ton of aerosol sprays, baths, and floor washes.

Marigny Most of the items you can buy are made in-house, and you can get readings and spellwork. Treme Mambo Carmel and her staff are incredibly knowledgeable and never make customers feel rushed. You can always consult with a priest, get a reading, or have a candle fixed. Of course, the store is also full of incense, herbs, oils, perfumes, and more.

Many of these are hard to find, but Houngan Matt always makes a special announcement when something rare is in stock. They also sell books, journals, herbs, tarot and oracle cards, and nearly every crystal imaginable.

Terrytown This started as a party supply store, but owner Sheila Sanchez kept adding more things that customers requested. The most exciting thing about Dollar Zone Plus, aside from it being an actual store with tons of party goods and housewares, is that inventory changes frequently.

There are always candles, colognes, oils, incense, aerosols, and soaps. Seventh Ward Since , customers have been able to come here and find orisha oils, hand-dipped incense, soaps, herbs for burning, and body butters. Customer service is unparalleled, and guests can even get their own perfume oil mixed onsite. If the religion of Voodoo is the goal, this is the place. She also has a reader there, and there are candles, housemade oils, soaps and floor washes, incenses, and colognes.

Marigny Priestess Miriam is one of the few people in New Orleans doing bone readings, and she also sells her own gris-gris bags, oils, powders, and incenses. There are candles, Voodoo dolls and herbs for sale, all at a very affordable price -- especially for the location. Her shop has been around since , and she also offers spiritual healing. Crescent City Conjure. New Orleans Travel. What is Voodoo? How to avoid fake Voodoo. Finding real Voodoo spirit in New Orleans. Taking Voodoo back home with you.

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