Karma and justice in the ATRs

Rampant in facebook groups is people casting all kinds of witchcraft on other people who don't believe that anything bad will happen to them as a result of their actions.

Firstly lets have an accurate definition as I understand it in the EAST: karma is a result in your life based on your actions and whether you are following your dharma: your duty and spiritual path. If you are off your spiritual path and destiny, karma can result good or bad things can happen to pull you back to your orientation. Its not as pat as do bad things bad things will happen, but it can sum it up in general. Some people need something nice to happen or they become more hardened and cruel only knowing suffering and never hope or kindness. Other people need a foot up their ass.

Even if we do not have karma, x3 etc in African traditions does not mean there is not cause and effect, some people call that karma: punishments or negativity in your life that can happen based on your own energy and actions. I think people do not like the idea of centralized power of a vengeful Judaic God, so they reject the notion of consequences for your actions.

I am not talking morally grey area, like if one does a spell which disadvantages others, nor to those who believe in moral ambiguity who are lost. Lets see what happens when someone comes for you or your family or someone you care about. I'm also talking about harming someone innocent for pettiness or completely selfish reasons. I'm talking about harming people's children for example.

Negative actions can be considered just without consequence, "right" to do for protection, when people oppress you, however other solutions must be explored, and sometimes cleansing and continuing to be in the grace of God is the best choice to keep it moving. Keep in purity is protection kind of like a teflon aura. A dirty hand cannot make another hand clean. One hand washes the other is a proverb often cited in the ATRs for cooperation and in keeping spiritually clean. You can cleanse yourself but still have to answer in your heart, you can cleanse yourself, but it doesn't rinse out a bad mind or head. There needs to be some self reflection.

Your protective spirits got you. It warns against unclean spirits in the New Testament.This choice will reward you with other gifts and spiritual boons as you are owed a debt. Jesus said "has thou received recompense"....what reward do you choose?

In terms of spiritual protection it is generally believed in these traditions that the innocent party will likely come out on top in a witch war even as a slightly weaker practitioner, and especially if they did not throw witchcraft first. That is all the justification a normally chill practitioner would need to hex you back. Even reversals are tricky if the other person can pick up on what you did. People ask how to hide their work and the answer is there are tricks but nothing is 100 percent fail proof. A skilled diviner can still find you or reverse back your witchcraft and a taste of your own bad medicine.
People can hire other people also to defend them who cannot defend themself, more than you bargained for.

Maybe they just keep cleansing and breaking your work, and in your paranoia or lack or results keep obsessively spending more time and money. Many people underestimate their opponent.
Now you are engaged in a co$tly in time and effort, and in losses, drawn out back and forth or stalemate if you didn't get your ass handed to you at once. Time you could have and money spent on getting ahead and enjoyment.
Strong practitioners can come out on top who are unjustified, but will suffer directly or in other areas indirectly, eventually.

In Ifa lineages of Nigeria and Ocha in Cuba/Santeria, there is the concept of Iwa Pele that some translate as good character but actually some say is gentle character from wisdom. This is being in alignment with the power of ancestors and the Orisha beneficial spirits. These good spirits protect you. 

There are bad spirits known as osogbo who are the bad things in life the opposite of blessings. They hang out together: witchcraft/evil magic, war, gossip, false imprisonment, disease, poverty, untimely death etc and are invited into your life.
Ellegua also opens and closes the gates to the osogbo spirits of misfortune. People abusing these traditions meet an ugly end. What holds back these osogbo in the folk stories is humility and charity (love for fellow man or sympathy towards these spirits as appeasement). However charity to this end, with hate in your heart, is only a temporary stopgap measure. Negative spirits give bad thoughts, cloud the mind, provoke and thrive in unhappiness anger and fear, create evil suggestions and inspiration.

You go against your good/ancestors and moral spirits you got to answer to them. Ashe or personal power comes to us by being in accordance with the spirits. You would have to be spiritually deaf or willfully ignorant to never hear your spirits advise against something, never ask for counsel, or ignore these advices at times. You know that voice in your conscious thats often times your main spirit guide to do the right thing. This connection weakens and they step back when we distance ourself and disrespect our ancestors living in disgrace.

Spirits of justice such as the Iyami are said to be "witch mothers" of which a path of Oshun is a part of, they mete out justice and punishments to those who abuse their power. A bunch of avenging pissed off mommy bears but they are bird women. Like the siren, the harpy, the vulture and owl figures prominently as primordial forces.

People approach spirits like St Michael who is known for God's justice and against evil. Spirits of Justice like Ogun do things in their own time they are concerned with, not just because a human asks to enact justice. People think they can then go to these beings for their own motivations with no consequence?
The fiery aggressive Vodou Petro Lwa reason of coming into existance was to combat slavery and oppression in the name of freedom. For Example the Lwa Dantor protects children and doesn't like a bully. We are the children as the result of our ancestors. "the slave master dies at the hands of the slaves" "live by the sword die by the sword" clarifying proverbs.....

When we appeal to spirits to help us they are using their divine powers. They help us out of mercy, love, charity and not just reciprocity as they cannot be bought. As many songs in the traditions of Es piritismo and Vodou in spanish ask for the mercy "misericordia" from the Lwa or elevated spirits to alleviate our suffering. The balance is to provide them with gratitude and energy to fulfill their mission, but also to do charity for others, often in their name or at their request. This is part of the relationship held with saints etc, but also in the traditions religiousity, as many forget its not strictly witchcraft. These traditions are also concerned with self improvement towards our own spiritual progress as a decent person. Charachter is seen as wise and noble rarely stooping to a lower gutter level or to dirty ourself and our crowns shine. This is seen in Ocha and Vodou that we crown and baptise our spirits on our head, and the ceremony is much like a coronation of royalty.

In Vodou and Quimbanda spirits such as certain Exu and the Ghede are tasked with recruiting unclaimed radical dead, often malevolent people, into service to work until they have paid their debt towards spiritual progress. In this regard they are like the priests of the dead. They would otherwise not have veneration to empower them. The slavery or servitude can exist between us and the spiritual realm and has consequences for how the contracts or spiritual vows and initiations are upheld following our death. Not much can be said about it, but an example is between the Nfumbe spirit of the dead and the Palero/a in Mayombe, Congo derived Cuban tradition. How the Palero/a chooses to use the spirit dependant on them, they have to answer for in my understanding.

This spiritual progress is also seen in spiritualism and their philosophy into working with the dead in Caribbean spiritism and all over the world with mediumistic seance traditions. Our destination after death and ancestral status depends on our life lived. We do not regress but we can suffer as a result of re- incarnations and as a spirit. There is a whole group of suffering tormented dead the anima solas and intranquil spirits. These mechanisms give a system of justice and mercy even if there is no "hell" the closest we can say is trapped, ceasing to exist and purgatory as the closest. Besides hell on earth being a physical human reincarnating over and over in this realm in a spiritual quarantine and short sightedness.

It is considered the imbalance which must swing of scales and certain spiritual laws. The archetype of lady justice, Venus, Libra, goddesses such as the Greek Themis and the laws of the egyptian Ma'at and Anubis of truth order and justice against chaos. The pendulum must swing the other way, or "chickens come back to roost". The imbalance is what leads to the tree of death or evil, the qlipoth in western systems away from truth, light, blessings, mercy and life into the obscurity of shadows.

This is not judgment necessarily but exposing truth against illusions as in the tarot. Linked with judgement card as it relates to the dead, and temperance as it comes to personal qualities of prudence and ascension. Those sagittareus arrows upwards of truth and justice, alchemy, light and fire. There are many spirit guides and hunters like of Indios with their arrows of truth and justice, spirits such as Ochosi or Watariamba and deities like Artemis.

Look at the tarot cards of the 2's of cups: love/union of swords mental balance of coins change, wands of worldview and plan of action.

Often these people espose free will for themself, and equality, but these are related.

Imbalances create spiritual blockages and illness. First there would be a need to have enough awareness when bad stuff happens that you could have messed up via magic or spiritually. Without any awareness you fail, there is no perfection and continue to have a messed up life with no responsibility. In ignorance these people often are playing around with volatile forces that can burn them. In a lack of spiritual hygiene and ego they often mess themself up.

If you believe you are guilty it is somewhat correct that is why punishment is attracted to your life ( a self fulfiiling prophecy or manifestation/command/program), but not the only consideration. This is a European western view from chaos and ceremonial magic being applied onto African traditions. That "Everything is mind and controlled in an individuals mind" becomes the antithesis to tribal community religion and the good of society vs sociopaths. This false sense of control lends no accountability in working with real spirits who are not thoughtforms or just archetypes.

People who believe there is no spiritual authority or nothing greater than themselves are under delusion. Firstly these are monotheistic practices, and God's law is justice, truth and love or they "God" are a liar. not a good God This power is even more concretely evident when these same people use biblical versus and prayers in hoodoo. Yes largely symbolic but others placing themself under and calling deities authority to command spirits who enact certain principles People who believe that they themself are the ultimate God, because they have no faith, an inherent component in these traditions. They have humongous ego and lack humility which blinds them spiritually. This lack of clarity muddies visions, discernment of spirits who flatter them, intelligence and spiritual gifts or insights. Spiritual guides begin to distance themself as we do not listen to good advices and good spirits.

This hubris is now the cause of the "karma" effect. Because there is the belief in lack of accountability, there is no need to enact protections (as the self as ultimate power) nor do cleansing. People wallow in all kinds of spiritual stench, and this negativity begins to physically manifest into bad situations, bad health, blockages etc.  
Never doing the math, never having spiritual faith as it lacks convenience.

People conveniently forget the hermetic laws despite using it as karmic excuse. Correspondences, resonances, like attraction, similarity, vibration. Alot of people keep negative work in their house and invite negative beings around themself and feel negative. Some desperate for anything to happen not taking things seriously.
These negative beings can be vampiric.
What is sad is that innocent bystanders can get hit such as relatives, children, and pets.

People cast spells on people who have spiritual protection and guardian spirits and strong ancestors who will come back and teach you a lesson. People who don't know what they are doing, in their ignorance get their hands slapped.

Fail safes

In the end people will continue to blunder around, but there is a fail safe called godparents, mentors and keepers of sacred spiritual technology. Don't teach people things that can really damage someone else if they are shitheads or if they are at fault. Thankfully secrets still exist, as I see what people are posting about to harm others, it is of no concern for the most part. Mostly negative emotional energy being used. They will slow on their spiritual progress not knowing how to reverse or resolve these conditions.

The other fail safe is they are likely to torpedo their own life in general ignorance. Creating and practicing things with little insight, can be dangerous. Unintentionally hexing themself. And NO intention is not everything. You spread hotfoot mixed with goofer dust all over your house against an enemy by accident on your enemy candle spell that can backfire.
People using their own blood and ancestors to do evil end up shooting themself in the foot as it ties themself and bloodline to the negativity and work!
They mess with the dead, demonic spirits and entities who are not having it and turn around and attack them instead.
Working with just one type of energy also can throw a person into imbalances. ie left versus right hand and not the middle path or pillar as a strong internal balanced tree or universe. Each planet, emotion or energy has a resonance with organs in our body. I have seen people who consider themself experienced witches only work with dark goddesses, lunar and earth energy have all kinds of health problems, as they ignore the male life force giving solar energies.

And finally that they can't control themself, are reactive, impulsive and are easily swayed and tossed around as a lightweight opponent with no stability or strategy. Their mind and emotions are unable to come into alignment. which is part of the Orisha known as Ori their head linked with destiny and Iwa pele. To control themself is to mature in honesty, to have moderation, work on themself as a human being and on their personality. Discipline focus and control and knowing the self, the self awareness which has not been mastered, the self they raise above all.

Is there no consequence: No, is there karma: not exactly what you might call it......
This article will never convince evil people but to inform more about the views in these traditions as I understand them, and to console and stregthen your resolve of those undergoing trials.

Sancista 7 Crossroads

Getting started in Vodou & altars: non-initiates & beginner advice

Get a reading to discover some of your Lwa

The very first and respectful thing to do, if you are interested in the religion of Vodou is to get a reading from an initiated priest to look into your spirits, the Lwa of the religion.

 It should be a reading from a priest in the branch that you are interested in, or possibly want to be initiated in yourself eventually. This is because different houses and branches have different spirits, and these will step forwards when you are read. They may also share some in common. Depending on your bloodline some of these spirits may have been there since birth. In family Vodou they pass down the same handful of Lwa. You must look at obtaining this guidance as joining another family or through a different group. Some say at least our head spirit was there since birth. I do not personally know if this is true. If we do not have these spirits through bloodline, they can call us, but again we are joining another family, being adopted in. This is why if you go to different priests in different families or branches your reading will not be exactly the same. There is no prohibition to any race or sexual orientation from entering Vodou.

Tarot readings are popular, but many devices may be used, and such as personal revelation or sign given to the priest by the Lwa for you.

If you get a reading from a Haitian Mambo, and then from a Sancista or Papa Boko, the way in which the spirits come across or step forwards for you can differ due to lineage. If you stop your guidance or relationship under the priest, then your spiritual connections may weaken, unless you become a full priest yourself. Because the connection may be broken by family. This is not DIY do it yourself, mix and match practices.

It is widely held that your met tet, main Lwa or Orisha cannot be known with certainty until you initiate. In 21 divisions, one Papa Boko states there is a reading qi/ki Lwa or star reading. But we do not determine head spirit in Sanse or Haitian Vodou, asson lineage before the ritual date. We may suspect who this is, but it can also change.

The Vodou are not a personality type. Just because you have La Sirene in one tradition does not mean you have Yemaya in another. They are not just archetypes or forces, they are beings. They are not like pat descritpions of greek gods like the god of war or goddess of love. Often times they are a whole group type of family of spirits. One spirit can have different paths or ways they are served that you may have one and not another type of Legba. But in our tradition they would be under the chief Papa Legba.

The Lwa belong to the religion and cannot be separated from their people and religion by magical approach alone. The African spirits do not belong in newage, Wicca or ceremonial magic. The same argument can be made with other indigenous traditions, and fake native American "shamans". Vodou is a living surviving tradition which does not need one person to make changes. And should be respected as such for the sacrifices made. It does not need reconstruction. Its spirits have not gone cold, or as inactive. They are very able to enact change on earth, and as elevated as some are, are not lofty and removed.

Vodou is a religion and not a system of folk magic and curses. Many people do not know what it even is but I am sure only think that they do. Vodou does not have a pantheon you can pick and choose from at will. You either have a Lwa or you don't, especially in the beginning. When you work with other spirits you do not have, it can create problems by making your other connections weaker and problems in your life. You may have problems with bad spirits due to imposters and evil dead masquerading as these spirits. Other spirits who are good can also use the image of Lwa such as guides and ancestors.

Once you have discovered some of your Lwa, you can get direction with what they may require, and have ongoing strengthening of relationship. Initiating is not the beginning or ending of practice, but guidance is absolutely key. You cannot learn from books or the internet. There is alot of bad information out there written by outsiders. the spirits themself have indicated how they want the tradition, and it is not a solitary personal path via psychism, it is a community religion. Any information from alternative sources should be checked with a reputable priest. A relationship with a priest will help prevent alot of problems and also be a resource to help with ones, instead of problems or desperation being your first introduction. You have already shown respect, and respect to the religion and spirits. Vodou is an oral tradition, that practitioners have dedicated their life to.

It needs to be understood that this is a lifestyle, that you need to understand certain cosmological concepts, and become acculturated to the people and culture you wish to approach.It cannot be what you want it to be. This is where entitlement and appropriation come in, a form of bigotry and racism. So be polite and attempt to learn the way things are. Ask about information from several priests to get a better understanding.

Personally I think that Papa Legba can be approached respectfully by all. However do not confuse that with practicing the religion. It is very common to have a visit from Papa Legba or the Baron in the beginning in dreams and such as they are introductory spirits to communication with other Lwa and the dead.

                                                                   
                                                  Simple offerings can be given to Baron Samedi at the graveyard gates to introduce yourself, state your full name and that you want to start a relationship. Next visit state your full name and ask for protection if you enter the gates. The ghede can be tricky to work with as they are the radical dead albeit accessible, they are not your ancestors. Cleansings can also be done on this point. His number is 9.

Papa Legba is a very patient and forgiving spirit. However if disrespected will close communication and opportunities in your life and will not be able to catch a break. Unfortunately due to AHSS and Hollywood the image of the Baron pops up leading to misunderstandings. A simple offering can be given to the crossroads or behind your front door. DO NOT put Ellegua stuff to him, they are 2 completely different spirits. Ask him to open the way to good and close the way to bad, the same as you did to the Baron after your first introduction. His number is 3 and 21. You can simply even draw a cross with cornmeal or cascarilla (less traditional) for him, and place his offerings apon it once he has been called and saluted.
We use different mixtures of natural substances and powders to actuallly draw veve than just cornmeal in the religion.

Ancestral Practice

You must start with you ancestors before you try to work with the higher spirits in the African Religions. You may set up an ancestral altar, but even this may have issues, bringing forth issues with the dead and ancestral issues, which are of benefit to get guidance on. The altar is a microcosm of your life, and a portal. Your ancestors can be displeased, and as a presence interfere and cause blocks in your life. Alot of people when they have problems in their life do not identify it with their spiritual practises. Whatever you do or do not do on your altars will have consequences or play out in your life.

Non-initiates

As a non initiate you should not offer any readings, services or teachings regarding Vodou, Lwa or the Orisha. This is disrespectful, counterfeit and is the job of the priests to provide. It is scamming and going to create problems in your, your family, and clients lives. These spirits are not found in hoodoo. Some do know better and do not care, others get taken advantage of in their ignorance. You should not make objects such as dolls etc. If you do make it clear it is an art piece only without spiritual value. They can be used or prepared by a priest if you want that to happen but consult first as the spirit may not like the figure. The priest is the bridge to the community in a community religion, not solitary. In all indigenous ways, there was a system of apprenticeship. The first step is humility and respect.

You should learn from history and ethnoography instead of buying spell books. You should learn about worldview and concepts behind why things are done. Do not copy other peoples altars and work. It can be an incorrect interpretation that you are assuming, or something personal to someone else that does not apply to you. You should start learning about spiritual hygiene, and keeping up on your spiritual baths and house cleaning spiritually. To know it is one thing, to practice and live this way is another. Vodou is a way of life. Spirit affects and is revealed in all aspects of life.

Try to go to community events near you as much as possible. 
It is true that many on the islands are not initiated. But they come from family lineages and many associate with temples for larger issues or are called to priesthood.
A person of a different country and culture lacks that connection otherwise.
Be helpful, respectful and contribute, this way you can observe, and put in service. The spirits will familiarize with you. If this is not possible then continue to work with your priest in terms of items that can be made for you and advise. By purchasing these small to large things, you can have experiences to see if its the house or religion for you.
It is a reciprocal relationship, and you will learn more than buying mostly useless books.

However there is one practical beginning book I can recommend in Haitian Vodou by Mambo Paula Wedo called: Ayibobo
You can learn how to do a basic salute and libations to the Rada Lwa.
Another I can recommend is Mama Lola, many priest recommend this experiential book.
No book will tell you how to practically practice, or has silly ideas or hoodoo and folk magic if it does. It will not supplement your connection to the spirits. You should read suggested books, and always check with your mentor or priests about the information. Most facebook groups are terrible, try to join one and take the advices only from priests not personal opinions.

There is certain way to use veve and they denote lineage, like a calling card or pass. As such you should not use a random one off a book or the internet, unless given by a priest to you. A priest can pass on certain advices, requests and working you can do that are prescribed by the spirits. Readings, also called "lessons" can confirm or deny your own dreams and spiritualism

The Lwa come in "possession" and the spirit administers to the community, its not just spells at home, this is the religion.

The Lwa expect certain things, songs, gestures etc. And the priests are trained to manage the situation. The priests know exorcism. This is real Vodou....not pins in a doll by a self ordained person and such "sorcery", candles or honey jars.
This truth may make some unhappy due to inconvenience, but there are no shortcuts or backdoors.
Work is done with and under the spirits. People will lie to you or do not know what they are doing are likely to rip you off or lead you astray and waste time, the blind leading the blind. Once you get the same answer from several priests stop asking, do not continue to ask around until you get the answer you want or like.

Zonbi

A good priest will have good character. Noone is perfect but they should have a sense of nobility in being trustworthy and be able to control themself and not have knee jerk emotional outbursts,

Vodou altar

You should not set up a table without guidance for the reason stated above. To work with the Lwa that you actually have, under an initiated priest. Be open to the spirits you are guided with and not just because you want this or that Lwa. Just because Erzulie is known for love, does not mean that many other Lwa cannot also perform this work, or want to perform this work for you. Once you have an idea of some, with guidance you can set up a prayer table. This is not the same as the priests altar who have received the spirits in ritual, or have been passed down in an unbroken family lineage.

Certain spirits go specific places, some do not like each other, certain things must always be present. 

Buying a statue is empty plaster, there is no spirit there. A priest does not need a veve or statue to have contact.
People need to start thinking spiritually and not materially.
When you become an initiate it is like an attunement internally, a foundation: pwen or a spirit point. Which joins the body and head to the spirit.

If you buy a statue or a doll it must be blessed or baptised by yourself at least. And it can be a gift or an object of meditation but do not mistake it for the Orisha nor Lwa, nor spirit guide. Do not buy all the Orisha or Lwa oils baths and candles from the botanica, they make a nice gift to the spirit but they are not traditional. Using these things all together is not Vodou. The religion or spiritual tradition of Vodou has its own traditional recipes for making baths and lamps that are passed down and not full of synthetic ingredients. If they are used they are usually added to other things, such as a fixed candle or lamps with other fresh herbs or natural oils. We do use many spiritual waters and perfumes.

Of course dolls and statues or pictures can be prepared as pwen. No pwen: no license or attunement with the spirit.
Spirits cannot be bought. Bought Pwen "Achete" are usually but not always contracts facilitated by the priest. They are the dead, earthbound and intranquil, djabs/demons/devils or Petro spirits usually for hire. They are not usually hereditary.

They must be paid, fed and worked with a certain way or your life can become a disaster.
The rada Lwa need to be fed, and given exchange, but again you either have them, they are interested or not.

Others say no altars in a house that is not really yours or is not a family house. Some altars are set up not to be moved and they are there for life. This is because in a traditional African shrine, the land and land spirits are familial, ancestral. Where you are born and buried are linked to family lineage in the root branches connected to your family lines of spirits.

With a prayer table you've created a sacred space designed to focus your faith and attention on your practice. It is intimate, singular and particular to you and it represents your understanding of your relationship between yourself, and your Lwa trhough the lineage you have approached. It is invested with a tremendous amount of your personal spiritual power, energy or ashe. Offerings and prayers can be given, but they are only vested in you, and not do work besides protection and perhaps occasional small petitions. Big work requires more engagement. and not a simple offering. Do not promise them anything you are not able to fulfill. They can be bargained with possibly.

An altar, on the other hand, has been specially prepared and inhabited by the Loases it was made for. It is also indicative of your relationships with your spirits but is reciprocal. The Vodous are actually in the altar and do more than just receive offerings, honor or veneration. It is working with them instead of only serve. Many confuse the word honor or serve with working or petition. The priest only has or can install this altar to a spirit in person.

Sancista 7 Crossroads