Secrets of Voodoo

by Milo Rigaud

Book Overview

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

Voodoo, derived from the words meaning introspection and mystere, is a system...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0872861716
• ISBN13: 9780872861718
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: City Lights Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Useful & Informative

While most books on voodoo major on 'curses' 'voodoo dolls' spells and other Hollywood-prescribed stereotypes, this book is a very informative and helpful study of roots practices and one of only a handful I would really recommend on voodoo - the others being Voodoo Visions, Divine Horsemen (Maya Deren), Vodou Shaman (Ross Heaven) and Mama Lola (Karen Brown). In this book we have an intelligent yet very readable overview of a normally secretive tradition and one that the world needs to hear more about. Really worth buying.

This is probably one of the better overviews of Voodoo

This was probably my first book on Voodoo that I purchased, and it still has to be one of my reference guides to the religious beliefs. While other books dwell on magic, curses, and the curio folk magic of Hoodoo, this book gives you a collection of beautifully drawn Veves, excellent black and white photos, and a whole collection of traditional Voodoo prayers and chants. Their is a section on classifying the various Lwas, or Loas, from the various Voodoo Mysteries, such as the Radas, Congos, Petros, Ibu, Nago, and the Dantor mysteries. This book is not for the beginners and it does not candy coat Voodoo, it gives you a ruff down of what Voodoo's practices, rites, passages, magic, and sacrifices are all about. This book is an overview of the religion, as it is impossible for a Mystery of such vast Knowledge, beauty and Wisdom to be justly explained in 217 or so pages. It is not meant for all, but for those who truly respects and want to honor the Lwas, this is a good start. Although an ordained Houngan or Mambo would be your best bet.

Deep and thought provoking

Milo Rigaud gives a deep and rich account of Vodou. Using theories from geometry, psychology, anthropology, and other academic sources, Rigaud paints a picture of Vodou unlike any other. His interpretations, while academic and hard to follow at times, give a unique glimpse at how an "earth religion" can be a deep and rich spiritual well, concealing gems of hidden wisdom, profound thought, and beautiful insight. Maybe not for the neophyte but certainly worth reading. Five stars!

A compelling overview of a mysterious subject

"Secrets of Voodoo" - despite the sensationalistic title, this is an EXCELLENT book Secrets of Voodoo gives a comprehensive overview of the origins, history, theology, beliefs and practices of Haitian voodoo. Includes many B & W photographs of voodoo ceremonies and drawing of voodoo "veves" (graphic representations of the gods, used in ceremonies). This is one of those books that you will find yourself reading over and over again.

Good!!!!!BUY!!!!!!!!!

This is an excellent book not only does it teach some great techniques and spells, but i told my parents i was voodoo who iknew would disaprove and gave them this book to read which dispelled all myths and fear my parents had.