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Tragically, African Traditional Religions with its ever growing popularity in the West, has become the new "spiritual playground" for disillusioned Westerners with the financial resources to personally and economically exploit what they perceive as its "power" potential.
However, it is important to note that ATRs are not immune from exploitation, the mentally ill, cultural imperialism, ignorance and outright charlatans. Exploitation may result at the hands of Practitioners from all races, nationalities, and branches within these ATRs.
If you are ignorant of the tradition for which you are seeking services, you may become an easy target for spiritual abuse, especially if you are searching for services under emergency or duress conditions. It is important to learn as much as you can, for the consequences may prove far more disastrous than financial. In the case of Vodou, exploitation of the tradition may be further exacerbated by the poverty and political instability in the respective countries where most in the West claim initiatory rank in their "priesthoods". Some locations within these cash-strapped countries have set-up ready markets, willing to offer "tourist initiations" to ambitious, ego-driven, cash-laden Westerners. They are relatively easy to spot with a basic knowledge of what to observe:
TYPICAL RED FLAGS OF QUESTIONABLE LEGITIMACY
In Vodou, there are levels to the priesthood which traditionally may take many years of training and experience for an African to achieve. Beware of those who return to America claiming its highest rank, ("high priest" etc.,) which is both ancestrally and cosmologically impossible, except through direct, (blood family), inheritance via an ancestor or at birth. Even then, after initiation, one has to undergo rigorous training and experience.
• There are those who are crafty at learning the lingo of "Voodoo" via reading books, visiting chat rooms, message boards, social media, etc. and then travel abroad to purchase "tourist initiations" as "priests". They may even publish a book, making claims of expertise, healing, experience, etc., all appearing very impressive to the inexperienced seeker.
• There are those who market their services via the Internet claiming Vodou's highest rank, yet listing their godparent's lineage instead of their own. They offer no visual photo of themselves or evidence of their initiation training etc.,.
• There are those (once they have you convinced of their authenticity) who will also exact exorbitant fees, harass, sexually manipulate, intimidate or even threaten seekers of spiritual services, etc.,
Though the above are some obvious indicators, it is important to note that there are many good, experience, and ethical priests within these ATRs that you can search for as well.

Arm Yourself with the Facts of the Vodou Priesthood

Below are some tips to remember when learning about Vodou and searching out a professional/competent priest:
WHO CARRIES THE ASÉ (Spiritual Authority) IN THE VODOU?
Remember, that the Vodoun religion at its cosmological core is an ancestral religion. Its true power lies within these direct ancestral lineages of an initiate, which is passed on to him/her through initiation or at birth. Additionally, the asé (power) of a PRIESTESS can be just as strong (if not more) than a male priest. Do not buy into the patriarchal/chauvinistic myth that power is "gender defined." It is not, and has never been the case. There are certain ceremonies for women that only can be done by a competent, female priestess of the Mami Wata & Vodoun. Follow your instincts, not your social conditioning.

HOW IS ASÉ RECEIVED BY A PRIEST/ESS?
It takes years (and even generations) to cultivate the full asé of an ancestral lineage of the Vodou spirits. It is this that is passed on to the next heir.
Contrary to what is circulating around the Internet, this family asé ("power")is never given to outsiders.
The potential initiate only receives what either they have earned, or in their own family lineages, no matter which Vodou spirit they are claiming their asé. If you are searching for this level of asé (along with the priest's experience, ethics etc.,) then it is appropriate to request what ancestral (not godparents!) lineage that they are claiming.

WHAT AN ETHICAL PRIEST/ESS WILL NOT DO
No ethical priest or diviner will ever:
 Demand sexual favors or intimacy (for "healing" "training", "protection", etc., or any other purpose) It should never enter into the equation when receiving services.
 Additionally, ladies, I am sorry, but engaging in sexual relations with a Bokono/ Babalawo, priest etc., in hopes that his ashé (power) will somehow favor, or "transfer" to you, is the quickest way to have your own ashé depart from you! It is the highest violation and insult to your own Se (Ori). Do not do it, or you will have great regrets later!
 In Arara (Dahomean) Vodou, Ifa/Afa diviners also exist. Beware of priests/Bokonos who make bogus claims of healing incurable diseases.
 Or (diviners) who make claims that the "Odu/Vodou/ etc., states that you must "live" with them as a concubine (this claim being made esp. by some Babalawos/Bokonons) in order to be "healed".
 Or force you to submit to unnecessary and expensive initiations because "your head is being fought over." A tragically misunderstood and overused concept.
Beware also of those charging exorbitant fees to remove the infamous "FAMILY CURSES". This diagnosis is rarely if ever true.
 We caution against, those who try to intimidate or instill fear of "punishment by death" into you (by a Spirit/Orisha/Loa etc.,) for refusing any of the above.
In spite of the "new age" Western craze and attempts at cultural misrepresentation of ATRs, there are many legitimate priests being initiated more frequently with ancestral asé, training and ethics. Many of the diaspora are born to old generations of this asé and are being made in record numbers today.
 Finally, many authentic Vodou priests with both ancestral asé, and sound experience do not solicit the Internet, though we are slowly exploiting its commercial value.

In addition to the above, the best advice is to research, ask around, and use your instincts!
If you would like to learn about the services we offer, you may contact us to schedule a consultation.

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