Voodoo and African Traditional Religion

Reclaim the Ancestral Traditions of African Religion!

In these times of intense turmoil, people of African descent are facing serious threats to their well-being. The ability of Black communities to call on the spirits and ways of their ancestors is crucial to their continued strength. Nearly 20 years have passed since the first printing of this landmark book and there is still a great need for more accurate and respectful information about ancestral beliefs that have been misrepresented, misunderstood, and maligned by popular media and the public.

This revised and expanded edition provides a helpful introduction to the religions of the African diaspora, a guide beyond the basic tenets to the vibrant, living spirit world of their peoples, and a much-needed key to protocol and proper etiquette, while clearing up common myths about Haitian Vodou, New Orleans Voodoo, Santería (Lucumí), and other practices that stem from misconceptions about possession and sacrifice. New material includes guidance for activists to empower their work for social change with the fierceness, tenacity, and wisdom of their ancestors, as well as never-before-published recipes handed down through the generations, personal spells and charms including root magick for protection and protest, and devotional rituals you can perform yourself.

“I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to learn the sacred stories and practices associated with the religions of our Ancestors.” —Denise Alvarado, author, The Magic of Marie Laveau and Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints

“Addresses the current turn to ancient spiritual wisdom to confront some of our most pressing societal needs.” —Yvonne Chireau, Professor of Religion; author, Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition

“A simple but deep approach for the reader on the fastest growing underground religions of our times.” —Manuel Congo, Global Ethnologist; author, The Lucumi Tarot

“Lilith writes knowledgeably from the perspective of both long-term scholar and lived experience as a priestess.” —Manbo Asogwe Sallie Ann Glassman, co-creator, The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot; author, Vodou Visions; co-founder, The New Orleans Healing Center

“As a practitioner and anthropologist, Lilith communicates the sacred teachings of African traditional religions with one foot in the social sciences and one foot in sacred space.” —Tony Kail, Anthropologist; Author, A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo: Rootwork, Conjure and Spirituals

“One of the few books on African spiritual and magical practices written by a woman of color with years of experience and recognition.” —Elhoim Leafar, Author of The Magical Art of Crafting Charm Bags and Manifestation Magic

“An enlightening and immersive guide full of helpful information for beginners and longtime practitioners.” —Fatima Mbodj, author, The New Orleans Oracle Deck; proprietor, Path of Awakenings in New Orleans

“Provocative, feminist, and revolutionary, retains the recipe book innocence of the original but is now less Betty Crocker and more Anarchist Cookbook.” —Baba Teddy, Oso of Iyami Osoronga; BabaL’awo Osun I’L’ode; Oluwo of Odu/Ifa; Konchante of Gineh Yoruba VoDou

“An honor to all those who came before who maintained and preserved the religions of the Diaspora.” —Witchdoctor Utu, founder, Dragon Ritual Drummers; author, Conjuring Harriet “Mama Moses” Tubman and the Spirits of the Underground Railroad

“An immersion course in the rich history, culture, and spiritual offerings of traditional African religions.” —Mecca Woods, Astrologer; author, Astrology for Happiness and Success

Lilith Dorsey, M.A. hails from numerous Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous American spiritual traditions with training and initiations in Santeria (also known as Lucumi), Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo. Their traditional education focused on Plant Science, Anthropology, and Film at the University of R.I, New York University, and the University of London.