About the Lwa / Lua
Receiving spiritual guidance lies at the core of 21 Divisions Vodou, it is the heart of the faith. So getting to know one’s personal spirits and how to work with them is very important. Everyone has spirits that “walk with” or are close to them, and part of the function of ceremonies is to ascertain and strengthen these connections. But the Lwa (Lua) are an enigma, which is why they are referred to as Los Misterios (‘the Mysteries’, Spanish) or Les Invisibles (‘the Invisibles’, Haitian Kreyol). It can take a lifetime to get to know them as each has many pwen (‘points’) or vueltas (‘paths’/‘turns’).
I have been initiated into 21 Divisions and Haitian Vodou, and I work with Lwa from both traditions. To “work with” a spirit is not the same as to worship. The Lwa are not God. In fact a song for one of the Lwa states: “Call Guinen (the spirits) after the Force, call the Force after God.” And we often say, after a prayer to a spirit, “Apres Dye, Apres Dye, Apres Dye” (‘after God, after God, after God’ – i.e. ‘as God wills’).
In 21 Divisions God is at the top, Bondje comes first before everything else. I believe that nothing can happen unless God allows it. So as well as the Spirits, we pray to God. 21 Divisions is linked to the religion of Sanse in which practitioners wish to elevate their Spirits and bring them closer to the light of God. (There is a wonderful website on Sanse created by my Papa. You can also read more about 21 Divisions Vodou here, or see Sancista.com.)
After God, the spiritual owner of the head is very important. It is this Lwa, the Met Tet in Haitian Vodou, that protects us spiritually, and I have often seen it compared to the Holy Guardian Angel. It is very important for initiates to acknowledge, respect and look after this spirit so it can take care of them.
To Be Continued…
