Why are many Hoodoo practitioners now calling Orishas?

In the past decade or so, many people who practice Hoodoo are turning to the Orishas.  Before, the connection to the actual African, European, and Native American deities was usually either unspoken or overridden.

The reasons why they are now spoken and embraced is because more people now understand that there is no real conflict between the Spirits and following Yeshua.  If he existed as a singular person, or if he is an amalgamation of Jewish prophets of the time during Roman occupation, he believed that it was most righteous to follow one’s own ancestral faith. The rules for being a righteous person regardless of one’s religion or ancestry are clearly spelled out and outlined in Jewish law as the rules of B’nai Noach or the sons of Noah. Those who believe in the Omnipotent Unfathomable Creator worship the same God who Yeshua did.  Also, more people are embracing their freedom of religion where they have it, and getting back to their roots.

Many though, are still comfortable with the Christian style of Hoodoo.  They don’t feel any particular call to a more African flavor of spirituality, and this is fine for them.  It is no less relevant or powerful, so long as they have decolonized their beliefs and let go of being Roman co-opting “Christians” and become rather followers of Yeshua. At the very least accepted the reality, and are working their Christianity through the Roman pantheon and belief system. No problem working the saints if you know what they actually are, or with the Jesus Christ figure as a legendary thought form without disrespecting the actual Yeshua or origin legends. Nor does it mean that someone has problems with other paths.  They simply prefer to do things the way they have done them all their lives, and not to change things up or abandon what have become solid and legitimate traditions.

So if you are one of the more biblically centered types, don’t feel pressure to do things another way if what you’re doing is working for you.  This is not a popularity contest.

K. Sis. Nicole T.N. Lasher

Webmatron of Orisha.me.

One Comment:

  1. Thank you for this explanation, because I was so confused. I’m new to Hoodoo and still learning. It’s my understanding that the ancestors are the foundation for which Hoodoo is based, and this is one of the reasons why I feel so connected to it. Everyone is different, but I definitely feel more comfortable with old style Carolina Hoodoo!

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