Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens: The Divine Feminine in the African Religious Traditions

Absolute must-have for every Goddess bookshelf. You will refer back to it again and again. This book is the Jambalaya of our times, and mark my words...50 years from now it will still be a magical portal for children of the powers to find their way home to spirit.

What I respect the most about Lilith Dorsey is that she uncompromisingly honors her ancestors down to the cellular level. Every African-descended spiritual system begins with the ancestors. All of the ancestors. To occupy a Black body today is one of the most profound spiritual manifestations of human unity. Because we are everyone and our whole bodies - down to our DNA itself - must conspire to act in peace and harmony so that we may even live. And so it must also be at our egun shrines.Right now, Black America is experiencing a nightmarish spiritual famine. European systems and ways of thinking have infiltrated and polluted our very souls, and in some cases taken root in those very sanctuaries which previously allowed the loa, orisha, and other African energies to survive enslavement, colonization and cultural erasure. What was once a spirituality of liberation; what once demanded freedom, in some places, has been caged and commodified. There is change afoot.Change is coming and it is necessary. This what I appreciate most about this well researched book - every word reflects Ms Dorsey's way of being in spiritual community with the whole world, while relying on her research, personal determination and the unflinching courage to remain all of who she is. Even if you are not called to priesthood, she opens doors for you to be a devotee. There is honor, service and an enlivening energy to being an aleyo - formally or informally.If you look at the picture, you will notice what company she keeps in my house. If you look even closer, you will see a first edition copy of Jambalaya by Luisah Teish. There was a profound hunger for knowledge on this subject when Jambalaya was published. Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens has a similar energy. This time around, Dorsey is not only putting spiritual food on a spiritual table, she's putting nourishing food on a table she has dressed and adorned lavishly for your edification and enjoyment.

This book is so informative, I am 1 year into my journey and though I am still learning, this book has opened my eyes to so many things. I’m grateful for those that want to share the knowledge the correct way. Thank you for this book.

I like the information in the book. However, I felt that this book was geared more towards people interested in initiation. I am not interested in initiation; however, I would like more information on being a devotee or honoring ancestors as a non-initiate. I feel like every source I go to in ATR, there's always encouragement to find a House or join. I can understand protecting and preserving spirituality. However, being an initiate isn't a calling for most of us but some of us still want to honor our ancestors and not feel like we have to pay money to do it!

Lilith Dorsey imparts her in-depth knowledge of the Black goddesses and historical figures of legend into her most recent book Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens: The Divine Feminine in the African Religious Traditions. Complete with offerings, baths, and proper veneration, this book is a wonderful follow up to the book Voodoo and Afro-Caribbean Paganism. What I enjoy most about this book is that it makes an excellent reference is that the rituals aren't complicated and you can do this work as a solo practitioner. Use this to cultivate your sacred connection to your inner African goddess

I was expecting a book that detailed the Orishas and other feminine devine entities. Instead this is a book for beginners to get a great overview of these goddesses. Some rituals are provided for each goddess referenced; however, if you already read the Seven Orishas Power book this is nor new info. I was hoping there woupd be more about taping into your own feminine power but it isn't.

I’m very new on my spiritual journey and Like another book I bought here on Amazon I heard a sample and felt that I NEEDED to buy this book! I was so excited when it came I opened it fresh out of the mailbox and started reading and read the introduction ( which I typically don’t do) unfortunately while trying merely to make clear how important each step of the process is and convince you people to get initiated; all I got from what I read was frustrated, more overwhelmed , and sure that initiation is NOT the way I want to go BEFORE I started the first chapter! It sounds like the journey is a more expensive, more strict version of how traditional Christianity is set up; which is a HUGE turn off! That being said this author clearly has a great deal of knowledge and experience and is very detailed in her descriptions and instructions. I’m not done reading so hopefully further in; this journey isn’t as difficult and unappealing as it’s starting to seem.

This book has an important role - it demonstrates the variety and richness of the Orishas, powerful voodoo queens and Goddesses. It was an interesting read, providing many fine details about the characters studied. It looks at historical and mythic aspects of the characters, and the uncomfortable realities of slavery, women's issues and the power of magic and faith to provide support in trying times.

Great book, well written and inspiring!Recommended reading for anyone interested in sacred feminine, goddesses and/ or African ancestry.

Great read. Expecially for someone who knows very little. I've found it very informative. I absolutely love the ritual suggestion too really easy read and easy to follow.

love this book so much , I really enjoyed reading

Very insightful and is definitely one to have in your goddess collection

Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens è un libro unico nel suo genere. Si tratta di una vera e propria celebrazione del divino femminile del Pantheon appartenente ai culti della Diaspora Africana.Con Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens, Lilith Dorsey ha creato una guida a lungo attesa, gradita e utile per tutti coloro che sono interessati a lavorare e venerare le dee, le lwa e le Orishas. È una lettura fantastica e un libro su cui ritornare più volte. La sua eccezionale narrazione, offre al lettore un accesso immediato per lavorare in modo corretto e rispettoso con le Orishas, le Dee e le Regine Vudù, figure spesso fraintese o male interpretate, mettendo a disposizione una lunga carrellata di miti, corrispondenze di erbe, rituali, altari, preghiere e invocazioni, ricette di cibi speciali, e molto altro ancora.Lilith Dorsey accompagna i lettori in un viaggio esplorativo di uno dei culti più affascinanti e misteriosi, esaminando la sua storia, la sua evoluzione, e anche i suoi aspetti più complessi e scomodi, come la schiavitù, il sincretismo e i pregiudizi culturali. Si percepisce come Dorsey scriva dal suo cuore, e la sua profonda devozione come sacerdotessa del Divino Femminile è tangibile.Interessante è anche come Dorsey da un lato fornisca al lettore una serie di informazioni che ella stessa ammette andrebbero tramandate solo oralmente, e dall’altro incoraggia i suoi lettori a cercare un un mentore affidabile a cui affidarsi per l'iniziazione. Perché alla fine dedicarsi a queste Dee non è un lavoro per tutti.Un libro bello, poetico e pratico nel suo complesso che sono sicuro ispirerà una nuova generazione di cercatori...Voto 7/10📸 e testo © L’Almanacco delle Streghe (Seguimi su Instagram e Facebook)