A thread of Haitian Artists who incorporate Vodou into their works.
Maitresse Erzulie, Hector Hyppolite 1945-48
Hector Hyppolite was a third-generation houngan (Vodou priest) who taught himself how to paint. His paintings reflect his experiences in the tradition, in addition to his spiritual knowledge.
Works shown:
“The Congo Queen”
“Poisson A Tete De Femme”
“Sacrifice of the Cock”
Two Purple Lwas, Levoy Exil, 1990
Most of Levoy Exil’s work depicts Loas in dreamlike, abstract forms. He was one of the main artists during the Saint Soleil movement in Haiti.
The Saint Soleil painters actually would paint while they were mounted by Vodou spirits and their work reflects this.
Possessed, 1984
Some more works by Levoy Exil.
“Untwined Loas” and “Loas”
More works from various artists of the Saint-Soleil Movement.
Loas, Prospere Pierre-Louis.
Pierre-Louis’ various depictions of Loas.
The Magic Flute, Jean-Claude “Tiga” Garoute
Tiga Garoute was the co-founder of the Saint Soleil artistic movement.
This was his last painting titled, “Awareness.”
We can’t talk about the Soleil Movement without talking about Louisiane Saint Fleurant!
My Village, Louisiane Saint Fleurant, 1995
Louisiane Saint Fleurant was the only woman in the Saint-Soleil movement and she actually began painting in her late 40s. She actually started as their cook until they found her paper sketches!
Most of her work depicts women, children, and community in Vodou.
Levoy Exil, Prospere Pierre-Louis, Louisiane Saint Fleurant and two other Saint-Soleil artists (Denis Smith & Dieuseul Paul) formed their own artistic group called Cinq Soleil.
The Sun, Exil
Untitled, Pierre-Louis
Untitled, Saint Fleurant
Erzulie La Sirene, Smith
Damballa, Marassa, Loa; Dieuseul Paul, 1987
Ending this thread (for now)! We started with Hyppolite, so it’s only fair to end this thread with him too.
La Metres Sirene, 1946
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Religion and spirituality are not the same. Don’t let your religion be the reason as to why you don’t handle your spiritual business.
Spirituality is basically working with the united energetic threads that connect all things to the Creator. When we venerate our ancestors, appease the orisa, and hold onto our orí--we are strengthening our own connection to the threads AND transmuting them to our benefit.
Religion is largely formed based on the geography, culture, and philosophies of a people—and can have spiritual undertones.
For example, Yahweh, the God within Judaism and Christianity, was originally a god of storms and war. You'll see a lot of his practitioners pray for victory over enemies as a result. That's also why brutal imperialism didn't disturb this god who adores conquest, it was always food for him. But that's not the point here--
Someone in my DMs asked me, "How can someone free themselves when they don't know who exactly they are? Where they belong to? What exactly is their purpose?"
This is a thread.
Whenever we are thrown into the vortex of change, it slashes at our bones and demands something from us in order to leave its vacuum. This is what many people have been experiencing these past few weeks. This has triggered folks to be asking themselves the big questions.
The big philosophical questions such as, "Who am I?" and "What do I do, now?" Have been swimming through the minds of many. But, when we ask ourselves those questions--we will simply go around in circles. Why? Because the self is always changing and shedding its skin.
A gentle reminder to take a spiritual bath if you’ve been feeling anxious. Spirit is moving.
And by spiritual bath, I mean brewing up up some dried herbs (or ripping apart fresh ones) in some water, refrigerate to cool, and pouring it over yourself like a shower while you pray and massage the water deeper into your skin.
Please remember your spiritual hygiene.
If you live in a highly-populated city, a public commuter, work in healthcare or any field that involves closer interactions with others, or generally spiritually sensitive—you cannot afford to be out here covered in energetic funk. Please protect yourself, spiritually.
The story of the Sun and the Moon is a great representation of the importance in ignoring imposter syndrome and following your true destiny. No one can do it quite like you.
The Sun and the Moon had a hard time deciding which one of them should rise first in the morning, so they sought out a priest to perform divination.
The Moon was actually older than the Sun, so they assumed that the divination would assign them as the morning riser.
The Sun was younger than the Moon and a little unskilled. The Moon was incredibly wise and experienced, but also very arrogant.
The Moon couldn’t handle the results of the divination that surprisingly said it would be the Sun that should rise first in the morning.
The relationship between Ogun and Osun teaches us that you have the right to release yourself of any connection that has expired. Especially when respect is no longer present.
Ogun and Osun were together for a while. Ogun found Osun beautiful and Osun had great love for Ogun.
However their dynamic quickly crumbled when Osun was trying to conceive children. Osun struggled with fertility issues for most of her life and it impacted her relationship.
While time passed without a baby, Ogun started to get impatient. And instead of trying to understand, his impatience bred disrespect.
He assumed Osun was lying about her fertility issues, sabotaging her own pregnancy, pedaling rumors to the village and slandering her name.
Actually, it’s not un-ethical to divine on someone and scope out their intentions before they have access to you.
Please ask your ancestors before you invite someone into your home, let alone your life. Doing so helps you avoid unnecessary chaos.
New Age Spirituality drops the ball on protection (amongst other things) by pedaling this concept to others. It does nothing but make you vulnerable and unsafe.
Esp. if you’re someone who constantly struggles with two-faced friends and lovers. Please divine more.
Priests, conjurers, and other seasoned practitioners of indigenous traditions will teach you that you should be *consistently* divining. Especially whenever you’re interacting with others.
Why assume or listen to gossip when you can get the truth yourself?