How our Journey begain...
About
Zebate Bon Manbo
(Root that grows beneath the soil)
About our House
and the journey of
Zebate Bon Manbo....
​
About 18 years ago I left a very religious, Christian upbringing behind and begain a journey to seek knowledge. I wanted to learn about spiritiuality, religion and cultures. I set out to find my path and find something greater than myself, what I believed to be, ' The Divine' within all of us.
I started learning everything I could about religion, Theology, science and occult knowledge. Anything and everything that was available to me online and in books. I started to meet people who wanted to talk about magick and witchcraft. I was like a sponge soaking up all the information that was given to me and new knowledge.
In ths long journey I came to realize a lot of things about myself and what I believed. I found faith in many different paths and religion. I started to question what was true and Just, for me.
That lead me to a circle of pagan practitioner's who would drastically change my life forever! After my Initiation into Eclectic Ceremonial Magick, I felt a calling to persue teaching. I knew how hard it was to find acceptance, especially living in the bible belt and I felt a completeness as a mentor, teaching students, helping and learning more and more over time. I spent 10 years of studying and teaching there before I got "The Call".
About two years of service as a mentor I started to think about long term standards for myself and my practice. I would ask myself questions like, "Where do I go from here?" It wasn't shortly after that time that I started having lucid dreams. The dreams were different than any other's i'd ever had, Culture wise and gender. I didn't know what it could mean so, I went to see a friend who was very skilled in dream interpretation. After talking to her for a while and reading over my dream journal that I always kept, she said that I was being called by the spirits towards Vodou. I was shocked at first because of the taboos everyone initially has about it becuase I didn't really know anything about it. So, I started out, just as everyone does...looking for answers.
A little bit about my Journey....
I was suprised that my Guides would lead me here, to Vodoun. It took me 2 years of searching before I found someone to even talk to about it, but it was worth the wait. I found a teacher who genuinely cared about his students/children and a spiritual mother and father to teach me the ways of the Reglamen.
The house (sociyete) and my spiritual father, Yasaisi Bon Houngan and mother Samanto Bon Manbo had, Sociyete Les Mains Forts a sister house from our home paristyle in Haiti.
I have been an avid student and learned as much as possible during the last 4 or 5 years of learning and accepting that this was my life, a Vodou life with my children and family there to support me.
In 2011 I had my Lave Tet ceremoney in Haiti. I begain to read up on Vodou, the 21 nations, misteries- even branches like santeria, sense, and other traditions. I learned a little Hoodoo and granny magick along the way that has been a great help in that departmentl. I learned about herbs, tinctures, potions, apothacary, aeromatherapy and lots of remedies. After burning many midnight candles, my curiosity turned to conjure and Rootwork. I poured myself completely into it as much as possible, as much as I was hesitant in the beginning, It felt so natural to me now as a practitioner. My father taught me the basicis of Haitian vodoun regleman, serving my ancestors and started out at a non-initiate level.
I learned fast that in Vodou, like many other Ancient faiths of a verbal nature, you cannot learn things properly from a book. I waited and prayed to God that I could learn all the things properly in order to serve the spirits and work with them.
In the time I had to practice I spent lots of time meditating with my Spirits guides. I learned how to sing and honor my ancestors in spirit and dance. I learned how to focus on their needs and they helped me along the way. I developed my relationship with other spirits that I've made contact with to better serve our community and Socieyte and I serve them everyday possible.
My spiritual father has been my gratest asset in fulfilling my obligations as a Manbo. I thank God everyday that I have a loving, spiritual family who look out for each other and teach the ways of the spirits and reglaman. It has been a long road, and even longer still- because Vodou isn't a weekend faith it is a religion. One that is lived not played with once a week. It is serious and the spirits you work with are serious, it is not for those who seek power, vengence or fame. It is a life of helping others and humblness amongst a community that bind together to accomplish unbelievable things, and it comes to pass.
Vodou for me has been a wonderful journey! Filled with meaning, honor and respect for the power behind the prayer. I was raised to believe that this type of practice was evil, when in fact with vodou most of the time it is used for healing and bringing people comfort and fellowship with miracles and conversation with divine beings that are here to aid you.
Faith in things that are unexplained but miraculous has always believed should be the focus of Religion. For me, it seems the only natural path the I should follow. I have been chosen by God and the Spirits to be 'Zebate', named to be a healer, it means; "Herb that grows beneath the soil" I have rooted myself and I can grow and flouish in any situation and capacity. It is a wonderful feeling to know your divine calling in the world through the Spirits blessing is to be a blessing to others!
I owe everything to Bondye (God) the Lwa (Spirits) my Spiritual Father Yasaisi Bon Houngan and Spiritual Mother Simanto Bon Manbo and my Ancstors, for the privilege to be a part of the beautiful Religion. I am here to lead others on their path, be it Vodou or another and work with the Spirits in heart and mind.
I believe that everyone of us has the power to perform miracles through Divine contact and God in all things. I hope to spread the good things that Vodou has done in my life and the magic it has allowed me to manifest change in my heart, soul and mind to give to others who are willing to learn.
Ayibobo-
Zebate Bon Manbo
