Angela's Symposium

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Voodoo Explained: The Real History, Magic, Spirits & Secrets

What if everything you think you know about Voodoo comes from Hollywood myths and colonial misconceptions?

What is Voodoo really, and how does it differ from Haitian Vodou, West African Vodun, New Orleans Voodoo and Hoodoo?

In this episode of Angela’s Symposium, we explore the fascinating history, theology, cosmology and magical practices of these Afro-Atlantic traditions, drawing on academic research and historical sources.

Discover the mysteries of the lwa, spirit possession, ancestral worship, ritual magic, sacred objects and initiatory practices. We also investigate the legends of Marie Laveau, the origins of zombies and the relationship between Vodou, Hoodoo and Western occultism.

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RECOMMENDED READINGS

Blier, S. P. (1995). African Vodun: Art, psychology, and power. University of Chicago Press. https://amzn.to/4iob3Bv

Brown, K. M. (1991). Mama Lola: A Vodou priestess in Brooklyn. University of California Press. https://amzn.to/4zJihpK

Chireau, Y. P. (2003). Black magic: Religion and the African American conjuring tradition. University of California Press.https://amzn.to/47mXsnQ

Landry, T. R. (2019). Vodún: Secrecy and the search for divine power. University of Pennsylvania Press. https://amzn.to/4saKanX

Long, C. M. (2006). A New Orleans Voudou priestess: The legend and reality of Marie Laveau. University Press of Florida. https://amzn.to/4sbpyvC

Ramsey, K. (2011). The spirits and the law: Vodou and power in Haiti. University of Chicago Press. https://amzn.to/3WyGRuQ

REFERENCES

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00:00 Voodoo Explained: History, Magic, Spirits & Misconceptions

04:07 Vodun Rituals: Spirits, Reciprocity & Initiation

04:37 Colonial Accounts of Vodou and Their Historical Problems

05:40 Vodou, Colonialism, Racism & Religious Persecution

08:12 African Vodun Gods: Legba, Dan, Hevioso & Sakpata

08:50 Bosio: Sacred Objects and Spiritual Power

09:02 Vodun Secrecy, Ritual Authority & Initiation

10:33 Vodunzi Initiation, Fa Divination & Mami Wata

12:03 The Atlantic Slave Trade and African Religious Traditions

12:40 How Haitian Vodou Emerged from Slavery

13:18 Bois Caïman, Boukman & the Haitian Revolution

14:44 Haitian Vodou Cosmology: Bondye, Lwa, Rada & Petwo

16:32 Vodou Spirits, the Gede & Spirit Possession

18:20 Mama Lola: Vodou Healing, Ancestors & Community

19:13 How Vodou Magic Works: Pwen, Wanga & Ritual Objects

20:37 Magic, Spiritual Relationships & Ritual Authority

21:54 Kanzo Initiation and the Haitian Vodou Priesthood

24:06 New Orleans Voodoo: Origins and Marie Laveau

24:28 Marie Laveau, Zora Neale Hurston & Hoodoo

27:28 Hoodoo, Conjure, Rootwork & Magical Grimoires

28:49 Haitian Zombies: Slavery, Personhood & Lost Agency

35:11 Vodou Traditions: Final Reflections & Discussion

35:42 Support Angela’s Symposium and Further Learning

️ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts ️

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Published on October 18, 2026

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