Tag: Lwa

Summary:

EDIT: We’ve had a very informative and respectful email from a listener that pointed out a few errors in my retelling of the Haitian tale about Obatala, Yemoja, and Shango. I would like to note that Yemoja is not historically associated with Haitian spiritual practices, and that the selections from Teish’s book are not reflective of African Traditional Religious practice as done by initiates from those traditions (like Lukumi or Candomble). The tale of Obatala’s Yams is from Courlander’s book, which has come under critical fire at times for inaccuracies. I am leaving the story as-is and in the context of the episode because I think it does fit the overall theme and has some grounding in folk narrative from Haiti, but please do not take it as solid evidence of Haitian traditions and practices. The listener also noted that Haitian Lwa and Lukumi Orishas are not “goddesses,” which is a good point to reiterate. They are not. Nor are White Buffalo Woman or La Virgen de Guadalupe. They are “goddess figures” in an anthropological sense, but I am using a very blunt instrument in categorizing these three tales together. I hope that I have not misled anyone into thinking that the Western concept of a “goddess” is universal or fits cultural material from non-Western sources without some severe oversimplification. Again, this episode is designed as a way of looking at the “lighter” side of the Feminine Divine, and is made in a spirit of appreciation. If I’ve reduced anyone’s spiritual beliefs in any way through this material, I apologize, as that was certainly not my intention. -Cory

We spend sometime with mothers bright and beautiful, the Queens of Heaven, in lore and practice. Hear some folktales from the New World, as well as some spells, music, and other fun stuff all devoted to the Bright Mother.

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Producers for this show: Corvus, Diana Garino, Renee Odders, Ye Olde Magic Shoppe, Raven Dark Moon, Ivory, The Witches View Podcast,  Sarah, Molly, Corvus, Catherine, AthenaBeth, Jen Rue of Rue & Hyssop, and Jessica (if we missed you this episode, we’ll make sure you’re in the next one!). Big thanks to everyone supporting us!

Play:

Download: Episode 93 – Bright Mothers

 -Sources-

The idea to do this episode is related to our previous show, Episode 63 – The Dark Mother (although obviously we’re sort of looking at the divine feminine from the other side this time).

Folklore for this episode comes from several sources:

• American Indian Myths & Legends, by Erdoes & Ortiz
• The Ways of My Grandmothers, by Beverly Hungry Wolf
• Myths, Legends, & Folktales of America, by Leeming & Page
• A Treasury of Afro-American Folklore, by Harold Courlander
• Jambalaya, Luisa Teish
• Kanaval: Vodou, Politics, & Revolution, by Gordon & Constantino
• Chicano Folklore: A Handbook, by Maria Herrera-Sobek
• Novena: The Power of Prayer, by Calamari & DiPasqua

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 Promos & Music

Title and closing music is “Pig Ankle Rag,” by The Joy Drops, and is used under a Creative Commons License (available at Soundcloud.com).

Incidental Music (from FreeMusicArchive, used under a Creative Commons License):

• Paul Messing, “Lakota Prayer (Edited)”
• Laurent Danis, “Lakota Prayer”
• L’Horrible Passion, “Lucidique”
• Mild Maynard, “Migrant Mother”
• Canton, “Ambient Gourd”
• Advent Chamber Orchestra, “Serenade for Strings (Dvorak)”
• Sergei Chereminisov, “Mother’s Hands”

Additional music used by permission: “Treachery is Afoot” (Ember Days Soundtrack) and “La Sirene,” by S.J. Tucker.