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

An inspiring exploration of the goddesses of the West African spiritual traditions and their role in shaping Yoruba (Ifa), Santeria, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo.

Throughout Africa and beyond in the diaspora caused by the slave trade, the divine feminine was revered in the forms of goddesses like the ancient Nana Buluku, water spirits like Yemaya, Oshun, and Mami Wata, and the warrior Oya. The power of these goddesses and spirit beings has taken root in the West. New Orleans, for example, is the home of Marie Laveau, who used her magical powers to become the "Voodoo Queen" of New Orleans.

Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens shows you how to celebrate and cultivate the traits of these goddesses, drawing upon their strengths to empower your own life. In addition to offering a guided tour of the key goddesses of the African religious traditions, the book offers magical spells, rituals, potions, astrological correspondences, sacred offerings, and much more to help guide you on your own transformational journey.

"In Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens, Lilith Dorsey has created a long-overdue, welcome, and helpful guide for all of those interested in goddess, lwa and orisha work. . . This book not only aids in the understanding of the Divinely Feminine of the Motherland and African Diaspora, but it also helps us interact through herbal connections, rituals, altars, prayers and invocations, storytelling, special food recipes, and so much more"

--Stephanie Rose Bird, author of Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones

"Lilith Dorsey opens the door and shines a light upon the world of African Traditional Religions and their magnificent deities of the Divine Feminine. Her exceptional storytelling, delicious recipes, offerings, and appendixes give the reader instant access for working properly and respectfully with the orishas, goddesses and Voodoo queens who are frequently misunderstood or misinterpreted. This book is a must-have for anyone seeking practical and authentic knowledge on how to begin their journey into the multifaceted worlds of African Traditional Religions. I truly enjoyed it. It is a fantastic read and a book I shall return to many times. Ayibobo!"
--Najah Lightfoot, author of Good Juju: Mojos, Rites, & Practices for the Magical Soul

Lilith Dorsey, MA, hails from many magickal traditions, including Celtic, Afro-Caribbean, and Native American spirituality. Her traditional education focused on plant science, anthropology, and film at the University of Rhode Island, New York University, and the University of London, and her magickal training includes numerous initiations in Santeria, also known as Lucumi, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo. She has been a professional psychic for over three decades. Lilith is a frequent presenter at festivals and gatherings, including the Sirius Rising Festival, Sankofa Fest, New York City's Pagan Pride Day, and the Earth Warriors Festival. She is a regular guest on several Pagan blogtalk radio shows.