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How does one go about getting the Legba to open the gate?

Tuna Ghost: Pratt knot hero

15:25 / 18.02.02

I would have posted this question in the already active voodoo thread, but for some reason, the second page comes up as completely blank. So if it gets up and running again, moderators feel free to erase this and we'll continue in that thread.

Now: I realize that before any invocation of a Loa or Orisha, you need to contact and convince the Legba to open the gate for you so you can be heard and get something done. I have not seen anyway of doing this in my search on the web other than dancing, which is not how I would prefer to make contact. But if it's a favorite if the legba, I'll go ahead and use that, but if there's another way, I'd appreciate someone telling me. Thanks!

16:25 / 18.02.02

Go to (or construct) a crossroads. Offer candy, coins, smoked fish. Say hi.

16:40 / 18.02.02

Hi Johnny. Yes, dancing is usually instrinsic to working with the Lwa - as it's a good way of working up energy and getting in the right estatic frame of mind for possesion: the goal of most vodou rituals. However, both drumming and chanting is also important. There is a specific drum beat for each Lwa I believe. There are plenty of chants out there for Legba, here's a chant, and a ritual petitioning Papa Legba here: http://mamboracine.tripod.com/legbaserv.html

Here's the chant - it's very lovely.

"Papa Legba open the gate for me, ago e!
Atibon Legba open the gate for me!
Open the gate for me, Papa, for me to pass.
When I return, I will thank the lwa."

or this one: http://paranormal.se/psi/voodoo.html but I know I've seen this chant in some other source.

"Odu Legba, Papa Legba
Open the door
Your children await.

Papa Legba, open the door
Your children await!

Papa Legba, open the gate wide!
Papa Legba, where are the children?
Papa Legba, we are here.
Papa Legba, open the gate wide so that we can pass!"

I think if you communicate with Legba in advance of your ritual and ask Him what offerings, etc. He would like then you're less likely to have any problems.

16:41 / 18.02.02

write him a poem, go to a busy intersection, and read it out loud.

16:42 / 18.02.02

quote:Originally posted by grant:
Go to (or construct) a crossroads. Offer candy, coins, smoked fish. Say hi.

Yep good suggestion. Crossroads are His thang.

Tuna Ghost: Pratt knot hero

22:22 / 18.02.02

Kick ass! Thanks, everyone (especially you, Wyrd. That first link was damn helpful. The second one, though, was in what I took to be German. Thanks anyway).

I'm coming to the realization that dealing with Lwas is going to be very different than dealing with gods. This should be interesting.