Title: Vodou Love Magic: A Practical Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships Author: Kenaz Filan Publisher: Destiny Books Publish Date: 2009 Pages: 200 Genres:: How-To Guide, Non-Fiction Reviewer: B.I. Laureano

Rating:

Rare is a religious text that is queer friendly, polyamory friendly, and filled with encouraging words regardless of religious affiliation. Kenaz Filan has written a text that not only is friendly to all people, but also provides insight, information, and guidance on how to care for our relationships and ourselves.

Kenaz Filan is a Hatian Vodou practitioner located in Brooklyn, New York. As a practitioner for over a decade, Filan provides a wonderful manual for other practitioners, followers, and people who are simply interested in the belief system. The book begins with an introduction to the belief and value system of Vodou and then the next several chapters are devoted to teasing out the specific themes that revolve around relationships and spirituality. There are two parts. Part one focuses on “Magic, Love and, Relationships” while part two is all about “The Iwa” (spirits).

As someone who was raised agnostic, I found it fascinating how Filan discusses “lateral thinking” which is different from the vertical, linear viewpoints we are accustomed to. In “lateral thinking” new lines of thinking are opened. I like this idea. I also appreciated how Filan mentions the use of readings by healers/Houngans/Iwa/Practicioners for their clients and how they “point out the influences that are playing on you and your situation. How you respond to those is up to you” (p. 9).

Filan is thoughtful, clear, and her writing is patient. She knows this book is not for everyone nor will everyone who picks it up agree with everything she offers. However, what I think is something many readers can agree upon is her focus on what an individual wants from a partner, from love, and from a relationship. Often, people may think that lighting a candle, saying a prayer, or hoping for good luck (among other rituals) will bring them love. Filan points out that we need to understand that love will not cure everything, or anything. She writes: “Nobody claims that love alone is enough to cure cancer…And yet we have this odd idea that we can cure alcoholism, mental illness, or other pathological behaviors by love alone” (p. 34). I loved her for writing that! Sometimes we need this kind of reality check and it comes in the most unusual of places.

Other gems of wisdom that I think crosses over all religious boundaries include: “Sometimes we need closure, not forgiveness” (p. 38), “Just because something is not permanent does not mean that it is without value” (p. 40), “By forcing your partner to take responsibility, you are treating him or her like an adult. You are giving the most precious (and most frightening) gift of all—the gift of responsibility and independence, with all that comes with it” (p. 48), “…you deserved to be loved for yourself, as yourself, and BY yourself” (p. 49).

Part two of Filan’s book is all about how to meet The Iwa’s (also known as spirits). It is in this section that she provides introductory rituals and spells to help you meet each Iwa and know which to ask for guidance, protection, and help from. The first Iwa is Legba, the bringing of opportunity, next Damballah the bringer of transformation, Freda is the bringer of beauty, La Sirene is the bringer of glamour, Ogou is the bringer of strength, Simbi is the bringer of communication, Ezili Danto is the bringer of self-reliance, Ghede is the bringer of booty calls, and the final Iwa that Filan discusses are The Ancestors, bringers of partnerships.

Filan concludes her book with a reminder for all of us:  “love is a community affair” (p. 169). This reminder is important as Filan states that it does not matter how many rituals you practice, how many offerings you make, or how many times you pray for a partner. If you do not go out and meet people you will not find a partner, or love. She suggests volunteering, working with communities that need help, and in turn you may meet someone with similar values. This is one step of many, and it’s one that I can get behind!