Maman Brigitte: the Voodoo Goddess of Women
In Caribbean cultures, loas are spirits who serve as intermediaries between mortals and the divine.
These beings possess great powers : being their friend is synonymous with luck and success, but antagonizing them could cost you dearly...
For practitioners of Haitian Vodou and that of New Orleans, Maman Brigitte is one of the most important loas.
Although associated with death and cemeteries, it is also from her that people come to seek help for their fertility and maternity problems.
We will now offer you a presentation.
Contents :
Characteristics of Maman Brigitte
Today we are talking about nothing more and nothing less than the queen of the cemetery, partner and wife of Baron Samedi (another voodoo loa).
Associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid, she is the only one among the voodoo loas presented as being white.
Often dressed in flamboyant costumes and sometimes very... open, this divinity is feminine, sensual and dangerous at the same time.
She is also known to be a very talented dancer, capable of charming any man.
In addition, it is invoked for good luck in gambling and casinos.
Just like her Celtic counterpart, Maman Brigitte is also a powerful healer.
She is also the powerful loa of death and cemeteries: if she cannot heal them, she will help her disciples travel to the afterlife with serenity.
Guardian of the dead, she appears in cemeteries to bless the tombs and protect them. Maman Brigitte's anger falls particularly cruelly on those who do not respect cemeteries.
It is therefore often invoked when someone has reached the last hours of life.
It is also not uncommon to see its symbol drawn on an amulet worn around a woman's neck to protect her.
If you or a loved one needs this type of protection, you can find a copy of this lucky charm dedicated to Maman Brigitte here.
The protector of women
Maman Brigitte is protective and will watch over women who ask her for help, particularly in cases of domestic violence or unfaithful lovers.
If a woman ever dies from this type of violence, this voodoo deity will stand guard over her grave.
In matters of love also, she will demand unfailing fidelity from the companions of her worshipers.
If a woman calls on her and her husband cheats on her, he risks seeing great curses fall on the part of her body that he cherishes the most.
Some African cultures offer women a place as the most important head of the family and home.
Perhaps we can find there the origin of this desire for protection that Maman Brigitte shows towards women every day.
The story of Maman Brigitte
Unlike other voodoo loas, the one that interests us today does not find its origins in Africa.
In fact, it was Irish immigrants who brought it to the Americas.
At a time when this region of the world was seen as a true El Dorado, it was in reality men and women from all over Europe who came to try their luck there or quite simply to escape famine and poverty (like the Irish did it in the 19th century).
According to some, Maman Brigitte is therefore derived from the Celtic goddess Brigid. For others, it is rather an expression of the Catholic saint Brigid of Kildare, also of Irish origin.
In any case, it seems that she is from this region of the United Kingdom.
In short, during the centuries of British colonization, many English, Scottish and Irish found themselves having to immigrate.
When they were brought to the Caribbean and North America, they brought their traditions with them. Some have been lost, but others have survived through time.
The goddess Brigid therefore rubbed shoulders with the other voodoo loas, most of whom came from Africa.
Despite a superficial incompatibility, it only took a short time for her to integrate the voodoo belief system.
Reflection on this origin
Due to her origins, Maman Brigitte is often described as having fair skin and magnificent red hair.
However, some argue that its links with the United Kingdom are exaggerated or even invented.
Critics of this theory claim that the benevolence and all positive attributes of the goddess Brigid contrast too sharply with the voodoo loa's role as patroness of cemeteries.
How could she have been associated with death in this way?
Others argue that the names, appearances, and love of these two deities are too obvious a connection to ignore.
They further respond that, if Maman Brigitte was associated with death, it is because of the heavy climate which weighed on the colonies at that time.
Indeed, despite some dark or negative characteristics, it is one of the loas associated with healing. It is in particular she who deals with sexually transmitted diseases and fertility problems.
In addition, it participates in a sort of “divine judgment” by punishing the wicked and criminals, and sometimes alleviating the suffering of the sick.
Worship and offerings to Maman Brigitte
Those who have been practicing Voodoo for a long time all know that its favorite colors are black and purple.
The times of the year when it is celebrated are November 2, the Christian feast of All Saints' Day, as well as February 2, Saint Brigid's Day.
These days of celebration serve in particular to create a sort of protective charm by asking Him to bless a sweater or scarf that we have previously left in front of our doorstep.
As offerings, she accepts in particular candles, roosters and rum infused with black pepper.
There are actually a myriad of voodoo good luck charms that might appeal to him, but these are a safe bet.
All this can be offered to him during rituals where his help will be requested.
However, stay on your guard: as with all voodoo loas, nothing obliges Maman Brigitte to accept your requests, and she could even punish you if you upset her...
Lucky charm featured in this article
Amulet of Mother Brigitte
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