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Vodun/Vodou

A Haitian syncretized religion combining West African traditions with Catholic influences.

Bondye

The distant creator god in Vodun.

Lwa (Loa)

Spirits who mediate between humans and Bondye.

Papa Legba

Lwa of crossroads and communication.

Ogou

Warrior and iron lwa associated with strength, leadership, and protection.

Erzulie Freda

Lwa of love, beauty, and desire.

Erzulie Dantor

Fierce protector mother spirit.

Baron Samedi

Lwa of death, resurrection, and healing.

Gede

Spirits of death, humor, sexuality, and life-force.

Houngan

Male Vodun priest.

Mambo

Female Vodun priestess.

Veve

Sacred ritual drawings used to summon lwa.

Possession (Vodun)

A positive state where a lwa enters a person during ceremony.

Hoodoo

African American folk magic tradition focused on healing, protection, and luck.

Rootwork

Using herbs, roots, oils, and rituals for spiritual outcomes.

Conjure

Hoodoo spiritual work involving magic and ancestor guidance.

Mojo Bag/Gris-gris

A charm bag for protection/luck.

Lodestone

Magnetic stone used to draw money, luck, or love.

Uncrossing

Ritual to remove negative energy or curses.

Bible Psalms

Used as spoken spells or prayers.

Ancestor veneration

Honoring ancestors for guidance.

Rootworker/Conjure doctor

Practitioner of Hoodoo.

Atheism

The belief that gods do not exist or lack of belief entirely.

Strong atheism

Asserts no gods exist.

Weak atheism

Lacks belief due to lack of evidence.

Agnostic atheism

Doesn’t believe but doesn’t claim certainty.

Secular humanism

Ethics and meaning based on human reason, not religion.

Naturalism

Belief that everything comes from natural causes.

Madalyn Murray O’Hair

Founder of American Atheists; major figure in U.S. atheism.

New Atheism

Movement promoting open criticism of religion.

Rationalism

Knowledge comes through reason and evidence.