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13 Questions for: Morrigan, a Santeria Priestess and Witch
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I first met Morrigan in college. I overheard a heated argument between Morrigan and a Satanist that prompted me to take action and put Mr. Satanic to rest. Since that incident, we have been very best friends. Together, we grew up spiritually, personally and professionally. There is no one I trust more magickally, than Morrigan. Today, Morrigan is a happy wife and mom, a Santeria Priestess and professional artist.
1) What was your religious/spiritual background growing up?
I was raised Catholic, attended Catholic school and was quite devout as a child. Like many Catholic kids, I wanted to be a nun and a saint. That went right out the window when I found out about boys lol!
LOL! Just doing what is natural and beginning your maiden voyage.
2) When did you become a Witch and then Santera?
I self-dedicated as a Witch in 1982. I made Ocha in 1998.
3) How long have you been practicing?
27 years in The Craft, 11 years in Ocha
4) What made you choose this path?
When I got into High school, I started questioning the theology and practices of the church. It truly bothered me that women had so little power in the church, and the church expected women to take 2nd place to the hierarchy of men. My school had a world religion class; they mainly covered the Big 3 religions" Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with a little Buddhism and Hinduism. Once I began looking into other spiritual traditions, I found a book on Witches while nosing into my parents stuff, another influence was TV. I'll admit to loving shows like "Bewitched", "Dark Shadows", Night Gallery" and 'In Search Of". They made me realize that other folks were into magick. I began buying whatever books I could find and I still have my favorites: Diary of a Witch by Leek, Witchcraft for Tomorrow by Valiente, and The Feminist Book of Lights and Shadows by Z. Budapest. At 16, I had learned that the Craft was my chosen religion and did a self-dedication. Over time, I began to long for a spirituality that would honor my African ancestry. I read what books were available, which were rare. Most of them were sensationalist or dry. It wasn't until I got my hands on Luisah Teish's, Jambalaya, that someone made an African-based tradition accessible and approachable. In working through the book, I prayed for a teacher in the Lucumi faith and within 6 months, I met the person who would later initiate me into a Santera.
5) Are you a private or public? Why?
I used to be more public but over time, I have become more private, partly because I have children. I have to deal with parents and staff at their school, whom are unfamiliar with non-mainstream religions. Since they attend a public school and I believe in the separation of church and state, I don't feel that it's proper to make religion an issue for them, which it could be if I were more public about my beliefs. I've also become disillusioned with the public Pagan scene. It seems like its about the party, which annoys the hell out of me. Ritual is about the Gods, not a free therapy session or hooking up. Do that mess on your own time! Frankly, I'm more open as a Santera than a Witch.
I used to be more public but over time, I have become more private, partly because I have children. I have to deal with parents and staff at their school, whom are unfamiliar with non-mainstream religions. Since they attend a public school and I believe in the separation of church and state, I don't feel that it's proper to make religion an issue for them, which it could be if I were more public about my beliefs. I've also become disillusioned with the public Pagan scene. It seems like its about the party, which annoys the hell out of me. Ritual is about the Gods, not a free therapy session or hooking up. Do that mess on your own time! Frankly, I'm more open as a Santera than a Witch.
Exactly. Preach sister, preach!
6) What's your favorite thing about being a Pagan?
My favorite thing about both of my religions is the very personal relationship with Deity. Both paths encourage creativity, respect for the ancestors, positive personal growth through, ritual, magick, devotion.
Excellent. The way you've embraced both traditions separately and equally is spiritually efficient.
7) a. What was your family's reaction b. How did you handle it?
My Mom was the only one who I told about my initiation on my side because I figured she knew the best way to bring it up to my Dad and brother. She came to the first anniversary in Ocha, and I think it helped her realize that things were ok. My in-laws also know my religious practices and are cool with it, in fact, when I started to learn more about Irish Celtic religions, my father-in- law gave me the Druid Animal Oracle. The only one with issues is a brother-in-law who's a Born-again Christian, and he's learned not to debate with me on the topic, because it's finally dawned on him that there's no way for him to win. Gods bless that theological thorough Catholic education!
LOL! I know that's right. What a nice father-in-law.
8) What is your primary tradition (if you have one)?
My primary traditions are: Regla de Ocha de Lukumi, commonly called Santeria; Irish Celtic influenced Craft, and Hoodoo. Hoodoo is an African-American magickal-spiritual folk tradition, whose African roots go back to the Kongo and West Africa. It has elements of Christianity, Native American, and Jewish mysticism grafted onto the African root.
9) What made you choose this tradition?
I was drawn to these traditions because they are what called to my spirit and they connect me to my assorted ancestral bloodlines.
10) Whose your favorite God, Goddess or deity? Why?
I'm a priestess of Yemaya, Orisha of the ocean, motherhood and community, so she's tops. I also favor Oshun, Orisha of wealth, elegance, love, and beauty. In the Craft, the Horned God, Morrigan and Earth Mother.
11) Are you active on the Detroit Pagan scene? If so, what's your favorite event or activity?
Nope, although I might go to Convocation next year.
12) What would you like Cowan’s (non-believers) to know about your religion?
Santeria is a federally recognized religion. Through divination, only initiated priests do animal sacifice. Santeria is an ancient, extremely complicated religion that has managed to survive the slave trade and attempts by cultural imperialists to destroy it. Mafrerefun egun, Maferefun Orisha! Neo-Pagans and Hoodoo workers are not devil worshippers, just people exercising their free right to practice religion. Educate yourself before assuming that someone of a different religion is doing something 'evil', because some of the biggest devils in the world sit in church on Sunday.
Amen, sister.
13) What three books would you recommend as primers about your religion?
Three books on Orisha Religion: 'Finding Soul on the Path of Orisha' by Tobe Correal, "Santeria; An African Religion in America" by Joseph Murphy, ' Black Gods' by John Mason.
My three favorites on the Craft: 'The Art of Witchcraft' by Sybil Leek, 'Witchcraft Medicine' Muller-Ebeling, Ratsch, and Storl, 'The Practice of Witchcraft Today' by Robin Skelton.
Alright, I know the three books on the Craft and they are excellent choices.
Thank you so much. Blessed Be.
Ile Orunmila Oshun
One of Morrigan's Hoodoo Altars
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