FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Divination

Woezoloo! Aenouledoo. This articles hub is where we address Frequently Asked Questions from members and the General Public on divination. Should you have any further questions, you are welcome to review our protocol, services and divination pages. Akpeloo!

After I recieve my divination is a training process conducted before initiation?

After you receive your divination, you will be provided with an overview (if done remotely) or a review (if done in person) of your consultation via telephone with our Shrine Mother. Afterwards, you will be provided with correspondence that will detail the services that are recommended and prescribed to you. From there, you will proceed to the next steps, which include deciding which initiations you will complete and in which order, making payments and purchasing inventory for your ceremony. Training, in African Tradition and Culture, happens at all times when learning the traditions. It is not solely limited to initiations.

What is the cost of Diviniation, and can it be done by mail?

Divination for initiation is always performed in person at the time of any services you may receive. General Divination via photo/mail is also performed on a routine basis for those who live outside the U.S. or in another state from which we reside if it is not economically or physically possible to come to our Temple. There are two options for consultation. We offer General Consultations for $100. The Overviews or Reviews for each General consultation are scheduled depending on the order in which they are received. Emergency Consultations, which start at $200, are for emergent, urgent issues of any kind. Overviews and Reviews for Emergency Consultations are typically scheduled with a 48-72 hour period from when the consultation is completed, depending on when you are available for conversation. While not always possible and depending on the nature of the situation, it is recommended to be in person for Emergency Consultations.

I keep having dreams of Mami Wata and am told that I am one. what do I do now?

To determine this, the first door of entry is through divination. You can also find more info on Mami Wata here.

I am interested in this tradition. What is the first thing I must do?

If you are interested in being initiated into this tradition,  the first door of entry is through divination. 

What if someone is of a high rank in another system (Palo, Oluwo, Babalawo, chief priest etc.,) and are desiring services in Vodou, must they still have a divination?

Yes. Divination is routine, necessary for membership and to receive services. All, regardless from which house or belief system they originate, receive the same respect and courtesy in this tradition. 

Do you have Ifa?

Yes, but the spelling is "AFA." To learn more about this Tradition, visit our bookstore and take a look at our media page. 

*I read that when Africans are worshiping Mami Wata, they are worshiping the white woman. Is this true?

Not at all. Unfortuantely, the social and economic politics of race and racism has infested the symbols used in African religious iconography. This blunder is due largely to misinterpetations by european anthropologists, Christian evangelists, and export merchants of African sacred artifacts.
The mermaid symbol used to denote Mami Wata is manifested in all "races," (european being only one of them). These "racial" imageries carry esoteric and symbolic meaning that have nothing to do with race.

*Are mami waters half fish and half human? If someone goes to the beach to find them or talk to them or just see them, how can they do it? Also can someone turn into one by their own will?

The mermaid is one of the most popular symbolic representations of Mami Wata. However, one cannot "find" Mami Wata--Mami Wata finds *you*. Finally, one cannot "turn into a Mermaid."

What is a Mamisii?

Mamisii (meaning: "Queen of the Waters and Divination"), is the oldest priesthood of largely women in West Africa. Its origins date back to the "Cult of Issis" in ancient Kemet (Egypt). It is inherited matrilineally from the mother, but sometimes can be from a father of the maternal bloodline, and many are simply claimed by Mami Wata. Many can also have ceremony to Mami to ehance their spiritual path and development or increase their personal and business prospects.

Why are some Mamissii' called "Hounon" a male title?

The Ewe/Fon word "Hounon" loosely translates as "Mother of the Ship." And though usually the initiatory title of a Mamaissii and/or Vodoun priest who may be initiated to both Mami Wata and the Vodou, it is also ascribed to a high male preist of the Vodou as well.
Also a male priest of the Vodou is accorded the initatory title of "Ahougan," meaning "Father of the House," though a woman may also be accorded this honrary title if she is the widow of a priest, and now takes on his prior duties as "father".

Unfortunately, in the U.S. there is a growing trend while reclaiming the Vodoun religion, to indiscriminately bestow the rank of “Hounon” upon individuals whose adherents may honor or worship them. The rank of “Hounon” (or the non-existent new spelling “Hunun”) is not an honorary title, it is an initiatory rank, and cannot be bestowed arbitrarily, any more than an army private (or his followers) in the military can bestow the rank of “general” upon himself.

Those who understand the laws and the tradition of Vodoun are aware that in the Vodoun religion, though not all Hounons are pathed to work as ritual priest, all Hounons do have installed physical Vodou shines with the vodou deities which qualifies them at the rank of “Hounon.” They also, in accordance to the Law of the Vodou, must be able to state who initiated them, when, and where, and to what vodou deities, which qualifies them at their claimed rank. Any individual, regardless of age or experience in another branch of African religion, claiming simply to have been “initiated in Togo, Benin etc.,” does not qualify them as “Hounon” (or chief) in the Vodoun religion, unless they satisfy the above criteria.

I just received an Ifa reading to "bring down my head" and it was determined that I am a child of Yemaya/Olokun. I understand that in Vodou "olokun" is called Mami Wata or Densu. If I were initiated in Vodou would I automatically be a mamaiisii?

The water Orishas in the Yoruba tradition are not of the same path as the Mami Wata divinities in the Yeveh Vodoun pantheon. If it was divined that you are a "child of Olokun" that does not automatically correspond to the Mami Wata. You would have to have a divination by us to determine if you possess a Mami Wata divinity. Once you are initiated, only then can you be called Mamaissii.
Please note: The Mami Wata Healers Society Temple of Mawu is the premiere source of African Tradition and Culture and is inclusive of all African Traditions, which are revealed expressly through consultation, training, initiation, atonement and celebration. We are capable of facilitating all traditions and cultures collectively. Out of respect for our protocol, we do not provide non-initiates of any tradition with cultural names or titles until they have completed the prescribed rites and are approved. We do, however, honor the names of other traditions for those who have been given names until they receive one from our house. Let us know so we can address you correctly!