Gran Pays
The cemetery may be envisioned as a necropolis: a city of dead souls. The Haitian name for the dead residents of the cemetery that you are personally unable to name is Gran Pays or “Great Country.”
To enlist the aid of an entire cemetery or to summon supernal assistance when you don’t know who to ask or, for whatever reason, prefer not to approach a specific strange grave, address the cemetery at large:
Enter the cemetery with a candle and pick up a stray rock or stone, one not affiliated with any specific grave.
Holding the rock in one hand and the candle in the other, address the community of souls requesting, “Grand Community! Please, I need you to do me a service.”
Explicitly but very politely explain what you need.
Place the stone under a tree (the original Haitian ritual recommends a fruit tree so that your plan bears fruit, but the type of tree will depend on cemetery location).
Place the candle on or beside the stone and light it.
Leave and don’t look back.
If the Gran Pays or a specific ghost fulfills your request, return with offerings of gratitude.
SEE ALSO:
- Ghosts
- Voodoo
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.