Morts, Les

Morts, Les

The Dead

Pronounced: Mor, or in Kreyol: Mo

ORIGIN:

Vodou

Les Morts literally means “the dead” in French, but if one thinks of death as disappearance or as severing links between people, then in Vodou cosmology, no one really dies. In the words of Bob Dylan, “Death is not the end.” The soul does not die, nor does it depart for some remote, distant afterlife. Instead, it remains close at hand, albeit usually invisible to the living.

Dead souls travel through an abyss to Ginen, Vodou’s ancestral afterlife realm. Ginen lies beneath the sea but may be accessed via mirrors and water. This journey is a transformative process; upon arrival, the benevolent and beneficial dead transform into ancestors, both literal ancestors and spiritual ancestors. (And the not-so-benevolent dead? You know them as ghosts.) Ties between living and dead are not severed. Les Morts communicate their wisdom and elucidate mysteries to the living.

Les Morts communicate via dreams and visions as well as certain types of divination, especially mirror and crystal-ball gazing and scrying in pans of water.

Les Morts may be invoked for practical information but, they will also engage in philosophical discussions. Ask them to reveal secrets of the afterlife. They can be especially benevolent toward those who are terminally ill and essentially already have one foot in the grave as well as for those who are morbidly, overwhelmingly afraid of death.

OFFERINGS:

Basins of water, candles, flowers, any type of food or drink you think they might enjoy, with the caveat that offerings containing salt may or may not be accepted.

SEE ALSO:

Ancestor; Ghost; Gran Pays; Lwa; Phii Ruan

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.