Initiation vs. Belief in the 21 Divisions: Understanding Dominican Vodou
Dominican Vodou, also known as the 21 Divisions (Las 21 Divisiones), is more than a religion — it's a living cultural tradition rooted in everyday life. Whether you’re a curious outsider, a believer, or someone called to the priesthood, understanding the distinction between initiates and non-initiates is essential. At Ejiogbe Institute, we help clarify this path with grounded wisdom and cultural integrity.
Believers in the 21 Divisions
Many Dominican and Haitian households include believers who:
- Set up personal altars at home
- Host yearly feasts for their Misterios (Lwa)
- Prepare herbal remedies
- Offer readings using coffee cups, cards, candles, or water
- Continue family traditions or promises made to a spirit
They are spiritually active but not formally initiated. Their service is often personal, familial, or local. These believers may feel deeply connected to the Lwa but do not carry the responsibilities of a priest.
What Initiation Means in Dominican Vodou
Initiation in the 21 Divisions is a sacred, ceremonial process that:
- Deepens your connection to the Misterios
- Grants access to hidden, passed-down knowledge
- Trains you in spiritual disciplines, rituals, and herbal medicine
- Allows you to perform animal sacrifices and major ceremonies
- Authorizes you to guide and initiate others (only after apprenticeship)
You become part of a spiritual lineage, and your role expands from serving yourself to serving others.
Initiation Is Not Symbolic — It's Transformational
Initiation is not just a ritual or title. It reshapes your life. Once initiated, you must:
- Regularly feed and serve the Misterios
- Perform yearly (or more frequent) sacrifices
- Maintain altars with precision and consistency
- Take on the spiritual well-being of your community
- Uphold the ethical codes of the priesthood
And perhaps most importantly: only an initiated priest can initiate someone else. You cannot be baptized into the 21 Divisions by a non-initiate — it must come through an authorized lineage.
Are You Being Called to the Priesthood?
A spiritual calling often reveals itself through:
- Recurring dreams of specific Lwa
- Unexpected spiritual gifts
- Feeling a strong pull to serve others spiritually
- A family member or spirit telling you to continue the work
But feelings alone are not enough. A proper spiritual reading is required to confirm:
- Whether you have a calling
- Which Misterios walk with you
- What level of initiation is appropriate
- What responsibilities you're meant to carry
At Ejiogbe Institute, we offer authentic readings to help you navigate this path with integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can someone be spiritual without being initiated?
A: Yes. Many people serve the Misterios faithfully without being priests. They may have altars, make offerings, and even give readings. However, they cannot perform sacrifices or initiate others.
Q: Who can initiate someone in the 21 Divisions?
A: Only a properly initiated priest with lineage and training. They must have the approval of their elders and have completed their apprenticeship.
Q: What do I gain by getting initiated?
A: You gain deeper knowledge, ritual authority, a stronger spiritual connection, and the ability to serve your community.
Q: Can I start practicing without knowing my Misterios?
A: You can begin with simple offerings and prayers, but a spiritual reading is essential to serve correctly and respectfully.
Q: How do I know if I’m meant to be a priest or priestess?
A: This is revealed through readings, dreams, spiritual experiences, and most importantly, confirmed by a qualified spiritual elder.
If you believe the spirits are calling you or you're ready to take your spiritual journey deeper, Ejiogbe Institute is here to support you. Book a private reading to uncover your Misterios, explore your calling, and walk the path with ancestral wisdom and cultural respect.
