Would you be willing to explain some of the differences between the different practices for us?
You're welcome. ^^; And sadly, I really only know about Vodou and NOLA Voodoo. I freely admit I don't know everything and could be wrong on some things (and anyone is free to correct my corrections!), but one thing I do know is that as this belief system has spread across the globe, it picks up things from the culture is finds a home in and becomes it's own entity. Vodun is not Vodou because it is African-based and still lives in Africa; Vodou is not Vodun because it made it's home in Haiti; Voodoo is not Vodou because it spread up into North America and grew there. It's like... wheat, sourdough and potato bread. It's all bread, but different and unique, with it's own flavor. And that's not to say that people in North America can't/don't practice Vodun or people in African can't/don't practice Voodoo, but it should be understood that it's not the practice "native" to that place.
With Voodoo, you've got voodoo queens like Marie Laveau, bless her. Then you have Gris-Gris and voodoo dolls, which to my knowledge aren't as big of a thing with Vodou. There's a pretty big focus on amulets and various charms. I also think that, on some level, the use of the Saints is bigger with Voodoo than with Vodou, but that might be an inaccurate assumption based off of what I've seen. Another assumption that I might be making is that Voodoo seems to focus more on helping others, where Vodou is more about establishing a relationship with the Lwa in order to survive and keep one's family alive. Helping others happens in both-- it's a community thing-- but Voodoo seems less about the outright struggle for survival. There have been Voodoo ceremonies held in New Orleans to stop things like prostitution and drugs; I've never really heard of something like that happening with Vodou, because people tend to be focusing more on gaining prosperity in order to be able to afford food, clothing, shelter, etc.
I hope that all makes sense, and is correct. Forgive me if I make any incorrect assumptions or mistakes. I'm still learning.
... are you studying with a house? Where do you live? I travel to Seattle where there is a small Vodou community of several different lineages getting together for Fetes. Its small but they have great drummers.
I serve as a solitary. I know that's not the way to go about it if I wanted to properly go through the kanzo, but I live in the middle of Oregon and to my knowledge there are no houses near me. Granted, I have had trouble looking, and I worry that even if I found a house... it wouldn't be a really good fit, and I refuse to work with a house just because it's the only house nearby. But someday maybe I can travel better, or get lucky and find one that is around Oregon AND a good fit.
I haven't heard about the groups that get together in Seattle. That sounds interesting. Do you know where I can get more information?
I know an Alorisha whose Ile practices Arara alongside Ocha. I do not know much about it but it seems far more consonent with Ocha then say Palo as they can be in the same room as long as they have separate tables.
That is interesting to note. Thank you.