Robyn Lebron All Vodoun temples have a post, or center, even if the post exists symbolically and is not necessary structurally Outside the paristyle, the trees surrounding the courtyard serve as sanctuaries for gods Vodoun devotees believe that all things serve the spirit, and are by definition expressions and extensions of God, especially the trees They are revered as divinities themselves, and receive offerings of food, drink, and money Like cathedrals they are places to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit; banana trees are particularly revered.”15 Calling the Spirit The followers of Vodoun believe that rue “communion” comes through divine possession When summoned, the gods may assume a person’s mind or body…The possessed loses all consciousness, totally becoming the possessing spirit with his or her desires and eccentricities Young women possessed by older spirits seem frail and decrepit, while the infirm possessed by young, virile gods dance and cavort with no thought of their disabilities Even facial expressions change to resemble those of the god or goddess Although there exists a sacred interaction between the spirit and devotee, possession is taken very seriously and approached with caution “The spirits manifest to protect, punish, confer skills and talents, prophesy, cure illness, exorcise spirits, give counsel, assist with rituals, and take sacrificial offerings The priest or priestess is an intermediary to summon the spirit and helps the spirit depart when his or her business is finished The priest or priestess receives total authority from the spirits, and therefore, their roles could be compared to that of the pope Indeed, the priest is often called or Ǧ , while the priestess is called or The priest or priestess serves as healers, diviners, psychologists, counselors, and spiritual leaders.16 Like the ruler’s scepter, the most important symbol of the priest’s or priestess’ office is a large ritual rattle made from a type of squash with a bulbous end and a long handle Symbolically, the rattle represents the joining of the two most important magic principles: the circle at the round end and the post at the handle, symbolizing the central post of the temple Inside the dried squash are sacred stones and serpent vertebrae, considered bones of African ancestors ~ 362 ~