January 5, August 9, September 6, 2008
Held at Sosyete du Marche in Lansdale, PA

Lave Tet is French for "head washing". This activity has a long history in religious practice - from the baptisms of the Catholic Church to a full body emersion into the holy waters of the River Jordan. We see echoes of St. John the Baptist practice of head washings in our own service. Even today in Haiti, Sen Jan Baptise is an important Lwa in certain houmforts. and the act of cleansing to begin service is a major part of any Vodou working.

The service of a Haitian Vodou Lave Tet ceremony is a ritual head-washing performed with specific herbs, waters and perfumes. It can clarify and illuminate consciousness, facilitate trance and remove negative influences. Here in Pennsylvania, we perform Lave Tet from June through September. That's because we grow all our own herbs to use fresh in the bathes. Our day begins early, picking the herbs for peak freshness, and for each bath to each participant's needs or spirits.

 This is a work that involves everyone who comes. We work outdoors, in bare feet, to better connect to the primal energies of the earth. In January, due to the winter cold, we do the work indoors! Because we use only use materials we grow here, I am prejudiced in believing that our Lave Tets are different than most other houses. I am a big believer in the power of herbs, and as I grow all my own materials, they are fresh, free of pesticides and part of the landscape here at the hounfort. I feel our Lave Tets are powerful because we use the plants from this location. We work on this land monthly. The Lwa are fetted and fed, and empower the land. The land provides the plants. We use the plants, which have the power of the Lwa in them - so the cycle is complete. In our gardening, we use no pesticides, no chemicals and no negativity on the plants - just the pure energy of the Sun, the fertile earth and our own love and devotion to the work.

We use song and prayer to call the Lwa to us. With a full compliment of drummers, we set up the vibratory ladder that enables the Lwa to come down and serve us. Quite often, the Lwa themselves do the pouring and offer advice and counsel to those being cleansing! Each bath is specially prepared for each person individually. With veves and candles, with song and with energy, we ready you for the next step in your life.

Folks often ask why should I do a lave tet? There are as many reasons as you can imagine - Perhaps you wish to be cleared from prior thinking patterns, or you want to improve your spiritual practice. A Lave Tet is a wonderful way to begin the process of clearing out the old and making room for the new. You might just want to freshen up life in general. By participating in a Lave Tet, you can start walking your new Walk of life, leaving the old one behind.

We don't just toss you under the water! First, we do a reading to see who or what is standing in the way and needs to be removed. We then prepare your individual bath ingredients accordingly. We employ herbs, leaves and perfumes to set up the correct vibratory notes for the participants. We drum and dance to clarify, cleanse and uplift the participants. The entire Sosyete puts their heart and soul behind the singing and drumming, to ensure a successful rite is performed for all.

Then, when your head is truly cleansed, on Saturday night, we facilitate a temple sleep, to help all those good vibes really work into your system. The participants will "kouche" before the altar in our peristyle for the evening. We conclude the work on Sunday, with an Action de Gras (an Act of Grace), to thank all the Lwa, the Ancestors and God for this blessing of health, wealth and love.

We offer Lave Tet Retreats three times a year -

January's Lave Tet is held on the point of the Simbi nation - Gran Simba, Andezo and Makaya. Andezo loves to do his work in his two waters - salt and fresh, with some lightening struck rainwater for good luck!

August's Lave Tet is performed on the point of LaSiren and Agwe, the soveriegn rulers of the oceans and all the wealth contained therein. Agwe often graces us with his Magnificent presence, offering the waters of healing herbs from his own hand. Ocean water is the medium this Lave Tet.

And September's Lave Tet is always on the Pwen of Erzulie Freda, the Lwa of abundance, cleanliness and love. Erzulie always owns the final Lave Tet of our house - as the premiere Magician, she comes in service, to hand tear the fresh herbs from our gardens, mix the perfumes and wines and water for the client. She adds her personal ashe to the work, and so we dedicate this one in her Honor.

Any one interested in attending should contact either Mambo Vye Zo or Houngan Travay for information. Participation is limited to 6 people, and places go fast, so please call early to reserve a space. People who have undergone the Lave Tet ceremony say it was comparable to putting down the baggage they had carried their whole life and moving forward, free of the prior shackles that bound them.

If you would like to attend, please email Mambo Vye Zo, and she will give you directions and instructions on what to bring. The fee for Lave Tet is $ 500.00 for both days Saturday and Sunday. It includes three meals, the Lave, the Kouche, and special offerings for the Lwa.. We accept Mastercard, Visa, Paypal and money orders. Payment should be made prior to the workshop, to ensure a space is reserved for you. Payment plans are available.

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