s o s y e t e  d u  m a r c h e , i n c

Sosyete du Marche, Inc. Vodou Ceremonies and Services for 2010

The Holy Kanzo is a long journey into your soul. At it's most mundane, it’s a seven day adventure into Vodou. At it's best, it's a rebirth of your soul, as you leave one life and begin another. Each step of the process is designed to change you, physically, mentally and spiritually. It is not for the faint of heart. Oaths made cannot be easily broken. One doesn't kanzo today and not do the work tomorrow. The Lwa are magnanimous in their generosity and vindictive in in their punishments. It's why we say Vodou is for everyone, but not everyone is for Vodou. Below you will find the five major elements of Kanzo. Though the details change from house to house, these are the building blocks of the rites. If you are interested in Kanzo, contact Mambo Vye Zo for details.

The Five Elements of Kanzo: Reflecting the Concentric Circles of Vodou

Circle One: Consigne and the 21 Bathes of Dissolution

The Consigne is to help the candidate begin to focus inwardly, without distractions, without the noise of the mundane world.

The bathes of Disolution further this feeling of disconnecting from the world. Cold, clear water is infused with fresh herbs, oils and perfumes. Each bath removing a layer of yourself, peeling away all the grit and grime of your mundane life, rinsing off another part of you away, until the very essence of who you are is all that remains. You are mort - dead - when all is completed.

Circle Two: Bat Guerre - Making War to Strengthen you

The night journey has begun, the Lwa begin to descend and there are many Spirits that you will meet along the way. Each one will challenge you in ways you can’t imagine. To help keep you strong, your own spirits must be engaged in the journey, coaxed into accompanying you along the way. The Bat Guerre is the sacred dance with the Lwa, so that They will accept your invitiation to come along, as passengers on the Boat of the Dawn. The work is rigorous, and the people engage the spirits in battle far into the night.

Circle Three: Chire Ayizan - Purification of the Work

Having metaphorically died to this life, you begin the night journey to your new one. Kanzo is a huge understaking of resurrection. But in order to come back, first you must go. So the question becomes ~ Where do you go? To the underworld, to experience the Boat of Ra as it makes it’s journey through the night time of your soul, until resurrection at dawn creates you anew. To take this journey, you are prepared, blessed and consecrated. The Chire Ayizan is performed, to cleanse and clear the way for your journey. To cleanse you, so that you may step upon the deck of Ra’s boat. To protect you from harm. To guide you, so that you do not get lost. To help you with the challenges you will meet along the way.

Circle Four: Brule Zin - Alchemy of the Ancestors

As you travel through the Night, the challenges and questions that you encounter are all designed to create a strong and brave resiliency in your soul. To resurrect is a true rebirth into a new life. But having spent the greater part of the journey in darkness, you must seek the blessings of the Ancestors to rise to your new life. To do so, you must become one with the Ancestors, for you will be their vessel of communication in your new life.. This is not for the faint of heart! The actions of the Brule Zin (literally fire in the zins) are meant as a final test of your Will and your Heart. Your bravery will be rewarded, with resurrection in the morning.

Circle Five: Leve Kanzo - Resurrection and Resolve

You have completed the Night journey. You were challenged and answered correctly, the questions put to you. You now face into the rising sun, taking your vows and the oath of your office before stepping out into the light of a new day. The coolness is refreshing, the sunlight blazing and the voices sing your praise. You are risen, renewed and set forth into the world, to begin the work you have choosen. Congratulations! You are Kanzo!