Review: Voudon Gnosis by David Beth

For the working occultist and academic alike, I wholeheartedly recommend David Beth’s Voudon Gnosis from Fulgur Limited. It’s worth mentioning that VG is a re-issued title previously published by Scarlet Imprint. That said, the Fulgur edition is significantly expanded, containing far more practical material and artistic contributions. To save the google search, Beth is the former Sovereign Grand Master of the Gnostic orders La Couleuvre Noire and the Ordo Templi Orientis Antiqua.  He now continues his work as founder of La Societe Voudon Gnostique.

Ideally VG should be read alongside Michael Bertiaux’s The Voudon Gnostic Workbook in the sense that it clarifies and enlarges on some of the more bewildering concepts in that notorious text. Yes, I’ve read Kenneth Grant but I’m not sure how much he actually helps.

From the beginning, Beth makes clear the distinction between esoteric forms of Voudon and exoteric Voodoo. Whilst we see similarities in terms of spiritual lineage and spirit contact, Beth’s fascinating discussion of eroto-magical cosmology and esoteric philosophy takes us deep into a Gnostic appreciation of existence. Be warned, however this is not a light discussion of magical sexuality – it is raw, primal, archaic.  Much like the atavistic work of Austin Spare, the Voudon sorcerer descends into the Stygian depths to evoke the most primal forces for practical use and research. Rightly, Beth cautions that this path is not for every one and intensive self-analysis is a prerequisite for working in this fashion.

Beth’s investigation into the mysteries termed Points Chauds - Hot Points – is worth the price of the book alone, describing them as both intelligent entities and energetic centres of occult power. The complexity and application here is dazzling, revealing a system that is both intellectually demanding and yet based on the primacy of the physical body – possibly one of my main attractions to work in this line. These concepts are further extended in separate chapters on Les Temple des Houdeux and Grimoire Ghueddhe, important commentaries for those who actually want to work with the gods of Esoteric Voudon.

Chapter discussions on the Nightside magicks of the Qlipoth, Fetich Sorcery and the cult of JuJu Rouge indicate the evolutionary nature of the Voudon continuum. Indeed this is one of the hallmarks of Voudon Gnosis that it is dynamic, individualistic and creative.  Evidence of this principle is abundant throughout the book with artistic contributions from key initiates complementing Beth’s evocative prose. Notably Beth writes in the Epilogue:

This sorcery of language alone may activate occult dimensions of our soul which then allows us to undergo more than human experiences. We enter the gates to unknown magical universes and become the true Dionysian man who lives his dream images of creative ecstasy.

The appendices to Voudon Gnosis offer practical rituals composed by Beth himself. The rites are quite shamanistic in nature and illustrate how Esoteric Voudon can be adapted to a number of purposes.  For example, we find workings for time travel, empowerment and an enhancement of the Lucky Hoodoo ritual first described by Bertiaux.

It does bear mentioning that VG is not aimed at the novice, nor does it claim to be an introduction to Haitian Vodou – there is a reason it’s called Esoteric Voudon. If, however, you’re even remotely interested in pursuing work with the Voudon Gnostic current VG is an invaluable guide.