Rest period (Lave Tet June 2004)
PLEASE NOTE: We have not yet set the date of our next lave tet. Please check back for updated information. We will be holding our Second Annual Voodoo Convention October 31-November 2, 2008. If you are interested, please CLICK HERE to read about it.
Welcome! If you are interested in cleansing past negativities, hurts, and traumas from your life, you are in the right place. A lave tet is an authentic Vodou ritual that literally means "head washing." This powerful experience can start life anew for you. A lave tet is an amazing spiritual ritual that anyone can benefit from, but especially if you have been through rough times in life that have left you feeling drained, full of bad luck, or just filled with an overall sense of negativity. Even if life is "pretty good" for you, this ritual can enhance that which is already good for you!
WHAT IS A LAVE TET?
WHO WILL PERFORM THE LAVE TET?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A LAVE TET?
Lave tet means "head washing." Along with other ceremonial parts of the ritual, each participants' head is "washed" seven times with ritualistically prepared herbal baths. Each of the seven washings are done with different herbs, prepared in the name of a particular lwa. You are both washed and blessed. Additionally, each participant will be bestowed a protection ritual for their spiritual life.
Negativity and undesirable energies are removed and REPLACED with washings for strength, magick, wisdom, peace, and more! Each lwa bestows upon each participant a myriad of useful, exciting spiritual tools. There are really almost no words to describe the benefits from this type of sacred ritual.
Mambo Sam (Bon Mambo Feraye de la Kwa Daginen - Mambo Asogwe) will perform the lave tet and all associated rituals. Mambo Sam is a family tradition New Orleans Voodoo Practitioner as well as having been initiated as a Haitian Vodou Mambo in Haiti. She will be assisted by her spiritual partner and husband, Matt, who has been extensively trained and initiated into certain Mysteries by Mambo Sam.
There are many benefits to be had from a lave tet. Each person may benefit differently! Some of the benefits are:
Mambo Sam performing washing for Anthony (June 2004 Lave Tet)
WILL I RECEIVE ANYTHING TO TAKE HOME FROM THE LAVE TET?
Absolutely!! You will receive a number of specially consecrated "Power Objects" to take home with you. These can only be obtained by attending the lave tet. Additionally, each participant will make a special "ouanga" (read:"magick") bottle to take home with them.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE LAVE TET?
Many things happen during a lave tet. First off, the lave tet is safe haven. Each participant must agree that everything and everyone at the lave tet is confidential. Many emotions may come forth from each participant in the lave tet. Tears of sadness for the past, tears of joy at the release of the negativity, laughter, etc. Each persons' emotions are to be respected and considered normal. One should not hold back emotions brought on by a lave tet; if you feel like crying, you should. If you feel like laughing, you should. Obvious inappropriate behavior should be considered off limits! But for the most part, emotional release is expected and encouraged.
WILL I "MEET" ANY LWA AT THE LAVE TET?
One can be assured of the presence of the lwa at the lave tet. There are a few different ways this can happen:
- Possession of Mambo Sam by one or more lwa.
- Talking with the lwa through Mambo Sam. What this means is that Mambo Sam is an "Oracle" in her New Orleans Voodoo tradition. This means she speaks with the lwa without anyone being possessed. Definitely some conversations with lwa will be had. However, please be aware that not every lwa that every person wants to talk with will be available. Mambo Sam will do her best to meet everyone's needs in this area. However, it is an exhausting endeavor and the majority of her energy must be spent in the lave tet process.
Opening Prayers (Lave Tet June 2004)
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO THE LAVE TET?
- Each participant needs two sets of white clothing. This doesn't need to be anything fancy. The first set of white clothes needs to be something you are willing to part with (including underwear)! You will wear this during the actual washing part of the lave tet. Those clothes will then be later destroyed in a secret manner. White t-shirts and white pants are fine. (Scrubs are great and fairly cheap). White skirts or pants for the ladies along with any white shirt, t-shirt, or blouse is fine. Please no "short-shorts!" Capri type pants are fine and so are longer shorts. Something that comes at least to your knee, for both males and females. The second set of white clothes you will change into after the washing.
- Each participant needs a white bandana or scarf to wear after the washing.
- Each participant needs to bring a glass bottle of some sort (liquor bottles work great - at least the size of a fifth).
- Colored material to cover the bottle in.
- Ribbon and thread - enough to wind around the bottle. (We will be making special ouanga bottles for you each to take home with you.)
- If you use tarot cards or any other divination item - you may bring it with you to be blessed.
- If you have something you wish to present to the lwa, please bring it. Any offering you have thought of is fine. Just bear in mind, that offering will end up staying here.
Participants prepare fresh herbs (Lave Tet June 2004)
2007 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED (Friday) - 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.: Reception and short ritual to prepare for the lave tet. Meet and greet! It's been fun for the past lave tets for us to order pizza, so we do! Beer, wine, and snacks provided. The short ritual will start about 9:15 p.m.
2007 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED (Saturday) - 10:30 a.m. - 'til: The actual lave tet itself. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
2007 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED (Sunday) - 10:30 a.m.: Departing ritual and blessing. This should be done by 1:00 p.m. (This is a very important part of the lave tet, please schedule accordingly. Each participant can leave after their individual blessing if you need to catch a plane.) Some participants can schedule their consultation with Mambo Sam on Sunday afternoon (we will do the schedule while you here and we get everyone's time needs).
2007 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED (*Monday): Scheduled appointments with Mambo Sam starting at 11:30 a.m. Please let us know if you desire an appointment and let us know what time your plane leaves!
*Monday is sort of an "unofficial" lave tet day -- the actual lave tet ends on Sunday, but you may visit with us, get a session with Mambo Sam, etc.
Online registration is available by CLICKING HERE!
Once you fill out your registration form, you will be taken to a Lave Tet Information page with further instructions.
529 Adams St. NE
Albuquerque, NM, USA 87108-1228
505-266-9840
We are only about 10 minutes away from the airport. Taxi fare here should be pretty minimal. The closest major cross streets to us are Lomas and Washington.
Hotels within 2.5 miles of The Voodoo Boutique:
Residence Inn by Marriott Albuquerque North
4331 The Lane @25 Business Park, Albuquerque, NM
1.2 Miles Southeast of 529 Adams St. NE
Hampton Inn' Albuquerque, University (UNM)
2300 Carlisle NE, Albuquerque, NM
1.3 Miles Northwest of 529 Adams St. NE
La Quinta Inn Albuquerque I-40 East
2424 San Mateo Blvd. N.E., Albuquerque, NM
1.4 Miles North of 529 Adams St. NE
Econo Lodge Midtown
2412 Carlisle Blvd. N.E., Albuquerque, NM
1.5 Miles Northwest of 529 Adams St. NE
Residence Inn by Marriott Albuquerque
3300 Prospect Avenue Northeast, Albuquerque, NM
1.6 Miles Northwest of 529 Adams St. NE
Marriott Albuquerque
2101 Louisiana Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque, NM
1.7 Miles Northeast of 529 Adams St. NE
Candlewood Suites ALBUQUERQUE
3025 MENAUL BLVD, Albuquerque, NM
1.9 Miles Northwest of 529 Adams St. NE
AmeriSuites Albuquerque Midtown
2500 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM
2 Miles Northwest of 529 Adams St. NE
Homewood Suites' by Hilton Albuquerque
7101 Arvada Avenue Northeast, Albuquerque, NM
2 Miles Northeast of 529 Adams St. NE
Albuquerque Days Inn
2120 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM Map
2.2 Miles Northwest of 529 Adams St. NE
Hilton Albuquerque
1901 University Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM
2.2 Miles Northwest of 529 Adams St. NE
Motel 6 Albuquerque - Midtown
1701 University Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque, NM
2.2 Miles Northwest of 529 Adams St. NE
Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown
2600 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM
2.2 Miles Northeast of 529 Adams St. NE
Ramada Limited Airport
1801 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM
2.3 Miles Southwest of 529 Adams St. NE
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