Hello everyone,
As many have asked, here is some information about how to serve on Fet Ghede.
To clear up some information – The Ghede (of which there are purported to be MILLIONS) are NOT the Baron and Maman Brigitte. The Baron and Brigitte are considered the Mother and Father of the Ghede. There is also a line of thought that the Baron and Brigitte are the "landowners" of the residence of the Ghede (the graveyard, of course). :-)
Traditionally, especially in New Orleans Voodoo, The Baron and Maman Brigitte are often served during Fet Ghede, too, but more as a show of respect. My point here, of course, is to make sure you know who you are serving! If you are serving the Ghede, you are not necessarily serving The Baron and Brigitte and vice versa.
As to service: If at all possible, you should go to a cemetery on this day. If you are not in a town where you have ancestors buried, then go to the cemetery anyway. Bring a trash bag, gloves (if you want to not get your hands dirty), flowers (purple ones are best if you can find some), and candy offerings, anything you like. I like to find a grave that looks like it hasn't been attended to in years! Clean up as best you can around the grave, pick up any trash or debris. If you can, stay awhile – ask Papa Legba to open the gate to the Ghede and ask your ancestors to visit this spot, to talk to you, to guide you. There is no real right or wrong way to do this — go to the graveyard and let yourself be led to what you should do and where you should go.
I know people always get nervous about going to the graveyard — what if someone sees you? What if someone asks you what you are doing? As long as you aren't desecrating anyone's grave, it is okay for you to be there. It is extremely rare for anyone to be questioned in a graveyard; I have probably spent more time there than any one of us, and I have never, ever been questioned or even paid attention to. If you just look like you belong there and are doing something positive (flowers, cleaning) you are unlikely to draw much attention, especially this time of year!
Even if you can't go to the graveyard, doing an altar to the Ghede is fun this time of year – you can get lots of cheap plastic skeletons and coffins and such. Colors are purple, black, and white. Offerings are rum, 21 peppers steeped in rum (be careful with this stuff — wear gloves to put the peppers in the rum bottle), unfiltered cigarettes, and roasted peanuts (raw peanuts, taken out of the shell, and stir fried in a skillet or roasted in the oven – NO SALT!! – remember – no salt in any offerings to the Ghede). If you have ancestors you are serving at this time, put their favorite foods, their pictures, items to represent them on your altar. St. Gerard, who is often used to represent the Baron, is also used to represent the Ghede in most Voodoo traditions.
Once you are satisfied with your altar, light your candles and ask Papa Legba to open the gate to the Ghede and your ancestors. This is a perfect time to ask your ancestors for their help, guidance, and favor. If you have ancestors that you were particularly close to, ask them for their help with whatever situation you have that is troubling you. Listen carefully, sometimes you might even hear them whisper to you!! I always recommend that you do a bit of journaling in front of your altar: Ask questions of the Ghede and your ancestors and write down the first thing that pops into your head – don't edit – write in stream of consciousness. Don't re-read it right now. Put it away at the end of the service and read it about a week later. Sometimes you will be very surprised at what you see written there!
Remember as well that Fet Ghede is celebrated as a sort of "New Year's" celebration – a new beginning where old problems and challenges are "buried" or solved!
Have fun!
Love,
Mambo Samantha Corfield