Messages In This Digest (1 Message)

1.: Patakis From: Kenaz Filan

View All Topics | Create New Topic

Message

1.: Patakis

Posted by: "Kenaz Filan" kenazfilan@gmail.com houngancoquilledumer

Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:09 pm (PDT)

A recent review<http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2010/10/17/teachings-of-the-santeria-gods/>of
Ocha'ni
Lele<http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=kenfil-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Ocha%27ni%20Lele>'s
excellent *Teachings of the Santeria
Gods<http://www.amazon.com/Teachings-Santer%C3%ADa-Gods-Spirit-Odu/dp/1594773327?ie=UTF8&tag=kenfil-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969>
* got me thinking about the usage of story, parable and metaphor in dealing
with the Divine. Ocha'ni has done a fantastic job of bringing the patakis
to a wider audience. He's also done a great service to diviners by
providing an inside look at the cowries. I'm wondering if he (and others)
might want to comment on my theories on their linguistical and cultural
value within Lukumi culture. (The usual caveats included: while I have a
nodding acquaintance with Lukumi and decades of experience as a diviner, I'm
not an initiate in any Orisha tradition).

To me, the patakis are stories which hint at the meanings behind each of the
odus. They provide structure to the divinatory system by providing direct
examples of the odu's influence in any given situation. Yet at the same time
they are flexible enough to apply to a variety of situations and possible
outcomes. Querents can play multiple roles within these stories: their part
can be tied to the hero, the villain or the intercessors. Other elements
within the client's life - potential lovers, business partners, allies and
obstacles - can be called into service within this drama.

Problems and solutions will be found within different patakis. The story
which tells the querent's weakness may be met by a story which gives him a
role of power, or at least a potential escape. Proscriptions and warnings
may be given literally or metaphorically, as the situation demands. One may
find relief or may learn that a doom has been foreordained, one which cannot
be avoided but can only be endured. In any case, the querent's life is tied
to eternal patterns and to unending stories: they simultaneously interpret
and become the myth.

Patakis allow for considerable leeway in individual interpretation: a
pataki's details may vary between practitioners and houses. But the stories
*as they are heard* are preserved with great care: one learns them from
elders and protects them from outsiders. Their details are preserved along
with the numerous intricate rituals that determine whether an odu falls for
good or ill and what offerings one should make to propitiate the
corresponding spirit. These constraints may force the diviner and querent
to face hard truths. There is less room to whitewash a bad omen, less space
to avoid discussing the failings which led up to the current situation.
Its rigidity leaves less room for weasel words and equivocation.

(I'm reminded of the similarly-complex horary
astrology<http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=kenfil-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=horary%20astrology>which
played such an important role in Renaissance magic. They had equally
rigid rules and gave very detailed, if frequently harsh, predictions. Today
this sort of reading has fallen out of favor: it's considered best to
accentuate the positive aspects of a reading and downplay that which is
fated to happen. While I can appreciate the value of encouraging querents
to keep a positive attitude, I also wonder if we haven't sacrificed
something in the way of accuracy and honesty).

The cowries show the future for good and for ill. Querents may learn that
they must undergo expensive and arduous initiation ceremonies: they may be
hit with taboos and restrictions, chided on their bad behavior and told that
misfortune and even death lie ahead for them. The patakis offer ways in
which victory and defeat may be met with grace and dignity. The meaning may
or may not provide querents with some way of escaping suffering: it will
certainly provide some sense of meaning to their pain.

--
kenaz filan
kenazfilan @ gmail.com | 917 267 7469
kenazfilan.blogspot.com | www.kenazfilan.com
author:
the haitian vodou handbook
vodou love magic
drawing down the spirits (w/raven kaldera)
vodou money magic
the power of the poppy (forthcoming)
the new orleans voodoo handbook (forthcoming

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)