Haitian Vodou's Petwo Rite - Free Talk by Richard Ward

The Petwo rite of Vodou is much maligned, but its true history is an inspiring one. It galvanised the enslaved Haitians as they revolted in their uprisings, giving them a unifying spiritual and magical impetus. It underpinned their vision as, once free, they established the first Black Republic in the Western hemisphere. Richard Ward has written the first-ever book on Petwo, after over twenty years of research involving contact with numerous initiates. Tonight he talks about this remarkable rite, its pantheon and its power,  in conversation with our own Christina Oakley Harrington. He also discusses how it traveled and morphed outside of Haiti, as seen in the wild esoteric Vodou of Michael Bertiaux and the quantum Vodou of Dr Reginald Crosley. He will touch, too, on Petwo's continued existence in parts of rural Haiti, where it is practised to this day. Join us for a remarkable conversation, followed by Q&A.

Richard Ward has researched and practiced several occult traditions for over thirty years, with a particular focus on English folk magic and Haitian Vodou. An esoteric bookdealer by profession, he lives in his native Essex. Writings have appeared in journals and anthologies. Born of Blood and Fire is his second full-length book; the first was Echoes from the Primal Grimoire (Von Zos, 2016).

Image: Wikemedia Commons, Thom Quine