Quote from Angela on April 2, 2022, 1:53 pm

"Seven nights, seven moons, seven gates, seven tombs" - (traditional Voodoo Rhyme).

According to local tradition, the entrance to the Voodoo underworld can be accessed right here in New Orleans, Louisiana, via seven gates of hell scattered amidst the ancient French Quarter district known as The Gates of Guinee.

New Orleans is where the dead roam, which is why you see so many individuals roaming the streets painted as skeletons in honor.

Practitioners say they can clarify that those gates are present and active here on earth. 

Voodoo in Louisiana dates back to early 18th century and was founded from West African and Haitian religions, with some Roman Catholic influence.

Partakers were believed empowered by deities.

But little did the world know that, as Hollywood began introducing voodoo movies onto the big screen, true voodoo was being practiced underground many of Americas communities, hidden from public knowledge due to negative stigmas.

There are still today various street symbols and public artwork said to be actively linked with gateways. The gateways are said to allow dangerous entities to mingle with the living, the living to be transferred to realms of the dead and grant demons control over earthly opportunity.

It is believed that if the seven gates are opened in the correct order, they can grant the living active communication with the dead. 

However, as Voodoo states, it is extremely dangerous to approach voodoo carelessly, and vital these gates be opened in the right and respectful manner. If not, there could be disastrous spiritual consequence.

Voodoo suggests that each of the seven gateways is heavily guarded by a guardian, each with their own agendas. These are believed to be the entities who greet newly deceased souls into the underworld. A soul must greet each of the guardians. They detest the living and seek to be appeased with ritual offerings.

The Guardians, with their allocated gateways, are listed below.

Gateway 1 - Baron LaCroix

Gateway 2 - Guede Nibo

Gateway 3 - Guede Plumage

Gateway 4 - Baron Cimitiere

Gateway 5 - Guede Babaco

Gateway 6 - Baron Kriminel

Gateway 7 - Baron Samedi

The gateways are said to be most active and accessible during traditional holidays and festivals such as All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Christmas, Ancestors Day, Twelfth Night, St. John’s Eve and Mardi Gras.

Are you ready to meet the Guardians of the New Orleans Underworld?