The Crossroads

With all of the various crossroads spirits of African origin, it can get a little confusing as to who is who. Many times, people will lump them all together as if Papa Legba is Exu and Exu is Ellegua, and Ellegua is Elegba, but it is not that simple. In fact, they are entirely separate Spirits and though they share many characteristics, they are not one and the same. An important thing to remember is that crossroads spirits are viewed differently according to the tradition and geographical location of the culture that serves them.

Here’s a quick introduction to three of them.

Papa Legba

Papa Legba is an African God whose origins are with the Fon people of Dahomey (Benin) Africa. He came to the Americas with the slave trade and has a prominent and essential place in New Orleans Voudou. In fact, he is arguably the most important loa in the New Orleans Voudou pantheon. All ceremonies begin and end with Papa Legba, and there can be no communication with any of the other loas without consulting him first. Papa Legba is the master linguist, the trickster, warrior, guardian of crossroads and entrances, and the personal messenger of destiny. His gift for linguistics enables him to translate the requests of humans into the languages of the Spirits. He goes by several names in New Orleans: Papa Legba, Papa Alegba, Papa Labas, Papa Limba and Papa Lebat. During Mardi Gras season, a popular shout by revelers is “A Labas!” Papa Legba is one of the most loved and revered of the Voudou loas. 

Ellegua

Ellegua is considered an orisha in the Santeria and Yoruba traditions. He is the quintessential trickster who owns the crossroads. He enables humankind to communicate with the other orisha and is always honored first in ceremony. Ellegua is petitioned to clear the path so that the attainment of goals can be realized. In his child form, he represents our desires, wishes, and impulses. He is often associated with the Catholic Saint Niῆo de Atoche.

Ellegua can help when decisions need to be made. While it can be difficult for us to foresee the outcome of any decisions, this is not the case with Ellegua who underlies cause and effect, is nowhere and everywhere and even in-between. He knows the consequences of our choices before we realize and experience them. And though he is a trickster, he is also a teacher. He can help us come to the right decisions for our personal situations, if we know how to ask and learn how to listen.

Elegba

Elegba holds a prominent place in various African and African diaspora spiritual traditions, including Yoruba religion, Vodou, and Santería. As a deity associated with crossroads, communication, and divine messenger, Elegba serves as a pivotal figure in facilitating communication between humans and the spirit world. Often depicted as a trickster god, Elegba embodies dualities and paradoxes, representing both chaos and order, beginnings and endings, and opportunities and challenges. 

In Yoruba cosmology, Elegba is one of the Orisha, revered for his role in opening pathways, removing obstacles, and granting blessings. He is often invoked at crossroads, where different paths converge, symbolizing the intersections of life's choices and possibilities. In Vodou and Santería, Elegba is associated with keys, representing his ability to unlock doors and reveal hidden knowledge. Despite his mischievous nature, Elegba is revered as a wise and powerful deity who guides, protects, and tests individuals on their spiritual journeys.Elegba is always called upon and honored first in all rituals and ceremonies so that he will allow things to proceed smoothly. If he isn't fed first, he is known for disrupting the proceedings and causing total chaos. Elegba opens and closes all paths we face in life and the lessons that go with them.

The notorious legend of the “Black Man at the Crossroads” ignites much curiosity across cultures. References to making deals with devils at dusty four-way crossroads are found as early as the fifth century in the writings of St. Jerome. In the sixth century, we see the legend of Theofilus, who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for a position as bishop. Numerous instructions for conjuring demons exist in the old grimoires. Of course, we cannot ignore the infamous deal with the devil allegedly made by renowned bluesman Robert Johnson.

According to legend, Johnson went to a crossroads at midnight and summoned Satan, who appeared as a large black man. Johnson gave his guitar to him, and the “Devil” tuned it, played a few songs, and gave the guitar back to him. In exchange for Johnson’s soul, the devil gave him the skill to play the legendary blues for which he is famous.

This course covers his origins, how to develop a relationship with him, and how to safely serve him as an uninitiated practitioner.