and the Arthur Hall Collection.
"Black" not necessarily referring to race,
but to this way's being modestly hidden,
not intended for everyone, as is the "white" way.
Not for everyone because African based religions
even at this late date still make many uncomfortable.
Historically persecuted from without and too often exploited
from within, "the religion" is properly understood
to be on a par and in accord with the world's
more popularly recognized Great Truths ~
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, the Tao.
In the academic study of comparative religion and mysticism,
African based religions occupy their rightful, vital position,
albeit one which, like these black pages, is often difficult to locate
for those without access to large libraries and rare books
or to a wise teacher or to their own inner light.
The qualities expressed by the various Orishas inform
directly and magnificently the most advanced theories
of modern psychology. They are a perfect and ancient expression
of Jung's recent theories of human archetypes.
Yet they are often quickly dismissed as
"primative superstitions" by those who know no better,
or as "voodoo, mumbo jumbo and devil worship"
by those who fear any approach to wisdom beyond
their own dim experience.