Ghede, in the original myths of Haiti, was the god of love, sex incarnate. In later, Voodoo myth he was amalgamated with BaronSamedi, god of death. He kept his earlier lustful ways, and a fondness for rum and feasting. He was a dandy, always wearing a black tail-coat, a top hat and sunglasses, twirling a cane and smoking a cigar or a cigarette in a long holder. He loved to dance, and swept his followers away into the ecstasy and trance of dancing. But the dance, which originally was a phallic ritual of birth, had now become a dance of death: Baron Samedi's orgies always ended (for his mortal followers) at the crossroads between this world and the Underworld, and the way they went was down. Because Ghede was Guardian of the Crossroads, he knew all the secrets of magic, and had second hearing and second sight. He could be consulted for advice - often on questions of fertility, either of humans, crops or animals. The questioner made blood-sacrifice and asked the priest questions to put to Ghede, and the god answered in the patterns of
rum-drops spilled in the dust, or in the hll of dice or the turning of Tarot cards. The advice was often frightening and apparently ridiculous, but it was always true and you neglected it at your peril. Research Ghede
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA) is a powerful drug that acts as a stimulant and can produce hallucinations. The original designer drug, ecstasy was first invented in Germany in 1912, and later rediscovered in California during the 1970s where it was used by marriage guidance counsellors to increase empathy in clients. Ecstasy became popular as a recreational drug during the 1980's, with a single tablet in Southampton then costing around 17.50 pounds, by the end of 2005 the price had dropped to 1.50 pounds, with ecstasy tablets sold by a Southampton dealer at a New Year's Eve dance in Birmingham at the start of 2006 at 3 pounds each. While usually sold as a tablet, ecstasy is also produced as a white powder which may be smoked or inhaled. The effects of ecstasy take about 30 minutes to be felt and then last several hours, giving the patient energy and making them feel more alert, empathy is enhanced and serotonin levels in the brainsoar, though they then drop for a few days afterwards. Side effects include paranoia, vomiting, dehydration and heart attacks. In the UK ecstasy is illegal, and is often supplied mixed with dangerous, cheaper, other compounds including amphetamines or caffeine or even scouring powder. Research Ecstasy
Acid house is slang for a particular youth culture involving synthetic electronic dance-music - known as house - and the taking of hallucinogenic drugs such as ecstasy and LSD (acid). Research Acid House
Abbreviations
Research Ghede
