Does anyone have any good recommendations for books to learn voodoo? Aside from EA’s that is.
Well on the one hand, people will say you can’t read books and then pick it up like any other skill, because it’s a religion and is either only open to African heritage people, or their initiated followers, servants, and leaders, as recognised by the community, on the other hand some people think you can contact the Loa whenever you wish, so that’s a bit controversial.
The “ATR” and “ADR” - African Tradiutional Religion, or African Diaspora Religion - tags are all containing one important word - Religion.
If a Vodousant or houngan or mambo or whatever else, from any of the other ADRs/ATRs, speaks for this, then you need to ask if they treat it as a religion (man subordinate to god) or as magick, which is man ascending to the limits of his/her own awareness, via interactions with spirits (gods, angels, demons, ancestors) etc.
And then make your choice accordingly.
So are you saying there’s no way to learn voodoo unless it’s directly from a priest or teacher?
No, I think it IS possible, I just wanted to lay out the most common beliefs around this, but I’ve worked with a vodou entity ever since a member on here did a link-up, a form of initiation, done outside the formal confines of the religious lineages.
I mean, REALLY outside of them! 
Just to clarify something the Religion of it is actually a respect for the ancestors (not a submission and worship) and being since our ancestors are african and were brought here as slaves you will run into teachers reluctant to teach you if your are not black or hispanic in some form … does that mean you cant learn on your own, no not at all, you most definitely can … but honestly its not the type of shit you can go ahead and just start doing spells , Ive seen people end up fucked up really bad for not paying respect to ancestors before working and overriding elegua (not the one to fuck with) straight to trying to do spells, put people in the grave etc. and mother fuckers want to do sacrifices without consulting the cowry… I dont know if they have this where you live, Im in Newark NJ we have santeria, condomble , palo mayombe etc everywhere … there are misas that are open to people of the public that you would be welcomed to visit , if you could find one check it out and keep an open mind cause the things you will see LuuulZ, it’s amazing - you’ll probably also see how other forms of magick are delayed on things we consider to be basics. Im not gonna front I play with lots of different systems but I always end up going to my roots, because to me personally ive noticed other systems strive to perfect methods that in our system are common basics that should have been learned as common sense.
For example I like this forum and Im not dissing it at all , but I found it pretty interesting that many people are obsessed with evocation, invocation , incorporation, these things are not hard to do at all … So im kinda surprised and caught off guard when people have a hard time with these things … honestly the first time i got incorporated I was listening to Santo songs by Celina and Reutilio … I started dancing and I was spinning in circles out of no where a Gitana entered me and I could not stop laughing I really thought I was going to die from laughing … it’s an amazing feeling, your still in your body but someone else is driving … all Im saying is that these systems have a whole lot more to offer and no it does not require being submissive. If you want to learn start learning about them emerge yourself in it as seriously as you want your requests to be answered … the best teachers let you know talk to orishas as your friends but respect them as you would a parent, cause they see you as their child and they will kick your ass if you come outside your face with them … Thats my Friday night from 10:00 to 12:00 then I go bouts my business … Just watch out for headaches I noticed when certain Orishas are present I cant handle it and it feels like my head is going to split open 
… just thought I’d share. I love to see people interested in these systems , I REALLY hope you find what you are looking for Augustine
Depending on the branch( African, Haitian, Dominican or even New Orlens) you might need a teacher. Some might just be for simple basics like Veves(sigils) and or songs. Others follow a strict discipline. If it’s learning how to work with a spirit you need to build a relashionship with them. There is no better teacher than a spirit in any magical system. Well at least in my experience. If its spells your interested in, working closely with a perticular lwa will be the way to go. Once a strong connection is established they will teach you how to do things.
That is what I’m talking about! I think one needs to consult the cowry, bones, dice, I ching, tarot, etc. before setting off to do some ritual because this can help you to know what the outcome and impact of the ritual may have on you or others involved.