Ceremony Praising Chango

Clearing Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions about Santeria. Perhaps the most popular is that it involves black magic or witchcraft. The fact of the matter is that there is witchcraft and black magic that are used in Santeria, just as there is darkness and evil throughout the world. Western history is rattled with Jihads and Crusades where people forced their religions and ideologies on others with the strength of a blade. Like any religion, there are people who use the forces of the universe for evil.

However, most people in Santeria use magic for good. Another misconception is that Santeria is used to hex people, to put a curse on others, or to cause adversity or misfortune. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, followers of Santeria only worship Orishas (saints). They obey the guidelines of the religion, observe important feasts, and carry out the rites that are expected of them. In return, those who follow Orishas are promised access to powers as well as protection from evil. A more controversial aspect of Santeria is the practice of animal sacrifices. While animal sacrifice is a fundamental part of Santeria religion, it is used in order to acquire what is considered a cosmic energy as well as to appease deities. Virtually all-traditional religions made animal sacrifices.

The truth of the matter is that sacrifice is a great component of spirituality. Some may call it creative destruction, when something has to die in order for something else to be created. However, the premise behind the act of making a sacrifice is to understand that everything in the universe is interconnected. In Santeria, worshippers understand that the world is perfectly balanced, and in order for something to be created, something else has to be destroyed. The basis of sacrifice in Santeria is for the worshippers to give something of themselves.

Worshipers are known to give charity, prayers, songs, foods, time, and money as a sacrifice. Worshippers also use dance, rituals, and tell stories as sacrifices. However, the best sacrifice that a worshiper could ever offer the Orishas is to sacrifice his or herself. They can do this by conducting a service that is totally self-less. This service could be in the form of charity, of giving, or merely sending out prayers and good intentions to others. Worshippers of Santeria understand the true value of sacrifice and have a profound respect for animals and nature. 

Animal Sacrifices

Altered State Of Consciousness

Santeria and Voodoo

When African slaves were imported to America, they were taught Christianity, but some people continued to hold their traditional beliefs. The result was a blending of traditional West African beliefs with Christianity. Today, many Afro-American folk religions continue to be practiced in the Caribbean, particularly among the poor and less educated people. They include Voodoo in Haiti, Santeria in Cuba, Shango in Trinidad, and Kuminia or Pocomania in Jamaica.

Differences

Voodoo is a religious tradition originating in West Africa, which became prominent in the New World due to the importation of African slaves. West African Vodun is the original form of the religion; Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo are its descendants in the New World. Santería also known as "La Regla de Lukumi" (Lukumi's Rule), is an Afro-Caribbean religious tradition derived from traditional beliefs of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The Santería/Yoruba tradition comprises a hierarchical structure according to priesthood level and authority. Orisha "ile" or temples are usually governed by Orisha Priests known as Babalorishas, "fathers of orisha", or Iyalorishas, "mothers of orisha", and serve as the junior Ile or second in the hierarchical religious structure. The Babalorishas and Iyalorishas are referred to as "Santeros(as)" and if they function as diviners of the Orishas they can be considered Oriates. The highest level of achievement is to become a priest of Ifa (ee-fah). Ifa Priests receive Orunmila who is the Orisha of Prophecy, Wisdom and all Knowledge. Ifa Priests are known by their titles such as "Babalawo" or "Father Who Knows the Secrets" and "Iyanifa" or "Mother of Destiny." Ifa Ile or Temples of Ifa serve as the senior to all Orisha Ile in the Traditional Orisha-Ifa / Santería Community. The Sacred Oracle of Ika-Fun or Ika Ofun serves as confirmation.

Divination in Santeria

•       Divination is an essential part of Santería because it's how human beings receive advice and guidance from the Orichas and the Egún (spirits of the ancestors).  Only Olorichas (fully initiated priests and priestesses of Santería) or Babalawos (priests of Orula) can do divination, because it requires the use of divination tools that have been properly consecrated.  Divination is not like fortune telling. It's a sacred ritual.  The Oloricha or Babalawo interprets what the Orichas have to say, but interpretation requires intensive training and follows very specific procedures. Not everyone has the aché (spiritual energy) for divination, and everyone is interested in learning how to do it. In any given religious community, only a few people might have the calling to become specialists in divination. Others may be familiar with the process, but not masters of interpretation.




Examples of divination

- Divination with the Dilogún

Dilogún/ Diloggún are consecrated cowrie shells used by an Oloricha to carry out a divination ritual with the Orichas. In Cuba, this ritual is called a consulta (consultation) or a registro (check up).

- Obi Divination

One of the simplest forms of divination that an Oloricha can do is "dar coco" or consult with pieces of coconut.  In Lucumí, coconut is called Obi.  Obi is sacred, and must be treated with respect.

What to Expect from a Consulta (Consultation)

Consultas should be entered into with serious intent and a commitment to listen to the words of the Orichas. Don't go with the idea that someone is going to tell you what the future holds, or what you should do with your life. The future is in your hands, and with the guidance of the Orichas, you can create the life you want and deserve.  A consulta can bring up deep issues that you'll have to sort out, and you may be asked to modify your behavior or change your way of interacting with the world around you.  It's not a quick fix, but it will set you on the right path and help you grow.  When you show devotion to the Orichas, they protect and bless you so that you can evolve in positive ways.

Santeria Rituals: Initiation

People who have no formal ties to the religion are called Aleyos, which means "outsiders" or "strangers." If they decide to become more involved with the religion they must go through an initiation, one of these being a ritual to get their Elekes (sacred beads). 

“They [Elekes] must be prepared. They are prepared by washing them in the sacred Omiero of Osain with the Orishas that correspond to each of them. Then they are fed their corresponding animals with each of the Orishas. Then they are ready to be placed on a person. Without having passed through these ceremonies, they do not have any ache. Ache is the power of the Orishas, it is the lifeforce that flows through them and their priests and priestesses.”

There are two stages of Santeria:

·      Aboricha: An intermediate stage in the Lucumí faith. This person has made a more formal commitment to the religion by establishing a connection to a religious elder and an Ile (temple-house).

·      Oloricha: A fully initiated Priest or Priestess, commonly known as a Santero or Santera.

What do Santeria Initiations Involve?

Divination: Santeria initiations must be marked by divination first and foremost. This is our formal stance as a church, because divination is there to guide us and help us make the best informed decisions. If you are not marked to receive elekes through divination then you have no business receiving them. The same goes for any other initiation. Divination should be conducted with diloggún (cowrie shell divination) or through Ifá.

Derecho / Ashedí: Initiation in Santeria has an associated cost. This is called a derecho or “ashedí­”. Some people have a deep distrust of any spiritual initiation or ceremony that costs money and this is a cultural variance from traditional African cultural values. Paying for an initiation is normal in African Traditional Religions like Santeria. The ashedí goes toward paying for items required for the initiation, vessels, tools, herbs, rental of a space (if necessary), animals, food to feed all those present), garments, cloth, supplies, as well as a stipend given to each godparent and the olorishas who come to work the ceremony. Ethical godparents should give a godchild a set amount for the ashedí, and that’s that. No plans should be made for the initiation until the ashedí is received by the godparent, and the ashedí amount should not change after it has been quoted unless an extraordinary amount of time has transpired since it was first quoted, or if items change price unexpectedly (as animals are prone to do). We encourage godparents to make a list of all the supplies needed for each initiation and give it to the prospective initiate to show them just how much these initiations cost. This will help alleviate any deceptive charging practices.