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In all cults of African origin, even those who are not from the Yoruba root (like the Voodoo Lwa, whom are from Ghana's Ewe root), the cult and reverence to the ancestors comes even before the cult of the Orishas. Our ancestors protect us, fill us with their knowledge and power, and allow us to communicate with our personal deities. It is believed that the Orishas themselves (except Oloddumare) where Yoruba kings, queens and warriors once – there is a common expression in Cuban Santeria that says “El muerto parió al Santo” - the Dead one gave birth to the Saint (Orisha).
The axis of the ancestor's cult in a worshipper's home is the Bóveda Espiritual, or Spiritual Dome. In a quiet and clean corner of the house, seven goblets of water are placed over a table covered with a spotless white tablecloth, forming a half circle. In the central goblet, besides water, there is a crucifix, or a Caravaca cross (a cross with a double horizontal arm, also called a Patriarchal Cross), or a silver toned horseshoe, depending on the specific path of the practitioner. White candles are offered everyday and before every special ritual, and food offerings are placed before them often, but they have to follow the strict rule of being made without salt at all, as it is believed that the dead cannot eat salted foods – a belief that I have found in other forms of Witchcraft, where salt is used to make spirits go away.
The dead can enter this plane through water, and need to stay “fed” - that is, satisfied and willing to help the practitioner. Cleanliness is very important for Santería's vision of the world of Spirits, and it is considered offensive to have an ancestor's altar dirty or unattended. If our ancestor spirits are not well taken care of, they become unable to hear and attend our requests, and weak to protect the house from negative entities.
But we do not only pray to the Dead for our own growth. There is a very popular deity in Santeria called the Anima Sola (The Lonely Spirit) that is the guardian of all lost, low-karma spirits. Candles and prayers for those lost souls are regularly placed in our altars, as it is believed that the Anima Sola will grant favours to those who work with her. This is a tradition I particularly love because you are not praying for you or your own ancestors, but for unnamed souls. This generosity and understanding is one of the most beautiful parts of Santería.
I didn't want to finish this article without speaking of the Santísima Muerte or Holy Death, a Goddess revered in Mexican Witchcraft. Yes, the Holy Death is a she, a Goddess of the passing of changes in our lives. In Mexico, where her cult originated from the pre-Hispanic goddess of the underworld, she is not feared but much loved and revered, and treated like a honour guest in every house where she resides. Her cult includes keeping her cheery and loving her much as she has the worst job on earth and carries a very heavy weight upon her shoulders. Under her guidance and care, we learn to accept that everything is temporary, and to behave properly before her is to get ready to face our own passing. Another reason that makes me love her is that she is patroness and defender of outsiders, of the poor and homeless, as Pomba Gira or Babaluayé are, and they get my instant love and sympathy, because as a woman-witch-anarchist-hippie-artist, I know very well what is to be an outsider of society. She is also the defender of women with “complicated” husbands, and spells and offerings to her are often made to attract a lover or to keep a misbehaving husband under control. Another of her specialities is helping people cut strings with addictions.
As you can see, our relationship with the Dead is not of fear and darkness, but of joy and loving remembrance. Our loved ones are not gone at all, but stay near us protecting us and giving us courage and the knowledge of their experience.
Note: the images added are not mine and have been included for informational purposes only.
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Carolina Gonzalez - The Hoodoo Shop Blog - Shop
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