ANIMA SOLA

ANIMA SOLA Animas Del Purgatorio

Legend tells the tale of how when men where crucified, women where in charge of taking a pale of water and from a spounge attached to a long wooden pole, they would soak it in water and would give the crucified victims water to quench their thirst. On the evening of Good Friday when Jesus Christ was crucified a woman by the name Maria Celestina Abdenago brought water to the three upon the cross. She gave Dysmas and Gesmas water but for some reason she feared the savior, and did not give him water to drink. When Maria Celestina Abdenago died many years later she was sent to purgitory for denying the savior water.

Another legend tells the tale of how Maria Celestina Abdenago was a sorceress who practiced the black arts and when Jesus was carrying the heavy wooden cross through the streets, as he passed her house she ran into the street, up to him and spat in his face. Thus going to purgatory for her offense and insult done to the savior.

A popular Mexican and Spanish Anima Sola is Juan Minero, or John the Miner. For his sins on earth Juan Minero toils and labors hard in purgatory mining coal to feed the flames of both Hell and purgatory. His sin, tradition says that in a fit of rage he would enter into Holy Temples and shrines and defile the altars, by blowing out candles and stealing lanterns and spilling holy water on the ground.

The most popular image of an Anima Sola depicts a woman in a dungeon set into flames as she looks up towards the heavens. Her chains are broken and she looks at peace, as if the flames consuming her soul do not bother her. She patiently awaits the saviors forgiveness of her sins, as her arms are stretched upwards as if the savior has sent the Queen of Angels to set her free from her torment. The infamous famous image of the Anima Sola is of Maria Celestina Abdenago.

Many who don’t know much of the Anima Sola assume that there is only one, when in reality there are countless souls in the “Catholic’ purgatory or lower spiritual plane, cleansing there sinful souls before being forgiven and reaching a higher spiritual plane.

The Anima Sola or Lonely Souls of Purgatory are not evil spirits, as their souls are not damned in Hades or Hell, they are the souls of sinners who because of their mortal sins cannot reach the Kingdom of Heaven until there souls have been purified from their earthly wrong doings.
Many people in Latin American counties pray to the Anima Sola and they are often invoked in love spells. On Mondays they are offered water, a white candle to give them light and many offer them cigars, cigarettes and strong liquor such as rum, whiskey or a can of beer. The Anima Sola are venerated on el Dia de las Animas, November 2nd the day of All Souls Day, as special Masses are done in honor of them. In Mexico this day is called, El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

I personally do not work with the Anima Sola. From my personal belief, these spirits should be respected and prayers should be said to them so that their sins are forgiven and so that their souls become purified and they may be able to move higher in the spiritual evolution chain. I have done Veladas for Anima Sola, include them in prayers during Sesiones and light candles for them on November 2nd, but I do not keep any Anima Sola paraphernalia on my altars, its just a personal preference.

PRAYERS TO THE ANIMA SOLA

Hear ye O Mortals, the lament of an imprisoned soul, alone and abandoned in an obscure dwelling. O Lone Soul, a soul of peace and of war. Soul of sea and of land. I desire that all that I have lost be returned.
O Souls, you who are alone and abandoned, I accompany you in your grief. Pitty upon you I have, for I know of the grief and suffering you must endure within your harsh and long imprisonment.
I offer you this prayer and glass of water because I desire to lessen your pain and quench your thirst.
Sad Soul, Alone Soul, no one calls you, I call you. No one looks for you, but I seek you out. No one loves you, but I adore you. No one remembers you, but I keep you in my heart. I offer you this lit candle so that you may find your way into the light.
In this moment I offer to you my meritorious labor, and all that I have suffered, suffer and will suffer in this life, can never compare to yours.
I humbly pray that you finish paying for your mortal sins of the flesh so that you may find the grace of God, and be lifted from your imprisonment,
With your grace you shall be my benefactor. Amen

ANIMA SOLA OF JUAN MINERO

Traditional Spanish prayers to Juan Minero have to do with casting a love spell on an individual or performing black magic. I do not personally work with this spirit, but I include it because of its popular use within Diableria, Hechiserismo “sorcery” Brujeria Negra ‘black magic’ and Nigromante Nigromantismo “necromancy” These prayers fall under the works of working with the espiritus intranquilos, Intranquil or Restless Spirits, as they are mentioned by traditional Spanish names. I will only be including one prayers hear as the rest fall under the Intranquil Spirits.

DIABLERO, NIGROMANTE, NIGROMANTICOS BLACK MAGIC OF JUAN MINERO

In the Holy names of God, I invoke the spirits of Domination, the Intranquil Restless Spirits, the Spirits of Despair. The Spirit of Juan (John) the Conqueror, the Spirit of Juan of the crossroads, the spirit of Juan Minero, the spirit of Juan of sorrows, and Juan of the dangerous road.
I invoke the spirits of the four winds,
I invoke the Soul of the Anima Sola, Juan Minero. I ask you to enter into the heart of (n.n.). Oh Guardian Angel of (n.n.), step aside and do not intercede. Let him/her be restless and not find peace until by my side he/she stands.
Oh soul of Juan Minero, place me in his/her heart, and in his/her thoughts.
Saint Ines of the lost forests, aid me in returning his/her affection. Return him/her in body, mind and spirit. So be it

LA VELADA ESPIRITUAL

LA VELADA ESPIRITUAL / VELACION

LA VELADA DE LA MESA BLANCA

La Velada Espiritual is a public ceremony where a congregation of 30 or more, come to have their Causas lifted by an Espiritista. The Veladas are held on the first and or the third friday of each month in Centro Espirituales, private homes, apartment buildings, or garages across Puerto Rico and areas in the U.S. where Puerto Ricans migrated.

A large rectangular table is decorated with a white table cloth, this table is called, La Mesa Blanca de la Velada, or de la Velacion. Upon the table are is a large Fuente filled with Holy Water, white candles, Agua Florida or Alcojolados, filled with a mixture of albahca, ruda, rompe saraguey and perjil herbs and roots, a white covered bible, “many times a black leather bible, covered in satin and lace”, and paper backs of, La fe en la Oracion. On one side of the table, 3 to 9 chairs are arranged so that the Mediums can face those who have come to attend La Velada. The center chair is for the Presidente de Mesa, which can either be male or female, to the right sits the Mediamidad de la Mano Derecha, which is almost always female, and towards the left, el Asistente de Mesa (male or female) if there are other chairs they are occupied by Mediums of various ranks in their spiritual growth, with the less experienced aprendizes and ajihados towards the end. Across from the mesa blanca is placed the altar to the Patron saint and Guardian Spirit of the house. The altar is elaborately decorated with flowers, candles, rum, and aguardiente. To the foot of the statue of the saint or guia rests a wicker basket with warm Puerto Rican, pan asobao or pan de agua, “the pan espiritual” (spiritual bread) and warm coco and coffee, sometimes a platter of cheese and luncheon meat is placed their also. On the foot of this altar blooms a Siempre Viva ( Reserection Plant – Rose of Jericho) in Holy water. Halfway through the end of the Velada, during a break session, this food will be consumed by the guests as it has received the blessing of the Saint and Guardian Spirit.

Guests are asked to arrive at The Velada at 7:00 p.m. sharp as it usually starts at 8:00 p.m. and the doors will be closed for no further interruption. Cellphones, and all outside distractions are prohibited. The ceremony starts by all the candles being lit and all electrical lights are turned off. The Presidente takes the Rosary from the mesa and begins to recite the Our Father, and the congregation follows along with the Ave Marias. After the Rosary has been completely recited, the Mediamidad de la mano derecha prays a random prayer from La Fe en la Oracion, or a psalm of the bible, this gives the Presidente confirmation of the first Causa that will need attending. When the prayer is finished, the Presidente de Mesa rises and points to a random individual that is sitting across from the mediums and asks him or her to stand. The Presidente through divine interpretation of the prayer that was recited and by a strong psychic spiritual force directing him, knows to whom the prayer or psalm has been directed to. The Presidente tells the person of a “causa” he or she might have. If the causa is of a serious nature the person is escourted to the mesa by an aprendiz or ahijado, where the Asistente de Mesa will bless the person with holy water, and cleanse them with either florida water, herbal shrubs tied together with strings or yarn, this is known as Masos de Yerbas, tobacco smoke from a cigar or by fire, from a candle or which has been created with the Florida Water. A cross is poured with the florida water on cement or pavement and lit by one of the aprendizes while the Asistente de Mesa performs the Pases on the client. Some of the congregation come to have an illness, a disease or bareness spiritually treated, others come to banish a bothersome spirit, or a curse lifted. The Presidente de Mesa is the one who handles these strong Causas. The Velada does not end until all the congregation has been attended. Some receive healing, while others receive a spiritual message. The Velada usually will not last any later than 2:00 a.m. as it is believed that 3:00 a.m. is the hour of el Diablo and Demoños, and all who attend la Velada should be safely home by this time. There usually is a break during the Velada, around 11:00, before la hora de la Bruja, or witching hour. This is when everyone attending, grounds themselves and receives the healing benefits of el Pan Espiritual and drinks warm coco or coffee. The Velada ends with the Presidente taking the Fuente into his hand and sprinkling the water on all who has come, behind the Presidente the Asistente smudges the crowd with cigar smoke or incense as the mediamidad de mano derecha closes the velada with a prayer. Although Veladas are done during the night, a similar procedure is done in centros during the early hours of the morning or at midday, this is called a Velacion. The Velacion is to treat young children, housewives, or the elderly from Causas ranging from personal problems, helping in healing an illness, work related, cleansing, removing el Mal de Ojo, or simple purifications to name a few. Like the nightly velada a donation basket is passed to cover expenses of the ceremonies.

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A SPIRITUAL WORKERS PANTRY

A SPIRITUAL WORKERS PANTRY

Every traditional Puerto Rican home has some of these items in their pantries or bathroom cabinets. Traditionally these items where used as col b ognes, rubbing alcohols, or for bathing. Today many Spiritual Workers and Brujos use these items to make spiritual baths, house cleansing, or washes, and to remove negative vibrations from the home. All these items can be found in Caribbean Latino Bodegas, (food markets) Botanicas and online. Recently I have found them in Grocerie stores in the Hispanic section. A true Brujo never purchases premade baths or oils, we make them ourselves. None of these items are made for internal intake or consumption.

Agua Bendita: No home should be without Holy water, it removes negative vibrations, keeps evil spirits away, heals, used to remove evil. Never purchase Holy Water, gather some in a church, but be respectful and leave an offering.

Agua Maravilla: Used to heal acne, scars scratches, minor burns, reduces swelling.

Alcolado 70 Superior: Used when cleansing a body, during pases, cleansing the aura, healing with the power or prayer and the hands. Add to bath water to help in quick recovery from colds and flues. A person who has a temperature is rubbed down with it. Used as a floor wash or spray in the room of a sick individual.

Alcolado Mentolado: Mainly used as a rubbing alcohol for the sick, placed in a simmering pot to cleanse and purify the air. Sprinkled on the bed of a person who is ill will help them recover quicker. Rub on individuals to aid in reducing fever. Other popular alcoholado are Alcolado Relampago and Alcolado w/Eucalyptus

Añil: Indigo Blue Balls. Used to remove psychic attacks, dispell demons, used with florida water in Misas to keep evil spirits away. Used in baths to remove bad

Arnica pomada: Used to heal bruises, minor burns, simple scratches and cracked or chapped skin.

Azahar Orange Flower: Used in love baths, to attract a mate or lover.

Camphor: Used to dispel and remove negative vibrations, promote calm sleep, cleanse and purify. Used in baths to treat colds, or skin irritations, or in a humidifier to help relieve congestion. Sooth minor burns relieve insect bites.

Cocoa Butter: For healing dry skin, moisturizing, facials, healing cuts or wounds.

Colonia Agua Floral : To cleanse an aura, calm nerves, and remove negative vibrations.

Colonia Agua de Ruda: Remove the evil eye, bring peace to a disturbed individual, calm a troubled person, used as a floor wash to calm the house.

Colonia Kananga Water: To remove the evil eye, black magic or curses. Used to clean the house from negative vibrations and appeasing the spirits of the dead.

Colonia patchouli, Colonia Abre Caminos, Colonia Dominante: Colonias come in many different fragrances, and are all great for spiritual baths and house cleansing. Add to your herbal infusions.

Florida Water: Cleansing and purification. Remove tension, Aleve minor headaches, caused by tension or evil eye. Cleanse the home.

Jabon Zote: used to wash ritual clothing, altar cloths, great after shampoo to combat oily hair, soap used for spiritual baths before spiritual work, mosquito repellent, and keep rodants away. Placed on altars to keep bugs away from offerings.

Hoyt’s Cologne: Used by men before shaving, and as an after shave, contracts the pores, a mild astringent that soothes and heals skin abrasions caused by shaving.

Kolomia 1800: add to herbal teas for spiritual baths, and cleaning the home.

MASLAC manteca de Ubre: For muscle tension. Many santiguadores use this product, it was a staple in my house.

Miel Rosada / Pink Honey:

Mutton Tallow: Used to treat cold sores, chapped hands, skin and lips, and for the relief of sunburn

Pompeya Lotion: Used in baths to attack luck, and prosperity, Calms stress, and agitation, it soothes, comforts and calms for a restful sleep.

Rose Water : Used for love baths, romance, attraction, and peace in relationships.

Siete Machos Cologne: Used for men in baths to attract women, make a man more sexually appealing, to win over a woman, and in luck with games of chance and gambling.

Tranquil Balsam: Sprinkle on wrists or forehead to soothe nerves, worries and anxiety.

Violetas Francesas Cologne, Agua de Violetas, Royal Violets Cologne: for spiritual baths.

The Commission of the Gypsies

The Commision of the Gypsies

When I was in my late teens, I had attended a Velada /Fiesta Espiritual in Dorchester Massachusettes, conducted by a well known and respected Espiritista. (see my blog post titled LA VELADA DE LA MESA BLANCA) During that fiesta espiritual an Espiritista brough down a Gypsi spirit, by the name of Jethenya. In gypsi fashion, the spirit danced in circles, stomping her feet to the music played by a radio casette player and greated the people, all the while cleansing them with her pańos and giving them messages from the spirits. Then she.came to me and halted her dance abruptly and gazed into my eyes. I immediately averted her profound gaze, that seemed to strip away the layers of my very soul. Then she placed her hands on my shoulders, as a feeling of electric spiritual currents went through my body, Jethenya noticed my unease and began to comfort my growing unease and softly said to me.

“Olé, hermano mio! Que Olé! Yo Vengo hacer Caridad, I have come to perform Charity, You have the cuadro de los Gitanos, you have the frame of the gypsies with you,Alavado sea el Señor! It is part of your ancestry, as I see gypsi blood flows through your vains. I will be by your side always hermano mio, and in the comming years I will give you three pruebas as the three nails that pierced our Lords flesh. These pruebas will test your worthiness and faith.”

For many years afterwards I became obsessed with everything gipsy, the lore, legends, music and culture. Mainly the Spanish Gitanos, and Flamenco music and dance of Andalucia and Sevilla Spain. I purchased every Gipsy Kings, Carmen Amaiya, (Queen of the Gipsies) and Sabicas cd I Could get my hands on.

Later on that year a Spanish soap opera was televised titled, Yesenia, about a Gypsi. Could this be a sign, I remember wondering. Soon afterwards my first child was born, and I named her Yesenia after the Gypsi that came to me during that Fiesta Espiritual. (I also in the years to come did face the three pruebas, the last one to be the strongest and almost completely destroying and breaking my faith. But with the Grace of God, I passed them and came through.

Legends of the Gypsies

A gypsi by the name of Renzo was approached by a Roman Centurion and ordered to forge twelve large nails, three of them were to be sharper then the others. This being Renzo’s art and having no reason in questioning the Roman Centurion, proceeded with his labor. As Renzo was forging the twelve nails, outside his hut he overheard the Roman Centurion laughing as he told a soldier that the nails were to be used to fix Christ and the robbers to their crosses. One for each hand, one to nail the feet to the cross and the fourth, the sharpest to be plunged into the sides of the victims to cause them more torture.

Stricken with great remorse and guilt for being responsible for the commission of an
act of great offense. Renzo handed his son the three sharpest nails, and ordered him to run to a secluded area in the hills and bury the nails. The son ran to the Mount of Olives and buried them deep into the earth.

When the Centurion came to collect the 12 nails, Renzo begged mercy for he only had time to forge nine nails of the twelve and did not have time to forge the three sharpest nails.

Infuriated the Centurion took the nails and did not pay Renzo. The Romans where forced to make do with what they had in securing Christ and the other two victims with the nine nails. With the forth one being absent this would save the three victims of further torture and pain.

Renzo knelt and prayed God for mercy, and sent his son to the Mount of Calvary, there he was to kneel at the foot of the cross of Christ and beg mercy. The son being an obedient son did as he was told. At the foot of the cross, Renzo’s son was the first to make the sign of the cross, Jesus at this moment blessed him and his kinfolk, and excused them of commiting the sin of thievery and lies.

When Jesus died, the rumours spread that it had been a gypsi who had forged the nails, this created an angry mod. They went into the gypsi camp and drove Renzo and his kinfolk out of their land.

Till recently gypsies became known as the wondering race, doomed to be unable to settle in a land until the three missing nails are found thus finally ending their wandering existence.

There are many variations of the legend from gypsi clan to clan. In one version a Gypsi woman, hand-maiden of one of the Three Marys by the name of Sara Kali, or Kalimah; stole a bag of nails from the Roman soldiers in the hopes of lessening the pain of the victims. Thus becoming the Patron Saint of the Gypsies. While in another tail it is a couple of young gyspie children who steel one of the bags of nails.

Most of my offerings to my gypsies are stolen flowers, or nails I find on a road or railroad track, or constructor sight. I never go into a store and steel flowers, I take them from public gardens, but always leaving a derecho of coins as a sign of respect.

” FLORES PA TU ALTAR, ANQUE ME LAS TENGA QUE ROBAR!”

PRAYER OF THE THREE NAILS.

Me persigno con los tres clavos y me abrazo de la cruz, Cruz Santa, Cruz Digna, Cruz Divina.

Yo te alabo y te bendigo por el Señor que murió en ti. no dejes llegar cosas malas junto de mi.

Que la Cruz y la Corona vayan siempre delante de mi, y muevan los corazones que estén en contra de mi.

Cristo vive, Cristo reina, Cristo de todos mis enemigos me defienda.

El Padre me libre, el Hijo me guarde y el Espíritu Santo por nosotros hable.

Ave María Purísima, sin pecado concebida. Alabado sea el Santísimo Sacramento del Altar

I CROSS MYSELF WITH THREE NAILS AND EMBRACE THE CROSS.
+ HOLY CROSS
+ DIGNIFIED CROSS
+ DIVINE CROSS.
I PRAISE THE LORD WHO DIED FOR MY SINS. KEEP EVIL AND WICKEDNESS AWAY FROM MY PATH.

MAY THE HOLY CROSS AND SACRED CROWN BE BEFORE ME, AND PACIFY THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST ME.

CHRIST LIVES. CHRIST REIGNS.
CHRIST DEFEND ME FROM ALL HARM.

MAY THE FATHER LIBERATE ME.
MAY THE SON GUARD ME.
MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT ON MY BEHALF INTERCEDE.

HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE. YOU WHO HAVE CONCEIVED WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN.
PRAISE BE THE HOLY SACRAMENT.

AMEN.

SPELL OF THE THREE NAILS FOR PROTECTION.

ITEMS NEEDED

Blue Candle
Olive Oil
1 Loadstone
Loadstone food
Three Nails.
A white cloth bag
Blue string
Incense charcoal
Incense, sandalwood
Three stick matches.
Holy Water

On your altar take the candle and oil the base with a drop of olive oil. Light the candlw with the 3 matches. Then with the lit candle light the incense charcoal and place it on a safe base. Sprinkle the coal with the incense. Let it smoke. Take the white bag and pass it carefully above the fire of the candle and the smoke of the incense and then cross yourself with it. Place the bag infront of you. Take the three nails and add oil to each nail, and sprinkle with holy water, then place in bag. Do the same with the loadstone and place in bag, then sprinkle into the bag loadstone food. Then tie the bag shut with the blue string, making three tight knots, And pass through the flame and smoke, and anoint it with oil and holy water. Make the sign of the cross and carry with you for protection or keep in your car for safe travel, or hung behind the door to your home.

TRES CLAVOS DE LA CRUZ.

Los tres clavos y la cruz vayan delante de Jesucristo. Respondan y hablen por mi, y ablanden los corazones de los que sufren en contra mía. AMEN.

MAY THE THREE NAILS OF CHRIST GO BEFORE ME, BEHIND ME, AND ALL AROUND ME. MAY YOU PACIFY THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO WILL ME ILL. AMEN

THE ORIGINAL QUEEN OF THE GYPSIES.
SANTA SARA KALI

Opacha! Opacha! Mi Sagrada Santa. Señora Sara Kali. Madre y Reina de todas las tribus gitanas de esta Tierra o de allá del túmulo. Madre de todos los gitanos y protectora de los carruajes gitanos. Rezo evocando tu poder, mi poderosa Sta. Sara Kali, para que ablandes mi corazón y saques las angustias que se depositaran a mis pies. Santa Sara ayúdeme. Abra mis caminos para la fe en tu poder milagrosos. Venciste el mal, todas las tempestades y caminaste por las carreteras que Jesús Cristo camino. Madre de los misterios gitanos que da fuerza a todos los gitanos en el don de la magia, fortaléceme ahora, siendo yo gitano o no gitano, bondadosa Santa Sara, ablande los leones que rugen para devorarme.

Santa Sara, ahuyenta las almas perversas para que no me puedan ver. Ilumina mi tristeza para la felicidad llegar, Reina. Atravesaste las aguas de los ríos y del mar por encima de ellas y no hundiste yo evoco tu poder para que yo no me hunda en el océano de la vida. Santa Sara, soy pecador, triste, sufrido y amargado. Tráeme fuerza y coraje, como las del Pueblo gitano tus protegidos, Madre, Señora y Reina de las fiestas gitanas. Nada se puede hacer en una Tienda Gitana sin primero evocar tu nombre, y yo evoco por mi pedido Santa Sara Kali. Tocan los violines, caen las monedas, danzan las gitanas descalzas en vuelta de la hoguera, viene el olor fuerte de los perfumes gitanos, las palmas batiendo, lavando al Pueblo de Santa Sara Kali.

Que el Pueblo gitano me traiga riquezas, paz, amor y victorias. Ahora y siempre loare tu nombre Santa Sara Kali y todo el Pueblo gitano. Opacha, opacha, Olé con Olé Madre Santa Sara Kali.

My Sacred Saint our Lady Sara Kali. Mother and Queen of all the Gypsy tribes of this earth. You who protect the caravans of your people. I invvoke your sublime powers my powerful Santa Sara Kali, to soften my heart and remove the anguish at my feet.

Santa Sara help me. Open my road and clear the path. Conquer evil, and the storms in my life, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gypsy Mother of the Mysteries that were bestowed on the Roma. Giver of music and dance, You that aid in the sight, and the gifts of the mysteries of magic,

Bestow upon me the strength to conquer the roaring lion that wishes to devour me.

Holy Saint Sara Kali, DISPEL the evil souls that may surround me. Holy Queen, may the waters of the rivers and the sea not drown me. I humbly evoke your powers, may I not sink into the depths of the sea.

Bring before me courage and strength, such as that of your people the Roma. Perfume my life with rose oils, and give to me the love for the joy of dance and music.

May the Roma Gypsi spirits bless me with, wealth, peace, love and victory. Now and forever I will praise your name, Hail Santa Sara Kali and all the Roma people. Opocha, Opocha, OLÉ. HAIL BLESSED SAINT SARA KALI.

In future blogs I will be blogging more on the major Courts and commissions of Spirits venerated in Puerto Rican Sanse, Santerismo and espiritismo, to read more on each commissions, read. The 21 Commissions of Puerto Rican Espiritismo in this blog.

Brujo Hermano Luis

SPIRITUALLY CLEANING THE HOUSE

SPIRITUALLY CLEANING THE HOUSE

LIMPIANDO, RECOJIENDO Y BOTANDO, PA FUERA!!!!!

The other day I was watching one of my favorite witchy movies, Practical Magic, and there was a scene when Sally, (Sandra Bullock) the aunts and a group of “witches” had to exorcise the evil spirit of a dead lover from Gillian, (Nicole Kidman). In one sceen after a successful but quick exorcism, one of the witches says out loud, to the newly formed Coven of witches. “Lets clean house!’ At this point, and although almost at the final act of the film, I lost my complete attention on the movie, my thoughts went racing, and all I could think of was, getting off my lazy culo, and darle una limpia espiritual, a esta casa. (Give the house a spiritual cleansing.)

I began to gather the necessary items needed for a thorough house cleansing. As I gathered my stuff from the cabinets and under the kitchen since, I put on my ipod and played Spanish Espiritismo and Santeria music, folkloric music of Cuba and Puerto Rico, sung to the Spirits and Saints with traditional Caribbean beats: not to be confused with Afro Cuban ritual Lukumi music, which is set to drum beats with African words. As the music played I felt, el toque espiritual surge through my vains as an overpowering rush of spiritual energy took over me, which usually happens when I have a spiritual undertaking. I remember thinking to myself. “O Cara! This will make a great post for my blogs.

I give my home a spiritual cleaning once a week (usually Sundays or Thursdays) and a quick nightly pick up every night. In Puerto Rico it is believed that a dirty house shows signs of bad character. If you want to know a person’s spiritual character or their character in general, visit their home. My abuela (grandmother) would often say one of her wise Spanish Proverbs. (Cool future blog, Abuelas words of wisdom, Spanish Proverbs) Anyways My abuela would often say. “El Porque vives en la suciedad no significa que tienes que ser sucio.” (Just because you live in dirt, don’t mean you have to act dirty). What she literally meant by this statement was, that just because one lives in poverty did not mean one had to act uneducated; but she always said this whenever she cleaned her small Puerto Rican one room wooden shack on the islands of enchantment

A constant dirty house full of clutter is the home of a person who is weak, lazy, and surrounded by negative vibrations within their life in all its shapes and forms, (IT SHOWS WEAK CHARACTER) An over messy and unkempt house shows something is deeply bothering a person, their mentality is weak and frail. Think of it this way, as we get into our golden years, we often become to sick, frail, or weak to clean our own homes, sometimes these elderly have members of the family who come and help them with their house chores, or hire a cleaner. This by no means signifies that an elderly person has negative vibrations, although in some cases it does. It simply means that they are either to old or weak to keep up with their chores. This concept of frailty and weakness can also apply to the mentally and spiritually disturbed. This also applies to the younger crowd, If you ever enter into the home of a person who is in dipression, or has a troubled mind their homes are usually messy and unkempt. Also look at a teenagers room, usually their rooms are cluttred and messy. Their every thoughts are full of growing pains, pear preasure, lost loves, school projects or exans, getting their licenses, acceptance, laziness and other issues that their minds are so boggled up with these thoughts that they fail to keep clean the single most sacred of all man made sanctuaries, a bed room.

Turn on your television and look up the t.v. program: Hoarders, these poor individual’s lives are so full of termoil, mental warfare, and spiritual negative baggages without an outlet to unleash these emotions that they often turn to collecting and keeping material junk and garbage as a means of feeling that they have some self control over their lives.

As is tradition with Creollos and Creollas, Puerto Rican Creoles of the island, I always start my cleaning in the bathroom, which is believed to be the filthiest of rooms. Then I clean my bedrooms, followed by the hallways, then I go to the living room, pick up within each and every corner and closet, then the Kitchen, placing all the dirt, dust and debris into the center of the floor and finally out the back door. (PA FUERA!). If its warm out, I open all the windows. During the time I am cleaning the house, I also make sure to change the fuentes on my altars, cleanse my statues, remove old candles, and light new ones, change dried flowers, wipe up asses from the incense burner, and discard the water of my Siempreviva (Resurrection Plant) and add fresh new water.

It is important for a Puerto Rican to clean with music. You will often see young maidens cleaning a house to baladas and boleros, and crying while cleaning, and reminiscing of a lost love, or fantasizing of a future lover. (Crying is a form of cleansing the soul.) Or you will see older stronger women cleaning to Salsa or Bachata music. I always clean with music, it helps me to untangle the thoughts that need untangling, it grounds me and helps me to focus in the matter at hand. Not only do I clean to spiritual music, but depending on my mood that particular day I also spiritually clean to bolero, salsa or a bachata, or if I am in a really good mood a tecno club song is always put into the mix, but most of the time when I am spiritually cleaning I put on my religious and spiritual music. Also I love Deva Premal and Loreena McKennitt, but I never use this type of music for cleaning the house, I use it more for, grounding and meditation or a spiritual bath after the house is nice and clean.

As is tradition I always clean using Puerto Rican products such as Fabuloso, Mistolin, “mistolin hace feliz a su nariz.” or other latino products such as Money Drawing Powerful Indian, La Madama or Chango Macho aerosol sprays, “a little luck with games of chance wount hurt.” I use incense sticks, resins alcojolado, (bay rum) household salt and florida water filled with bay leaves and basil. These products help to remove unwanted vibrations in the home, and psychic dirt that accumulates quickly. But I also use bleach, windex, fabreze and Lysol, lets face it, “cuz it is what it is” I dont only have to remove undesirable vibtations from my home, I have to get rid of them pesky germs and dirt that help in making one ill and weak in the first place.

There is no dogma or doctrines when spiritually cleaning a house. One thing that is for sure, before giving the house a spiritual cleaning, one has to give the home a physical cleaning. dirt buildup within the home attracts negative and unwanted vibrations.

During the winter and spring seasons, my floors get filthy dirty, this has to do in part from all the slush, dirt or mud brought in from the shoes of guests, friends, family members, and clients. Dirt is of the earth and has a natural absorbing energy that by nature pulls peoples emotions, feelings and aura vibrations. Once these people enter your home, they leave a bit of their energy in your home, brought in from the absorbing dirt outside, and not just their vibrations, but the countless vibrations of others who had recently walked those same paths. Outdoors in nature this energy within time is purified, cleansed, and dissipates into the earth and universe. But indoors, especially in times when we are closed in during the winter months, this energy has no where to go, and it stays stuck within the confinement of your walls. This negative energy Is similar to faint fowl odors that stay within the home or germs that survive through locked up homes during the winter seasons, as germs strive in dry air.

Also emotional vibrations stay in the house, that can cause a home to feel heavy, and lifeless. Strong emotions such as anger, fear, frustration, confusion, and other emotions linger within the crevices of the walls in the home. Emotions such as joy, love, and happiness also can stay in the home, if the home is clean, but these putative emotions do not seam to linger as long within the house as the negative emotions.

Other negative emotions that seam to linger in the home, are the feelings of others. Envy, spite, jealousy, and disdain brought in by others stay within the home, and these negative vibrations need to be removed from the home, in order for the person or family to live within the house to feel comfortable, contempt and happy.

I always highly recommend that when you move into a new apartment or home, a spiritual cleansing should be done. Usually the vibrations of the prior residents linger within the home, one never knows their character, and if these individuals where negative it is more than likely that their vibrations are in the home and will cause you, some strss.

The following ritual and prayers are for cleansing the home of unwanted vibrations. But understand, these rituals are not by no means rituals to remove evil spirits, poltergeists, demons, hauntings or ghosts or ghosts from a home. If you feel your home is haunted I highly recommend you do not go at it alone, and seek the help of a trained professional who has done various successful exorcism before. I must state that I have noticed and seen with my eyes many well respected Mediums, espiritistas, and Brujos comfuse negative vibrations within a home to that of a haunting. Let me state, that although in many cases this could be true, it is not always the case. Yes I agree that negative emotions,vibrations and a dirty house often attract confused earth bound spirits.; Think of the Law of Attraction, Like Attracts Like; but one has to be completely sure without a doubt that this is the case. If you are Seeing apperitions, hearing voices, objects moving alone, or a full on Poltergeist, I will include prayers in a future blog, but never go at it alone. More than likely an inexperienced person can aggravate the situation and make it worse.

ITEMS NEEDED TO SPIRITUALLY CLEANSE A HOME.

The items below are the items one can use to spiritully cleanse a home, by no means does it signify you need all these items. Use what ever 3 items you can get your hands on.

1. HOLY WATER
2. FLORIDA WATER
3. SAGE, RUE, OR ROSEMARRY
4. SEA SALT
5. CIGARS
6. INCENSE STICKS (Nag Champa my favorite)
7. CHARCOAL
8. RESINS, SUCH AS FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH
9. CANDLES
10. A BROOM
11. A MOP
12. CLEAN SPRAY MISTING BOTTLES
13. BROWN PAPER BAG
14. THREE COINS
15. TOBACCO, A CIGAR

I always start my house cleaning in the farthest room from the back door, my bathroom. I begin by sprinkling every corner with sea salt, (every corner of every room gets sprinkled with the sea salt) I always usually previously pray over and empower the salt for the task at hand, but salt naturally absorbs. Then I go back into every room and sweep up all the salt into the center of my kitchen floor which is by the back door. I then return to the bathroom and sprinkle Holy water mixed with an herbal infusion all over the floors and windows, behind every door, and corner of the house. I then proceed to mop it up. I take a dry clean cloth and I wipe down all the windows and doors. I do the same procedure in every room until I get to the kitchen floor. Then I sprinkle three drops of the holy water herbal solution over the pile of salt. Making the sign of the cross as I do this. I gather the salt and place it in a brown paper bag with three coins. And place this aside. Then again for the third time (3 being a sacred and holy number) I go back to the bathroom. Sometimes I light a cigar, other times a sage wand, or a charcoal filled with incense or sage, rue and rosemary. Use which ever you feel the most comfortable with. I begin to purify the air with the smoke as I simultaneously sprinkle or spray the air with a light mist of Florida water.Make sure to keep the florida water away from the sparks of the cigar or flames as it is flamable. Use precaution. As I do this I recite one of the prayers below, or a psalm (look up psalms in my blog) or sing my spiritual songs, again use the players and songs that are more comfortable to you. What’s the point of spiritually cleaning a house if you don’t agree or believe in a what you are saying. I fumigate every room with the smoke until again I am at the kitchen. Then I fumigate my self with the smoke, and extinguish the cigar or incense cone or charcoal with the holy water solution. And place it into the bag. I pass the brown paper bag through my body, as I recite the Our Father and Hail Mary. This helps to clean your aura. I toss the liquid out the back door, and the brown bag I place into a dumpster outside or away from my home. I go in, light a white 7 day candle, and enjoy an herbal tea with a nice cleansing bath.

There are times when I want to perform a quick house cleansing, this I do by purchasing a coconut, covering completely with white cascarilla powder that I purchase at a Botanica and with a broom I pass it through every room. Until I get to the back door and through it on the pavement the broken coconut I pick up and place into a brown bag and clean my aura. Also I often sprinkle the front door and back door with salt and holy water as this in itself creates a small barrier in keeping unwanted vibrations from entering into the home. Camphor cubes also help in removing negative vibrations. I put a cube under the corners of my couches or under my bed. Or in a glass goblet of water, be careful with young children or pets getting into your camphor and thinking its an eatable treat, its not.

THE PRAYERS / LAS ORACIONES

General House Cleansing and Blessing Prayers.

DIOS VIVE EN MI PARA BENDECIR A ESTE HOGAR CON PAZ, PACIENCIA, Y AMOR. EN CADA SITIO PRESENTE EL ESTA. Y SU AMOR BORRA LA SOMBRA Y EL TEMOR. ESTE HOGAR ESTA BENDECIDO, LIMPIADO, Y PURIFICADO, CON LA LUZ BLANCA Y MISTICA. SUS PAREDES, PISOS, SALAS, PASILLOS, TECHOS, RECAMARAS, VENTANAS, Y PUERTAS, SE LLENAN CON HARMONIA, PAZ, Y FE. PORQUE EN MI DIOS VIVE Y EN MI EL BENDICE. ASI SEA, AMEN.

“God lives within me, so that I may bless and purify this home with Peace, Patience, and Love. God is present everywhere, and his unconditional love will conquer the shadows that bring fear. This Home is blessed and purified with the mystic white light. Its walls, floors, corridors, ceilings, Windows and doors shall be filled with Harmony, Peace, and Faith. Because God lives, and within me he shall bless this home. So be it, Amen.”

(2)

Yo (n.n.) purifico a este hogar. Y por todas partes que yo vaye con este humo sagrado (agua bendita) Yo libero el ambiente de todos los Corrientes y Fluidos Malignos, visible e invisible.
Y por la gracia de Dios Todopoderoso, (n.n.) sera libre de todo peligro; visto y sin ser visto.
En el Sagrado Nombre de Dios Padre, Dios Hijo, y Dios Espiritu Santo. Asi sea, Amen.

“I (n.n.) purify this sacred home. And where ever I go with this sacred smoke, (Holy Water) I will free this environment of all malignant currents and fluids, seen and unseen.
And by the Grace of God, (name of person or family) shall be free of all danger, visible and invisible.
In the Holy Name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. So Be It. Amen.’

How Puerto Ricans Work Brujeria Folk Magic

How a Puerto Rican works Magic

I have been getting alot of emails, some from members of the Sanse Espiritismo group, others from my blogs and random client, on what items I use, or Puerto Rican espiritistas and brujos use in Trabajos de Obra. (Magical work). Let me say that all the items I use I find in my cabinets in the kitchen, or in a Catholic religious supply shop or botanica.

My house can not go without these 8 following items.

1. Holy Water,
2. Florida water
3. Candles any kind even tee lites.
4. Spring water
5. Nag champa incense. The one I use the most, or frankincense and myrhh. Or sandalwood.
6. a bible.
7., olive oil.
8. Salt. My grandmother would often say. “Que Falte todo en la casa, menos la Sal. (May everything in the house be missing, with the exception of Salt) Every salt imaginable, epsum salt, kosher salt, sea salt, rock salt, and table salt.

I use the psalms in the bible for everything, as there is a psalms for every causa (spiritual problem) or magical under taking imaginable. I also use, Allan Kardecs book on Selected Prayers, when performing a seance. Also as a Brujo / espiritista, I use every ingredient in the house imaginable, and every almost every item I purchase at a local food market, or Spanish bodega. Sugar, honey, pepper, vinegar, fruits, vegetables, coconuts eggs, cinnamon sticks, mustard seeds, and herbs which I purchase in jars, or even herbal tea bags. I try to buy bulk on Rompe Zaraguey, reserection plant; or mate tea for healing infusions when I go to New York, or Boston, but most I buy in local markets. Such as chamomile, mint, anise seeds, star anise, bay leaves and affordable 7 day saints candles I get at the Hispanic.section.

I prepar most of my working oils with a baby oil, or use plain old Olive oil. Most of the magic I perform is traditional Puerto Rican folk magic, and as such I use items my abuela (grandmother) and aunt taught me. Almost every item in the house can be used for magic, from nails, spare change, to crayons, glitter, brown paper bags,and old wine bottles, everything imaginable with the exception of plastic, or other man made materials.

One must have an understanding of the items in their house and the magical properties. But with one’s faith, intent, anything can be used. If you have any questions feel free to ask or visit me at my yahoo groups. Sanse Espiritismo.

Brujo Luis.

THE 21 Courtes / Commisiones of Spirits in Puerto Rican Espiritismo

THE 21 Courtes / Commisiones of Spirits in Puerto Rican Espiritismo

Las 21 Commisiones Espirituales del Espiritismo Puertoriqieno.

In Puerto Rican Espiritismo, there exists various Courts or Gathering Groups of Spirits known collectively as Las Commisiones. This group of spirits are part of an individuals Cuadro Espiritual, “spiritual frame” and make up a cadena espiritual, “spiritual chain” or Enlace,Espiritul “Spiritual link,” with a person. On an Espiritista’s tableau (altar) one will often see statutes or framed photos of Saints, Angels, pagan gods, indigenous spirits, Asian and Hindu gods, gypsies, spiritual animals, or mythical creatures all sharing a space on one altar. This makes up that particular Espiritistas, Cuadro Espiritul. But with one central piece usually being the largest, and that one being the Guia Espiritual. Or the larger can be a Guardian Angel, or an aspect of the Virgin Mary or a Saint, with a smaller statue of the Guia Espiritual towards the right side of the larger. One thing to note while a Principle Guide can often share space on a tableau. A Saint or a guardian angel should never be placed on a Fuente Espiritual. A fuente espiritual, “spiritual fountain” is an altar dedicated in the memory of Ancestral Spirits. Similar to an Afro Cuban Santeria boveda. My next blog will be on the Fuente Espiritual, the tableau altar and the Mesa Blanca.

Although I mention 21, there are more, these listed here are the Commisiones that work la obra de la Luz, the Way of the Light, and work for the Sancista and the Espiritista; in Obras espirituales “Spiritual Work” usually for the greater good of the person, “working with them” and the community. But can also be used in protection, fighting Spiritual warfair, and healing. They also work in helping a person with the development of their faculties, spiritual work, spell casting,amenities, spiritual growth, bestowing insightful messages, answer and solutions to every day problems, just to name a few things they can do

Every human has one, two and sometimes three or more of these Spiritual Forces that make up an individuals Cuadro Espiritual. But with one being a person’s central Guia Principal. (Principle Guide). You will often hear an Espiritista when giving a consultation or santiguando / limpia “a spiritual cleansing” say to an individual. You have a Cadena with a Gypsi, or a Marinero, or that a Madama follows you. Or that the person has an Indian Spirit that walks with him / her. Or that the person is spiritually married to a Cacique Indian, or even has a strong Spiritual link with a Congo Spirit. One thing is for certain each individual has a Patron Saint and a Guardian Angel that is part of the individuals Spiritual Frame and also a Principle Guide. The trained Espiritista can determine from the group of Commisiones which one is a person’s Guia Principal (Principle Guide) through a Spiritual Mass or Seance, in which the Guia Principal will be the first spirit to manifest and mount the Espiritista or try and take possession of a person head through a Baptismal ceremony, and therefor claiming that persons head. Other ways of determining ones Guia Principal, can be done through divination, while under a trance, or through dreams. While an Espiritista determines which is a persons Guia Primcipal, they also can determine a persons Partron Saint or Angel de la Guarda, (Guardian Angel) in the same manner. Through a Misa Espiritual “Spiritual Mass,” a Sesion “seance” or baptismal.” Although a Patron Saints and a Guardian Angel can be determined in the same manner, they can also be determined by analyzing a persons family lineage, or the day a person was born to see if it correlates to the day of a Patron Saint, or Guardian Angel.

The belief in past lives and Reincarnation play a pivotal and major role in Espiritismo. The spirits are a chain or link to a persons past life and not only can they be Guias Principales but also can be either a lover, or a spouse from a past life, an ancient ancestral spirit, a departed family member, or even the culture or race the person was in a past life.

Usually the person has strong qualities or traits of the Guia Principal, that is often compared to that of astrology and the zodiac. For example, if the individual is flirtatious or loves to dance and dress in extravagant clothing, a Espiritista will say, they have a gypsi spirit with them. Or the person loves to go fishing, enjoys the sea or could be a bit of a kleptomaniac, the person has a spiritual link or chain with a pirate spirit. Or an adult person has a mischievous nature, enjoys pranks, and often gets into trouble they have an Infantil. During a seance, fiesta espiritual or a spiritual mass, the person mounted by a spirit will display traits of that particular spirit. Note that it is not unheard of, that two spirits from the Commision are at odds and fighting for a persons head, and trying to be the main Principle Guide. When this happens, the person shows traits of both spirits.

There are Comisiones also that do harm, bring upon illness, diseases, mental problems, disorder and financial difficulties to name a few of the calamities to a person. This group of spirits are our own inner demons. This group of spirits has a link with an individual usually trying to find justice from a wrong or an injustice done unto them, from a past life, seek payment from a past dept, or dealing with a past life curse.
1. COMMISIONES DE CHAMANES, BRUJOS, YERBATEROS, TRABAJADORES ESPIRITUALES. – They aid in magic, herbalism, healing, visions, knowledge of omens,
Offerings – Aguardiente, black unsweetened coffee.
Candle – Green, Brown

2. COMMISIONES DE GITANOS AND GITANAS. – Gypsies, They aid in Divination, Fortune Telling, palmistry, love, and passion. Offerings – Crystals, tarot cards, playing cards, Aguardiente Liquor. Cigarettes.
Candle – Red, Black

3. COMMISIONES DE MADAMAS Y MADAMOS – Negra Thomasa, Nego Jose. They are the care takers, those that aid in the home, and protection of the family and children.
Offerings – Corn Meal, okra, coffee, cigars
Candle colors – Red or white.

4. COMMISIONES DE PIRATAS Y MARINEROS. – Roberto Cofresí Ramirez de Arellano / el pirata Capitan Confresi, Capitan Henry Morgan. They symbolize courage, strength, fearless hearts, overcoming adversity.
Offering. Rum, sugarcane, cigars.
Color Candles. Red, black, white.

5. COMMISIONES DE INDIOS Y CACIQUES. – Los Tainos. The Buhuitihu, They aid in Spiritual warfair, judicial matters, patience, searching, aiding one in finding wisdom and knowledge of pre-Columbian spirits and Spiritual forces.
Offerings – tobacco, black coffee, corn meal. Candle – Blue, Yellow.

6. COMMISIONES DE LOS ORIENTALES. El Buddha, Guanyin. They aid in money matters, luck, the lottery, luck in love, financial gain, and better business
Offering – Citrus fruits, incense. Candle – pink, red.

7. COMMISIONES DE LOS ARABES. – They aid with the Wisdom of the magical forces of the Djjinn Offering garbanzo beans, garlic, flat bread, Olive Color Candles. Green and Black. oil.

8. COMMISIONES MEDICAS / SANTIGUADORES / CURANDERA. – Jose Gregorio Hernandez They aid in all health matters, healing, finding a cure. Medacine and herbalism. Offering – herbal teas of all sorts. Candle, white. yellow.

9. COMMISIONSES DE LOS CONGOS. – Pa Francisco, Ma Francisca. The Congo Spirits are that group of Spirits who in Africa where Kings, Queen, of Royal heritage or important nobile figures in Africa but where slaves in the Americas. Pai Fransisco, Mai Fransisca, el Congo and La Kongas. They aid in Black Magic, defending against occult enemies and protection.
Offerings – Cigars, Rum, okra, corn meal, tobacco and coffee
Candle Color – Black,Brown, Orange, and Purple .

10. COMMISIONES DE LOS SANTOS. The Saints all have their own attributes.
Each saint has its own color candle and offering.

11. COMMISIONES DE LOS HINDU. – Hindu The wisdom of the Hindu Gods. 7 multi color candle.

12. COMMISIONES DE LOS ANGELES. Guardian Angels.
Each Angel has their own Color Candle and offering. White.

13. COMMISIONES DE LOS ESCLAVOS. Negra Amparo, Negro Felipe, Negro Jose, Negra Elena. They aid in courage, obstacles, hard work, and patience.
Offering – same as Madama and Congo Candle – White Purple,

14. COMMISIONES DE LOS INFANTILES. Nino Divino, Nino de Atocha. This group of spirits are tricksters, who play pranks on humans, But can be very protective.
Offerings – coins, candy, toys, sweets. Candle, yellow, orange.

15 COMMISIONES DE LAS BENDITA ANIMAS Y ANIMA SOLAS. – Juan Minero, Maria Celestina Abdegano, Fransisca Durante. These Spirits will aid you in any undertaking as long as you offer them prayers, and light.
Offering – Holy Water, Ice cubes, any liquor or drink to quench their thirst.
Candle – Red Black

16. COMMISIONES DE LIBERTADORA. -This group aids you in wisdom, study, and court trials, freedom and liberation.
Offering – Brandy, Cigars.
Color – White, Yellow.

17. COMMISIONES DE LOS VAGABUNDOS, Y BOHEMIOS. – This group aids in poetry, written letters, music. Offerings, toast, bread or crackers. Candle, Brown, Green.

18. COMMISIONES DE LOS HEROES Y LIDERS. – This group of spirits aid you in battles of all kinds.
Candle, White.

19. COMMISIONES AFRICANA. – Spirits that followed Los Misterios in life, the Orisha , Nikisi, and Lwa. They are the messengers of the Misterios and when they come down will show many characteristics of the Orisha and Lwa.
Offering – each spirit has his/her own preferable offering.
7 Color Candle.

20. COMMISIONES ELEMENTALES. – Cuatro Vientos. Maria de los Cuatro Costales. This group of spirits fall under the four cardinal points, spirits of the Four Elements.
Each element has its own color and offering.

21. COMMISIONES DE LOS JUANES Y LAS MARIAS. – Juan Negro, Juan Indio Juan del Tabacco. Maria de la Luz. This group kept the.secreats knowlwdge and wisdom of their people hidden and alive for future generations, and will aid you. In life they where not born with the name Juan or Maria, but where changed buy their white masters or because of religion.

Que los Muertos, los Seres, los Antepasados y los Misterios te Bendiga, en el nombre de Dios. Brujo Luis

The Journey of a Young Espiritista, La Bruja Chapter 2

Although I had gone to Puerto Rico and have returned to the island since, The year I spent under the care of my abuela and aunts and uncles was a pivotal moment in the growth of my Spiritual Faculties. I was to share my time with both sides of the family, my mother’s side which where predominantly Catholic or Pentecostal, and my father’s side which on Sundays practiced Catholicism, but during the rest of the week practiced Espiritismo, Mesa Blanca and Brujeria. My abuela at the time was in her mid 70s, and much up in years to perform the mundane tasks of enrolling a now 8 year old boy into school and buying the materials needed, so that she could sew the required school uniforms. So she enrolled my Tia “aunt” Maria to perform these tasks. Tia Maria my father’s eldest sister, a woman at the time, in her late 30s was a beautiful woman of olive skin, long black hair, and the high cheak bones and pronounced nose that told of her Taino indigenous heritage. As a grown up, I often think why my younger brother and sister and I had none of these features that where so prominent in my father’s side of the family. We had inherited my mother’s Spanish / Castilian, and German pale skin and European features.
Tia Maria lived in Comerio as my abuela, but while my abuela lived in a rural valley of Rio Hondo, my Tia’s house was located in the Pueblo, off the town’s square. Every other friday my Tia Maria and her husband would come and pick me up so that I could spend the weekends with her.

This often worried my abuela, for she practiced traditional Puerto Rican Espiritismo, as was taught to her by her mother and mother before her, since the beginning of time. My abuela practiced Mesa blanca, and was also, a Santiguadora “Puerto Rican Curandera” and well versed in healing with herbs, and told fortunes. But although my Tia Maria was an Espiritista, she was also known to practice Brujeria, she was a Bruja, a female witch.

While my abuela had two altars in her house. One in honor of her virgin, Nuestra Senora de la Divina Providencia, which was kept in her bedroom. On her bureau stood the large statue of Our Lady of the Divine Providence, her rosaries, the bible and a white new candle always lit, and a vase full of fresh Puerto Rican Hibiscus, “Flor de maga”. While the other altar was her Fuente Espiritual. This altar was in the living room and was a simple corner table, covered in a white cloth, with a large clear glass bowl of Holy Water, “her Fuente”, an altar bell, a bottle of Florida Water and bay rum, an old prayer book by the French Spiritist Alan Kardec, her old spanish fortune telling cards, white candle and a vase with Miramelindas and Margaritas that she would pick from her flower garden. On the wall directly above the altar was a culage of old pictures of dead relatives, and friends. My aunts altars where more elaborate.

Once you entered into my Tia Maria’s house by the door on the left-hand side of the floor stood a cement statue with a face carved out and cowrie shells that made up the facial features. Next to this cement statue was a large figurine of the Child of Atocha. On the right-hand side of the entrance, was a large statue planter of an African Mamie, that held a basket on her head. Within the basket flourished, Mimosas flowers, my aunts favorite flowers. At first glance and if one was not to notice these figures in the entrance of the house one would not identify this house as that of a Brujas. The living room had plastic covered couches, and across from the living room was the dinning room, a large table with 8 chairs, and above it a large cloth picture that portrayed The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Unlike my abuela’s two bedroom wooden and metal roof house that was much smaller, and more of a shack than a house, my Tia Maria’s house was much more spacious and comfortable and made of cement to ward of the strong unbearable heat of the Caribbean sun. Having five bedrooms, and an indoor bathroom.with running water. “my abuela had an out house” Each bedroom.had a small night stand, converted altar to a different saint. The fourth bedroom which was the furthest to the front door and the largest of all the rooms, and directly next to the back door, and another smaller bedroom across from it, the larger room was her altar room. In this room a large statue of an American Indians stood side by side with statues of Buddhas, gypsies, African gods, and pictures of hindu gods, and other Catholic saints.

The room was well lit by candles, and across from the entrance to the room stood a large altar with a large statue of Santa Barbara and San Miguel. Below these two statues in the center stood an old spanish copy of The Great Book of San Cyprian, Treasure of the Wizard. The altar was full of bottles of Bacardi, Palo Viejo rum and aguardiente. An assortment of miniature bottles of perfumes, and candles, bottles of Kananga, water, ruda water, bay rum and florida water. The altar cloth was black and red. On the other altar stood an altar with four chairs besides it. This altar had a white cloth as my abuelas, but the border was outlined with cloth handkerchiefs of various colors. On the altar in small wooden chairs sat two 14 inch black figures fully dressed in cloth clothing. Both the statues held a half smoked cigar. Which frightened me, because I oftened wondered that when no one was looking if these statutes lit their own cigars. Below the statue not one, like my abuelas, but 9 goblets of water one larger which was surrounded by the 8 smaller. Within the large goblet was a silver crusifix, and upon the altar stood the familiar book of players as my abuelas. The altar room had many vases with expensive flowers such as red and white roses, marigolds and orchards. Unlike my abuela’s flowers that she picked from her garden or in the forrest, my Tia’s flowers looked like they had come from an expensive florist shop. The room across the altar room which also over looked the back veranda and garage, was a smaller bed room which was to be my sleeping quarters during my visits to my Tia’s house.

The veranda which overlooked the garage was large and had a large table and many folded chairs. The veranda led to a connected open area with three steps leading to the garage. Behind the veranda was wooded area. This is where my Tia Maria performed her weekly Misas and Seanses.

Following blog. The Sorceres Eyes.

The Journey of a Young Espiritista Chapter 1

Luz y Progresso, I am Hermano “Brother” Luis also known as Brujo Luis. I have been practicing variouse traditions of Caribbean Brujeria Witchcraft for over 20 years, since my late teens. I have also been reading Tarot, doing palm readings and giving Spiritual Consultations since the age of 19 to my hispanic community here in Massachusettes.
I was born with the sight of clairvoyance as I have seen shadows and felt other worldly presences ever since I could remember. I am a Medium of the Mesa Blanca tradition and baptized a Sancista, and a Santerista all of the Puerto Rican traditions. I also underwent various initiations into the Cuban Santeria Lukumi tradition in the early 90s, receiving my collares and guerrilleros, but I never felt quit comfortable with that Religion, so shortly afterwards I returned to my Puerto Rican eclectic roots and heritage. A spiritual and occult traditions that is as colorful and beautiful as its people. Sance also known as Zancie, Zance, Sanses, Puerto Rican Voodoo or Puerto Rican Umbanda and Mesa Blanca Espiritismo and Santerismo all traditions of the Puerto Rican people.
My late Abuela “Grandmother”, Que en el Reino de Papa Dios descanse, was a well known Espiriritista and Yerbera in her hometown pueblo of Comerio, Puerto Rico. In a time when Catholicism was the predominant religion in her town, she practiced her Taino and Spanish Gypsi occult herritage secretly. Every summer my parents would escort me to Puerto Rico, and stay a week or two, and I was left under the care of my grandmother for the summer. As a young boy I would aid her in collecting herbs in her garden or in the woods behind her house for spiritual work, and secretly watched her as she told fortunes with a spanish deck of cards. My abuela would always tell me I had el Don to work la obra espiritual, and that I had the sight to see Spirits and that my Guia Principal was to come to me, when I would suffer “un gran susto’ a time of great distress. But being a child I paid no mind to what she said, as it was normal in my eyes to see the spirits I saw, since they appeared like any living person.
At a young age I could see the Spirits but I had not fully developed my spiritual faculties. I could feel the presence of the Dead and see them, but I could not hear them nor communicate with them.
The time of great distress that she fortold came to me shortly after I returned from Puerto Rico to the states in late August of 1978. I was 7 years old, being a child I loved the out doors in my innercity neighborhood. One day while playing outside I heard the ice cream truck comming down the street, and like any 7 year old I ran towards my house to get money from my mother. Being a normal child of 7, I ran frantically across the street without looking both ways and got hit by a moving vehicle. The only thing I remember from that incident, was being under the car that hit me, black out, on my mothers plastic covered couch, black out, my mother crying frantically, as Doña Fela, the neighboorhood witch prayed over me, black out, and being inside an ambulance. It was in the ambulance that my Guia Espiritual came to me. I remember being scared and my mother crying, but all I could focus on was the red cross on the window of the door to the ambulance, and how the lights ontop of the roof flickered, through the glass. Then one of the lights from the window appeared to come to me, and take form. and there buy my mothers side stood a male figure, whom I had presumably assumed was Jesus Christ, but with a much darker completion than the Jesus I had seen on the fotos of every wall in the homes of Puerto Ricans.. He put a hand on my mother as to console her and set his deep brown eyes upon me and spoke to me in a language neither Spanish nor English, but somehow I understood him. From what I remember he said. “There is no need to worry Luis, your time on this earth has not come to an end, I am here with you and always will be.”. I looked up at my mother, who had been crying all along, praying her Rosaries, and oblivious to the Spectre that was in her presence. I put my hand on hers, to calm her down from the “ataque” she was suffering, and calmly told her all was going to be fine. Then as quickly as the apparition had come, it had left. I remember being disappointed for never knowing his name. I would not come to know his name until my late teens.
After my short stay in the hospital, I had returned to life as normal. With the exception that before getting hit by a car and surviving, I had been a popular kid with many friends, but after my hospital visit I had become an outcast. I secluded myself from the other children and began to “talk to my self and my imagery friends.”. To me not only could I see them, but now I could hear them and talk to then as I would converse to any other living person. The kids that had once been my friends began to taunt me, and the teachers made comments to themselves of the boy who spoke to himself and answered questions to the void of space around him. This worried my teachers and soon they contacted the principle who then summoned my parents and adviced them that they should seak counseling and therapy for me. My mother being Puerto Rican did not believe in Anglo medicine or their way of doing things, so she sent me to Puerto Rico for a year, where she believed I would receive the best help I could get in the care of my Abuela and family on the island.
The Year I spent with my abuela and family in Puerto Rico and my spiritual growth, and denial of the Spirits, will be saved for the next blog. Que Papa Dios, La Virgen y tu Cuadro Espiritual los Bendiga. Mucha Fe, Esperanza y Carodad.