The baston de muerto: staff of the dead and ancestors

The original indigenous ways that people honored their ancestors and worked with their dead was not through the white table boveda, tableau espirituale. The white cloth table is from the seance traditions of European mediums in spiritualism, which crossed with folk traditions in the 1900's in Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Originally libations were poured upon the dirt ground. But since in many apartments and temples not being on ground level, people began to modify. Libations were then poured into a bucket, where they could pour outside after, or a few drops of water poured onto a clay tile (teja) in Yoruba faiths in the new world if it is prescribed by your reading. This was kept with an egun shrine near pipes leading to the ground such as in the bathroom or kitchen, usually with marigolds, flor de muerto: flower of the dead. Or was also kept outside by the back door and yard area.

This is also where a Baston de muerto can be placed, and can be indicated that you need to work with the dead this way through your readings, and which type of stick needed for example one or two faces, a skull, or snake can be featured. If the Orisha Oya is suspected to be close to a person, it may be recommended to get a stick or set up a boveda in a certain way. Oya or Yansa is a warrioress of the cemetary gate related to the dead in the new world and the river in Africa, and not death the reaper herself, but she is related to how death, Iku got brought to earth out of compassion, because of suffering, starvation and disease. The stick again is indicated in a reading, and may be relate to the mysteries of earth.

Other names in different traditions for this stick of the dead is Bakulu stick in Palo or Kumangongo. The stick must be taken from nature in a certain way. Sometimes a main staff that is prescribed from a special tree is needed, but the rama of Palo does not have a baston de muerto in their lineage otherwise.

The palo or baton de muerto: Opa or igi egun, pagugu, aumba, although Yoruban faith will add things to this altar like 9 bundles sticks of flor mar pacifico (hibiscus) with a red ribbon and approach their dead a different way than the Palero, Vodouisant or Espirista. The egun stick for eggungun, was the ancestral altar axis mundi, tree, between our world and the worlds of the spirits.

                                                                       From auctions609 store

 It is used for ancestral dead or other dead in the frame mostly and not spirit guides approached through spiritualism who are more elevated. In Yoruban spirituality, egun are the collective dead who are from different sources or types, such as some serve as guardians of a place, or initiatory dead. The egungun are technically also a subset of bloodline ancestors as far as I understand.

The dead are very important for many reasons, and without them there is no Orisha, the saying Iku Loba Ocha, the dead gave birth to the Orisha explains cosmology and from the Odu stories.

                                                artwork by Marietjie Henning

The staff represents the creative generative power of the dead, and as a phallic wand you will see the Ghede Lwa Baron dance with of life and death. It is like a family tree. The wand is like the body of Dhamballa, as Moses turned his staff into a snake. It is generative and spiritual fire of the Ace of wands. Thus some say the baston helps to strengthen the connection with the dead, and male line of ancestors.

                                                                tvtropes.org

In Puertorican Vudu, the staff of the dead is linked to base of the poteau or poto mitan or palo majeur (pillar, Ceiba world tree of the peristyle, caye, badji or hounfor), Papa Loko, and Papa Legba's cane (from us to the Lwa). I keep mine against my boveda, or by Legba's cane at the front door. Likewise we may use a sacred tree for our repository and tie 7 ribbons on it for the 7 Jefe Lwa Misterios of Sanse.

In espiritismo or Sanse: The stick can be placed as an "outside" shrine, or boveda "astral", such as against a strong tree which can serve as your spirit repository. Astral doesn't mean in spanish what we think of in ceremonial magick as a lunar realm. It means outside in nature, or without a physical body. This area is usually marked and consecrated with a border of cascarilla chalk with 9 dashes or arrows. There can be kept ovoid river stones which are special repositories, otanes. To here you can place the items you normally would as a boveda such as white flowers and candles, multicolor bouquet, a sunflower, food offerings such as sweets, coffee, pork, fish, rice, stew, cigars, water, rum overnight.

                                               from ibuocantomi@blogspot.com

The staff is tapped 9 times upon the ground to evoke and give notice, of vibrations to the ground where the dead of the world are connected, while giving orations and prayers and traditional songs to Egungun.
                                                                         
Some in Ocha have taboo on what a woman can do around Egun, such as they did not wear the costume according to pataki stories, they can have the stick but some do not strike the ground with it. The stick also banishes negativity, and some place bells apon the lengthy (almost to the ground) 9 colored ribbons or cloth strips tied at the top to ward off misfortune (osogbo). Some do not place the bells stating it scares off Egun, as there are different types of baston, some are built to remove the dead tapping from one area of the house leading to the outside of the dwelling. Some also just place one red ribbon to mark the staff is empowered by the dead. Can be multicolor beaded. The colored ribbons represent the egun dance dress costume, and as the number of the dead. The stick is straight, true as possible, and can be made of different or a specific type of woods.

Iku is the spirit of death itself

 
Not everyone should have this stick, which needs to be taken seriously. It will also be revealed to you if you are a medium, or have a spiritual court which deals more with the dead. You should have already begun a regular practice to attending to your ancestors.

                                                              army of darkness

However, you do not need to be initiated to get this stick, if you have guidance from a priest. The top can be drilled into, to pack the secrets into it and then sealed by a priest in Ifa with certain types. The stick is washed with different herbs and preperations, dedicated, consecrated, fed (animal blood in Ocha and Palo) and prayed over. 

In Sanse, I do this with various herbs, washing, colognes, and epo (red palm oil) with a service to the dead. But if you are seriously entertaining entry to another tradition than Sanse, I recommend you get one in that tradition, as we are a syncretisation.

 I have also received my Bakulu ancestor necklace from my godfather, a Palero. In Sanse we also use a multi-color glass or crystal seed bead necklace consecrated to the dead of your court.

Sanse:

We do not use the 7/7 pattern unless you have the 7 african powers as guides or are an initiate of Sanse for Los 7 Jefe Lwa in our house.

These items are sacred and must be cared for. The necklaces are not worn during sleep, in the water, nor during sexual activity, or out at the club, and should be kept in a special place, preferably wrapped in a white satin or silk panel of cloth and put away.

If you would like either of these items, then you can contact our temple and start a consultation and rapport.

                  A qualified Santero, Palero or Espiritsta can make you a Baston de muerto.
                  We currently offer these items to the Bakulu or your spiritual court: ancestors and dead.
Whatever your tradition you receive the stick in, influences where and how you will serve your dead, because these religions have a different group of ancestors spiritually. So a Bakulu stick is not placed at the Boveda.

                     
                  The staff can be used in misa, or in working the boveda in Espiritismo,
                  and marks the officiant in rites to the dead.

                               Sancista 7

                                                            crossroads

Ti et Gros bon ange, the soul, conciousness, astral dream body and shapshifting: loup garou part 1

There are different parts of the "soul" in Haitian cosmology. The incarnated human spirit containing what westerners think of as the soul, can be seen as one part of an overlapping or connected energy body/ies. This becomes easily misunderstood when one continues to use the word soul or life force to describe these parts instead of viewing the two "personalities" or energy fields as individual consciousnesses that function together, yet which separate upon death from the soul fed by life force or energy.

The higher self is the elevated and not the mundane personality which becomes perfected, and is slower or the last to change in a spiritual process. It is what follows the "soul" in many incarnations and associated with the magickal personality and met tet, master of the head or personal Lwa.

The Haitians call this the gros bon ange:(big good angel) as the holy guardian angel Hga in ceremonial magick, which has been greatly misunderstood into new age circles as the higher self. The saint image of the guardian angel is used for the secretive personal crowned met tet or unknown met tet Lwa, and not the main spirit guide of the elevated dead. A saint image can be used to cover either, but is more inconspicuous as the spirit guide, because the Lwa have known saint attributions in modern times.

Thus people call their guardian angel their met tet Lwa. The soul, nor Lwa is not the higher self, but what can also follow a soul into human incarnation, or remain in its own existence. But the higher self must be created or revamped to be effective or to have any power, needs an energy source or lasting existence, such as of veneration (less likely as more secret) or off storage, spiritual light, energy cultivation. In my tradition we do not use chakras, but can be viewed as the solar plexus as energy storage and generator and heart area combined. Life force is inherently male, expansive, projective and yang in correspondences. This feeds or trickles down into the lunar receptive feminine area of the astral body or lower self. Taking energy up from earth into the solar area will work but is a slower and lesser amperage than going straight planetary sun to your body's sun area.

Gran Solier, the Lwa associated with the sun, is a higher misterio, associated with spiritual progress and light. His saint image is the Sacred heart Jesus. The power of god is personified as the thorn crowned Jesus, for power of life over death of the soul, as well as both hinting to the solar life force of the corona/sun halo and as the sun is the center of our universe and human body. The promised sun/son in spring. The warrior might/thorn of mars, and justice as the sun sits in the center of the scale of mars and jupiter give and take exchange as the crucified Jesus on the skull mount. Some Sancistas use St Nicholas de sol (santa) as Gran Solier or as God Papa Bonnye or Dios as the higher, sometimes north star. But as god is faceless, mostly removed, and not understandable to us, most use no image for God.

Many mistake the sun, a manifestation of light, and giver of life on planet earth as closest to earth, for the concept of higher celestial star(s) or God. Many use the north navigational pole star polaris or sirius as seen from the south, as some of the brightest stars that can be seen, or the 7 sisters pleiades constellation as the physical manifestation of the higher star.

The soul is indestructible, infinite, and for the most part unchangeable except for purification or refinement.

Life force, and vital energy is linked to energy of the spirit bodies, but also physical life. This is known as the n'dame or nam. This is reabsorbed into the great spirit God and underlying nature or creation matrix, unless partly placed into the Gros Bon Ange (or reincarnated). The sun is a knowable face of a farther star, the starry heavens, planets, and thus z'etoile or star is linked. What is written in the stars is astrology, the zodiac, the planets. Life force is linked with: energy centers, and spiritual bodies, known as the Gros Bon Ange and Ti Bon Ange. Life force and our perfected lower self or ideal Higher self personality is related to the sun, but the sun is not the star, associated more with Gros Bon Ange and magickal personality in the western sense.

The star is connected to the head, destiny, luck, higher misterios spirits, God and consciousness, known as Ori to the Yorubans.

The lower self is the animal self, ghost self, ego or mundane personality and character. It is also the fluidic astral body, known as the Ti Bon Ange (little good angel) by the Haitians. This is normally temporary and does not follow incarnation unless the soul is very developed and purposeful. It is known as the perispirit to the spiritualists. Voudou does not have reincarnation per se, although it is not incompatible with these beliefs. I have read after the Ti Bon Ange is separated and then called up after a period of rest, placed and venerated in a govi jar, it is then possibly placed in nature. After a time it then goes through 16 incarnations, which is likely code for 7 colors light (1+6) planetary bodies and ladder rungs. I do not think this is a widespread belief, or was confused with the soul or Gros Bon Ange by the writer, which is separated from the Ti/little and can reincarnate when viewed in spiritist philosophy. Although there is the concept of veneration of the dead into elevation, becoming a Lwa. The Ti bon Ange or ancestor personality would require veneration to continue existence, and is not dependant on a soul, but its situation can be related to the quality of soul or persons life recently lived. Our mundane personality is changeable and temporal.

The Ti Bon Ange that we think of as myself or you as the person, is the target of the bokor, necromancer or sorcerer after death to make a zombi astral, or enslaved dead, or even during life. Younger, stronger people are targeted because they have more nam. Thus Haitian rituals are done to separate the Ti Bon Ange from this plane if it hasn't naturally after last rites within a certain time period. The Gros Bon Ange or Lwa is separated so the Ti Bon Ange can rest. During initiations the head pot and other rites are done to protect the incarnated from spiritual battle with these soul areas in mind. Priest/esses regularly work to protect their heads. Again the Ti Bon Ange or astral body is usually targeted, as it is harder to affect one's higher connection to the divine, even if this can somewhat be indirectly the result through the weaker point or bottleneck of the Ti Bon Ange which is more easily accessible. By protecting the Ti, you protect the life force or nam.

The mind is all, and shapes the self image. This self image or limited perception is reflected upon the mirror energy body to form its likeness in terms of sex, race, age, deformity etc. This may not look the same as yourself in actuality or life. It can be misshapen when first regarded as symptoms of spiritual or metaphoric physical problems, or as a muscle which has not been developed or clay molded.

The mirror is an astral tool, associated with the moon, as well as to the waters, as the mermaid La sirene's escoba or tool, along with her comb to bind her hair or, loosen, or smooth the waves. She is the Queen of cups to some, although several tarot cards might speak of her, such as the moon and as she has congo beginnings. The astral is not a watery place, actually it is airy in terms of elemental flavor. She is the elemental air intellect angel human ontop of the water fish/undine.

The blowing of wind in storm activates, singing and the words of magick. The air of mercurial/human intellect and structure upon the venusian emotional waters and romance in ritual. The bubbles of air within the water glass manifest the evocation. Scrying and the crystal ball, the triangle of art in which the mirror/water and incense/air is placed for ceremonial magick.

The astral realm is associated with the genitals or womb as a place of creation, and thus life force, but also illusion. The astral is a repository realm of many colors, thoughts, poetry, experiences, and forms, distracting as the illusory sirens call (as the 7 of cups). The ocean is our mother, and a sea of the dead kalunga, as womb and tomb as the triangle belonging to saturn of form, restriction/freedom of spirit into or out of matter.

The part of La Sirene's veve is the elemental sign for water, the downturned triangle, again representing the womb, with a star upon a fish on top, representing an eye of pyschism, dreams, scrying and visions.

The siren is an alchemical metaphor for grail, or cup, the knight seeks for his feminine receptive spiritual half and immortality. The water cup actually belongs to jupiter/neptune as the giving, knowable face of god as warrior priest king, or Agwe, and not the moon.The king of cups messenger the page of cups holds a fish, and more psychism.The astral is a mirror place or "reverse, upside down" place to our world, another dimension. When we die we lose who "we" are in this lifetime eventually dissipated into the sea, unless we have taken the appropriate magico-spiritual actions, or are venerated. Thus desperate dead seek energy sources.

In the tarot moon card we can see the wildness of the domesticated or socialized animal/human. The wolf is the ancestor to the dog. The magic time is historically night, of the subconscious when the moon is up. Navigation of the sea was done at night by the north star and moon by seafaring cultures until more modern sun cross devices although vikings had some sunstones. The mermaid often at the bow of the ship. On the card the moon can only be seen when it is illuminated by the sun.
 (rider-waite deck the most accurate in western esoteric symbolism and color). This astral body/ our ancestors (moon body) must be given energy (sun and sun body) to move and act, especially over time. The ancestors are not of the astral, but can visit in this dreamspace. The universe/world/earth/us as humans/the tree is a repository of all the realms and planets, and thus explains earthbound dead, and the underworld layers: pluto/hades.

 A crayfish or crab is often depicted for the motherly zodiac sign of Cancer (related to the tarot card the chariot and astral body, as the moon card is the twin pisces fish). The moon is the 18th card, 1 plus 8 being 9.

The concept of self in most cases and undeveloped, is a spiritual hindrance when it comes to formation of the astral body. We all have one, it just needs to be shaped. We all have different selves, this is not a multiple personality disorder, but developing each one/energy part for the realm or purpose needed, of which all eventually need to be worked on. Like stepping into a character and costume as an actor, but you are still the same at core. In western magick these bodies are 9 planetary plus earth physical body. Between the 6-sun and 9-moon on the tree of life is the rainbow of the tarot card of art/alchemy, magick or temperance of the 7 color classical planets. 7-venus planetary lights, 8-mercury, 9-moon make up the astral downturn triangle, "realm" of mercury, moon and venus above the 10-earth in order moving up the tree or in light back to an originality or higher state.The most important point is the astral moon body is the most fluidic its appearance can change with a moments thought.

The astral body need not exit from the lower abdomen when aware and utilized in projection and real time viewing. You will find where this is natural to you, often symbolized leaving by an umbilical electrical cord of life. I have yet to see this in actuality, think about the metaphor. Dominating religions are very literalistic, and this has contaminated our perceptions.

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me

Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams, till sunbeams find you

Gotta keep dreaming leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
You gotta make me a promise, promise to me
You'll dream, dream a little of me

Ella Fitzgerald-lyrics to Dream A Little Dream of Me Lyrics  

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all passed away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea,
Mermaids are chanting the wild lorelei;
Over the streamlet vapors are borne,
Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.
Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
Even as the morn on the streamlet and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful Dreamer by composer Stephen Foster, published after his death...

The song tells of a lover serenading a "Beautiful Dreamer" who is oblivious to worldly cares and may actually be dead. (per wikipedia page)

Read on to part 2 where I now focus more on the Ti  Bon Ange, practical dream work, astral body and shape shifting.
-Sancista Siete Encruzhiladas+++++++

How to cleanse spirtually self before, after misa or tableau espirituale Part 4

The altar can be used for spiritually cleansing the self with florida water or smudged the self with incense, a cigar or sage, among other cleansings.  The cigar is placed lit end in mouth to jet smoke over a person, or waved over self, this can also be used with a fan.

 I also like to use the cross motion, as well as a back and forth motion dragged down to the ground. If the altar flowers or water glasses is used to cleanse the self it is not used further in a spiritual bath, or done instead into a bowl of bluing water on the ground. You can cross yourself with the flowers before setting them down which is a form of cleansing and bonding, or hold the food plate to your head lips and abdomen to add your energy. Cigar smoke can be blown over any offerings. Flowers can be crossed over the self or dragged lightly across the body and thrown in the river to also carry bad energies away from yourself.

A white egg can be kept on the altar or an altar to a spirit for at least 10 minutes, then passed over the body and rubbed like soap, pulled away from the body on heavy patches, and in a circular motion around and on areas of illness and the head. I do from the head down. This can be cracked in a spare clear glass of water and looked at for clues. This is a more South American or Mexican form of cleansing or limpia. The yolk should sink, it should not smell like the most awful smell ever. There should be no blood. These are all negative signs that more cleansing, divination and remedy is needed to make sure everything has been removed. If you just crack the egg white without the yolk in the glass it is more of a divination with or without a cleansing, more detailed information can be gleaned about many questions such as sources of injury and negative energy.  dot or circle can indicate the evil eye. I will then flush it down the toilet and throw some salt in afterwards and close the lid and say something like, "never to return".

A piece of bread can even be used, and rubbed and passed the same way, like soap. This is the thrown outside away from the house, where a messenger animal can possibly take care of it and help you as well. A handful of dry beans can be used, passed over the body for health, and thrown at hospital grounds, or a place such as the crossroads or the cemetery gate with an offering to the healing spirits.

A fire safe bowl such as a stone mortar or coconut shell can be used to cleanse using lit florida water which is extremely flammable. It can be passed carefully over a person, crossed or stepped over, as well as the same movement done with the perfume water cleansing with bluing/florida water. Using the fire bowl method I like to set my machete beside it to cut any attachments. Homemade florida water and rum or even everclear is not as flammable as the high proof alcohol base of lanman and murray brand florida water for this purpose. See video for passing movements used to cleanse self. Energy can be scooped off a person and tapped on the rim of a water glass to dispose of it. It is then dumped away from the home. When cleansing or healing another person it is wise to be cleansed first yourself, and then after your work is done.

 Fire cleanse:

 water glass:

You can kick a coconut through your front door through all rooms including any closets and out the back door if possible, then down the street. It is probably better as a non initiate to use a broom, and do not pick it up with your hands once you have dropped it. A broom represents cleanliness, is an extension of the user and moves energy, and can be used with prepared floor sweeps such as herbs or powders.

Coconut is white inside and is viewed as a pure substance inside. As it is white is represents purity, and is a food served to ancestors and represents peace.  The coconut can be used as a representation of a person's head, which is the microcosm that includes a persons spirits and universal conciousness. Coconut milk alone or in a spiritual bath can add clarity, or quiet down the head and decrease anxiety. Baths do not need to be rinsed off after your normal shower. Coconuts are often placed at front and/or back doors to collect bad energy so it does not enter the house. They can be set on the floor during misa to also collect any bad energy. A whole coconut can be used in various ways such as passing over the body, and can be set on fire after or down the street.

 Video of coconut cleansing:

Cleansing before espiritismo work and misa

I keep a clear glass or white bowl with water and laundry bluing on the floor central to the right for the indios and to repel any negative spirits. You can find this made by squares as reckitts, or laundry bluing liquids such as mrs stewarts, bluette or blue balls in a hoodoo supplier. Although if using to bathe, I recommend the laundry formulas as the other may include toxic metals. Sometimes I will add  different combinations of florida water, oils, petals, perfumes, holy water or cascarilla to it as well. I also like violeta or violet cologne sprayed on the white table or when a person is anxious or agitated by spirits. This is sold for perfuming babies after their bath in many botanica or hispanic stores and is very calming to spirits as well. There are many formulas and uses of spiritual colognes.

Here is a video i made how to do spiritual pass into the bowl of bluing usually kept on the floor in front to the side of a mesa blanca, or on a small table, etc or at the entrance for people before misa or working the white table and head wrapping. You do not have to do the shaking motion. The motion is third eye, over head on the back of neck arms crossed over front of neck down both arms to bowl.

 Another example:

These passes can also be done over running water in a sink in an emergency.

There are many recipes, webpages and books dedicated to making a spiritual bath. Rue and hyssop are also popular cleansing agents.

Psalms 51:7 - Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 I use essential oils as well as fresh bitter herbs. Lavender is popular for cleansing, coming from the french word to wash, lave. Dry herbs lack as much life plant spirit energy, but a bath tea or floor wash can be made and strained. They can be purchased, charged and prescribed from a practitioner who can make one for your more powerful with their energy and spirits and with better ingredients than commercially bought bottles. It is better to learn this skill from a godparent, to learn about plants and their spirits.  Pray over them, to your spirits, sing, or recite psalms. Save the other half for after your work, which you can cover with a white cloth. Make sure to concentrate on your work and keep your thoughts focused. Florida water can be used for both good and bad spirits so you will need to focus on purification and your prayers.  This is why some use Pompeya instead but I am partial to Florida water myself. Cascarilla, white ingredients are said to be one handed, or positive only for the most part.

There are certain principles and ways followed to apply and make them in different traditions, to different spirits and reasons. One such principle is not mixing the sweet with the bitter, or flower and fruit with leaf. Bitter herbs removing herbs do not mix with flowers or sweet ingredients like fruit or honey, but basil is sweet and blessing.

Once initiated or if very connected and not infested with negative dead, there are certain plants you do not want to put on the head such as espanta muerte or chasing the dead, known as false daisy as it may chase your main spirit guide away, if but for a time. As well as the popular road opening herb abre camino or road opener for new opportunities and proper communication should not be placed on the head after initiation as the spirits have been formally placed. The head must be properly refreshed and kept sweet for your spirits.

If you are unsure pour your bath's neck down with the bitter or feet to neck to increase with sweet, much like anointing a candle. Many of the baths can be used as floor wash for protection, money, love, a peaceful home, to attract certain spirit influences, or for many uses. Singing, praying and music helps break up unwanted energies and move in and charge the positive ones.A cycle of baths usually are to do a bitter, then sweet then the white sensitive bath for mediumship and clarity. One may be prescribed for you or your situation in a reading from a priest/ess if that is the appropriate remedy. Certain baths can be made under or with certain spirits of the practitioner. You will find that one spirit or guide will be very useful for constructing certain items such as oils or baths in your cuadro, which can be inspired and constructed via mediumship.

A bundle of fresh herbs with cleansing properties such as romerillo a type of daisy growing wild in florida, rue or rosemary etc, can be used as a broom to remove energy on a person or the floor, then burned after. This is useful at the end of misa, especially if there was any disruptive spirits. A bundle can be used to asperge perfumed waters.

Be very careful of used objects, such as antiques, auctions, used tarot cards etc,  sale of deceased persons belongings or thrift stores as they may contain other peoples energy or spirits. Do not buy haunted dolls, objects, or spirit dolls made by unpracticed individuals or noninitiates. At most of the best of times it will be an empty shell. Be aware of mirrors as they can be doors or enchanted. Even when buying carven artworks or statues discern if there is any attachments, and get help if it does not seem peaceable to find a pact or solution. Cleanse divinatory tools often with smudge of at least 3 herbs, or a cigar, or any items in question.

Simple Ancestral bath:

A simple ancestral bath to cleanse yourself, increase your communication with them

boost psychism with your spirits guides as well as protect you:

Clear bubbly water from your ancestor altar, replace water on altar immediately.

white rum,

cascarilla chalk,

florida water and you can add coconut water or coconut milk. 

I sometimes add one more item in here, but it is used for specific reasons not to be divulged.

The white items such as cascarilla is added to the water as it prevents negative spirits and is calming, you can add a few white flower petals if you have not also cleansed yourself with the flowers. If you cannot afford it or are desperate then just use the glass of water alone. Pour this over your head after showering, then towel off, no need to rinse. Do this for a minimum of once a week for at least 3 weeks and replace the water glass right away, but you can do it 3 times a week. In the beginning when there is too much spiritual contact or when people have been working with too many different systems and spirits, a straight coconut milk rinse can be used before bed. 

Some people put cascarilla powder on their sheets, and go as far to dress in white use white sheets towels and headwrap. Very calming. Cascarilla is a spiritual layer of protection, I have seen some practitioners use all over their face. We use it to mark susceptible people and children from intense or unwanted spirit influence, such as during misa or in the cemetery. It can be used as protections in many ways, such as crosses marked on the body, on the feet, the wrists, back of neck, abdomen or forehead. 

Cascarilla can be used for positive spirits to mark boundaries and symbols such as veves, although we have other specific mixes to use to draw them. We may keep a chunk of it on the altar (if you feel it does not muffle connection), or a bowl of crushed white eggshells. You can attempt to make your own out off a mix of finely ground white eggshells, white flour and water, holy water, florida water optional, and then dried after compacting in small paper condiment cups or wrapped tightly in saran wrap. If you buy it prepared you must pray over the chalk.

I do not recommend you use salt on your altar or around or even salt the food to your spirits as it repels the dead and can trap them. In an infestation it can be used as part of a floor sweep out the door and disposed out of the home. Ammonia or bleach can be used on the walls if there is a really bad problem, but can affect the paint. No good spiritist will work alone for larger spiritual problems, I recommend you get help if you have a persistent problem. Sage alone will not solve a serious problem. I recommend that all altars are taken down cleansed and reset. Bleach is used to cleanse the house and has a mundane and spiritual cleansing effect, as spirits can manipulate germ or virus to create disease.

An emergency spirit bath can be made with salt and lemons, scrubbing a cut lemon or lime halves over the body, until you can get help from a practiced individual. Citrus is acidic or has a cutting effect, such as in cooking with fats or richness. It is also a common household cleansing agent along with pine, a protective agent against the dead is to use pine tar on window sills, and a holy tree. You can buy hoodoo preparations of this or pine tar soap. these plants have helping spirits and properties, such as many herbs are shown to be antibacterial, and as natural remedies and medicines. There exists even dragons blood or florida water soaps. African black soap is also a nice protective agent and is sacred to Oshun.

Internally cleanses can be done, for good health or if one believes they have ingested something that an enemy has prepared or a negative spirit has gotten into, or affected the body or health. Coffee is a cleansing but also a cursing agent. In my tradition we have a dominican drink of the arawak speaking and Taino peoples called mamajuana. This is a rum based infusion of several roots and herbs, and offered to our Taino spirits. We prepare it specially, but commercial kits and bottles can be bought or imported. Some of the ingredients are known for cleansing the gut and liver area and is anticancer.

Cleansing is very important in Sanse, it is said to be a water tradition for many reasons. It is the number one way to deflect over 90 percent of negative spirits, energies, bad luck or curses and spiritual problems, especially in opening up yourself and dealing with spirits. If you are spiritually clean it repels negativity much more easily along with the help of your spirits. You should do these cleansings if you are around crime ridden areas, illness, jails, hospitals, death or cemeteries on occasion or as an occupation. There is no excuse for not doing it, it should be done frequently as a active spiritist, before and after misa,or working with especially unknown dead and cemetery work, for healing or energy work on people, and minimum once a week.

People who do dirty work aka destructive black magick need to do these cleansings before and after, which is not mentioned very often in spell books, who repeat each other and often leave out important information. People who do ill work unjustified to others will get spiritually dirty hands, and the proverb is “one hand cleanses the other” means being spiritually clean will be difficult for them, and lose some protections from their good spirits as we ignore their advices. That we help each other. We must have faith our spirits will protect us if well served and maintained and as we ask them, they might even go dole out their own justice for us. Cleansings and protection work is the best way, except for extreme cases in my opinion. Curses is not the tradition of Sanse or the religion of Ocha. 

Thankyou for stopping by,
Sancista Siete Encruzhiladas

The boveda, mesa blanca & The tableau espirituale: Part 2 How to set up the white table

What you will see at a misa, which translates from spanish to mean mass, in a folk seance, is:
 a simple clean white tablecloth on a small table covering the legs that touches the floor. On this table is usually placed a water glass (tap water only) with a metal crucifix inserted, white flowers and white candles along with Allan Kardec's book of selected prayers.

A very simple boveda ancestral altar at home, is like the misa table, which likely also contains pictures and items belonging to loved passed family members. In Sanse they can be a bit more elaborate as we add ours spirit guides, non bloodline dead and more correctly call it a tableau espirituale: a spiritual table.

While one cannot be instructed to hold a misa as a solitary or  untrained community, basic steps can be taken at a home practice.

The white table must be kept uncluttered and as absolutely clean as possible, the water refreshed at least once a week, and when they get cloudy or dirty, whenever flowers begin to wilt they are removed. The table cloth should be laundered at least once to twice a month, or when it begins to get dirty with wax and ash. Monday is the usual day to attend your altar, but as long as you remember once a week. It is not for people who cannot maintain this responsibility. It is a "golden door to the abyss" as I have read, and guidance is recommended, but if you can follow these guidelines you should be OK. Please read part 1 if you have not already.

It usually is kept in a front or a back room, avoid the bedroom as you want restful sleep, or place a screen in front of it as no business, loud conversations, or eating is done in front of it, nudity or sex. You can also cover it with a white sheet.

A closet is not ideal as it is unsafe to have clothing close to candles burning. It is good if you can have sunlight upon it and not in a dark forgotten place.

Before the table is set your spirits should be lifted by a misa, paying for a Catholic mass for the dead (about $15 at a church, or by raising them up with prayers of elevation for 9 days).
You start by using bricks or books from the floor raising the waterglass in height each day, or from the floor to a chair to a dining table to the kitchen counter to the top of fridge etc to higher ground in your house, symbolizing them rising in power, and purifying in light). The last glass needs to be placed higher than your head. Then a glass for the ancestors or a specific ancestor that you are transitioning who passed, if longer than 1 year, can be placed on the table.

The table should not be used, it should be new or from a family member only. The table is cleansed mundanely, both sides and leg with soapy water, and then spiritually with a cologne or rum and smudge such as I use a cigar and florida water on the surface and under the table. A prayer of cleansing and consecration ie dedication is done over the table before the cloth is placed. You can make this up or use the prayer provided. You can bless the table with a gently water cleansed basil leaf bunch by dragging a cross upon the table. You can also mark the 4 corners in this manner if desired.

I wrote this prayer formula, but you can use one from another source which meets the criteria of cleansing and dedication of the altar to specified spirits:

I dedicate this altar to *(the most high god, el santismo), my good helping ancestors and my spiritual guides responsible for my spiritual elevation and progress to be a meeting place of power and peace. I call your names *( ….. or known and unknown) (ancestors who are a positive influence in my life, who guide yet support my choices, and guides known and unknown) to bless and guard this table and myself. I purify this table with (holy smoke of the messenger tobaku, and floral essence, the power of basil etc). I ask for your blessings. I honor, listen, and give thanks for your assistance, light and wisdom. Speak and guide me, I call you always.

*(can say great spirit, papa Bonnye as in my branch of voudou or Bon Dye, the congo: Nsambi, Papa Bon Dios, Toponderosa, father sky and mother earth, whoever you see as the ultimate divine source God and is your spiritual path)

*(list all known keep a book and ask your family members for history and research, you can call them when you do your ancestral prayer. You can keep a list of names or just surnames on the altar if you wish).

Originally the african ancestral altar as far as is remembered to be taught is a stick of the dead, called a palo de muerto, or baston de muerto in Sanse, egun (of the dead proper) stick or bakulu stick depending on african religion. You can get one prepared by an initiate, as they are usually sacrificed over in Palo or Santeria/Ocha/Lucumi. In Lucumi they also have a terracotta or clay roof tile that can be recieved as part of the egun. Sometimes a pile of rocks or a smooth ovoid river rock was used with or without the stick upon an earthen floor or outside where water or libations could be poured upon the ground and a boundary marked with cascarilla chalk.  This would be tapped 9 times on the earth to waken or notify the dead to get their attention. I know in Haiti they sometimes use a stone altar called a Pe along with a water glass. Since people started living in cities they would keep the staff in bathrooms, along with marigolds. The pipes were believed to lead into the earth, and so as well clogged pipes is to be avoided or cleansed as possibly malignant or stagnant energies of the dead. Some will dispose of the altar water outside upon the ground, but down the drain is personally acceptable to me as well.

Symbols of items, and other items which can be placed

The one water glass with cold tap water below the brim: All, spirit, god, the great spirit. Your ancestors will have to share this cup, until your spirit court and guides be investigated in a misa. You could use 3 cups one for maternal one for paternal ancestors and one for God and other spirits. Then you will dedicate the other number of cups to classes, commissions or specific cultural lines of dead that you have, including ancestors of past lives. You need to lift this cup up and dedicate it to "God", and all your good, helping ancestors, willing to support your life choices, and be a positive, healthy influence in your life. The cup must be dedicated, because it is a portal, a vessel like a body for them, and not for random spirits. The number of cups used besides the main one which is the largest usually, will depend on your tradition. We use 9 small and one big, as I was taught to count the glasses around the big one. The number may indicate a particular misterio such as an Orisha you or the group is under if practiced the Cuban way. You will use these other glasses for communication and when you know your spirit court.

The other cups can be placed in different patterns to indicate to the spirits your spiritual needs such as defense or elevation. The one cup or rest position is of peace and a normal defense. Water represents life, juxtaposed with the realm or sea of the dead, and the bubbles within as presence as spiritual gasses or fluids. The water purifies, cools them, and quenches their thirst. You may see the water drastically evaporate even not in the summer months as they drink. I will do a blog post on how to read the water glass and candles in an upcoming post. In this glass a sprig of basil, ceiba, mint, or rosemary or choice of fresh herb can be placed, but the water will likely need cleansing more frequently. The glass should be clear, round, with or without a stem, with no markings or etchings on it.

When the METAL crucifix is within it is the active or ON position when you are working or just need their added presence. You may otherwise place this beside or balanced on the top of the glass. It represents light, life, protection, the intersection of matter and spirit, the world tree and as the poto mitan, axis mundi or palo majeur as the dead come up the roots, the 4 directions or winds, an as an antennae for frequency.

The flowers are fresh and give life. Blessings are conveyed within the petals, if used before wilting in a spiritual bath. Yellow flowers may be acceptable, but preferably white. You can use these for cleansing, or cross them over your body before setting them down. If you cleanse yourself with the flowers or watercup, you should not use it for a spiritual bath later.

White candle: energy like the food which is given. Heat, warmth, elevation in terms of spiritual expansion and progress and light to help them see in darkness and guide their way to the table. It should be placed near the main water glass, and you may place more than one.

The food should also be dedicated to your ancestors welcome to the table or a specific dead. So no hungry random ghosts to eat at your table. Do not give them too much alcohol or food, once a week is enough. In the beginning you may feel candles or food are needed more frequently to help them elevate and progress to a steady place and relationship with you. People usually place this on the floor in front of the altar or on a chair beside. Food can be made the sign of the cross over your body before setting it down, or hold it up to your head or lips, heart then abdomen first.

You can give them tobacco if they smoked, make sure there is a lighter or matches, and you can light cigars, and blow it over food offerings or items to cleanse. Many keep a clean ashtray. You may give them money as a form of energetic currency they can use, which exponentially is worth more on the other side. You can spray the table with perfume, especially healing balms or as a calming influence such as with rose or violet. Florida water is used but you should be aware it can be two handed and manifest both good and bad thoughts ass well as being highly flammable. Pompeya lotion is a more positive and feminine cologne, but I prefer the smell of florida water. Holy water is often kept, but I have a secret procurement. This should not be bought, but can be obtained via donation at a catholic church font.

A bell with help to alert them and raise and break up stagnant energies, this is rung in a cross to open the table or just to notify and balance the energies with a participant under spiritual influence. I will address how to open and work the table next post.

A bowl of blue water is often kept on the floor in a white or clear bowl. This is tap water with laundry bluing such as liquid mrs stewarts brand, bluette, reckitts squares or hoodoo blueballs. Added to this is what suits your psychic fancy at the time, usually a cologne. You can also add white flower petals, cascarilla, holy water, essential oils. Cascarilla represents the white clay layer in Africa representing ancestors, also called efun or pemba. This clean good smelling bowl repels negative dead spirits which rise from the floor. Sometimes a candle is placed therein, as it is protected and designated for good spirits.This bowl of water is often prepared before misa for cleansing participants, or for spiritually cleansing yourself, which you should do in some manner at least once a week on approach.

Do not approach the altar when in a bad mood or swear in front of it as they are a mirror for us, and will attract like spirits and color their manifestations. You can of course confide in them your difficulties and speak as they were there as in life, ask for help, clarity and guidance.

A divinatory item which is cleansed frequently can be used here. This is not used as a crutch but as an addition to mediumship, felt often in the body or other "psychic" senses.

Jewelry you intend to wear, to have their influence upon it as a charged protection such as a cross necklace, evil eye or hamsa, azabache etc

Sharing the altar is only recommended in a family situation or when a couple is good as or married. There must be kept flowers to divide the two sides , along with other items such as the tools in the middle and both responsible for maintaining their side as well as refreshing the table or it will provoke fights in the house. The feeling on the table should be one of peace.

Things NOT to put on it:
Dark colors: black and brown are associated with the more earthbound malevolent dead. Some people also have taboo against red due to the hot or aggressive nature it implies. Keep mostly everything white. Some gold preferably or silver is also acceptable. Try to dress in loose white clothing with shoes off or at least a white shirt when approaching.
Dead or dried flowers
Do not leave food more than 24 hours, drinks can stay a bit longer
Do not give rotten food or anything you would not personally eat, unless it is a type of food preference a specific family member ate in life that you just do not like.
Salt: personal opinion is that it repels dead, or keeps their vibrations lower "trap" unless used for infestation in a house, do not worry about occurring  sodium in products but do not add more to food.
Do not place spellwork here, or anything of negative witchcraft or sorcery as it will impede their and your spiritual progress, being linked. The ancestors are not used for this. You can write petitions or on a novena candle for blessings.
Anyone living lest they join the dead early
Anyone dead known to cause you problems in life, who was/is troubled, including victims of violence and suicides, as well as quasi intentional drug overdoses. These cases should be handled with guidance and investigated by someone who is trained to navigate the situation.
Anyone who has not been dead longer than a year. Usually the guideline is to give them their spiritual sendoff and elevation, then give a period of rest.
Cages: I know this sounds funny but I saw someone untrained do it because they thought the closed birdcage looked pretty. This goes against liberation and progress principles as a symbol.
Anything that does not serve a specific function or need to be there, purer, cleaner, simpler the better
NO gods, no loases/Lwa Orisha, no Ghede, no saints or too many religious items. The religious items used have a metaphoric or dual purpose, and not all your ancestors or dead were christian going back to the beginning of the human race. IF saints are used we only use very specific ones as a principle of light or for very specific reasons such as St Claire or saints coded as a representation of the centinela, the main spirit guide. A rosary, a bible usually placed face down is OK, as they can be dedicated to a specific family member, or such as I have a spirit guided who is a nun who takes these, and are used in ceremony or as a symbol of prayer. Prayer books are OK.
Clutter: simple and clean as possible will promote clarity.
Advanced:
An initiated Sancista will also place around their spirit guides and paraphernalia with the other water glasses, although one who is only an espiritista will generally keep the dolls or statues separate as in the Cuban way. The Cuban way also keeps separate any dead who is not of your immediate bloodline, but in Sanse we allow passed friends, or other personal venerated dead such as passed spiritual teachers to be placed in a specific organizational method.

We will often pin 9 different colored panuelos, bandanas or cloths to the front edge, as the number and spectrum of classes of the dead spirit guides we acknowledge.

You may also see a monstrance, which can be of several designs, representing the sun or light, catholic transmutation of spiritual alchemy or enlightened flesh. Mine has a cup, the bread wafer Eucharist light/earth/body descending into it, and a solar halo around it, and is golden in color. The monstrance is not necessary. Some do not add a cross but critics say there will be a lack of light.

If there are any questions or if I have left anything out please comment or send me a message.

Next blog posts Part 3: How to approach or open and basic guide to work the altar
Part 4 How to read the water glass and novena candle
Part 5 How to do a basic ancestor bath to connect to them and spiritual cleansing

The boveda, mesa blanca & The tableau espirituale: Part 1 Purpose

The white table practice or mesa blanca is so called for the white table cloth upon the altar used in misa or seance but also at home upon the ancestor altar or boveda in espiritismo or spiritualism. In Sanse, the tableau espirituale or spiritualist table differs from the Cuban boveda in that we also include other dead and spirit guides beyond just our current bloodline ancestors or family dead.

Before I began this path, I wanted nothing really to do with the dead, since they pestered me so as a youth, as well as being somewhat disconnected from my family and family history. I learned its better to be protected as a medium, because the dead will take notice of you whether or not you look for them. To a lot of people ancestral veneration does not seem very glamorous or high level, but it is very foundational in African traditions, as well as traditionally in most indigenous cultures. This connection has purposely been targeted to weaken the family and social structure of community, yet it provides independence, through cultural spiritual power, guidance and strength.

This altar is a sacred space, religious or not, a place of  contemplation, peace, power and stability. The difference is in institutional vs experiential home churches and lived personal daily living aspects and concerns. The official catholic church did not always approve of previous local practices, and certain groups of unsanctioned dead. The white table therefore became a place also to honor those unsanctioned or sanctioned, and placed hierarchy those personally chosen such as folk heroes and freedom fighters. Cuban 19th century criollos with Santeria after war for independence had a lot of dead plus previous customs that had this need, as well as the rest of the Caribbean, Latin America, Mexico and South America. Or you can say around the world where experienced colonization, and in Europe reinvigorated after the Victorian age because of the amount of dead in World War 1.

Our relationship with spirits can be strengthened or weakened by our actions. Colonization, socialization and dominant or popular culture has attributed to our losses of our cultural connections, and the methods to do so such as teaching stories, original language, songs, ancestral record, sacred dances, knowledge of ancestral spirits and gods. We outright may ignore them and deny them and our common heritage and like energies. They need us as much as we can rely on them. They help us to be grounded, address social concerns, and have a spiritual home and family, without them we are lost without anchor or guidance of compass at sea.

Some of the authors spirit court and tableau espirituale:

I will address the guides and the other dead at another time, as the initial focus is of the ancestors.

Part of them remains, their personality, to help us even if their soul has incarnated. The dead are intermediate spirits, such as saints between us and other or higher spirits. As well our ancestors are gatekeeper or permissive spirits to others. The current family line going back generations unknown to beginning of mankind (antepasados), as well as our bloodlines from past lives (difuntos). We can pass this tradition down to the next generation in hope they will assist, communicate and remember us when we have passed from this realm and we, continue to watch over them.These spirit links or chains (cadenas) make us stronger and resistant to being controlled and tell us the truth. Their altar is a microcosm of your life. It can absorb shock of negative energies  and protect you. It can help you feel peace and relief.

Common colloquialisms is without them we are nothing, we stand on their shoulders, we walk the roads they walked, they are in our blood. The ancestors stand behind us or encircle us, whereas our main spirit guide leads from the front or the right side, and other dead and guides on the left of us. They are our first and last defense. They are more invested in and interested in us than most other spirits, and our potential for offspring and possible reincarnation through,but not always along family lines.

  Problems in our lives or misfortune is potentially seen as a need for balance and to appease these spirits. Not all our ancestors are positive influences or agree with each other or our life choices. We can communicate with them and make peace with them, so we are both best served. Sometimes they are so problematic and not ready to be in our lives, therefore we only include loving ancestors and those willing to be a helpful positive influence in our lives to our spiritual or ancestral table. 

As we work with only good and helping ancestors, with their positive influences and advices, being a good person with shared values, such as family pride and respect will help you align with them and what they would wish for you to become. Show them that you respect them, and ask their permission and blessings. They may have very different ideas about what they think you should be doing, such as occupation or religion. Of course we have free will and choice to live our own lives, however some religions and cultures might have been in direct opposition to your cultural group. In ancient or more recent times they may have warred with each other or slaughtered your people, and may be viewed as betrayal. Perspective on the other side is much less limited to ours, however just because our dead have passed doesn't mean that they are now perfect or know everything. Some may have such strong or bigoted opinions or beliefs as they did in life, whereas others may have seen the errors of their ways.

This is especially a problem with fundamentalist Abrahamic religions such as Christianity, who may believe that regardless of your race you should not follow an African or indigenous tradition or religion. You can have factions of ancestors and dead disagreeing with each other and this can play out on the stage of your life and altar. Some ancestors, feeling dishonoured, uncared for, are in need, or betrayed may then very well place obstacles in your path, problems in your life and misfortune. This concept is called osogbo misfortune in the Yoruban cultures, that the ancestors are displeased. However obstacles and difficulties are learning experiences and  may be a way of revelation and freeing oneself from religious burdens placed upon us, possibly since birth.

 We can help those troubled ancestors in another way without having them make problems until they are ready to be in our life. Spirits suffering can be alleviated and help their progression and elevation. Ask God for their elevation and relief, to gain more light and empowerment through intentions and use of prayer. The feeling on your altar should be one of peace, or something is wrong. Assistance, guidance and direction is strongly suggested. Questions about the welfare, or whether or not to include dead family members who died violently or suicide should be approached after one year of resting, with a qualified spiritualist. The dead are generally given a period of one year of rest regardless of situation before approaching.

The white table is seen as a meeting place or conference hall in our homes and life. You can preface your call to your dead as only helpful elevated ancestors are welcome, willing to make a positive difference in your life, yet support our free will and life choices.

Protections: ask them to close the doors to danger of the street, accident and violence, disease, sorcery, ask them to protect your mind, body and spirit, ask them to keep people with bad intentions away from you.

Blessings: ask them for improved and new opportunities in employment and finances, harmony in relations, ancestral issues to be resolved, traumas and problems affecting you or your family line can be healed to make us stronger, ask them to guide you towards the appropriate spiritual teacher, and for good people to come into your life.

 The altar can also be used as a place of spiritual cleansing, and I will address this at another time.

The white candles give spirits in darkness and who are lost the ability to be guided and to see, as well as energy, warmth and light. When you hear EVPs the dead often say I’m cold, I’m hungry, and this table will meet their needs, as well as orient them if they are lost or trapped somewhere. I will teach you how to read the water glass and candle which will indicate their requests.

A fresh water glass full of spiritual fluids presence and blessings

Next blog post Part 2: How to set up the altar
Part 3 How to address and basic guide to work the altar
Part  4 Cleansings
White bath
 Part 5 how to read the candles and water glasses
Baston de muerto: stick altar to the dead