White ritual clothing, coconuts and cascarilla in the diaspora

Ritual Clothes

We dress in white at ceremony, or at least a white shirt and avoid brown or black. Sometimes the godparents will indicate a different color combination is acceptable, depending on spirits worked with at the voudou services. 

Bring your own white head wrap. head wraps are your responsibility: a cut pillow case, sheet or tshirt is not that hard to acquire which should cover your head completely. Do not share hats or head wraps because with the magical principle of contamination or sympathetic magic upon your luck and conciousness. Some people even bring their own hair combs to the hairdresser.  This seat of conciousness, or the concept of the head is the whole person and conciousness known to the Yorubans as Ori: the seat of luck and guidance. The head wrap filters energies and discourages but does not prevent possession, more so tying the waist with a white wrap which may be marked with white cascarilla chalk, and from other people's who are present energy. 

Wear white: no excuses as a godchild, initiate, or after you have attended a few misas it will be seen as disrespectful if you do not. Some people will refuse you entrance regardless. Brown and black are denser, earthen, heavy colors of vibrations, so lower unevolved spirits and earthbound entities match this as well as rogue elementals. Associated more with malevolent and violent spirits, and criminal elements as well as black magick. Black is not evil per se, but a color of restriction, blockages and resistance as per the planetary vibrations of saturn, or binah and the heavy metal of lead. Black is an absorbing and attracting color that can trap energy and attachments, whereas white is a reflective higher vibration of light, purity and spirit source, as well as the color of good ancestors. Think of wearing black on a hot day, versus being blinded by snow. 

Like attracts like, and gothic images, skulls etc, can attract darker, random, or more vampiric entities. Take a shower at minimum before you come, it is a good idea to do your own spiritual bath before and save half for after as do the espiritistas and sancistas hosting the misa. Be responsible for the energies you bring.

Neophytes, or witchy newcomers may think that black makes them feel oh so magickal and spooky, when really it is the color of the beginner from ceremonial magic which created wicca. It is the robe color of tau/tav theta T as the robe looks like a looped ankh or a T cross as was the original cross, which is of the darkest earth and lower astral of the lowest initiatory degree of the earth grade in term of planetary ascendance. Depending on degree or function. if organized and in these black lodges, they will were red, white or other colored robes. The druids highest order wore white, as does the "hidden ascended masters" of Mathers. This is only to explain to the western audience. This symbolized darkness and ignorance, as well as the physical body. The sign of Osirus slain, sun set. It is also associated with the tarot card the world which leads to the lunar sphere of the 32nd path on the tree of life which we travel in magic, dreams and death as we are loosened from our physical container.

 the judaic symbol of earth malkuth of which the black section leads to the dark roots of madness the qlippoth, evil tree of death. The other three sections lead to the higher planetary realms of our universe 3 rays of light to the white sphere of limitless godhead keter.

 

To help the spirits influence, do not wear tight clothing, or belts. Shoes are often taken off so the soles of the feet are upon the ground, or loosened, as rubber soles have an insulating effect.

Photo taken from national geographic in Haiti

Brazilian Candomble practioners, photo taken from brasse travel

It is traditional for women to wear long white skirts during initiation and as practitioners. You must wear white pants or leggings underneath. The dress code is modesty: no cleavage, belly or butts hanging out. White shirts are long sleeve or covering the shoulders completely. They can be simple white tshirts. I have found it comfortable especially during the week of initiation to wear white sports bras underneath. We wear white for a week during the Sanse initiation, but this time frame may take longer as when they pass the first espiritista ceremonies. It is also recommended to buy a white towel, and if possible white sheets and pillow case. Some of these clothes are ruined during the week of Sanse initiation so it is recommended that you save your nicer ruffled skirts for later. I recommend that women wear white skirts and men white pants during initation. But I do not mind personally if women wear white  cotton pants or men want to wear skirts at most services, even if it is not traditional. Some sects of Ocha make the new initiate wear white for an entire year. Our espiritista ceremonies take a minimum of 3 to 4 days depending on the candidate, may take longer if there are other issues present. You will want enough clothing to keep clean and comfortable for that time.

The coconut 

 The inside of a coconut is white and represents purity and the head, as it falls from the top of the tree. Coconut water or milk refreshes the head for better or purer contact with good spirits, as does the concept of head sweetening and certain spiritual baths. This area is also one of the parts of the body protected if one goes into the cemetary. Some people when they drive by will even do a prayer and put their hand flat on the top of the head as a hat or closed door: keep out! Coconuts are often used in cleansings or a spiritual barrier at entrances to the home, or as an energy filter in ritual, then kicked down the street or back door. The coconut is used to represent Obi, an Orisha in Lucumi faiths. Obatala is also associated with the head and the color white.

Cascarilla spiritual chalk

White is the color also associated with the ancestral dead, the dead such as bones, the spirit, spiritual light, clarity, peace and purity. The ghede will chalk or ash their face, supposedly in part as protection from the sun.

Warding agents such as camphor or cascarilla eggshell chalk also called efun or pemba may be present. Efun was originally a white clay layer in the earth of Africa. The chalk is made now of white flour binding agent and ground white eggshells and water, but may have other additives if homemade, or commercially by botanicas such as with florida water. Some make it with ground snail shell in the spiral cylinders. This chalk can be used as powder. White generally is viewed as having positive use, although cascarilla is a spiritual layer against both positive and negative energies, such as intense contact.

The chalk is used as a protective barrier at times as well by chalking the face in spiritual battle, or marking crosses on wrists, bottom of the feet, forehead etc on energy centers, where energy tends to accumulate and spirits pull or enter. The chalk is also for marking positive barriers and sigils or rarely veves for the Lwa. Although ground corn meal, white flour and other substances are usually the powder traditionally used to draw veve. I will use it more in espiritismo for making crosses, marking coconuts and barriers in terms of symbol making.

A congo symbol taken from blog amoretmortem, although these invoking symbols can be used for good or bad


Cascarilla is a positive agent only, as some tools can be two handed, meaning can call or work both positive and negative in magic or spirit. For example florida or kanaga water or lotion cologne, coffee, charcoal and brick dust is said to be two handed. White ash on a cigar is a clean positive sign in reading cigars, whereas black burning and chunks falling off is negative energy. Likewise we will usually use white rum. But I prefer dark spiced or flavored rum to drink mix :)

 Baby powder, flour and cascarilla is generally seen as positive and white in color. For that reason cascarilla is made with only white egg shells. It is nice to keep a dish of ground white egg shells or cascarilla on the altar. As well it can be added along with choice of perfume such as hyssop to spiritual baths or to the bluing water bowl on the floor in front of the white table, or used to cleanse misa attendees and/or yourself at your boveda.

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S7X 

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