Folk magic uses of Green Pepper

Many know and use hot or red chiles in their workings. However one day a couple years ago a product caught my eye at a mexican botanica store, a Green Pepper Novena Candle. Peppers are called pimente or pimenta in spanish and closely in other languages, but they are not all spicy. An Anaheim, Ancho, or Poblano variety, are less spicy.

Hot pepper more aggressive, commanding and protective and add hasten or to quicken a spell, but can cause explosive relations: too much passion or quarrel, burning akin to needles or a thorn. As I have seen them added to love spells cinnamon might also be a better option as peppers are bitter, acidic fruit.

Peppers are part of the nightshade family of plants like potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and the deadly often poisonous belladona herb. People used to beleive tomato was poisonous, and potato if green or gone bad can kill people.

Green or Red Bell peppers can be used in Desire work for love as they are sweet. Usually a persons object of affection or partners photo are placed between the two cut halves, then fixed shut. The vegetable is used as a spell container or jar.

I have on good authority in the area of southern Texas to Mexico they are fixed with chile, cinnamon, ant hill dirt, and honey to make them think of you. Then wax is used to seal them shut of the desired color.

Peppers cleanse and absorb negativity, undo jinx, used against evil, evil eye, witchcraft or spells.

I have also seen a green pepper floorwash or they can be placed at the doorstep to cleanse and maintain the home or business. To make your own you can boil a few sweet peppers, and then blend them or with a hand mixer diluted with the water, then strain.

I have also seen a green pepper bath!
Hot peppers are usually passed over the body as a more agressive form of cleansing in many native traditions.
They can be burnt in a mixture to dispel evil along with other herbs.
Of course other preperations such as oils, herb mixes in mojos are used.

I seen a lamp to the Lwa Dantor with sweet red pepper for love, money, to break obstacles. Giving her pork or hot peppers will make her "hotter" and more dangerous to work with, especially for the untrained or unassociated.
For bell or sweet peppers color is important, I seen green and red peppers floating in a lamp for her. Green is close to blue in spectrum. Some also use yellow, I assume this lamp was to sweeten the Lwa or was for love or green some use as a color intended for money. I have seen colored powders used for her veve in Haitian Vodou with blue yellow red and green colors.

                                                                                                              S7X

Lineages of Sanse

There are many lineages of Vodou such as "Haitian": Asogwe lineage
and other lineages in Haiti and the Dominican Republic such as 21 Divisiones and family groups.
There is also New Orleans or Louisiana Voodoo and West African Vodoun from which the lineages in the new world originate and arrived from via the slavery diaspora.

Little known is Sanse a Vodou lineage through Puerto Rico which is more spiritualist and deals more with the dead in its approach. Within the other listed traditions there are also differences in how things are performed and this is not because there is no unity of thought rather that the way that things are done have some similarity and an underlying reason for choices that went into the way these lineages were perserved. For example I have learned from some people in "Dominican" Vodou 21 divisiones that their practice is baptismal and more saint based in their approach than others in the same umbrella tradition. Those familiar with these traditions know some things never change and others can be done correctly in different ways that make sense. Most of these traditions are family based, while others are a mixture of family and temple in organization. There are Lwa that are more concerned with individuals and others with community and family groups so that there are going to be differences in spirits served from one region or locale to another, which also influences focus and way the group operates.

When it comes to Sanse we also see ourself as organized by lineages of spirit groups. Our house has pantheon 7 chiefs, whereas others have 21 divisions of families of Lwa or chiefs that oversee a group of Loases. Within the 7 chief lineage the 7 chiefs served can again vary from one house to the next for example.

Ours is Candelo, Tindjo Alawe, Ghede Limbo, Metresili, Ogun Balendjo, Beli Belcan and Legba.
They all have spirits under them. Wheras other houses may have different Ghede jefe chief or Lwa Anaisa or Marta the Dominator instead of Metresili to head the female spirits in general. Gran Solier is generally viewed as head of them all the chief of chiefs.

The candidate entering Sanse would receive these 7 by lineage and also any Lwa insistent within their spiritual frame. Other Lwa can be received at a future date. Some choose to only baptise if they do not intend to or serve as a horse for the spirits to come in preliminary ceremonies to connect them with their own court of spirits. This is partly where the idea of the 7 african powers came from, mistakenly taken to mean the Orishas
example from Sancista Brujo Luis

21 jefe:

Sanse includes the spiritualist tradition of Espiritismo, some are cruzado with african elements and some indigenous elements, whereas others are more classic, minimalistic or european spiritist in their tradition. Usually within Sanse there is the coronation of the or crowning of the dead. Some such as our house and the influence and houses of Ocha/Santeria it is a joining of the consciousness with a main spirit guide with a baptism ceremony, somewhat like the Lwa when Vodou spirit points are received after a lave tet headwashing. Others see it as recognizing your spiritual frame and having a spiritual party.

As described many houses of family Vodou and lineages are baptismal in their entrance rites only. And that also lends to the perceptions about Sanse being a family baptismal tradition, with some minimalist in their spiritualism. This can lead to misunderstandings about others practices and more ritualistic traditions. Where mixes of people came together, the type of influences recieved in the mix varied a bit, as some retained a more Vodou current from the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) in working with and serving the Lwa... whereas other focus these spirits as soley representatives, the dead emissaroes or messanger dead of the Loases and Orishas. We certainly work the Lwa but recognize the influence of messangers and primarily are spiritualist in our group in dealing alot with the dead and due to our shared congo influences.

Traditional Herb Series: Fig or Jaguey

Hi everyone, in studying herbs and people asking about them I decided to write a bit more about the plants that we use in more traditional preparations. As always in studying plants check with your mentor or godparent about what you are learning. When you take from a plant payment must be given, and talk with it first so that the plant is effective and that the spirit is not offended.This could be water in dry months, or 5 or 7 coins, or a crystal, incense, something of value, along with but not just a prayer for its healing, elevation for helping you and to bless the plant. Everything is exchange. There are also principles of timing and where the plant grows that will affect the energy of the plant, and therefore your usage.

All plants belong to Osayin and Gurunfinda or Gran Bwa as the owner, depending on tradition, and if domesticated or cultivated and not wild may also belong to spirits like Oko or Azaka.
However Jaguey is associated to the Mpungo Siete Rayos and Zarabanda in Palo, besides the spirits who own every plant.

The fig plant is known as a plant of betrayal or the Judas plant in Cuba, and is one of the many palos sticks used in Palo Mayombe, Monte and its various branches. It is called as such because it approaches other plants and strangles them, "strangler fig" Ficus Aurea/Hembra as the one that grows in tropical areas: Ficus crassinervia (trigonata) drags them down drowning them. It is my supposition that as Adam and Eve hid their nakedness with the leaf, it may have gained also a reputation in the diaspora.Therefore this plant got known for its uses against enemies when offended.

The fresh leaves are also used in a variety of ways in folk craft such as spiritual baths, or dried into spiritual items, around or on candles and into lamps.


The other nicknames for this plant is Vence Batalla: wins battles and Vence Guerra wins wars, as well as Yo puedo mas que tu: I can more than you, or I know better than you. You may see several listings for the same plant as people who are prescribed might not know all the names for the same thing.

                                         Photo from Vancouver island

It is a strong macho dominating and controlling herb, used to reverse black magic back to the sender, to overcome your enemies or those who abuse you, and for protection in the ATR's.

Some also use the leaf for divination, it is instructed to tell the truth, to see if it curls as a no or stays fresh as yes when something is written upon a picked leaf. This is gypsy magic or sycomancy. A live fig plant in the bedroom is said to promote peaceful sleep, in the house as good luck, outside the house to return home safely, and in the kitchen to ensure no one ever goes hungry. In Greek mythology it is a fruit of love or attraction, male potency and fertility. It is a plant which Buddha may have sat under to gain enlightenment. http://eluneblue.com/fig-magical-properties/

There is some difference between variety of fig plant, but they are all called jaguey. The male or macho one which needs to be used has large leaves than the female.

As we may live in areas other than the varieties that grow in tropical areas, a study and experimentation must be made of local or nursery plants in the native area you live. In any case fig is jaguey. There are medicinal effects of plants, but my blog focus on these plants will be more on the spiritual aspect. That being said the fig fruit is known to reduce blood pressure.

If you have any herb study requests, let me know, I'm going to focus on ones that grow in the Pacific north west for now that are readily available to me.
If you like my content please feel free to share my original posts and video links

Getting started in Vodou & altars: non-initiates & beginner advice

Get a reading to discover some of your Lwa

The very first and respectful thing to do, if you are interested in the religion of Vodou is to get a reading from an initiated priest to look into your spirits, the Lwa of the religion.

 It should be a reading from a priest in the branch that you are interested in, or possibly want to be initiated in yourself eventually. This is because different houses and branches have different spirits, and these will step forwards when you are read. They may also share some in common. Depending on your bloodline some of these spirits may have been there since birth. In family Vodou they pass down the same handful of Lwa. You must look at obtaining this guidance as joining another family or through a different group. Some say at least our head spirit was there since birth. I do not personally know if this is true. If we do not have these spirits through bloodline, they can call us, but again we are joining another family, being adopted in. This is why if you go to different priests in different families or branches your reading will not be exactly the same. There is no prohibition to any race or sexual orientation from entering Vodou.

Tarot readings are popular, but many devices may be used, and such as personal revelation or sign given to the priest by the Lwa for you.

If you get a reading from a Haitian Mambo, and then from a Sancista or Papa Boko, the way in which the spirits come across or step forwards for you can differ due to lineage. If you stop your guidance or relationship under the priest, then your spiritual connections may weaken, unless you become a full priest yourself. Because the connection may be broken by family. This is not DIY do it yourself, mix and match practices.

It is widely held that your met tet, main Lwa or Orisha cannot be known with certainty until you initiate. In 21 divisions, one Papa Boko states there is a reading qi/ki Lwa or star reading. But we do not determine head spirit in Sanse or Haitian Vodou, asson lineage before the ritual date. We may suspect who this is, but it can also change.

The Vodou are not a personality type. Just because you have La Sirene in one tradition does not mean you have Yemaya in another. They are not just archetypes or forces, they are beings. They are not like pat descritpions of greek gods like the god of war or goddess of love. Often times they are a whole group type of family of spirits. One spirit can have different paths or ways they are served that you may have one and not another type of Legba. But in our tradition they would be under the chief Papa Legba.

The Lwa belong to the religion and cannot be separated from their people and religion by magical approach alone. The African spirits do not belong in newage, Wicca or ceremonial magic. The same argument can be made with other indigenous traditions, and fake native American "shamans". Vodou is a living surviving tradition which does not need one person to make changes. And should be respected as such for the sacrifices made. It does not need reconstruction. Its spirits have not gone cold, or as inactive. They are very able to enact change on earth, and as elevated as some are, are not lofty and removed.

Vodou is a religion and not a system of folk magic and curses. Many people do not know what it even is but I am sure only think that they do. Vodou does not have a pantheon you can pick and choose from at will. You either have a Lwa or you don't, especially in the beginning. When you work with other spirits you do not have, it can create problems by making your other connections weaker and problems in your life. You may have problems with bad spirits due to imposters and evil dead masquerading as these spirits. Other spirits who are good can also use the image of Lwa such as guides and ancestors.

Once you have discovered some of your Lwa, you can get direction with what they may require, and have ongoing strengthening of relationship. Initiating is not the beginning or ending of practice, but guidance is absolutely key. You cannot learn from books or the internet. There is alot of bad information out there written by outsiders. the spirits themself have indicated how they want the tradition, and it is not a solitary personal path via psychism, it is a community religion. Any information from alternative sources should be checked with a reputable priest. A relationship with a priest will help prevent alot of problems and also be a resource to help with ones, instead of problems or desperation being your first introduction. You have already shown respect, and respect to the religion and spirits. Vodou is an oral tradition, that practitioners have dedicated their life to.

It needs to be understood that this is a lifestyle, that you need to understand certain cosmological concepts, and become acculturated to the people and culture you wish to approach.It cannot be what you want it to be. This is where entitlement and appropriation come in, a form of bigotry and racism. So be polite and attempt to learn the way things are. Ask about information from several priests to get a better understanding.

Personally I think that Papa Legba can be approached respectfully by all. However do not confuse that with practicing the religion. It is very common to have a visit from Papa Legba or the Baron in the beginning in dreams and such as they are introductory spirits to communication with other Lwa and the dead.

                                                                   
                                                  Simple offerings can be given to Baron Samedi at the graveyard gates to introduce yourself, state your full name and that you want to start a relationship. Next visit state your full name and ask for protection if you enter the gates. The ghede can be tricky to work with as they are the radical dead albeit accessible, they are not your ancestors. Cleansings can also be done on this point. His number is 9.

Papa Legba is a very patient and forgiving spirit. However if disrespected will close communication and opportunities in your life and will not be able to catch a break. Unfortunately due to AHSS and Hollywood the image of the Baron pops up leading to misunderstandings. A simple offering can be given to the crossroads or behind your front door. DO NOT put Ellegua stuff to him, they are 2 completely different spirits. Ask him to open the way to good and close the way to bad, the same as you did to the Baron after your first introduction. His number is 3 and 21. You can simply even draw a cross with cornmeal or cascarilla (less traditional) for him, and place his offerings apon it once he has been called and saluted.
We use different mixtures of natural substances and powders to actuallly draw veve than just cornmeal in the religion.

Ancestral Practice

You must start with you ancestors before you try to work with the higher spirits in the African Religions. You may set up an ancestral altar, but even this may have issues, bringing forth issues with the dead and ancestral issues, which are of benefit to get guidance on. The altar is a microcosm of your life, and a portal. Your ancestors can be displeased, and as a presence interfere and cause blocks in your life. Alot of people when they have problems in their life do not identify it with their spiritual practises. Whatever you do or do not do on your altars will have consequences or play out in your life.

Non-initiates

As a non initiate you should not offer any readings, services or teachings regarding Vodou, Lwa or the Orisha. This is disrespectful, counterfeit and is the job of the priests to provide. It is scamming and going to create problems in your, your family, and clients lives. These spirits are not found in hoodoo. Some do know better and do not care, others get taken advantage of in their ignorance. You should not make objects such as dolls etc. If you do make it clear it is an art piece only without spiritual value. They can be used or prepared by a priest if you want that to happen but consult first as the spirit may not like the figure. The priest is the bridge to the community in a community religion, not solitary. In all indigenous ways, there was a system of apprenticeship. The first step is humility and respect.

You should learn from history and ethnoography instead of buying spell books. You should learn about worldview and concepts behind why things are done. Do not copy other peoples altars and work. It can be an incorrect interpretation that you are assuming, or something personal to someone else that does not apply to you. You should start learning about spiritual hygiene, and keeping up on your spiritual baths and house cleaning spiritually. To know it is one thing, to practice and live this way is another. Vodou is a way of life. Spirit affects and is revealed in all aspects of life.

Try to go to community events near you as much as possible. 
It is true that many on the islands are not initiated. But they come from family lineages and many associate with temples for larger issues or are called to priesthood.
A person of a different country and culture lacks that connection otherwise.
Be helpful, respectful and contribute, this way you can observe, and put in service. The spirits will familiarize with you. If this is not possible then continue to work with your priest in terms of items that can be made for you and advise. By purchasing these small to large things, you can have experiences to see if its the house or religion for you.
It is a reciprocal relationship, and you will learn more than buying mostly useless books.

However there is one practical beginning book I can recommend in Haitian Vodou by Mambo Paula Wedo called: Ayibobo
You can learn how to do a basic salute and libations to the Rada Lwa.
Another I can recommend is Mama Lola, many priest recommend this experiential book.
No book will tell you how to practically practice, or has silly ideas or hoodoo and folk magic if it does. It will not supplement your connection to the spirits. You should read suggested books, and always check with your mentor or priests about the information. Most facebook groups are terrible, try to join one and take the advices only from priests not personal opinions.

There is certain way to use veve and they denote lineage, like a calling card or pass. As such you should not use a random one off a book or the internet, unless given by a priest to you. A priest can pass on certain advices, requests and working you can do that are prescribed by the spirits. Readings, also called "lessons" can confirm or deny your own dreams and spiritualism

The Lwa come in "possession" and the spirit administers to the community, its not just spells at home, this is the religion.

The Lwa expect certain things, songs, gestures etc. And the priests are trained to manage the situation. The priests know exorcism. This is real Vodou....not pins in a doll by a self ordained person and such "sorcery", candles or honey jars.
This truth may make some unhappy due to inconvenience, but there are no shortcuts or backdoors.
Work is done with and under the spirits. People will lie to you or do not know what they are doing are likely to rip you off or lead you astray and waste time, the blind leading the blind. Once you get the same answer from several priests stop asking, do not continue to ask around until you get the answer you want or like.

Zonbi

A good priest will have good character. Noone is perfect but they should have a sense of nobility in being trustworthy and be able to control themself and not have knee jerk emotional outbursts,

Vodou altar

You should not set up a table without guidance for the reason stated above. To work with the Lwa that you actually have, under an initiated priest. Be open to the spirits you are guided with and not just because you want this or that Lwa. Just because Erzulie is known for love, does not mean that many other Lwa cannot also perform this work, or want to perform this work for you. Once you have an idea of some, with guidance you can set up a prayer table. This is not the same as the priests altar who have received the spirits in ritual, or have been passed down in an unbroken family lineage.

Certain spirits go specific places, some do not like each other, certain things must always be present. 

Buying a statue is empty plaster, there is no spirit there. A priest does not need a veve or statue to have contact.
People need to start thinking spiritually and not materially.
When you become an initiate it is like an attunement internally, a foundation: pwen or a spirit point. Which joins the body and head to the spirit.

If you buy a statue or a doll it must be blessed or baptised by yourself at least. And it can be a gift or an object of meditation but do not mistake it for the Orisha nor Lwa, nor spirit guide. Do not buy all the Orisha or Lwa oils baths and candles from the botanica, they make a nice gift to the spirit but they are not traditional. Using these things all together is not Vodou. The religion or spiritual tradition of Vodou has its own traditional recipes for making baths and lamps that are passed down and not full of synthetic ingredients. If they are used they are usually added to other things, such as a fixed candle or lamps with other fresh herbs or natural oils. We do use many spiritual waters and perfumes.

Of course dolls and statues or pictures can be prepared as pwen. No pwen: no license or attunement with the spirit.
Spirits cannot be bought. Bought Pwen "Achete" are usually but not always contracts facilitated by the priest. They are the dead, earthbound and intranquil, djabs/demons/devils or Petro spirits usually for hire. They are not usually hereditary.

They must be paid, fed and worked with a certain way or your life can become a disaster.
The rada Lwa need to be fed, and given exchange, but again you either have them, they are interested or not.

Others say no altars in a house that is not really yours or is not a family house. Some altars are set up not to be moved and they are there for life. This is because in a traditional African shrine, the land and land spirits are familial, ancestral. Where you are born and buried are linked to family lineage in the root branches connected to your family lines of spirits.

With a prayer table you've created a sacred space designed to focus your faith and attention on your practice. It is intimate, singular and particular to you and it represents your understanding of your relationship between yourself, and your Lwa trhough the lineage you have approached. It is invested with a tremendous amount of your personal spiritual power, energy or ashe. Offerings and prayers can be given, but they are only vested in you, and not do work besides protection and perhaps occasional small petitions. Big work requires more engagement. and not a simple offering. Do not promise them anything you are not able to fulfill. They can be bargained with possibly.

An altar, on the other hand, has been specially prepared and inhabited by the Loases it was made for. It is also indicative of your relationships with your spirits but is reciprocal. The Vodous are actually in the altar and do more than just receive offerings, honor or veneration. It is working with them instead of only serve. Many confuse the word honor or serve with working or petition. The priest only has or can install this altar to a spirit in person.

Sancista 7 Crossroads

African & folk magic perspective of the Broom & Trees

The well known European aspects of the witch has the broom as an instrument of moving energy, performing marriage and the couple hopping over as a sign of fertility as an implement that contains both sexual polarities and some made of corn fiber. We should note flying ointments being placed on the handle and used internally for "shamanic" journeys, and the pole of the broom as an axis point or world tree.
Jumping the broom was also incorporated in African American folklore which has African roots of stick bundles and can be found in many cultures. It represented the home, change, and new beginnings. The broom represented being scattered and the handle represent God's hand that brings them together.

As the broom represents new beginnings, some buy a new broom for the new year as part of their new year or end of year house cleansings, for a more positive start to the new year, and to leave behind the bad energy

The broom could be made of several trees and plants such as birch for rebirth or cinnamon for love, good luck and prosperity, like a wand, different sacred woods could be used for various intentions as an extension and conduit of the practitioner.

 In neopagan aspects the broom could be used to open and close the threshold and portal of the magic circle depending on the direction and by raising or chasing away energy.

These aspects certainly did collide with other indigenous ideas in the new world. Sweeping and repetitive tasks do lend to a meditative state where the mind wanders or daydreams into a psychic or receptive state to receive messages. When cleaning the house spiritually some tie a white or red cloth around the waist with cascarilla and wear a head wrap as not to be carried away from the spiritual energies being kicked up using song and prayer. The energy or ashe deposited during ceremony in ritual area is also deposited around and blessings are picked up when the spirits see you tending to the area in service.

Floor sweeps of powders and dried herbs are used along with this action to increase intent and cleanse the house of negativity or maintain sacred space in preparation for ritual. Herbs like eucalyptus remove unwanted energy and people from visiting swept from the back door or farthest point out the front door. Some sweep from east to west as the sun sets to chase energy away. A sweep to draw things in for prosperity is done the front door to the back of the house after mundane cleaning so that all the luck isn't swept out. Although there is variations depending on purpose and if one has a backdoor. Special care is taken to the front step and where tricks and powders might be laid against the house occupants.

A broom can be placed upside down behind the front door on the inside of the house to discourage visitors and unwanted people to the house. Some say this encourages poverty and uncleanliness. A broom was hung over the door for protection to sweep away bad energy upon entering, and still to this day by neopagans.

There are many superstitions or folklore about the usage of brooms such as not to sweep against someones feet, under someone or place on a bed, or carry someone else's broom into your home. When you move you need to leave your old broom behind or throw it out because it carries the negative energies such as poverty  from the past you do not want to bring to your new residence. If you move to a new place and see a old broom dispose of it right away. You must upright a fallen broom and watch the way it falls. Superstition from different cultures about brooms can contradict each other, such as not burning a broom.

A broom gathers energy such as deposited at the crossroads to take bits of trash or dirt, to control an area, or gather spirits at the graveyard. Typically then the handle or staff would be tied with a red cloth as it indicated it is now empowered by the dead or "hot". You may see this in Rara band processions in Haiti or against certain altars. The items gathered are then used or the spirit employed. These marching and dancing military-like musical bands are known for activism, popular protest, celebration, warfare as seen with congo aspects. Kalfou is associated with the broom, whip and whistle. As Legba opens the way for Rada and are in divisions of Lwa families, so does the Baron open the way for Ghede, or Kalfou to the Petro nations of Loases, as well as djabs or evil spirits.

Saint image for Kalfu, some use the crucified Jesus

Rara 

 The broom can be used to sweep away the bad much like energy healing movements and the use of herb bundles or brooms on the energy body. After a bunch of herbs is used to say, cleanse the house, the stalks are broken to break the bad energy, sometimes as an asperger to sprinkle solutions. Sometimes also florida water is poured over them on cement and lit on fire. The broom can be sprayed with different spiritual waters before use.

The broom is linked to the dead and spirits as much as the cauldron.
Our palo or baston de muerto is used for calling the dead from the earth by tapping the ground 9 times. This egun stick can be tied with 9 different color cloths for the clothes of the dead ancestors such as egungun dancing masquerade outfits. Many in Sanse also keep a ritual broom to clear the space before misa tied with 9 colored ribbons to indicate the dead. This also indicates the winds of the dead or air. Much like some of the fly whisks of some of the Orisha such as Oya, or whips to keep away unhealthy influences or gather energies. This is also much like the royal fans I wrote about that remove "bad airs" or sheild and protect against spirits. Such as the use of birds or feathers to also sweep away bad energy.

                                                                           Egungun

Legba has the cane for opening to the other Lwa which is tapped 3 times at specific areas which is tied with 7 different color ribbon for the families of Lwa of the higher spirits.
Legba Avrada is pictured with a broom and one is sometimes kept behind the front door for ritual purposes only. He is linked to the Gran Chemin or big road that the Lwa come down on. For this purpose he can be seen as clearing the way. I keep a palm frond bundled one. Legba Avrada who some use the saint Lazarus to depict is said to be a wanderer (which Lebga isnt?) but likely said so because the broom touches many or all places on earth. Some use the image of St Martin de Porres.

We gather dirts from different power areas to make a world/tree or use its powers in folk magic or Palo said to be 21 for the roads and also herbs or sticks/branches as roads or branches that make all possibilities. In Palo the Mpungo would be Lucero the road opener, whose number is 21.

 The palm is sacred to Lwa Mambo Ayizan among other Lwa as one of the possible world trees as brooms had/have wooden handles and palms are used to sweep the streets. The palms for her are shredded and are used to filter energies and protect in the temple. The sweeping end of the broom thus is corresponded to earth/dirt and roots/the dead. Palm fronds can be hung over the door like a sweeping car wash and are often used to cover and protect the new initiates face and with the straw hat in Haitian Vodou. A broom likewise can be hung over the front door for protection. Ayizan is associate with the house temple or Hounfort, the priesthood and initiations. She is Loko's wife who has an aspect also dealing with priests and healing leaves of the tree some see as an path of Legba, and an aspect of Ayizan as Legba's wife.

When I visited Cuba, I saw men sweeping the street with long palm fronds. This is done many areas of the world such as Spain and India.

Trees are viewed as one natural repository of Lwa along with stones and other features. 2 are often planted as a doorway near the entrance of the temples. The potomitan or central pillar in the temple is just that an axis mundi like a tree to also the upper realms in which the spirits travel the trunk to our world or as the ghede come from the ground. Each Lwa also has their favorite trees or are associated with them for where they are located, and Dhambalah a snake Lwa hangs on them.

Trees were natural meeting places and groves for spiritual work, along the Loases of the forest and maroon escaping slaves to the mountains for revolution and the Indios. Trees such as palms or Ceiba/Mapou/Iroko/Kapok silk cotton were viewed as access to ancestral realms. Often the forest was used as burial grounds. Old broom handles could be used to beat drums, again made from tree trunks. The trees were necessary for survival of medicine and foods, as well as the sticks and leaves of magic usage. Winds that rustle the tree leaves is one voice of the Mpungo Osayin. The Lwa Gran Bwa is our like spirit who is a tree that rules over all wild plants. Some brooms are made from long grasses in Africa.

Many other spirits use brooms such as the Lwa Filomez, and some spirit guides like gypsies and madamas for spiritual cleansing and as a spiritual tool.

The vueltas of St Lazarus are also associated with the purifying broom, the dead, earth and sweeping of dirt floors. He uses it to spread sesame seeds of diseases, to clean and remove conditions, but the ajon-joli are also used in prosperity work.

Much like Babaluaye (the king-father of earth)'s sacred costumes or Omulu's figure besides skeleton was covered completely with sweeping palm raffia to hide his disfiguring scars from disease and smallpox. Their dance in spinning sweeps and kicks up dirt and the dead. This spirit also known in different tribes as Sak/gpata is viewed as one of the oldest and ancestral Vodoun.

I once had a dream of him a skinny scarred old dark black man was watching me from a thatched hut In Africa, and I was cleaning the dirt temple yard with a bundle of scratching sticks tied into a makeshift broom. An apprentice then showed me a saint statue of St Lazarus that she was cleaning. There were women working in a small garden where I could make out cabbages.

                                                                                                  Sancista 7 Crossroads

An Account of Curanderismo Healing

A family member and I have been doing a lot of physical labor at a property after a death in the family.

The spirits of this land are very active, and many people on facebook remarked the next day how overheated they got the day after the eclipse at night when it was cool. It was very hot in the house, even though it was cool outside in a northern climate and we had most of the windows open.

The family member was complaining of arthritis flareup in her shoulder, and it being so hot we were still awake at 2am. I heard her crying and moaning from the pain so I asked her if she was OK, she got up to my adjacent bedroom and had me fix her hair as it was so hot and she was not able to move her arms. She had put 2 ice packs on her arm and they had melted instantly.

I asked her if she wanted me to try some folk healing on her. It is not good to do spiritual work at night due to the more malevolent spirits being active. But sometimes this is done to deal with a bad spirit or do a healing if necessary. Apparently in Peru they do their San Pedro curandero ceremonies at night, and to also mimic the night blooming cactus.

She consented and I got up to get her some over the counter anti-inflammatory pills (advil-ibuprofen) as requested. She had taken 1 pill 4 hours prior, but it was not effective. I went to assemble what I needed. She was in so much pain she was unable to lay down so I had her seated on the side of the bed.

I got my Florida water, cascarilla, cotton pads, rubbing alcohol, cigar, books of prayers, and the basil cutting which had rooted in the water of my temporary consulta room with the crucifix and candle. I already had been wearing my white head wrap to bed.

Healing and Mediumship is a gift from God, and attributes of the holy spirit, the laying of hands and the work of the good spirits. Many do not like the idea of faith healing and want specific steps, explanations and recipes, when any curandero will tell you faith is the most important. However these abilities also seem to be inherited in families. Many do not like the idea of faith healing because of the televangelists. However it is only the assurity based on what we have seen as evidence, along with the personal light and ability to be a conduit. In the magnetism blog entry I posted a picture of the spiritual currents on the energy body, and I used this along with hand passes.

Many curanderos also use alternative systems of energy work, spiritual counselling, spiritual channeling, and herbal medicine not only from their culture such as acupuncture or reiki. Many are also yerberos herb workers, give spiritual massage or may be bonesetters found out in the country. Curandero at heart are healing or :sanacion" native practices throughout Latin America which became mixed with Catholicism. The leaf doctors are known as fe medicin in Haiti, who may or may not also be Houngan and Mambos or Voudousants.

                                          art by Mario Gonzalez Chavajay.

I began my session and opening prayers to set the protections and activate the energy needed. I put cotton soaked rounds with the alcohol on 3 points on her shoulder and she later said she almost fainted, that it was like a scream of pain that subsided and then went away. I put my left hand to the right shoulder to pull away ropes of energy, sensing the disruption around the area. I did the prayer of the sick, appealing to God for the curative ability needed and on behalf of the patient compassion and pity for relief. At the same time knowing that suffering may hold wisdom or purpose in one's life, it is given up to God.

The cotton is absorptive, like a cloud that holds rain or as a metaphor spiritual fluids or energy, It is often used to treat the sick in Santeria. The same cloth on an altar that holds energy, or the string in a spiritual necklace or eleke.

The alcohol is widely used in folk healing to bring down fevers and for sore joints and sprains, along with the Florida water. It is believed that illness is a result of trapped energy, or stagnation. It is also believed that illness has an energetic component, and that negative emotions can also be a cause and stored in the body. For this reason envy, evil eye or mal de ojo and witchraft is also seen to be causes, and often spiritual cleanings are commonly done such as with herbs or egg limpias.

I took the rounds off temporarily and lit the cigar. I did prayers of tobacco for purity and to dominate the spirit of arthritis and to take away pain and inflammation to the 4 winds. I blew smoke over her shoulder 3 times, the breath activated by life and oration. The breath often is used to add or remove energy. Tobacco is also used for joint inflammation and many other medical and spiritual usage.

                                 art by Manuel Pacaya

I called on the powers given to tobacco and a leaf I had taken off the basil plant that God had given them. I implored for light and elevation to these plants and to the guardians, ancestors and healing spirits of those present for their assistance. I took the basil leaf dipped in the water and crossed, tapped the leaf lightly and dragged it down her arm with orations. A conversation was taking place at a deeper level with the client, unspoken.
 I then put my right hand over the leaf laid on the shoulder to let the energy give what was needed to mend the energy body and re-balance the area. I did the prayer of the medium who heals.

I marked the shoulder all over with the cascarilla. What is that: she asked. Egg shell chalk I answered, its cooling and protective. I then marked a cross with Florida water on the area which I had prepared with holy water.

I then took the pads and let alcohol drip all over the shoulder and evaporate the heat as it quickly dried. She started to look more comfortable.
I closed the session and thanked the spirits.

I marked our bedrooms with crosses of the chalk and left the basil leaf at the bedside table. There were strange energy around as I could see a spirit standing in the darkness of the third bedroom. I opened another window for better airflow, and got her 2 new ice packs. The house was markedly cooler. She then laid down. I sprayed her bare arms and legs down with the Florida water to cool and relax her. And then she was asleep before I could even get back to my bed. And in the morning she was almost 100%  better, ready for another full day of renovation work. "You saved my bacon" she said with a smile. I told her I left my tumeric in the bathroom for her to take one capsule.

Basil is a very important plant of purity, healing and exorcism, and one I had at hand. However I could almost pick any leaf I found at any tree and had similar results.

Before I went back to bed I went to wash my hands.This is a practice in many systems so that you do not absorb too much of the patients illness by accident. As it is my left arm was very sore, and hip, as well as my fingers. I did not sleep well, and took some tumeric and other things in the morning and went back to sleep to let my body heal for the days work.

This was the first curandero session I have done.

I know a little of accupressure to treat a few things on myself and my partner mainly for nausea and migraines, relaxation and pain points, as well as have done laying of hands many times before. I always do get a very mild headache from his headache treatment which puts him to sleep. I also have a great interest in natural supplements and remedies for a variety of illness, mainly pain, mood, sleep, infections, cold & flu, autoimmune or inflammation and digestive problems, as well as natural beauty, household products and personal care. Funnily enough I do not consider myself a healer spiritually yet, even though I have worked in healthcare for over a decade. I suppose spiritual work in itself is healing to the spirit. I do enjoy getting qi-gong and reiki treatments, but I am extremely picky about who I let touch my energy body.

                                                                            S7X

Sunflower: petals of light

In Espiritismo Cordon in Cuba, they use a native american statue, besides a sunflower to represent the Indio commission. Just like a light bulb is sometimes hung over San Hilarion as a principle of guiding light to bring the spirits on their white table.

          Emblematic of the sun is the sunflower. It is also associated with the elevated Lwa Gran Solier, Soleil, Soley or Grand/Big Sun). Under Gran Solier many emmisarios work with spiritualists, the dead who were former spiritualists now help us in Sanse and Puerto-Rican Espiritismo. There are several Saint images as aspects, as each Lwa family such as the Soley's represent several spirits in the same division.  The image of the crowned Jesus is used as the "great power" related to the crucified justice, and thorns of Mars and warrior aspect, and as the justice card of the tarot runs between the sun and mars in qaballah or the tree of life.... like the energy of St George (the Oguns), and the Lwa Beli Belcan (used as St Michael) his sword is said to be off a ray of the sun or like lightening.
Note: if your flowers have thorns you must remove them before giving to the spirits or on the boveda.
One image for Gran Soley is also used on the yellow cover of Kardec's selected prayers we use: Ecce Homo "the man".

The sun's rays are cleansing, and correspond with life force, ache,and the ability to transport "souls" or spirits to manifest and to elevate. Much like the Gran Chemin or "big road" called in Haitian Vodou before Legba.

The sunflowers is used as a symbol of many European spiritualist churches since the 1890's and represents truth and constancy (loyalty, dedication, faith, enduring qualities), along with the bright color yellow since ancient times.

It symbolizes the good spirits and the progress of man:

A seed is placed in the earth, nurtured, watered from the heavens and co-ultivated at times by mankind. The sunflower faces the east when the sun rises, and then to the west with the progress of the sun during the day. As likens to the progress of souls from birth to death in the watery twilight of the west with the ancestors.

As the flower "turns" it represents the various paths, caminos, vueltas, faces, or presentations a visiting spirit can manifest such as the "ave" "gira" or dove turns of the holy spirit, ad the spiraling dance movements. In spanish the sunflower is called girasol or sun turner.

As it faces east it is as a salute to the rebirth and regeneration of incarnated souls and gives acknowledgment to the Great Spirit.
As the petals open of the flower, it represents unfolding of our spiritual gifts and growth.
Many cultures see the sun as the visible face of God. The sun is the heart and solar plexus region, as the personification of Jesus is light, truth and charity/love.
This is why the holy day was changed from Saturday (Saturn of restriction, material, and death) to Sunday.

The solar seasonal celebrations or sabbats are widely comparative: the invincible sun or sol Invictus is reborn at the winter solstice, and returns to earth in the Spring Equinox to bring new life at Easter.
For example: Greek Hellenist doctrine of the solar logos, and early Christian symbolism depicted Christ as the Spiritual Sun, illumination source of order, harmony, healing and spiritual insight, and borrowed older depictions of enlightenment and spiritual power of crowns/ coronas of halo and rays of lights. We also have the magician Solomon, as symbolized as the magi in the enter of the circle, and the astrological symbol of the center of our universe, the generative projective sun. This is the wand and the pillar in the peristyle, of power that runs through every human to be activated.

Like a man the sunflower grows stooped with age, and can grow the height of a man.
The main stalk often has 7 branches with 12 leaves, a celestial and solar number.
(As Gran Solier is our Chief of the 7 Jefe Lwa in Sanse pantheon).
And 7 being the days of the week and classical planets, 12 of the solar cycle months.
And these branches often produce 3 flowers per stalk as the number of formation, the persons spiritual frame or cuadro (spirits that make up your entourage of guides etc) and the trinity.
Each flower has 52 golden petals for the weeks of the year, breaking down again to 7 (5+2).
In the center are generally 365 seeds representing our solar calender year.
Some of their centers grow in a spiral, fractal way, which generates all creation.

Flowers are said to be an earth element, but it has roots, a channel/stalk, and aerial parts.
There is Odu that some explain as that flowers are to the dead and not the Orisha.
However the sunflower is said to represent several spirits including Oshun and Cachita Tumbo.
The petals of the flowers on the boveda are used in spiritual baths as it is gentle and replenishing to our aura or spiritual fluids/energy body. The petals are like a cats whiskers and increase our sensitivity to spiritual transmissions. Some call our spiritual gifts "lights".
Usually white flowers are placed for the dead, or yellow flowers are used for light, but different colors have symbolism.
A multi-color bouquet is used for all your dead.
Carnations are used for strength and are affordable and popular for this reason.

"Scattering petals in an instant" Is a translation of one of the songs or prayers for evocation.It explains the love/charity or mercy the spirit is showing by guiding us or coming down to do work for us. Flowers are associated with love, friendship and reunion, as thrown in weddings and the Indian Holi festival as brotherhood and offerings. Flowers and sweet smells are attractive to the spirits. In the resurgance era of european spiritualism, spirits were reported to actually manifest flowers or rain down petals onto the seance table.

                                                  from blog natividad del mar

A crown of flowers, and its petals are therefore very important in the Espiritismo tradition during crowning and baptism.

In another canto or song for the misa, The song for Christo says "regando flores" or roughly watering flowers: showering down or raining flowers.
In a song for the gypsy it says as translated "give me a flower with a goodbye".

                                                      Sancista 7 Crossroads

Charity

Charity
Charity is one of the highest principles held in Espiritismo of hope, faith and charity.
They are given prose in Allan Kardec's book of selected prayers and have interaction. They are both masonic and christian principles. They are symbolized by the heart, anchor and cross, as well as the 3 marias ( tres marias) or graces/muses as virtues.

This symbol put together, some use as a symbol of Sanse. The cross is of a man and the world tree, the earth and sun or faith. The heart is central of the sun or solar plexus and heart and light. The anchor is of hope,what keeps us grounded, and has the lunar and watery symbol. As in the tarot card the star, these are guiding principles linked to destiny. The hebrew letter to the star tarot card is translated as"hook", because man or souls are viewed as fishes. Such as in the bible the disciple and fisherman Peter/Simon became the fisher of man and the rock or foundation of the church as the first pope. The spiritual forces always seek towards man just as much as we look for guidance and light. As a seafaring people, they would navigate by the light of the sun and the north pole star. They even had an early navigational device known as the cross staff.

Charity means love of your fellow man like philanthropy, but many people think of it as donation to institutions, and charitable work,
Is there a higher tenet than love?
It is said that God is love.
Charity is also action, of charitable words, not speaking bad of others in gossip and undeservedly.
Of loving and helping each other.

Caridad de Cobre, the Lady of Charity
Many people think that Oshun, syncretized with the saint image of Lady of Charity or the yellow Caridad de Cobre is charity, but this is not so. Oshun is known for love, happiness, sensuality, riches, and luxury as well as foresight.The Saint of Charity is the patron of Cuba, and some use the blue one also or both colors, but that means something different in our lineage. The yellow one can also be used for the Lwa Cachita Tumbo but some use an Indian woman, whereas the blue can be used for La Sirene or Yemaya, but they also use the saint image La Diosa del Mar (goddess of the sea). We understand the saint is not the Mysterio Orisha or Lwa. One of the paths of Oshun is a chieftess, more of a native Caribbean woman. Cachita Tumbo is like Oshun as a river spirit, but many also mistake her for the female Lwa Anaisa Pye, whose name means little yellow or golden flower. She also has a path of a native woman.

The tale of how this saint came to be is very interesting. The men in the boat represent the three races which mixed and became Cuban: European, African and Indian or mixed ethnicity. The men were out harvesting salt, and were caught in a storm off the Caribbean island. Fearing for their lives they began to pray. Then the little statue on a board with the epitaph "Lady of Charity" washed towards them, and they brought it ashore. Thus Charity became linked with Faith, and is a deeper theme explored in the Prayer of the Shipwrecked. And also the Prayer of the lighthouse as the guiding light to both incarnated and disincarnated souls, The lighthouse is a metaphor for our centinela or main spirit guide, to guide us, and usher in other spirits.

In Chief Miguel Sague's book Canoa or "canoe" he tells of a slightly different version of lore, with more of the native or Taino history. Whether or not this is myth, of visions, or dreams in the telling, the cultural meaning comes through clearly. The statue is a replacement to safely hide the spirits of the land before colonization; of an earth and river creatrix: Atabey and Atabeira. Like the Taino Cemi spirits in stone, this statue mysteriously moves places, and reappears eventually back at the little chapel on top of a copper mine. Cobre in spanish means copper, and as many people lost their lives in the mine, she was looking out for them and guiding them with her light.

Saint Sophia or wisdom is told as their mother, Sophia is "Gods wife" as Wisdom herself the Ama or Asherah. From which we get the word philosophy, or the love of knowledge and study. Some see her as a Magdelene, rumored wife to Jesus. Gnostics hold Sophia as the creator of the world and is a saturnine principle of the number 3 and like Granne Erzulie or Santa Anna mother of Mary and used for the Lwa Anaisa Pye. Each of the Mary's also can be linked to the Lwa of the Erzulie family whose emblem is the heart; as Mary Salome, Mary Jacobe and Mary Magdelene as Ezili Dayila. Salome and Jacobe are also linked to the gypsy commision of guides through Santa Sara and the dance of the 7 veils by Salome in the bible. This also hearkens to Venusian deities whose number is 7 and of love, sexuality and nature, of temple proxies of Aphrodite and Ishtar. The metal of Venus is copper, and she holds the lights of the 7 planets.....as well as the sun/son in the constellation Virgo the Virgin harvest Queen pictured as holding a shaft of wheat or babe.
These are saint images which preserved original peoples knowledge.

Who is Charity?

So who is charity actually?

It is a very celestial divine spirit or power, very close to God.
This principle or force is personified, but so elevated they never come into physical mediumship.
The light of love or mercy guides spirits towards us to "hacer caridad" do charity or intervene in our human problems and suffering. These words are found often in evoking guides and the dead of a spirit court " to come to the earth and do charity". For example a song to a congo translates as "congo, little congo, congo of truth, I call you to the earth to make charity".

Also to the Lwa "gracias misercordia" means thank you for the mercy. Because they show us help and a kindness, we need to have gratitude, and to give charity to receive the blessings of the spirits.

Many higher spirits such as saints, like you to give to a charity in gratitude as an offering of thanks. For example if St Jude helped you, a donation to St Jude's Children's hospital is common. Also in first world nations, we are somewhat removed from the conditions in the very countries and areas that our traditions may come from that we enter such as Haiti, Cuba and Africa and their people.
If we take or receive than we must give back. We are one, one love.

Charity in Espiritismo
Clarity is synonymous with Light in this tradition, the ability to see truth and clairvoyance. When we think of light we think of the color white or yellow. Light "helps" spirits to see or "gives" lights the way. One misa canto or song lyrics are as translated "a great clarity.... the cloak of Mama Charity.....you light" to guide the dead towards us,
and then goes into singing of the dancing of Cachita, dance dance Cachita la Caridad.

In the name of charity, most centros of Espiritsmo try to have public misa once a month. By charity it is not actually "free" as attendees are expected to bring needed materials such as food, flowers, novena candles, cigar, rum, a small donation if possible to do the work. The energy, work, and time expended by the mediums are donated, along with any additional materials. Private misa are of charge.

Some budding espiritist said, " I don't get anything out of it" by doing the monthly charity. HA! delayed gratification. Get it right, its not about spells and commanding the dead to do your bidding.You cannot do Espiritismo without Charity. True, alot of energy is expended and it is not appreciated by other people at times the effort required. It may take several days to recover, even by the participants at times.

We are doing a service to the community. As priests we are to serve, not always be self serving. On the other hand some people do not want to exchange and only take. This upsets the order and balance of things, it is not good to put oneself at a debt. Euro mediums are more mentalists in modern times it seems, and say it is not to charge for their gifts, because they are God given and do not want to misuse it. And when money is involved this is a possibility.
This is true of being God given, however we use more materials in our folk spiritism. Physical mediumship is very draining, especially in the beginning, or you have not been brought up this way to exercise and expand the energy body over time.

What people do not purchase, they often take for granted, or in increase not listen. However our spirits will tell us when to do charity as far as spiritual work, or take on a couple of cases per month. Charity starts at home in the community, and also cannot be expected over the internet. In the old days, and still to this day to some extent barter is accepted, in the form of food, livestock, rum, cigars etc.

The charity given is also to the spirits, in our offerings and in our elevation work of light and progress in our sessions. Also to the elevation work and crossing over or rescue mediumship of earthbound or purgatorial spirits. Noted is the concept of water in African traditions, of the ocean of the dead, the congo kalunga. The cemetary is known as the small sea or little kalunga.

We venerate and give offerings to our Lwa, and is known as "sevis" Lwa, Ginen or serving the Lwa aka Voodoo. Many people do not know what Vodou is and think they are spirits to do our bidding or spells. Remember we are their horses, they "own" our heads as the master or "met tet" and guardian angel. We have access but we do not own them. We serve. And as priests we are the conduits of these higher forces.

Charity also can be done on our terms. "Beggars cannot be choosers" is an old saying. Rules are also still rules, and are there for safety. If we turn someone away from misa, especially for repeatedly not following requirements, or due to the safety needed, that is the head medium and godparents perogative and needs to be respected. We are the ones who have the responsibility and wisdom.
Spirits also have to get in line, and play by our rules, or we run the risk of spiritual problems.
Some need tough love. But we always attempt to help and educate them first.
                                                     

                                                   Sancista Siete Encruzhiladas

By a side note, many stores such as grocery chains (in the USA) allow you to link a charity to your store loyalty card so check their websites. Also if you shop through Amazon smile link in your same account it will donate to your linked charity. Just by shopping I donated around $400 last year this way alone. It would have been more but I sometimes shop through ebates to save money when applicable online. 
Please do this it takes little effort at no cost to you.