2026 Year of the Sword and the Void, Introducing the Solomon Seal Oracle

Greetings, After a long pause in writing here I pop in to point towards my Instagram YouTube but especially Patreon activity you can still find me at sancista7crossroads@gmail.com and Facebook but also MotherBreeann@gmail.com 

I do hope to update things more frequently as they can be released. For those not familiar of Ifa divination and other customs around New Years they are forecast using a consecrated ceremonial oracle and interpreted in the african diaspora each year by a central organization for success and to avoid problems. Cool heads are needed as a hot Ogun Mars ruled year, especially for women viewed within the following frameworks emphasis regarding Ogun as a technology and, practical spiritual or magic and physical tools of the embodied energy of 2026 and not focused on the entities themself as Ogou=sorcery. I dont want the reader to get side tracked by what they think they know about Vodou or magic regarding the vision I got from Nana Buruku. 

 The following 2026 forecast integrates the Ifa readings from Cuba (Ogunda Otrupon) and Miami (Ogunda Oshe) produced Jan 1 with the Solomon Seal Oracle at Voodoo Priest Botanica (Mars with Jupiter geomantics) which was released beforehand Dec 31. Our approach is not religious nor atheism, neopagan nor "New Age"; it is a recovered Magickal framework utilizing Caribbean sorcery, Kabbalah, and traditional Necromancy. We are the Invisible Church and reclaimed AA lodge; silver or lunar Dark Brotherhood, from various initiatic and bloodline lineages vantage point. The dominant energy for 2026 is Ogun — Ogun has the blade, the forge, and is the path-clearer. This year demands discipline and the "Dark Feminine" power of Nana Buruku to navigate global instability, financial shifts, and health risks (specifically blood and reproductive issues). While Ifa focuses only on San Lazaro and Oshun or Yemaya after Ogun for this year's broadcast, our technology and order looks deeper into the energetic patterns of the currents and its orders involvement in ancestral currents. 

  The Key Signs (Odu) Ogunda Otrupon (Cuba):The wooden knife in the forge. Focus on San Lazaro known as Babaluaye king of the earth (health/wealth) but my revelation is one of Nana Buruku (the cosmic grandmother/more ancient LAWS of Maat). I have Vodou, Dahomey heritage and received these Vodoun Orisha in ceremony: Nana, Babaluaye as my head Orisa and others and have intimate knowledge of these energies. I still respect these traditions and how they helped my health, but function as a master spiritualist as light is based on expanse or contraction. Ogunda Oshe (Miami): The power of Oshun, the power of Oya’s scythe. Themes of life, death, and transformation. Both readings focus on the tools used with the Orisha such as St Lazarus broom or why we use the mask of Oya. I chose a picture of some of Nana's tools instead of depicting an entity for this blog entry. Similarities and differences: Ogun/Mars. Strength, protection, and the "applied force" necessary for the year and reflected in the New Aeon as the Cuban odu states a knife is not needed to eat an egg. The difference between the Cuban and Miami odu is Ogun is innocent in one which false claims are very rare of sexual assault, and in the other he is guilty both caution on the same theme. See full entries 2026 Solomon Seal Oracle on Voodoo Priest Botanica Patreon Health: Caution regarding blood, STDs, and reproductive health. Divination is strongly suggested before any surgery and watch for car accidents. Stability: High global financial and security volatility. Discernment and discipline is mandatory also spiritually. Avoid Conflicts: wars will be hard fought if won due to instability; strength and protection is needed against enemies, bloodshed and hypocrisy.

    Possession/Spiritualism: Ofun Nalgbe supporting odun is when a spirit first went into a body incarnated or as a spiritual pot or as a medium, spirit made flesh. This is a Vodou assoiation. Magic or thoughts made material/real. It is also the Chinese year of the fire horse and the energy can be translated to Iching divination. The chwal in creole or medium cheval is protected by Ogun seen as St George; Ogun on his stallion. Ofun Ogbe or Nalgbe and Ogunda-She both talk about the myth of Pandora and mediumship in a sense. Ifa cautions women or personality types not to be curious as curiosity skinned the cat or goat. When goat got impulsive and headstrong and caught on the fence and got made into a drum in the odun Obara Meji they pay with their skin or life are at risk of violence. These past years markings are among some of my personal odun as well as the astrology/geomancy/tarot! I predict this years first solar eclipse event using the same energy point in astrology which is a 1/360 or 410 chance odds providing evidentiary proof. However as a spiritualist I have pulled witnessed results with odds 1000 times more the odds before. This is not a brag but proof of function/life. I wrote about Pandora's box on my Ig last year for a reason and its within one of this years odun. Odu or odun are like the womb or cauldron and rune cup of the chance dice. Master Divination and Spiritualist. The triangle of art is a tool of magicians along with black mirror to manifest such conditions as the triangle of saturn or skeleton gives spirit visible form for example. The magicians hat is the black hole from which comes a rabbit or tricks. Associated is mind over matter/ over the body or material/ lower nature, therefore the magicians ability of material manifestation/s, and spiritualism, spirit manifestation. And a spirits or consciousness has ability to dominate the physical is partly how Ofun and Obatala are related to Ori or the spirit of Ela, psychic gift. 

  Dark Feminine “voodoo” power and the Deads: Dantor: black cat, the abyss void energy of dark matter is matriarchal, black mater, but I cannot fully explain how that is linked to Oyekun Oya mystery here with death or Vudu, but its like a womb-tomb axis. Oyekun is darkness, as the dundun black dudu related to Oshun opposite of Ofun white fog or mist, the foundational ¾ colors or orientations seen also on the congo cosmogram or medicine wheel. And in each energy there is its opposite yingyang or solutions and issues. Others see the energy of the exact signature as originating from Aida Wedo queenly fire but remember Freda gives a Congo salute! Aida is the reflection upon creation, the rainbow/snake seen in the void or the refraction of lucifer/light. In Hindu depictions Kali has a pretty golden face as well as her warrior black kala manifestation hearkening to Gnostic John Lash's Kaliki warriors in the Yuga age cycle.

 In terms of concepts and not entities again, Brigette is popularly syncretised to Oya but thats not close understanding as some have Ogun Yansa in practice this is not about these spirits perse as a being, but the energy stream or idea/what they functionally represent. Ogun can be police, witchcraft or an engine/tools or more. Entities do not fit squarely on the planets dynamically and hence entities are also poor at times to relay magickal concepts. Some may put Ogun and Brigette the Judge for the year energy or result, and certainly Baron Samedi makes an appearance, but I am talking about the energy of Gran Erzulie, Nana Buruku seen in the depiction of St Anne, the elder but not often spoken of. In the cemetary Centella Ndoki or Virgen of Carmel. What I describe again is not working with actual saints or Lwa perse and people do not understand syncretism why were so many different images used for the same energy or spirit or why those listed here or dates, planets, angels are not "substitutes" for each other as actual correspondences are used. That is what wil be revealed to interested magicians for 2026 magick class. I am teaching the primary translation to tarot, Kabala and playing cards classes and spellwork based on the exact geomancy and planetary influences revealed by Minister Richmond and the Solomon Seal Oracle to do magic this year. It does not involve any of the spirits mentioned in this article howvever they are mentioned as a teaching tool and are not required to function and as I dont suggested people grasp at or start with random entities.

 I spoke to another Vodousant who had placed Ogun and Dantor for the year about my (knowing)konesans and as Ogou Fegai is a magician and his head Lwa, I said "to be a point of light in the void and not be consumed by it" to describe the dark venusian temple path and the years manifestions. He mentioned Ogun can enter the darkness from his hotness(pathway to petro) without dissolution but spoke similarly of(large dark technology) arriving as a shadow on Ogun for 2026 adding also Dantor as his results for dark hot feminine energy. A Quimbanda temple further used the oracle to determine similar and clarified results the Pomba Gira acting is the putrified Venus aspect of Saturn surrounding the energies and temple defense. This can be very negative and severe, but knowing this can be used in favor instead. 

 More beings to compare cpncepts: Demeter/Persephone Queen of hell/underworld, Lucifer especially and Venus, Venus with Vulcan/Hephaesteus the underworld forge Ra hoor khuit sun body active warrior boat of Horus with Set the moon. Nana Buruku metal emblems have the sun and moon and 7 snakes/vodoun energy and polarities. Sekhet spirit of the Nile and reeds to Osirus and the Underworld. Reeds are magickal papyri and bamboo is well used in the Caribbean and again nodding to Moses power which I wrote about Moses being found at the river by the reeds on my IG recently. Nana Buruku's wooden knife is often made of bamboo in reception and she also has a broom or aja as staff of authority.

I could easily add Hecate Brimo/Artemis…. or Nepyths, Nyx or Nuit the starry night of Binah and Saturn, of severity as the bitter or darker aspect of Isis to address suffering. The temple path of Black Moses in the desert as the hermit shaman Obeahman, the witch in the swamp, survivalist maroons and Petro. The energy of the black temple comes forth this year but the correspondence used for 2026 is very specific.

 The Master Path and Key:We offer a workable system for the modern Magus to harness these planetary energies for survival and mastery. This is not about worshipping deities; it is about using spiritual technology—like the DeLaurence Obeah cloth, The Solomon Seal Oracle with planetary and other correspondences and entities—to command your reality. 

 Next Steps: For the candle colors, card and spell correspondences such as angelic and daemonic spirits, and how the dead can ride this energy will be given on, to properly work with the mars-jupiter and veus-saturn pathways and access to our 2026 Magic Classes, as well you can determine these divinations on any issue at any time and to further grasp patreon information

This is the proper Patreon and for classes it's MotherBreeann@gmail.com or sancista7crossroads@gmail.com for direct service or after you have signed up for classes let me know.

https://www.patreon.com/doktorlucifer/

 contact Motherbreeann@gmail.com for advice or questions after signup: With Strength,Mother BreeAnn

Oral hygiene, the mouth, divination and working with the dead

Spiritual hygiene such as cleansings was given an introduction in a previous blogpost.
As well another blogpost covered how the dead can affect a living persons physical health.

Looking at the liver of a sacrificed or animal killed to divine a physical illness, often the entrails or gut and liver of the animal was looked at. This often would show negative energy removed from a person or divinatory information. Likewise the gut, liver and intestines of a person are often affected by negative energy.
Bowels have been related metaphorically to lower realms or "hell" where there is the stench of sulfur, feces/excrement and to lower energetic frequency.

The other area is the bones and teeth related to saturnine aspects of the dead, the material and death...a skeleton.
Omens such as dreaming of teeth falling out is said to portend a death in the family.

The mouth and teeth are related to digestion and our ability to nourish ourself for health and life to eat to take in energy. If we do not eat we do not live and will waste away as if something was feeding on our energy. As well as to express and defend ourself "tooth and nail". We may not be literally biting people but if we look at symbolism and how that plays out on energetic realms such as with totems and the use of animal parts in folk magic such as horn and fang in protection and warrior traditions, it also relates to being a human/animal in warfare or fight and flight.

With divination in the ATRS (african religions) many refresh their shells used for divination with coconut water and cleanse the instruments with cigar smoke. The devices are instructed that the mouths of the shells, or tarot cards used speak truthfully and accurately. This is done in some Yoruban faiths because misfortune causes the divination devices to be inaccurate unless they are cleansed. One Espiritismo Cruzado prayer of tobacco, asks that may the spirits that speak through the sacred smoke of this tobacco... and through the spiritual fluids communicate as such with purity.

In Palo, a communal drink of chamba is used for several reasons. One being practical to decrease illness by cleansing the mouth, sickness believed to be caused by bad spirits. The drink contains antimicrobial substances like alcohol/rum steeped with ingredients such as hot peppers, ginger and garlic. Some recipes contain bone powder and sticks from different species and is made or human consumption or for feeding items and spirits only. It is buried in the earth, a tomb to absorb the energies of the universe and the ground. Chamba again has many applications, but it is believed the dead can cause cavities and residue from their energy can rot inside holes in the teeth. Coconut products were also possibly used as daily routine in personal care, such as with oil pulling in the mouth which is spat out after swishing for minutes.

Despite not having modern dentistry many areas of the world with tropical climates did not have as many dental problems as we see in modern cities. Natural products like these were used in traditional medicines and preventative remedies....
Still, it is a good idea to be up on your regular care and appointments.

Chamba drink is swallowed and is also a form of internal cleansing against witchcraft affecting the body, or if injested in our food that someone laced with witchcraft. In days of slavery poisons, insects, dirts etc were often put in rivals and slavemasters food and drink. Popular today is a love spell where women put heir menstral blood in their mens food like spaghetti sauce to try to dominate them and ensure fidelity. So be careful about who you accept food and gifts from! This is why some will not accept or have prohibitions on leaving drinks around especially dark drinks that can mask what people have put in.

My post on Mama Juana describes a Caribbean native medicinal drink made to also cleanse the body of witchcraft as well as detox the gut, liver and gallbladder area, and can help many disease process. Detox of the body is a good idea in general to help elevate your energy, increase spiritual faculties and health.

You can also do this with coffee fixed how you like or dandelion root tea sweetened with honey, as it is bitters and a digestive tract cleanse. It is dark in color and therefore is good for "banishing" or cleansing. Speak and pray over it to intend to cleanse your digestive intestinal organs and body, to remove any negativity, sorcery, witchcraft and stagnation before drinking. To make a ritual of it light a white tea light candle along with your beverage.

Myself I spray rum with my mouth to clean areas and feed and connect with spirits and use my energy, there is a great supply of personal power of Ashe upon the saliva. Often times sweat/scent or unbrushed mouth has a persons energy connected to it so spirits can find you faster with Vodou, or with bad spirits, which is why we change our clothes, linens and do spiritual breakings and cleansings with worn dirty clothing.

But also make a point to brush my teeth before misa or when I know I will be speaking during spiritual readings so that I too may speak via spirit and work cleanly and speak accurately to remove obstacles to our work with higher entities.

The mouth is a gateway or portal. The holy spirit and gift of tongues are mentioned many times in the bible, and about the mouth of God, and even in genesis how the spoken word leads to creation or manifestation from the spiritual to the physical world. The mouth is an opening and energy center of the body, blood circulation under the tongue supplies ready energy to the breath, along with the lungs during speech to create a vibrational current, and in the use of breath in spiritual works to charge and awaken such as blowing Vodou powders to the 4 winds.



For what is the language of the birds? It is not literally understanding a bird chirping..hahaha The birds carry our prayers to the spirits in our ceremony, the feathers and wings are metaphors of airy spirit flight.
It is to speak and communicate with spirit(s). And there are much deeper secrets than these.

Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

John 20:22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them,and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

I will also wash my hands if a bath for some reason was not performed with florida water.
There are certain Lwa who will not touch earth in their horses, nor interact with the community unless strict cleanliness has been observed.

Hope that these words have been illuminating for you,
until next time,
Sancista Siete Enruzhiladas

The Book of Mediums by Allan Kardec

The Spirits Book was the first published in the works compiled by Allan Kardec, dictated by the spirits of light in attending seances, and by observing and interviewing mediums. Table turning and these reunion sessions were en vogue during the Victorian era. The second in the series is the Mediums Book.

The philosophy of spiritism was thus codified, which set it apart from other spiritualism at the time during the mid 1800's- 1900. Classic or scientific spiritism follows this doctrine, in spanish espiritismo.

Thus defined:

"Spiritism has no priests and does not use or use in its meetings and practices altars, images, candles, processions, sacraments, indulgences, alcoholic or hallucinogenic beverages, incense, smoke, talismans, amulets, horoscopes, cartomancy, pyramids, crystals or any other objects, rituals or forms of worship.

Spiritism does not impose its principles. However other religions assist in Espiritismo aka Spiritism.

VS

Cruzado:

Espiritismo is a separate spiritual and religious practice that has incorporated into most houses of Santería. The type of Espiritismo practiced in Santería Lucumí is called Espiritismo Cruzado (Blended Spiritism) because it has been blended or hybridized with African elements from the Congo people." It is a nod to Kardec but contains syncretic elements in its spiritualism."

The Book of Mediums is essential to understanding Espiritismo Cruzado in our lineage and spiritual house, although it is beneficial to read other Kardec books. And of course our misa, folk seances are conducted with the Kardec Book of selected prayers.

The language is somewhat antiquated and dry. A hard copy of the book can be bought, but a free pdf is provided here. The Mediums Book  <<<<<click here

The difficulty also for some I have encountered is learning difficulties and problems with reading a digital pdf on a screen.

Therefore I have dictated a summary and parts of the chapters, and adding some information to the Mediums Book in a series on youtube, for learning in my temple, and to provide it to the public.

Book of Mediums youtube series <<<<<click here

"Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, under the codename Allan Kardec; proposed the study of "the nature, origin, and destiny of spirits, and their relation with the corporeal world". It encompasses "A discussion of the means of communicating with the invisible world, the development of mediumship and the difficulties encountered in the practice of spiritualism" and more....

You can read a bit more about the philosophy here

                                                                              Luz y Progresso,

                                                                             Sancista 7 Crossroads

                                                                                     
                                                                

Cantos para misa espirituale, songs for spirit guides, the dead and misa part 3 continued: gypsy

Of course I sing these songs in spanish, but they are translated for the purpose of knowing what you sing, and for those to learn spanish. I thank Valeria Di Giammarino who translated and transcribed this song through a friend Dave Raven. The one part in brackets ( vine hasta) is my own addition which may be incorrect:

Gitana Mia: My Gypsy by Oba Ire

CHORUS:CORO
Gitana gitana, Gitana mía Gitana (x3) bella Gitana (x3) mía, Esperanza, hoy yo te vengo a saludar
........ Saludo en ti las fuerzas de las estrellas, Saludo en ti las riquezas e lo profundo del mar En su música está la gracia de la danza de una luna llena Tu sonrisa brilla más que el sol en primavera (Chorus) Gitana mía Ayúdanos a merecer esta felicidad Gitana mía ilumína mis caminos para yo poder llegar Gitana mía esta oración no tiene fin Cuando una gitana reza, Dios se pone a cantar (Chorus) Es la gitana que llega para bendecir al pueblo Es la gitana que llega abriendo nuestros caminos Es la gitana que llega para defender nuestra libertad Esperanza, hoy yo te vengo a saludar (Chorus) Gitana mía gitana bella Yo te vengo a saludar Mi mente está libre para soñar Yo te vengo a saludar Hoy (vine hasta) está plegaria Yo te vengo a saludar Te lo pido yo del alma Yo te vengo a saludar Hoy te llamo a trabajar Yo te vengo a saludar Esperanza hoy yo te vengo a saludar

Gypsy Gypsy Gypsy of mine, gypsy gypsy beautiful gypsy, gypsy gypsy gypsy of mine, confidence/hope, today i'm coming to greet you. I greet you with the strength of the stars, i greet you with the wealth and the depth of the sea, in your music there is the grace of the dance of a full moon, your smile shines more than the sun in spring (Chorus) My gypsy, help us to deserve/ be worthy of this happiness, my gypsy light up my roads to make me arrive, my gypsy this prayer doesn't have an end, when a gypsy prays God starts to sing (Chorus)
It's the Gypsy coming to bless the people, it's the gypsy coming to open our roads, it's the gypsy coming to protect/ defend our liberty/ freedom, confidence today I'm coming to great you (Chorus)
my gypsy, beautiful gypsy, i'm coming to greet you, my mind is free to dream, i'm coming to greet you, today (I came to pray), i'm coming to greet you, I'm asking you from the depth of my soul, i'm coming to greet you, today i call you to work, i'm coming to greet you, confidence today i'm coming to greet you

Some very gypsy songs I love are by Blackmore's night, although not traditional misa songs:

Fire's at midnight:

Also under a violet moon, shadow of the moon, sister gypsy, ocean gypsy, wish you were here, ghost of a rose, locked within a crystal ball etc also certain violin and spanish guitar music.

Sancista 7 Crossroads

Colors & the panuelos or bandanas in Sanse & Espiritismo

White:all elevated spirits, the dead, cooler older rada Lwa, main color of clothing and mesa blanca the boveda ancestral altar, tableau espiritual if you hold it for guides, and the divisional altar for the Lwa. I have another blog entry that talks about white in relation to purity, spirit/bone and the shells, cascarilla chalk.

You can watch my youtube video below where I talk more about the fabrics.

:

                                         The Vodou Altar: 7 panels

Vodou
Misterios, Chief Lwa
7 color: & chief Lwa of Sanse
Papa Legba: white and red
Candelo: red and white or red and black
Beli Belcan: red and green
Ogun Balendjo: red and blue
Tindjo Alawe: green or pink and green, blue for Indio river spirits
Ghede Limbo: purple and white
Metresili: Pink and white, some use light blue

Some of the Lwa under them, or these Lwa color can change depending on point, or vuelta, turn f the spirit or different path of the spirit.

Orange: female Lwa of sweet waters
Red: generally Petro and Congo, and warrior spirits
Yellow: Cachita Tumbo, Anaisa, Oshun depending on path of the spirit, female Metressas of sweet waters, river, Gran Solier
Blue: Marine spirits, Indio of river, Ocean Spirits like La Sirene and Agwe

Espiritismo

The white table, boveda ancestral altar and tableau espirituale uses 9 panels.

Blue is the color of the waters, astral, mental realm, and the healthy energy bodies together are a white or blue color.

The muertos
9 color: the dead, emissaries, ancestors and guides, or multicolor
7 color for 7 african powers: 1 color for each tribal spirit of the dead, celestial number
Their color can also be the mysterio or elements they work with
red: congo
red/black: gypsy but any color they desire, patterns polka dots
africanas/madamas: under the misterio they are with such as blue: yemaya/olokun, red:chango, yellow:Oshun etc

orange: asian spirits

marigolds: flowers of the dead, flor de muerto

yellow, white: spiritualists, priests, nuns

green: indians, arabians with black

blue:mariners

Hope Faith Charity: yellow/green, blue, red/pink the primary color as the 3 powers/potencias

or the 3 races, potencias as well as red, black, white

Cordon & flowers colors

white: peace, calm, purity: daisy, lily, carnation, rose etc

red: passion, energy, strength, faith, power and belief, for those who suffer

pink: :salvation and help for souls rose, carnation etc, charity with heart

orange:humility and bulgarian rose

yellow: strong yellow: light elevation for incarnated souls and ascension for ancestors, difuntos (dead) sunflower, daffodils, rose etc
light yellow: love, fraternity, friendship. charity

green: hope with the anchor

blue: calm, union, reunion, communication, against division, faith with the cross

purple: forgiveness, pardon, grief
multicolor: reunion of souls, against division of people, and division internally or within your house

Reference: El espiritismo de cordon by Martinez & Sablon (2000)

The flowers also have symbolism, not only in their scent and effects, for example: lily feminine and purity.

Plant spirits, work, and the world of messangers

In this modern age, practitioners for the most part do not wildcraft and grow every plant that we work with.

This leads to a disconnect between us and nature, the land and its spirits. In the ATR's we are monotheistic but also animistic, believing spirits live in most everything. The plants are viewed as being part of the body of the sentient earth and spirits of the land.

When the plants are harvested, we respect, and give an offering to the plant. Some give 3, 5 coins, or a crystal, as it is really energy you are exchanging. You can sprinkle cornmeal and give a word of thanks after explaining why it is you need to use the plant for help. I like to give water to wild plants, or do some weeding so it can have sun, seems more practical, and also only take which will not harm the plant from continuing to grow. You can bring extra plastic bags to also clean up trash around the area to show respect.

In our traditions we have a major spirit over the individual plant spirits.There are herbs belonging to various misterio. For example, in Palo: Brazo Fuerte has the plant Tartago (or tatago). But then there is the Mpungo who owns all wild plants Ozain. This spirit must be honored when you wildcraft in their tradition. Plants may only be cut at certain times, unless you know this mystery.

There are other considerations of plant philosophy such as the place it is growing such as a mountaintop versus a cemetary. Other ideas such as if you harvest it in the shade or sun side, what color the plant is white or black/purple. What the plant name sounds like, if the plant is bitter or sweet will determine if it is hot or cool, attractant or banishing, medicinal or poison. Plants are worked differently tradition to tradition, although there is some commonality. Plants have latin, lucumi, english, and spanish or creole nicknames for the same thing. Some of these plants are local and tropical and have no named scientific taxomy. We must get to know what is local to where we live, although some special plants must be shipped overnight for more important events and objects as tradition. This is one good reference material:

Ozain became an Orisha Osain after the Congo and Yoruban people continued to interact. He then came under the Nago nation as Ogun Osayen o Osayin as a Lwa in Vodou. Osain is very powerful, and has its own complete tradition that is similar to Palo. We cannot do much in these religions without plants, and as he controls the power of these plants as a forest (monte) spirit, is a great ally: a dangerous warrior and protector. There is the Mpungo Ngurunfinda, (finda/herbs) who is like a branch of Osain, and like our tree Lwa Gran Bwa, since palo is the spanish word for stick.

In Vodou, we have Gran Bwa (Grand or Big Wood), the Lwa of the biggest tree, usually near the center of the forest. He holds all wild plants. He also is associated with the mapou, called the Ceiba pentranda,  mapok, Iroko, silk cotton world tree. The saint used is St Jude or St Sebastion as he is Petro. An offering is usually given also at the natural entrance to a wild area of the forest or jungle to seek permission ( and listen to the response) and safe travel in their realm. Gran Bwa only takes water, leaves or vegetable food offerings. He is an initiatory (one of several) and permissive spirit.

Both Gran Bwa and Tobaku can be seen like our leaf faced "green man" Oak or Holly God as those have in Wicca.
Gran Bwa, the staff of Papa Legba, the cane and cross of the Baron, Loko and the poteau mitan or palo majeur pole in the Vodou temple are all related, on which Dhambala, or a pair of snakes are often painted. Spirits travel up and down this access point of the world. The royal palm tree is another common holy tree substitute and are both important plants, although different Lwa have their favorite tree. We usually tie 7 different colors on our tree and staffs as this same symbol of the creational snake Lwa (white/green and rainbow) and 7 chief Lwa of Sanse.

In our lineage, Tobaku (Tobacco: nicotania rustica) has become Lwa, because he is a sacred cemi spirit of the Taino indians, and a very important messanger totemic plant. His powers are healing, but disease when misused. For that reason only cigars or natural leaf are used and not cigarettes. His powers are purity, spirit communication and domination.We work with him in conjunction with the 4 winds, because the smoke and prayers rises up on our breath, and disperses our messages and creates community when shared. Tobacco contains compound which altar the mind, and our psychic perception of time and space for "shamanism". We use cigars for folk magic, divination, and to communicate with the dead in misa. Our breath in and out joins the spiritual and mundane realms. Many spirits like a cigar as an offering, such as Lwa or ancestors, and some female spirits as well or perhaps a cigarette.

Tobacco is a master and teaching spirit, such as many view cultural psychedelic entheogens of ayahuascha or certain mushrooms. These are very spiritual and not recreational, associated with the land, and snake spirits. Tobacco workers who are curandero, indigenous plant healers are called tabaqueros. Tobacco is used in Cuban traditions, Espiritismo and groups such as Maria Lionza in Venezuela is the most similar than the other ways used by Amerindians. There are many oracions or prayers to work with the spirit of Tobacco, most of them in spanish, or in booklets from botanicas. Working with tobacco can be a practice in itself in how you honor, ask permissive, offer, ritual observances and divine or work with it. I always advise people to start collecting a book of prayers that you like. In Haiti a natural healer is called a medicin fe, leaf "doctor". Whereas a worker more uses the aspects for "spells", but both may employ both methods and work spiritually.

Prayers taken from Sancista Luis blog sanseespiritismo, that I use often:
http://sansespiritismo.blogspot.com/2011/10/tobaccomancy-tobacomancia.html

PRAYERS TO THE SPIRIT OF TOBACCO


To the Spirits of the Four Winds, Black horse, white horse, red horse, and brown, you that find yourself in the four Corners of the Universe. Above and below and in the Four Directions. I call to you oh Charitable Spirit of Tobacco, ancient messengers of the Omnipresent One. I offer you in homage to the Guardian Spirits of (name(s). For wherever I go with this sacred smoke, you shall purify and cleanse. You shall remove any and every, seen and unseen negative vibration that surrounds (name/us.). And with the grace and power that the Holy Trinity has bestowed upon me, I (name.) purify and cleanse (name(s.). So be it, Amen.

PRAYER 2


With the permission of God.
With the guidance of the 21 Commissions of Spirits and the protection of my Guardian Angel.
With the watchful eyes of my Spirit Guides.
As above so below, and in the four directions, and to the Charitable Spirits of the Four Winds that come from the four corners of the universe. I ask for health, stability, and peace.
May the fluids of the Spirits that speak through the smoke of this sacred tobacco, be beneficial towards me and my cause. May all malice and deceit depart and scatter as the smoke does scatter, and only good and charity shall prevail. Amen.

If a plant was grown by humans, agricultural spirits like the Lwa Azaka or the Orisha Oko have domain. These are earthy spirits, originally most tribes were hunter gatherer before they settled and became agricultural. Azaka Mede is pictured as Saint Isadore.

One Mambo stated that each Lwa are given offerings before gathering their corresponding plants. In our lineage this can be done, but more often with Gran Bwa. Basil is another very important plant and is very common to be present at rituals. For Harvest and planting offerings and feast dates are acknowledged with services for Azaka and for the other Lwa such as the Mange Yam for good prosperity and fertility as well featuring the Nago nation and Simbi, Or such as Mange Lwa to feed the Lwa or Mange Mo to feed the dead and Ghede.

The natives knew much of their medicinal knowledge by the plant spirits teaching them. We have many healing spirits who are: Lwa, spirit guides of nuns or doctors, the indigenous folk healers and indios, as well as saints.They may work with closely several plants. Faith also is very important. They knew of medicinal value, but when not available, faith healing with any plant externally is possible in spiritualism.

When we get a plant from the store, the plant has not been spiritually harvested or grown. The plants are usually sold dried outside of Cuban botanicas when we should use fresh, for more plant spirit life force and vibrancy, more power. Some dried plants, the spirit is dead and gone. Sometimes we can activate some of its latent power, but fresh is always best. The plant is not the spirit, but the spirit is in the plant. Of course some are used dry such as cured tobacco leaf, or in making oils.

God gave these plants to humans as gifts, and their powers were given to these spirits as their gifts. One way we appeal to these plants and venerate is to, in our prayers ask for their power or specific qualities and recited abilities which God has bestowed upon them. We reward and further empower these plants by asking their light, elevation and spiritual progress of God for their work and kindness.

In this way, if we light the plant a candle and waterglass, We can sit with them in communication and understanding to make a relationship. This is how you get to know your plants, besides studying from a book. You have to know how to use plants safely, parts of certain plants can be ingested, or smoked in a session to gain a physical bodily understanding, and connect with their powers. They are used to prepare objects, as incense, anointing oils, washes and baths.

This was once understood more widely in Hoodoo and Conjure, that the plant is not just an ingredient, but an entity to be worked.

High John the conqueror was rumored to be the son of  a Congo king who was enslaved in the new world and jumped into the root of the morning glory flower plant. Some say he "returned or died" to Africa and left some power in the root. He was known for his intelligence and ways he outsmarted his slave master. Many people take no time to talk to and get to know High John. High John has recently lamented this to us. He is a sorceror and a magician, known for his Congo witchcraft or folk magic. He can do all things as a master root: luck, gambling, court case, love, money work, sexual prowess, success, protection and domination. A very generous spirit who loves to work. The root has larger male and female pieces and both can be put into a mojo bag like a pair of lodestones. In hoodoo and folk magic selected psalms are usually used with the work, depending on what your focus is. an oil using this root can be used on a novena candle, or fixed inside.

Fresh root is better, and should not be crumbling or dried out. Some dress the root with oil, or keep it with ginger slices to energize him and keep it fresh. You can learn more here. There is much to learn about rootwork in general, as an entire tradition.

Prayer to High John the Conqueror:

May Almighty Powerful God,

And the soul of John the Conqueror

Watch over and show me

the way to overcome obstacles, to conqueror fear and my enemies known and unknown.

Lend me your strength so that I can have success in my life,and achieve my goals. Amen

Garlic is another very important plant. Ajo or aho macho is the male garlic, the little round bulbs you usually see at a mexican store, and not the grocery. All garlic has similar properties of fire, cleansing, protection and exorcism, but the male has added masculine virility and warrior properties. The husks can be burned as a smudge. Garlic is high in sulfur and ammonia, known for purification, and against energy vampires or the evil eye. Many cultures hung decorative garlic braids and such as the Italians chili peppers as protections.

                                             el diaro, male garlic

Novena prayer to Miraculous Garlic:

You who were placed on Mount Calvary where Jesus died to give eternal light and to free us from evil; free me from jail and from all demons. When my enemies plot to kill or hurt me, let not their eyes see me nor their feet reach me. Don't let their hands touch me, their guns shoot me or their knives hurt me. Let no harm come my way.
Miraculous Garlic of goodness, separate me from the enemy. Remove all envy and jealousy. Help me in my work and in all my affairs. Grant me the love of those around me. So shall it be, and so it is. Amen 

                                                                       XSancista7X

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+++++++

The spirit guides & commissions

Spirit guides are discovered usually in person through seance sessions or folk spiritist misa or misa investigation with several experienced mediums. One can at times see a guide standing next to a person, or be able to communicate with them using cards to start to look into your spirit court, called a cuadro in spanish or your spiritual frame energetic makeup. This can take some time to shape up, but the main ones should come across first or as directed by your main spirit guide, called the centinela or guardian. This spirit is the gatekeeper and boss of the rest of your court. This is not the guardian angel that is the title we use for a person's head spirit higher misterio such as a Lwa. We can have negative or positive links to spirits called cadenas or chains. Spirit guides are contracted to help us for their own elevation and are elevated spirits free from the need to incarnate. We may have past lives links to them, but they are most not likely ancestors, but may have ancestral connections. Spirit lines and court are not by your current race, but this may also be reflected in some of your spirits.

The spirit guides are not angels. They are not folk saints, or anyone who died that you knew in life.
 You may have some idea of who they are, but the way to work this tradition is to be open minded about how you are read, or you can be wrong about the spirits who are your main guides. Not everyone will have a certain class of spirits or commission, and the spirits can be in more than one class but will settle or identify where they want to be identified or placed, such as if they are mixed occupations or races. For example you may think you have a madama spirit, but maybe she really is a conga. Do not be overly attached to the spirits you think or want to have, because it will make you strongest to work your spiritual frame which can be weakened by not working on this relationship. They are all individual dead humans and people will not have the same one. We say that there are 21 commissions of spirits as it is an important number, along with 3,7 and 9 in the diaspora. But really there are infinite types and courts of spirits, but these are the most common in puerto rican espiritismo.

1) Shamans, brujos/witches, herb workers/curanderos/conjurerers, spirit and spiritual workers
A broad category which can encompass many cultures, usually denotes an indigenous knowledge such as the indian or indios from several tribes, but not always. The spiritualists. Responsible for mediumship, herbal knowledge and healing, visions, dreams, omens, magic.

2) Gypsy commission: Romani people, gyspy jews, spanish gypsy, eastern european. Gypsies travel around a lot and may be any number of nationality therefore. Known for assisting card readers, divination such as skrying or palm reading, dance, music, flirtation and glamour. Have their own systems of folk magic. May have interest in horse training as they had caravans.

3) Madamas: known incorrectly as one being La madama, these were the house caretakers and mammies who took care of the children, and were house servants or slaves. They could be cooks, or have indigenous knowledge of herbs for healing when the family was sick. They may still practice their african religion in the forest at night. They range from a mixed creole to very black color, but technically a caucasian spirit can still be a madama. A male madamo can be a butler, stable keeper, garden or groundskeeper etc. This is a very popular commission and I will do a separate entry about them at another time. Again not everyone has one and they do not belong to Santeria or Hoodoo. Can have public or partial names such as Negra Thomasa or Negro Jose.

Taken from the occult consultancy blog


4) Pirates and Mariners, Sailors, Vikings, Fisherman, Buccaneers. Pirates and Vikings are very aggressive for the most part and may include criminal behavior. I have heard of one wild west outlaw identify as a land pirate. May identify with or served under famous names. Can be like robin hood figures or freedom fighters. Associated with the mysteries of the seas, lost souls and abundance.

5) Indians, Native Americans, Caribbean indigenous, South American Indigenous, First Nations Tribes, Aboriginal. Chiefs and Chieftess
Puerto Rican Taino Tribe and Arawak speaking peoples are very important here. Local spirits of the land where you are born or live. Usually referring to pre-columbian people in the new world. Patience, peace, warfare, justice, knowledge of their ways, tracking or searching. Work with animals, plants such as tobacco.

6) Orientals and Asians
Chinese, Japanese, etc Samurai, Buddhists, Shinto, Daoists, Tibetans, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal tea and energy workers, meditation, i-ching divination, Mathematics, Astrology, Martial arts. Generally happy and peace loving good for luck, money and business, love. Love citrus oranges type fruits.

7) Arabians
Work with Djinn, Astrology, Mathematics, elementals, ceremonial magic, Muslims, Persians, Middle eastern philosophy. They work oil lamps.

8) Medicas, Doctors, Leaf doctors, curanderos, Healers, Nurses, Paramedics, surgeons, Herbal teas, cures. May include faith healers, nuns, knights hospitalliers, midwives

9) Congos, Palero/as, Myomberos, Angolan Sorcerors or witches, royal Lisa heritage and/or slaves. Went to many areas in the new world such as Hispanola or Brazil. Pa Jose, Pa and Ma Francisco and Francisca, but they may also fit in africana commision. Francisca does not like to work without her husband kept by her side. A Madama may be a congo, but not every congo is a madama. They work necromancy, black magick and breaking negative conditions, protections, healing. They love to work and can be very loud and firey, thus easy to hear like the madamas.

10) Saints, Santos
More common if you are Catholic and this can be named in confirmation, or practice modern Hoodoo, but not necessarily. The are canonized elevated dead. Some see saints on the level of Lwa, and keep them on the divisional table instead. They may also be folk saints, which depending on their tradition, energy makeup (example the dead San Simon or Santisma Muerte) and request may be kept on the ground or on a separate place on their own. They belong to another culture other than Sanse or Puerto Rico but can come through spiritism. (Example Venezuelan Jose Gregorio Hernandez The Doctor is more of a Medica). The saints can be contacted by anybody but the relationship differs to you as a personal spirit. They may be associated with a birth date or occupation.

11) Hindu
Vedic, may practice Hinduism and be polytheist and have their own religion and these gods.

12) Angels
Same relationship as saint. Many are confused as angels and saints can be used as the face or cover for other spirits. And people may think they have or work with these other indigenous spirits but using the saint or angel image are actually just working with the saint or angel, or a random dead who takes the function or deceives. Catholic voudouisants will honor the guardian angels on their feast dates.

13) Slaves, Esclavos
Negro Felipe, Negro Jose can possibly fit in this category.
They identify more with their capture or abuse and struggle and can be freedom fighters and liberators or chain evil. They represent courage, patience, and the ability to overcome obstacles and sacrifice.They can come across aggressive, at least at first. They can be any race.

14) Children or infants
May have died at a young age. May have adult intelligence. They may like parent figures and can be mischievous but also protective. Work with higher misteries like nino de atocha, Legba, Marassa, nino divino, the promised sun child. When people have children spirits they seem to have more than one or can attract other playmates.

15) Anima Solas
Lonely earthbound or purgatorial souls, can be good, neutral or evil. Need to be assisted and elevated. Useful or necessary. Juan minero, trapped miners, tommy knockers. Desperate and willing to do anything. Usually given nothing more than water and candles to help them with light and quench their suffering and thirst, while purifying and cleansing. They may have to be dealt with separately than your white table in the beginning. They can be cooled with glasses of ice, and holy water.

16) Liberators and Freedom fighters
Military, Militia, Academics, people who took a stand. Founding fathers, justice, fight for rights and against false imprisonment such as good judges, pro bono lawyers or liberate from disease.

17) Vagabonds and Bohemians
Writers,scribes, musicians, artists, librarians, teachers, poets, free spirits, hippies. Can help with inspiration.

18) Heroes and Leaders
Cultural heroes, folk lore legendary myths and heroes. Military figures, may be famous or historical figures or tied to past events. Aid in battle, courage, justice, liberation. Lead movements or spiritual groups.

19) Africanas
West africans, voudouisants, houngans, mambos, papa boko and mama mambos. Yorubans who work with Orisha and Ifa or lucumi, santero/as and babalwo. A general category which does not include congo for the most part. They may show characteristic or use the same colors of their misterios they worked with still as in life.

20) Elementals
We view them as earth and land spirits, indigenous, under Baron Samedi, ceremonial magic, the fae, can be either gender, genderless or have different vast forms. They are associated with the 4 winds, 4 directions or corners or coasts of a place or a map and the cross.

21) Juans and Marias, a varied commision. Tobacco workers such as Juan del Tobacco, and can work for court cases. A very general list as slaves were given christian names. Juan Indio, Juan Negro cross many commissions. They are teachers who kept secret their lineages and cultural ways. I have not had much contact with them but some may be creole part spaniards and like crossroads spirits.

Another common commission are the priests, monks and nuns monejas
They help with mystic christianity, revelation, prophecy, prayer, protection, cleansing and working with the bible. They are usually though not always more european based or spanish.They are stern, spartan, watchful, and do not work "pagan ways", but can be more open minded than you would think.They may be difficult to placate or try to block your other spirits, and usually must give them rosaries and/or a bible, holy water.

Spanish spirits such as the Hispanola line are seen sometimes as flamenco dancers. Many confuse these with gypsies.

Each commission and individual has their own color combination such as the candle or bandana used, or may wear the color of a higher spirit they serve as emmisaries or messangers and priest/esses.
Each commission has general offerings they like in common, but as they are individual dead humans they will direct you to the items they want that they like or need to work for you.

A water glass on the boveda is dedicated to them, or one is placed nearby for them. Some may sit on the white table, other on either side, usually the congos to the left, and indios to the right are kept seperate. Some such as the madamas and africanas may desire a wicker or branch chair to sit on beside the table. Food is usually placed on the floor or on these chairs. As discussed in setting up the ancestral altar, the Cubans keep a seperate tableau espiritual for the guides than the ancestors.

We do not venerate to pray to the guides. There are prayers and songs but these are used for evocation and for asking for protection and guidance. They are respected and given honor but not worshipped. We can ask them to pray for us and pray to higher spirits or god for their elevation and assistance. Other people can give thanks to your spirits such as in your household but not on a continued basis as they have their own guides to pay attention to that will better benefit them.

Their dolls or statues are prepared as the spirit desires. For example La madama may want a cloth doll or a particular ceramic statue prepared. An indian may want a ceramic statue or carved from wood. They are packed with secret recipe mysteries or small pot beside them. Their desires are made known through spiritualism and sessions. A connection is forged by in the relationship working with them and in the crowning ceremony in espiritismo.

Most of this information comes from my godparents teachings and personal experiences. However the public list of commission builds on the list from Sancista Brujo Luis blog, even though our Sance has slighty different rama which you will find house to house.