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Santeria

"Latin American Magick"
Also known as Santeria.

(The way of the Saints)
Its origin is Nigeria,and the Yoruba People.who among meny other african tribes were brought to the new world by Slave traders more then four centurys ago. They Brought with them Mythology of their Religion, Known as Lucumi in Cuba, and Macumba in Brazil. Santeria is a mixture of the magick of the Yorubas and the traditions of the Catholic church.
The magickal services of a Santero among meny things he helps his consultants
The way any other Sorcerer would. In Santeria Magick is not Classified as good or evil, but a Neuttral Force. In Santeria every person upon his or her birth is assigned a protective guide (one of the Orishas).this  guide is considered to be a Guardian angel. The new Baby is also assigned a special plant,Birthstone,and Animal.as he discovers the identities of these mascots during his life, His wisdom and powers will increase. In santeria a persons birthdate has no significance with there birthstone.

Herbs, Plants, flowers, and roots are the Bases of spells in Santeria
all of these are beleived to have an Entity that Guards them, therefor in order to use them Permission must be ask of the Orishas.

According to Yoruba Myth
In the beginning, there was only OLODUMARE - a being , without definition, he is composed of three seperate and equally Undefinable spirits:
OLODUMARE
NZAME
OLOFI
Babe Nkwa
Olodumare Nzame is the creative Principle. He created heaven and Earth, the sun, the moon, the Stars,and all plant and animal life. After he finished with his creations he ask  his two companions if they had liked what he had created. They both agreed that he  had accomplished great and Marvelous things, but pointed out the need for the creation of an Intelligent being to rule over the earth. At their suggestion Olodumare created the first man from Mudd, in their own Image, giving him Intelligence,l Beauty, and Immortality.
He was named Omo Oba, and soon became so conceited with his great beauty and Power that Olodumare, In a fit of Anger, Ordered Nzalam, The lightning bolt,
to destroy all life upon Earth.
Unfortunately, Olodumare had created Omo Oba Immortal, and therefor Nzalam could not kill him. Omo ran away and hid himself in the Bowels of the earth,where he is suround by the Fire and Brimstone by Nzalam's Scourge.He changed his name to Olosi and comes Periodically to the Surface of the earth to incite men to break Olodumare's laws.
Olodumare felt sorry at the sad state of the Earth, Which had become Dry and Blackened as a result of Nzalam's Fire. All three spirits that form the Deity descended upon the planet and Mercifullycovered it with new life.


some of the common words used in Santeria are as follows

ORISHA** Any of the Deities
Yaguo'** Intiate
Yubbona**sponser of the Yaguo'
Aleya** None Initiate
Araba** Sacred tree of Santeria
(Know in Spanish as Ceiba)
Iyalocha**Female Practitioner
Babalawa** High Priest
Omo-Orisha**a Santero consecrated
to a specific Orisha
Oru** Invocations
Guemilere** Sacred ceremony
Ileocha** Temple for ceremonies
Igbodu**Santuary where the
Talismans and stones are kept
Okoni** Wise man
Ache'** Power,

The Orishas

The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. In this way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our offerings and come to our aid.

The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature they rule over. For instance, you can learn much about Osh�d her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay�the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. Also observe how the babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. As you observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will gain a better understanding of them and their ways. Yes, they are complex, but no more so than any other living being such as you or I. We are also blessed from time to time in the religion with the opportunity to meet the orishas face to face during a bemb�here one or more of their priests will be mounted

Elegba

Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu�s the owner of the roads and doors in this world. He is the repository of ash�The colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his contradictory nature. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two worlds. In this role, it is not surprising that he has a very close relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. Nothing can be done in either world without his permission. Elegba is always propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens the door between the worlds and opens our roads in life. He recognises himself and is recognised by the numbers 3 and 21.

Og�ONT>

Og� the god of iron, war and labor. He is the owner of all technology and because this technology shares in his nature, it is almost always used first for war. As Elegba opens the roads, it is Og�at clears the roads with his machete. He is recognised in the numbers 7 and the colors green and black.

Oshosi

Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Og�d Osun in order to protect the Guerreros initiate and to open and clear their roads. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes the role of translator for Obatal�ith whom he has a very close relationship. His colors are blue and yellow.

Obatal�FONT>

Obatal�s the kindly father of all the orishas and all humanity. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. Though it was Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatal�ho is the creator of the world and humanity. Obatal�s the source of all that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. He has a warrior side though through which he enforces justice in the world. His color is white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to represent his/her different paths. White is most appropriate for Obatal�s it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is above them. Obatal�s also the only orisha that has both male and female paths.

Oy�FONT>

Oy�s the ruler of the winds, the whirlwind and the gates of the cemetery. Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine different colors. She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with Shang�haring lightning and fire with him) and was once the wife of Og�FONT>

Osh�ONT>

Osh�les over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, streams and rivers, embodying love, fertility. She also is the one we most often approach to aid us in money matters. She is the youngest of the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. She heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. She is the femme fatale of the orishas and once saved the world by luring Og�t of the forests using her feminine wiles. And,in her path or manifestation of Ib�l�he saved the world from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the process). Ikol�eans Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). For this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what they are about to do. She recognises herself in the colors yellow and gold and her number is five. Peacocks and vultures are hers and we use them often to represent her.

Yemay�FONT>

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