Tarot by Jacqueline Blog » Things About Santeria

Tarot by Jacqueline | Botanicas – Islands of Hope and Salvation

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:32:01 +0000

Botanicas, small shops with curios, oils, candles and more that serve the predominately Latino communities, exist in almost any major metropolitan community. These business offer spiritual counseling, tarot card readings or other types of divination and items not normally found on the shelves of other five and-dime or variety store shelves. These shops mainly cater to the Latin American cultures, but are also visited by a large African-American and Caucasian populace who practice forms of magickal practices as their belief system.

Candles to burn for all kinds of situations

There are mainly two types of botanicas; one catering to a strong following to the Carribean religious beliefs such as Santeria, Lucumi, Voodou and Obeah and the Mexican influenced Brujeria. Many bontanicas will carry items of both variations as people move around the country, but in largely Mexican polated areas such ad Texas and through the Southwest, you will find more of the brujeria influence than Miami, which has a large Cuban population, and would be more inclined to carry items related to Santeria.

Typical Mexican botanica

A Mexican or brujeria based botanica will offer many items that you will see also in a Carribean culture botanica as both cultures and their lands were under Spanish or French rule and therefore have a heavy Catholic influence. The difference is that while a Mexican botanica will have many statues, prayer cards and chromographs of Catholic Saints, the botanica that serves the Carribean belief systems will also carry statues and images of other Gods and Goddesses from Africa that have been syncronized into the Catholic belief system.

Botanica carrying Santeria products

Candle shops, which mainly are located in areas of large African American populations, may or may not carry all the same items that botanicas may have because their belief practices are connected with hoodoo, conjure and folk remedies and cures from the Southern United States.

Oils, powders and spiritual products from a botanica

To read about them, click this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/08/botanicas-santeria-occult_n_1079968.html#s457557&title=Botanica_Dreams

For your spiritual supplies, go to www.lucky13clover.com

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Tarot by Jacqueline | Your Ancestor Altar and Eguns

admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 01:20:31 +0000

Fall arrived a few weeks ago, but with all the weather changes, some weeks one would question if it was a trick Nature was playing on you. One day it is warm, the next breezy. I decide it is furniture moving time. It is time to move my Eguns altar and catch the dust bunnies under the cabinet. Looking at it makes me wonder if anyone else has an altar to their ancestors. Some probably do not have a clue that instinctively, they are creating this sacred, but little recognized space. Many have relative’s photos on the fireplace mantel or on a sidebar hutch in the formal dining room. Little do they know that this is the ancestor altar in its rudimentary aspects.

In the West African traditions of Yoruba, of which Santeria is based upon, a devotee sets up an altar for their ancestors in the family lineage. This is done as a matter of respect for those who, if they had not met one another, you might not have been born. They are at rest, looking down on their protégé and guiding them by communicating messages in dreams, song lyrics, billboards – you name it – to assist in decision making for their living grandchildren. It is with their help that we get through difficult times and it is a theme in African based religious beliefs what was represented in movies like “Soul Food”, when Vanessa Williams’ character’s family places a dish set at the head of the table for her mother, who had passed. It is common in many households with old Southern lineage connections to set a plate and glass at the empty chair at the head of the table, as a way to honor a guest. It is a way to invite a loved one who has passed to ‘come on down’ and enjoy the festivities. It is also a portal for those who are living to recant events, amusements and stories of those that have passed to the younger generation, who might have come too late to meet “Granny’.

The belief that we all have the ability to communicate with our ancestors, whether it be a memory of knowledge or tender moment remembered or a longing to see them again. How many times have you heard that someone you knew spoke of a certain scent like perfume or after shave, in their presence when your friend was going through a difficult time? How many times have you read about people who have heard footsteps or have been awakened by their dead mother’s voice calling to them in their dreams? The ones who have passed over get to see the World through a one-way mirror; they can see us but we cannot see them. It is through dreams, scent impressions and article movement that they can communicate with us.

In many homes that practice various African based beliefs, the ancestor altar has seven or nine glasses of water, each named for relatives known and unknown. Other items accompany the cool water, like framed photos of those older generations, favorite cigarettes, perfume, candies, gum and even a trinket or two. Never are you to place a photo of a living relative on the altar; to do so would invite their demise. These faded and dated images are strictly of the elders of the family. Most devotees add flowers, usually white, and also white candles, whether they are the large 7-day vigil candles in glass or tea lights meant to stay lit only a few hours. A crucifix is usually balanced on the center glass or stands direct center in the back of the table.

Altar for my Parents Christine and John

These altars are placed in the quieter areas of the home as the elders don’t want a lot of ‘ruckus’. The spirit of the Eguns (a shorter name for Egungun) are content with a corner that sees no action or is not near a busy hallway.

Water is changed once a week, usually on Fridays, Sundays or Mondays and sometimes a cup of black coffee and a pastry is added to the table for a day or so, so that the spirits can enjoy the treat. Offerings of food on chipped or cracked plates are given during certain celebrations and times of the year such as birthdays and holidays.

If nine glasses are a bit much for a novice ancestor altar builder, just one stemmed glass full of water changed daily will do, making sure you toss the old water out on the lawn or in a shrub outside the home and not down the drain. Filling the glass with tap water is fine and any food offering can be placed in a paper bag and immediately taken to the trashcan. Spruce up your tiny altar with one rose in a bud vase. Any offerings of beauty and comfort of this life will be appreciated and noticed by your favorite Great Aunt Esther or Grandpapa Johann. Ancestor altars cross over ethnic lines and there is no variation to the basic altar set up. You might want to ‘change up’ the food and sweets offerings, depending on your ethnic background.

The ancestor altar is the place to go to meditate or ask for guidance when one is perplexed with a decision or is having difficulties and needs an elder to advise them. Your time before the candle and the glasses will show respect to them and will also indicate thankfulness for their being around to assist you in times of trouble. You will leave this spiritual place with more ease and determination as your ancestors bolster your resolve and open the doors to your success.

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Open House | Feast Day for Yemaya – September 7, 2010

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:44:48 +0000

Maferefun! Yemaya Omio! I will be hosting a potluck-style open house for the feast day of Yemaya, Yoruba Goddess of the Ocean, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010 from 6 pm to 9 pm with Oricha music by Sacramento’s own Ebo Okokan. Click Here to sample the music of Ebo Okokan!

This potluck is open to the local public and all are welcome. Suggested potluck dishes should feed 10 and can be items such as salads, fruit plates and casseroles. An open altar to Yemaya will be available for candles to be lit in your favor and thanksgiving at $1.00 and $7.00 each. Musical performers accept donations of any denomination if the Spirit moves you. For more information and directions, make sure you are a member of the Tarot by Jacqueline Newsletter, as a mailing will go out through the newsletter only. Click the banner below to register!

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Tarot by Jacqueline | What’s the World Coming To? – A Commentary

admin — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:07:48 +0000

WARNING! – The following rant might be too offesive for some. If you are of a sensitive nature, please bypass this blog post.

This Mercury Retrograde is hitting me had this time. I have decided that I am going to selectively read for people who do not exhibit “high drama” for the next two weeks. Apparently, I am saying all the wrong things when doing a reading. But, why are they wrong?

Part of the problem that I can see is an non-acceptance in what the cards say. I trust my Tarot and especially when I use Obi divination to “back up’ what the cards are saying, then I can guarantee that it will happen.

Wait a minute….don’t I MYSELF warn about those “100% Guarantees” that the gypsy psychcis give in their neon-drenched dens and in their classic dark haired Gitana advertising? Yes, it is.

The difference is this: My readings are not a method to extract large sums of money from you to ease your guilt in taking part in your own foibles. No, I am here in Service of Man to help you get through whatever is going on in your Life at this time.

Case in Point.

A woman has come to me because she has reunited with her childhood sweetheart, of whom she did not marry because of parental dislike. She was intimate with him, despite being married to an (assuming) “cold” man. The ‘lover’, consumed with guilt or fear of discovery, decides to a.) travel b.) change telephone numbers and c.) relocate to another part of the State. The woman was desperate. I offered her the opportunity to make a river offering to the Yoruba goddess Ochun (Oshun). She waited three weeks and gave me an affirmative that she would be willing to ‘lay her burdens down by the riverside’, and accept whatever Ochun decides for her fate of the relationship. We make the offering. I tell her we need to leave without looking back. It is a long held tradition that when you leave an offering – at the river, ocean, crossroads, train track – wherever – you do not look back when leaving or return to the location. So, what happens the next day? The lady returns the next day, seeing that the animals of the woods have eaten the oranges and cake and strewing about the candles and flowers and gnawing on the honey-covered photographs. She tells me that she did this when she returns two weeks later.

Her next reading tells to offer 5 Masses to be said for the woman’s intentions. I do not hear from her for another two weeks and I am assuming she does so as Obi tells her.

Then, the woman comes to me to tell me that the man contacted her, stating he cannot go on with a married woman. But now she has a greater burden in her life now – she has a life threatening condition of the throat. I now tell her that a.) she must accept what Ochun has decided – that the man in question is not for her and b.) she must not only attend to her health FIRST, and also because it is of a serious spiritual nature, she needs to see a Santero (prient in the Santeria tradition). There is nothing more I can do to help her on a spiritual level. She must now go to the Doctor and do everything – EVERYTHING the doctor tells her to do and to ease her spiritual self – consult a Santero.

Bottom Line – even before consulting a spiritual worker, psychic or tarot card reader, stop and ask yourself – Am I exhibiting self love, self worth and self knowledge before asking someone to help me see things clearly?

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Tarot by Jacqueline | My First Prediction Came True!

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:37:36 +0000

Here it is, directly from Cuba:

LETRA DEL AÑO 2010

Signo: Obesa

Profecía: Ire arikú lowo Orunmila (Un bien de salud, que lo proporciona Orunmila), Kauré Obi omituto ( rogarle con coco y agua a Orunmila).

Gobierna: Yemaya

Acompaña: Changó

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Tarot by Jacqueline | Article about a “Journey to Santeria”

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:52:02 +0000

Greetings,

A friend suggested this article to me and I thought that it had merit to explain a little more about the religion of Santeria – the way of the Saints.

Santeria is a religion that was brought over during the African diaspora and synchronized with Catholicism in the Caribbean. It is practiced by a majority of Cubans and Puerto Ricans, as well as the people in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Brazil.

In this article, “Journey to Santeria”, Joyce Thompson gives a personal account of her search for true meaning in Spirit and how the Orichas brought her to love again.

To read Joyce Thompson’s account of her experiences, click here

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Tarot by Jacqueline | Sites for More Santeria Information

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:08:27 +0000

There are many sites on the Web for researching all things Santeria and Lukumi. Some require registration and some are open forums. Most desire to inform initiates and non-practitioners. There are some have videos, some music and most sell products needed for ceremonies and the like. Enjoy!

Original Products.com One of the oldest purveyors of products and publications for Lukumi and Santeria.

OrishaWorld.com This site store offers Santeria and orisha books, music and DVDs. There is a link to OrishaRadio, a subscription service that plays orisha music, and a forum for practitioners and mediums.

Church of Babalu Aye This is the church and organization that prompted the Supreme Court case that legally recognized the religion and upheld a practitioner’s right to perform animal sacrifices within the religious rituals.

Eleda.org This site has everything from books and music to very informative articles and instruction for rituals and prayers.

FolkCuba.com This online botanica (store) offers clothing, books and various plants for ebbos and omiero.

Orisha.Tribe.net A social networking site. This has a section for practitioners of Brazilian Candomble and Vodou.

generation ñ This site has a three part story of Cuban Santeria in Miami.

Santeria Religion 101 A blog site that will answer a lot of questions and has basic information about Santeria.

mysanteria.com My favorite social networking site that requires you to register to post and view some areas of the site. Some of the postings can be viewed on the Forums page without registering.

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Tarot by Jacqueline | “Yes” and “No” answers with Obi Divination

admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:14:21 +0000

The divination system known as Obi divination have been around for centuries and may come with slight variations, but the main meaning remains the same. Here is a reprint of an article I submitted to www.ezine.com earlier this year. – J.

“Ago Obi, Ago Obi, Ago Obi”

“Ago Obi”

The prayers begin for Obi, the system of divination from the Yoruba religion to obtain “Yes” and “No” answers to questions in various levels of intensity and meaning. This system, crucial to all in the African religious concepts under the major heading of Ifa and their various levels of dilution under the categories of Lukumi and Santeria, are a methodology of the ways Nigerian kola nuts (Obi Abata), fresh coconut meat (darle el coco) and four cowrie shells speak to us and are considered the ‘mouthpieces’ of the Orichas. The Orichas, as they are collectively known, are African based Gods and Goddesses of Nature who rule various places and elements of the World and are considered ‘guardian angels’ of each and everyone who inhabits the Earth. Each and every one of us is considered having that particular Deities’ “Ache” or “Spirit” and it is within the patakis, or stories of the Orichas’ interactions with each other and the World that the message is delivered.

Obi’s spirit, once mortal, ascended to being an Oricha once good deeds had been done, fell from Grace because of Ego. Upon descending to Earth, Obi’s spirit embodied the coconut palm tree. Although Obi cannot speak with his tongue, he communicates through the white (“clean”) side or brown (“dark”) of coconut meat. If cowrie shells are used, it is the side that has been filed open to indicate “Yes” (“clean”) and the closed ridged side that indicates a “No” (“dark”) side of the answer pattern that fell during questioning.

After prayers, I utilize Obi divination with cowrie shells to answer questions during a card reading using the Tarot of the Orichas. Obi gives clarity to questions regarding messages of the cards to a client. Clients can ask Obi a question and I may also be prompted to ask as well when the layers of cards upon themselves are not in association with the clients’ dilemma. Obi, not to be taken lightly, is regarded as a tool to help Mankind seek clarity in decision making, regardless of whether you are fully initiated into the religion or not. There are 5 levels to Obi; two affirmative or positive in different severities, two negative or “no” answers, and a “maybe” answer that needs a second question to extract a less ambiguous answer.

The five different shell patterns that will fall during a questioning session are as follows:

“Alafia” – “Yes with blessings!” – The most affirmative answer, it can be over eager in delivery and must have a second toss to confirm and secure the answer. The second fall of the cowries must be another “Alafia” or “Ejife” or “Etagua” answer to be taken as a “Yes” answer.

“Ejife” – “Yes” (but without emphasis) – This affirmative answer is interpreted as a “Yes, and your World is balanced”, meaning what you have proposed or achieved (or about to) brings balance to the contradictory struggles of the World to keep in harmony.

“Etagua” (or “Etawa”) – “Maybe” – This answer comes when the question needs clarification (posing it in a way to obtain a “Yes” or “No” answer) or Oricha is pondering the situation and needs a second question to be able to answer. When Etagua appears, the second answer of the second toss of shells is the true answer. If another “Etagua” (Etagua-Meji) falls after the first one, the meaning is “do not ask what you already know”.

“Okana” – meaning darkness is surrounding the client and a positive outcome is not available, perhaps without additional spiritual work. One open shell and three closed ones indicate to focus on the small beam of light in darkness.

“Oyekun” – The most serious “No” answer, it tells of being out of touch with spirituality and walking in darkness. A dire warning; it presages unforeseen problems, accidents, fires and even portends death. Additional questions need to be asked in the clients’ behalf to determine why Oyekun has come. Water must be sprinkled on Oyekun and if it appears more than once, the shells must be placed in water to ‘cool’ down the answer.

After the reading with me, the client has an opportunity to ask questions that were not addressed in the card reading. These may be additional clarity on the original shell toss or other unrelated questions on relationships and business strategies. Once we begin to receive multiple “Etaguas” to questions in an obvious pattern, this indicates that the line of questioning needs to end as the client is asking questions to obvious answers they are facing.

While not always an immediate answer, Obi gives insight on things to come. Clients who return for a follow up reading three months later will exclaim, “The shells were right! I just didn’t see it (the situation) evolving before me!” and other affirmations that indicate that revelations of Truth that Obi gives come true. For me, as well as over 70 million plus devotees of this African indigenous religion, we know Obi does not lie.

Jacqueline Mathers, educator and author, uses Obi divination in her readings for clients. She is also a certified Rootworker in the Southern style of conjure, studying under Cat Yronwode. Many years of study of African based folkloric and religious beliefs have earned her the title “native informant” with various institutions of education in the Central Valley. She is also the producer of the Holistic Healing Expo in Elk Grove, CA and can be contacted at (916) 284-5552 or at jacqueline@tarotbyjacqueline.com

The prayers begin for Obi, the system of divination from the Yoruba religion to obtain “Yes” and “No” answers to questions in various levels of intensity and meaning. This system, crucial to all in the African religious concepts under the major heading of Ifa and their various levels of dilution under the categories of Lukumi and Santeria, are a methodology of the ways Nigerian kola nuts (Obi Abata), fresh coconut meat (darle el coco) and four cowrie shells speak to us and are considered the ‘mouthpieces’ of the Orichas. The Orichas, as they are collectively known, are African based Gods and Goddesses of Nature who rule various places and elements of the World and are considered ‘guardian angels’ of each and everyone who inhabits the Earth. Each and every one of us is considered having that particular Deities’ “Ache” or “Spirit” and it is within the patakis, or stories of the Orichas’ interactions with each other and the World that the message is delivered.

Obi’s spirit, once mortal, ascended to being an Oricha (or-ee-CHA), a God in the Yoruba tradition, once good deeds had been done, fell from Grace because of Ego. Upon descending to Earth, Obi’s spirit embodied the coconut palm tree. Although Obi cannot speak with his tongue, he communicates through the white (“clean”) side or brown (“dark”) of coconut meat. If cowrie shells are used, it is the side that has been filed open to indicate “Yes” (“clean”) and the closed ridged side that indicates a “No” (“dark”) side of the answer pattern that fell during questioning.

After prayers, I utilize Obi divination with cowrie shells to answer questions during a card reading using the Tarot of the Orichas. Obi gives clarity to questions regarding messages of the cards to a client. Clients can ask Obi a question and I may also be prompted to ask as well when the layers of cards upon themselves are not in association with the clients’ dilemma. Obi, not to be taken lightly, is regarded as a tool to help Mankind seek clarity in decision making, regardless of whether you are fully initiated into the religion or not. There are 5 levels to Obi; two affirmative or positive in different severities, two negative or “no” answers, and a “maybe” answer that needs a second question to extract a less ambiguous answer.

The five different shell patterns that will fall during a questioning session are as follows:

“Alafia” – “Yes with blessings!” – The most affirmative answer, it can be over eager in delivery and must have a second toss to confirm and secure the answer. The second fall of the cowries must be another “Alafia” or “Ejife” or “Etagua” answer to be taken as a “Yes” answer.

“Eijife” – “Yes” (but without emphasis) – This affirmative answer is interpreted as a “Yes, and your World is balanced”, meaning what you have proposed or achieved (or about to) brings balance to the contradictory struggles of the World to keep in harmony.

“Etagua” (or “Etawa”) – “Maybe” – This answer comes when the question needs clarification (posing it in a way to obtain a “Yes” or “No” answer) or Oricha is pondering the situation and needs a second question to be able to answer. When Etagua appears, the second answer of the second toss of shells is the true answer. If another “Etagua” (Etagua-Meji) falls after the first one, the meaning is “do not ask what you already know”.

“Okana” – meaning darkness is surrounding the client and a positive outcome is not available, perhaps without additional spiritual work. One open shell and three closed ones indicate to focus on the small beam of light in darkness.

“Oyekun” – The most serious “No” answer, it tells of being out of touch with spirituality and walking in darkness. A dire warning; it presages unforeseen problems, accidents, fires and even portends death. Additional questions need to be asked in the clients’ behalf to determine why Oyekun has come. Water must be sprinkled on Oyekun and if it appears more than once, the shells must be placed in water to ‘cool’ down the answer.

After the reading with me, the client has an opportunity to ask questions that were not addressed in the card reading. These may be additional clarity on the original shell toss or other unrelated questions on relationships and business strategies. Once we begin to receive multiple “Etaguas” to questions in an obvious pattern, this indicates that the line of questioning needs to end as the client is asking questions to obvious answers they are facing.

While not always an immediate answer, Obi gives insight on things to come. Clients who return for a follow up reading three months later will exclaim, “The shells were right! I just didn’t see it (the situation) evolving before me!” and other affirmations that indicate that revelations of Truth that Obi gives come true. For me, as well as over 70 million plus devotees of this African indigenous religion, we know Obi does not lie.

Jacqueline Mathers, educator and author, uses Obi divination in her readings for clients. She is also a certified Rootworker in the Southern style of conjure, studying under Cat Yronwode. Many years of study of African based folkloric and religious beliefs have earned her the title “native informant” with various institutions of education in the Central Valley. She is also the producer of the Holistic Healing Expo in Elk Grove, CA and can be contacted at (916) 284-5552 or at jacqueline (at) tarotbyjacqueline.com

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