Need some more Rapport in your week? Well your in luck because we have part 2 of our Santeria expose’! Today we learn about the Orishas including who YearInWhite will be crown under along with quite a bit on the divination systems of The Religion. That includes Obi (The Coconut), Diloggun (The cowrie shells) and we touch briefly on some of the systems used in Ifa’ such as the Opele’. All and all its a very deep conversation that I hope you will enjoy and I think will answer some questions many folks have. The last episode I think will be the one most people are waiting for, when we touch on the magical side of The Religion and the use of animals and sacrifice within Santeria. That however does bring up something I’ve been meaning to talk about for some time. Before I jump into that I will put the link to the show just below this paragraph!
Now, I’ve never really been someone who has been blessed with the ability to write truly well. I do however believe I was given a gift by spirit, the gods, whatever and what have you, to help influence people in a positive way. The thing I wish to touch briefly on today (That I will get very deep into when I release part 3) is how the African Traditional Religions (ATRs) have had such a bad reputation that is whole undeserved. A lot of people these days, myself included have begun to work very hard to remove the darkness and spookiness behind these faiths. Too many movies have poisoned our thoughts and influenced us on the practices of Palo, Santeria and Voodoo that we are starting to believe what Hollywood has told us. If there is any one message I could bring to you out of every second of audio that I record its this. Find out what is really going on any religion before you dismiss it. We have seen religions come and go from the spot light and those of us who publicly speak about our religions each know in our heart what the meaning truly is. All of the ATRs are not the horror filled, boogyman in the dark that you have been lead to believe. All of them are around to better the people who are touched by them just like Wicca, Druidy, Shamanism and just about any other pagan path you can belong to. We all want the same thing, to live the best life we can, to get the most out of what we do on the day to day and to make a positive change in this world.
To that end quite a few amazing people have stepped forward to dispel the myths and give you a really good insight to what it is to live the life of folks who practice each of these religions. I wanted to give a few shout outs to those people and maybe let you know about a few shows that you may not have heard of but I urge you to listen to. These people each have a message to give and light to shed. I can tell you from personal experience as you have heard within the Santeria episodes that i’ve been able to apply quite a few of these teachings to my own life. I’m not saying its going to make you jump ship on your own religion, but every religion out there has something to teach. With that, here are those folks. I also will make each of there names hyperlink to there websites so if you wish, you can learn more about them and I hope catch there shows.
YearInWhite – This podcaster is the voice of Santeria of the younger generations. His podcast dispels myths and talks about what it is to life a life preping for his Ocha ceremony/initiation and in general sheds light on news articles about Santeria and really explains why or how these things are or (And most likely) aren’t apart of the faith. Too many times the news has jumped on the “If its creepy, it must be Santeria” band wagon and its a crime to such a beautiful religion. I love to hear his explanations which are down to earth and normally hilarious logic reporters had to have used to put the new clips together. Keep up the good work friend.
Candelo Kimbisa – I have the pleasure of speaking to Candelo on his radio show Candelo’s Corner on this very topic. Candelo has made this topic his personal mission in life and I can’t thank him enough for it. He is a Palero (Thats a priest within the religion of Palo Mayombe) and he has topics on his show that helps to educate and dispel fears of Palo Mayombe to anyone and everyone. The best part of his show is often he will let anyone call in and ask him a question about Palo so you can get a real answer from someone who -lives- Palo. Just as Santeria has a bad reputation for no reason, Palo shares the same fate I’m afraid. However, with everyones help and understanding. We can remove all of that and replace with with knowledge and truth.
Dr. E – Dr. E is a long time advocate helping people understand both Santeria and Palo. He appears on the Lucky Mojo hoodoo root work hour as well has his own conjure practice. He’s spoken several times on many different forums dispelling myths and started something that I just love called SAFE. Santero’s Against Freud and Exploitation. If you wish to learn more you can check out his website linked to his name as well as check out Candelo’s Corner this coming Monday (July 23rd, 2012) on blogtalk radio to hear them talk about SAFE and all of Dr. E’s projects with the Church of Santeria.
With that I think I will end this blog post. I really hope we as pagans can open our hearts and our minds to folks following the ATRs. Religion itself is something we can bond over even though we all follow different paths. Just remember when you first got your hands on your religious material and knew that someone close to you wouldn’t understand. Know that they may have felt the same way. Help with your support and understanding and welcome them to the pagan community.
-SilverShadow
I mean no disrespect to the host of this show SilverShadow but, I wanted to point something out concerning the thoughts and opinions of the host of the show Year in White. My wife and I have been initiated in Regla de Ocha/Lucumi for more than 12 years now and we used to listen to Year in White. We stopped when it became clear that the host being initiated only in the most basic ceremonies, fails to understand or properly discuss nearly everything in the Religion. He makes regular personal comments as to the meaning and Theology of Ocha that are simply wrong, his understanding even of the few ceremonies he has received is very flawed. We have wondered why his Padrino (Godfather) would encourage such a new member of the Ile (house/Temple of Ocha) to do such a show in the first place and after having given permission why doesn’t he correct the vast mistakes make therein. The host fails to understand even the most basic meanings of the Religion. I know very few if any other podcaster is available to speak to concerning Lucumi, however ANY elder would have been a more accurate and intelligent interview on the subject.
Omo Elegua
Kveldrida
To each and their own ive been told. As it is I know Year in White does his best to provide what he sees from his experience in The Religion. I know not everyone can have the same experience and im sorry if its not what you would have said, i only wish to present a perspective. I know that if you wished to address this with him he would take any corrections (as he does in every episode for his show). So do drop him a line and start a discussion, it may help a lot of people. Also im always game to have folks on the show so if your interested in putting up a different perspective im interested in learning one.