Last Updated on July 15, 2022 by Wishbonix
There are many branches of magic used nowadays that have sprung from ancient magic practices like Wicca, Voodoo, Kabbalah, and Santeria. Santeria is a religion of the Caribbean and West Africa. It can also be referred to as Regla de Ocha or Lukumi. It was the Spanish who gave this religion its name, and it functioned as a way to identify the African religion. When the African slaves were brought to Cuba, these people continued to use their faith to get them through their pain and suffering. It was then that Santeria was also called Lucumi because the slaves departed from a port named Lucumi.
There are many different accounts as to Santeria being a branch of Voodoo. Just like any other Neopagan religion or folk magic, it is magic deemed to be connected with the divine and has very potent spells and rituals. Santeria priests who have been taught with the old ways call upon messengers of the gods to fulfill what was wished for, be it wealth, luck, protection, and the ever-longed-for love.
What is Santeria?
For those who aren’t familiar with Santeria, you should know this is a folk practice that includes the worship and reverence of many deities, called Orishas. In this spiritual following, practitioners use rituals and spells to not only get what they want from life but also to show honor and gratitude to those who they believe to be in control of the universe. While these higher deities may not choose to change the way the world works for the Santeria practitioner, making sure to honor and to please them helps a person have better luck in their lives. With so many different practitioners of Santeria, there are just as many rituals and ways in which to celebrate this practice.
Where does Santeria come from?
Santeria is a magical tradition that was practiced by African slaves, which were brought to South America. The rituals and practices of Santeria are a combination of African, Native Indian, and Roman Catholic traditions. The slaves used Santerian spells to help them through the troubles that sadly seemed to plague them ever so often. It has its origins in Yoruba, Africa, and is commonly practiced in the Caribbean today. It is said to be very powerful, which is why many people turn to Santeria for help.
Santeria spells can be cast for love, wealth, healing, protection, and areas of personal development that you may desire. Cast by priests who have been recipients of spells passed down through generations. Every ritual is unique, which is why priests play an essential role in any spell casting. With the help of the divine, they have the power to dominate a person’s thoughts and actions.
Much of Santerian beliefs are derived from Voodoo. Since Spanish authorities did not allow Santeria, Voodoo, and other similar practices to flourish in South America, many continued to do so in secrecy, often disguising their rituals in various forms. On the surface, Santeria features plenty of Roman Catholic beliefs where saints are revered and are a medium through which God can be approached. Santeria spells involve invoking the power and protection of several Orishas or saints in order to cast long-lasting and effective spells. These spells are powerful and are to be taken seriously. They have the ability to create a dramatic and positive change, especially for those who cast love spells.
The Santeria Religion and its History
Santeria is a system of beliefs, rituals, and practices that were common among African slaves who used it to bring relief to their problems. It is popularly known as Lucumi in Cuba where traditions are maintained by Lucumi priests and priestesses who were slaves during the end of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Slaves grouped together to form secret societies to practice their traditional religious beliefs, targeting people who were often converted to Catholicism under duress. Their gods or Orisha were referred to by the Spanish word, Santos, which is why many outsiders called their religion Santeria, meaning The Way of the Saints.
The Followers of the Santeria Religion
Followers of the faith need to have in-depth knowledge about the rites and follow a strict regimen. Different stages of initiation involve various rituals. However, you do not need to become initiated into Santeria in order to benefit from it. Santeria spells are available to everyone outside of the religion. The principle behind Santeria magic is that it is based on knowledge of the Spirits who can be invoked to better peoples’ lives.
Casting Santeria Spells
Santeria is a powerful form of magic and can be performed to get the desired results related to love, power, money, etc. Nowadays, many people in the United States, South America, and the Caribbean have become devotees of Santeria spells, to bring in love, prosperity, and wellbeing to their lives. The results of these spells are fast and more effective than any other magic spells.
These rituals are performed either by you or by priests who call upon the Orishas to grant one’s wish. Each ritual performed is unique in its own way and designed for a specific wish or request. Thus, if you are in need of urgent relief from pain and despair, you can turn to Santeria to turn your life into a more peaceful one. However, there is a dark side to Santeria, which should be taken into consideration before performing the rituals.
Typically, the rituals used in casting Santeria spells vary with the needs of the spell seekers. With answers ready for every problem faced by the followers, the practitioners perform the ritual by trying to appeal to their ancestors and the Orishas. These priests possess immense knowledge of the ritual and ceremonies to be performed and the words to be recited from the teachings transferred from their ancestors through word of mouth. Acting as the intermediary between the supreme power and the spell seekers, these Santeria priests strive to make the ritual a success through offerings, animal sacrifices, and other acts. The sacrifices, known as the Ebo, also differ with the desired outcome requested by the spell seeker.
The Role of Santeria Priests
Santeria priests are the most qualified to perform these rituals; they call on the messengers of the all-mighty to ask for help. Every ritual involved in Santeria is known to be unique and cannot be replicated. The secrets were initially brought from the Yoruba regions of Africa and have been passed down from one generation to another. Carefully guarded the rituals are honored and conducted in awe especially by all those individuals who have witnessed amazing effects from the spells.
The Santeria priests make use of candles in their rituals similar to the Catholic Church in their prayers and offerings. Candles hold significant power, and the position and movement of the flames are carefully observed. This is how the practitioner can recognize problems and can identify the probability of the spell succeeding. The energies set free by the candle force their way from the physical world into the spiritual world, creating immense power and potency. Thus, the candles, according to the Santeria belief, can attract the energy towards the priest and the request put forward by him to the supreme power.
A primary part of Santeria spells is the practice of spiritual bathing and cleansing. Already in ancient times, people had a firm belief that that bathing and cleansing rituals would attract prosperity, love, luck, and happiness into their lives. Therefore, don’t hesitate to bath with magical scented products to help yourself release negative energy, despair, and bad luck.
The Powers of Santerian Spells
The magical supremacy of Santeria spells has held people in awe. It is often said to offer lightning results, but as with all magical spells and rituals, it is safe to say that the success likely depends on the spell seeker’s situation and circumstances. While the spells are cast the practitioner seeks the assistance and blessings of the Orishas and demands that the spell seeker’s wishes are granted. What distinguishes Santeria from other magical traditions is the fact that it takes advantage of manipulation and bends the mind, body, and soul of the target, especially when it comes to Santeria love spells. There have been instances where love spells have succeeded to enter into the soul of the target, making them respond in any desired manner.
However, as you can imagine, this intentional manipulation of the mind, body, and soul has not met the appreciation of neo-pagan white magic witches who perform their rituals according to the three-fold law. It is also an ethical question if this is what you truly want to achieve, and if the long-term effects would really bring you the happiness, you are actually seeking. When Santeria spells are used to manipulate the target, you have to take great care and caution to prevent it from backfiring. A wrong step taken by the spellcaster can cause the spells to rebound at the spellcaster as well as the spell seeker.
In general, Santeria spells hold the capacity to create a long and binding outcome. This is one of the reasons why practitioners require from spell seekers that they are absolutely sure of their wishes and needs.
Orisha and Saints in the Santeria Religion
Santeria involves interaction between the universe and humankind through intermediaries called the Orisha or saints. They are described as divine forces with human characteristics. Much of Santeria religious beliefs have been identified with popular Catholic Saints, where both religions believed in the miraculous powers of the Saints and worshiped them.
When the people of Yoruba were brought to the Caribbean as slaves, they were forced to convert to Roman Catholicism. The followers of Santeria, to preserve their ancient traditions and magic, continued to worship their deities, called Orisha, by melding them with the many saints in their new religion.
The Orisha are spiritual emissaries; they are the bridge between this world and the source of all spiritual energy, Olorun. Olorun (sometimes called Olodumare) is the foundation of all things, the being from which the energy for all life and all things material is manifested.
Calling Upon the Orisha
There is a myriad of Orisha, each providing their guidance, power, and wisdom to the practitioners and followers of Santeria. Each Orisha rules over a different aspect of life, the world, and humanity. They all have their own personalities, likes, dislikes, and rituals that must be performed to gain their favors. Communication between the Orishas and humankind must be initiated through the proper rituals, prayers, divination, and most importantly offerings, also called Ebos. Care must be taken not to offend or disrespect the Orisha, as their power to cause harm or even death to the frivolous and disrespectful is just as great as their power to bless and reward those who follow faithfully.
Even though there is a myriad of Orishas, there are some Orishas that are most often considered to be the main ‘deities’, those who are most often called upon to assist the practitioners of Santeria. A few of these Orishas are listed below, along with the aspect they rule.
Obatala
Obatala is the father of the Orisha and humanity. He is also the creator of this world and is the source of wisdom, purity, compassion, and morality.
- Syncretized Catholic Saints: Our Lady of Mercy, Jesus Christ, St. Joseph, St. Sebastian
- Color: White
- Numbers: 8, 16
- Force of Nature: Purity, wisdom, coolness, creation, older man.
- Offerings: Eggs, rice, pears, doves, meringue, pudding, whitefly. He does not like any salty or spicy food.
Elegba
Elegba is the guardian of all doorways, in this world and in the spirit realm. He is always the first to be sought for a favor, and the last spirit to leave any gathering, as he rules both going and coming.
- Syncretized Catholic Saints: St. Anthony of Padua, Nina de Atocha, Lonely Spirit of Purgatory.
- Colors: Black and red.
- Number: 3
- Force of Nature: Roads, chance, messenger.
- Offerings: Sugar cane, candy, guava, popcorn, rum, toys.
Ogun
Ogun is the guardian of war, iron, and labor. He is the embodiment of both creativity and violence, and he clears the pathways that Elegba opens.
- Syncretized Catholic Saint: St. Peter
- Colors: Green and black.
- Number: 3
- Force of Nature: Iron, railroad, work, car, warrior, technology.
- Offerings: Cane liquor (aguardiente), iron, plantains, honeydew melon, rum, gin, bananas.
Ochosi
Ochosi is the guardian of all warriors and is the spirit of the hunter, and the scout. He provides direction and helps to guide the laws of society.
- Syncretized Catholic Saints: St. Norbert, St. Hubert
- Colors: Blue, yellow, and violet.
- Numbers: 2, 7
- Force of Nature: Justice, hunter, bow and arrow.
- Offerings: Hunted animals and fowl, anisette, pomegranates, bananas.
Chango
Chango rules the storms, lightning, and thunder. Yet another warrior orisha, he is well known for his potency and the ability to attract female lovers. This Orisha also helps those who struggle with daily life.
- Syncretized Catholic Saint: St. Barbara
- Colors: Red and white
- Numbers: 6, 12
- Force of Nature: Power, force, passion, male sexuality, lightening.
- Offerings: Corn, okra, bananas, dry white wine, ram, mangos, quail, rooster, and guinea hen.
Oya
Oya is the guardian over the dead and the gates of the cemeteries. She also rules winds and whirlwinds and is a fierce warrior. When one wishes to speak with those who have passed away, Oya must be consulted.
- Syncretized Catholic Saints: Our Lady of Candlemas, St. Theresa of Avila
- Colors: Maroon, nine colors
- Number: 9
- Force of Nature: Wind, cemetery, death.
- Offerings: Black fly whisk, eggplant, chocolate, plums, red wine, black goats and black hens.
Oshun
Oshun is the embodiment of love, beauty, and fertility. When a woman seeks a life partner, it is Oshun that grants her powers to the love charm. Culture, art, and music are also hers. Santeria spells cast for love, fertility, and marriage, invoke Oshun, an Orisha that symbolizes river waters, love, and marriage. Oshun is associated with joy and pleasure.
- Syncretized Catholic Saint: Virgin of Charity of Cobre
- Colors: Yellow and gold.
- Numbers: 5, 10, 15
- Force of Nature: Female sexuality, weet water (rivers),
- Offerings: Pumpkin, orange, gold, honey, pastries or cakes, champagne.
Yemaya
Yemaya is considered one of the most influential orishas. Considered the mother of all living things, she gave birth to the moon, the sun, the stars and most of the orishas. She rules over motherhood, as well the seas and all of the oceans.
- Syncretized Catholic Saint: Our Lady of Regla
- Colors: Blue and white
- Numbers: 6, 12
- Force of Nature: Ocean, fish, moon, maternity, stars.
- Offerings: Brown sugar, watermelon, molasse, rooster, ram.
There are many other Orisha, each granting a portion of their power to those who call upon them for guidance in life, love, wealth, and wisdom. Knowing how to call upon these Orisha and how to effectively appease their different natures is what makes a practitioner of Santeria magic so powerful. Without the knowledge of the deities these Orisha and what it takes to call upon them, the magic of Santeria will not work.
The practitioners of Santeria are intensively trained in these secret rites and know how best to consult each Orisha during the spell casting to ensure that the person seeking favor will have the best outcome. They also know how to protect those who might be under the influence of dark powers or evil wishes brought about by others who wish to cause them harm. The ‘deities’ of Santeria magic are the link between this world and the spiritual realm and must be venerated for the powers they share with those who know their secrets. Only a true practitioner of Santeria can hope to attain the powers and magic the Orishas offer.