We all love the Orishas, their energy is out there, it is everywhere.
Santeria is a traditional folk religion, we follow the traditions and teachings of our ancestors and we do not make the rules, the Orishas do!
Most ceremonials in Santeria require initiation, however, there are some things “aleyos” (non initiated followers) can do safely and efficiently.
- Altars: You can build an altar to pay homage to a particular Orisha, however, it must be understood that building an altar does not mean that you have that Orisha in the physical form or that you have been initiated into Santeria. That is another process altogether, you can not self-initiate into Santeria.
- Offerings: It’s always a good idea to speak to a Santero or Babalao to discuss your plans if you want to make offerings to an Orisha.
For example, let’s say that you want to give Oshun honey, five oranges, sweets, and leave five pennies. That sounds great, but what if she doesn’t want that from you. How would you know? Oshun may only want you to bring her sunflowers or maybe Elegua is the Orisha who wants your offerings. This is where consultation comes in. It’s wise to consult an initiated priest to find out if you can: first, give the offering, and secondly what is required of you. Always consult before you do the offering, not after you start. - Orisha’s Prayers: A deeper understanding of what and where the Orishas are will help if you would like to pray/talk/propitiate them.
The Orisha’s energies are in nature. For example, if you want to talk to Oshun, you go to the river. If you want to talk to Yemaya, you go to the ocean. If you want to talk to Obatala, you go to the highest mountain you can find. If you want to talk to Ogun, you go to the forest or the railroad … But once again, you should know who to approach and when that is why consultations are so important. - Promises to the Orishas: Since the beginning of times, people have been making promises to the Gods, if you ever make a promise to any Orisha, make sure you pay it.
- Summoning or invocation: It’s NOT wise to try to summon the energy of one Orisha if you are not initiated to that particular Orisha.
- The Orishas are raw living energy and without the help of an initiated Santero(a) it will become a big problem.
- Head Orisha: Everyone has a head Orisha, and it is not always the Orisha you may feel attracted to.
The only way to find your ruling Orisha is by consulting Orula with the mediation of a Babalawo, that is the way we do it in my house, some houses use the reading done by an Oba/Italero. Either way, it has to be done IN PERSON and never over the phone or the internet.
There may be times when an Orisha will “stand up” to help you, but it does not mean it is your head Orisha. - Animal Sacrifice: An uninitiated in the Santeria religion should never do any animal sacrifice offering to the Orishas.
Most rituals and consecrations to the Orishas in Santeria require initiation, however, to pay homage or talk to the Orishas, just look around you, their energy is out there, it is everywhere.
Ashe
Yaya Maria