How to start practicing Santería

There are many people out there that would like to get started with Santería but are unsure how to do it.  As an American getting started, I found it especially difficult.  Despite all of the books that I read, I didn't know the right way to get started.  If you find yourself in this position, please don't hesitate to contact me directly at  (720) 257-8539.

Santería is a religion that truly can only be learned from our elders.  As my Padrino (god-father) says, it is in the practice that we learn.  This can be very difficult for us to understand, especially for Americans.  We are used to doing a lot of self study, researching things online, and reading books to find the information that we need.  With the internet, we live in a world of instant gratification.  My first piece of advice for you is to slow down and be patient.  With Santería, you must learn from your elders and wait for the right moment to learn.

There are things you can learn on your own.  For example, you can read about the Orishas and learn their attributes.  You can also find many of the stories, or Pataki, and apply the advice to your own life.  Just be cautious of what you are reading and where you are getting your information from.  There has been a lot of false and misleading information published that may lead you to confusion or to be taken advantage of.

The true practices must be learned from your elders.  This is for several reasons.  First, there are levels of initiations that you must go through in order to access certain information. In order to perform certain rituals you must have received the ache necessary to be able to do them.  Second, each ceremony has very precise rituals involved, and doing something incorrectly can end up causing you problems.  Finally, your padrinos need to know that you are responsible enough to learn how to do things and will be doing things with our religion to bring good to the world and not do harm to anyone.

So how can you get started?  There are several paths that you can go in:

Get a consultation from a trusted Santero:

In Santería we talk to the Orishas through several divination oracles.  The cowry shells are a very powerful way to connect to the Orishas and when thrown and interpreted by a respected Italero can give you insight into your specific path through the religion.  A session will forewarn you of potential dangers in your future and help you find your destiny.  The advice will be different for everyone, but if you heed the advice of the Orishas you can make great improvements in your life and get started with your Santería practice.

Choose your Padrinos

If you have been around the religion and know some Santeros, you can ask one of them to be your Padrino or Madrina.  Once he or she accepts you as his or her ahijado, you can get started with your initiations.  

Initiations

There are several layers of initiations.  They don't always have to go in this order, but most people will take these steps:

1.)  Elekes:  These are 5 beaded necklaces that represent Elegua, Oshun, Yemaya, Chango, and Obatala.  While this is a relatively simple and short ceremony, it is one of the most powerful steps you can take in the religion.  You are officially declaring that you believe in the power of the Orishas and are asking them to accompany you.

2.)  Warriors:  In this ceremony you will receive 4 Orishas: Elegua, Ogun, Ochosi, and Osun.  These are powerful Orishas that serve as protection and will enter into your life in order to open paths to opportunity, health, and money, as well as protect you from bad things and bad people.

3.)  Bring down your guardian Angel:  We all have a guardian angel, which is one of the Orishas that has claimed our heads and given birth to us.  Through your studies you will no doubt have become familiar with the different Orishas.  There is a good chance that you feel drawn towards one in particular.  However, the only way to determine who is your guardian angel is through a specific type of divination ceremony called the bajada, where you will bring down your guardian angel through the cowry shells and learn more about your path in this world.

4.)  Crown your guardian angel:  The final step towards becoming a Santero and truly being able to learn and practice the religion is to crown your guardian angel.  Through various ceremonies you will be connecting your guardian angel to your head and he or she will be there forever, helping you with all aspects of your life.  You will also receive a libreta, which is a book full advice from all of the Orishas that you received that will guide you in your life, informing of you with what you can win as well as the things that will bring you negativity.

Regardless of your path, your experiences with the religion, or your attraction to the religion, be patient and educate yourself on the topic.  Make sure that it is something that you want to do, make make sure that your reasons are from a purely spiritual side with the purpose of evolution and progress.  Santería is the most beautiful religion in the world and has brought great happiness and joy into my life.  I hope that you have found some answers to your questions here, and may Chango and Bogbo Orisha accompany you on your path.  ¡Ache!