Santeria Art and Symbolism: Exploring African Magic in Latin America

Santeria is a religious and magical practice that originated in the African diaspora in Latin America, particularly in Cuba. It combines elements of Roman Catholicism with traditional African animist beliefs and practices. Santeria became prevalent in Cuba during the period of the transatlantic slave trade when African slaves were brought to the New World. The African slaves were forcibly converted to Christianity by their Spanish masters, but they secretly continued to practice their traditional African religions. This led to the syncretism of African animism and Catholicism, resulting in the birth of Santeria. In Santeria, each Catholic saint is associated with an African deity and is worshipped accordingly.

Having 20 years of dedicated experience with Wicca, Altera has been invited to participate as a writer and a Wiccan educator to help share her vast knowledge and guide others in the correct path.

Coloring Book of Shadows The Wiccan Sabbats, Candle Color Meanings, Healing Herbs for Your Rituals, Magical Uses for Essential Oils, Color Ma Volume 1 Paperback. Colors have many meanings and properties in Wicca, each color with its own symbolization and connection to other events and happenings in our daily lives.

In Santeria, each Catholic saint is associated with an African deity and is worshipped accordingly. This blending of religious traditions allowed African slaves to maintain their cultural heritage while outwardly adhering to the Catholic faith. Santeria is characterized by its emphasis on ritual, divination, and magic.

Color Meanings in Wicca

Having 20 years of dedicated experience with Wicca, Altera has been invited to participate as a writer and a Wiccan educator to help share her vast knowledge and guide others in the correct path.

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Colors have many meanings and properties in Wicca, each color with its own symbolization and connection to other events and happenings in our daily lives. Days, holidays and even numbers have associations with specific colors. In this article I will try to list the various colors used in Wicca and their unique connections with other important Wiccan correspondences.

Colors and their meanings

? White: for physical goals, expulsion of evil spirits, healing, beginning of a new phase, symbolizes purity.
? Red: represents a vital source, strength, good luck, protection, vitality, desire.
? Pink: color of love, friendship, harmony and reconciliation.
? Orange: symbolizes happiness, optimism, successful intention, communication, mental work, career.
? Brown: protective space, unity with nature, natural wisdom.
? Yellow: stimulates the mind, represents an achievement, learning, happiness, completeness, psychic power.
? Green: stimulates the mind, represents prosperity, fertility, love, romance, friendship, harmony.
? Blue: the color of spirit, healing, idealism, occult protection, wealth.
? Purple: spiritual strength, purity, healing, psychic work.
? Black: communication with the dead, illustrates the end but also a seed to a new beginning, riddance of negativity and negative thoughts.
? Silver: the color of vision and intuition, capacity, purity, healing, psychic work.
? Gold: represents a great achievement, wealth, durability, integrity, happiness and mental strength.

Colors and days of the week

Colors and numbers

• 1 – White
• 2 – Dark blue
• 3 – Mossy green
• 4 – Peat brown
• 5 – Ruby red
• 6 – Golden yellow
• 7 – Purple
• 8 – Orange
• 9 – Nacre, moon white
• 10 – Turquoise
• 11 – Silver
• 22 – Gold

Colors and elements

• Earth – Green
• Air – Yellow
• Fire – Red
• Water – Blue

Colors and holidays

• Imbolc – red, pink, brown
• Ostara – green, yellow and gold
• Beltiane – dark green
• Summer Solstice (Litha) – green, blue
• Lammas – yellow, orange
• Autumn Equinox (Mabon) – orange, brown, yellow
• Samhain – black, orange
• Yule (Winter Solstice) – red, green, white

Colors and zodiac signs

• Twins – Yellow or silver
• Cancer – White
• Leo – Yellow or golden
• Virgo – Grey
• Libra – Pale blue
• Scorpio – Black or red
• Sagittarius – Blue or purple
• Capricorn – Black or dark brown
• Aquarius – Blue
• Fish – Aquamarine
• Aries – Red
• Taurus – Green

? White: for physical goals, expulsion of evil spirits, healing, beginning of a new phase, symbolizes purity.
? Red: represents a vital source, strength, good luck, protection, vitality, desire.
? Pink: color of love, friendship, harmony and reconciliation.
? Orange: symbolizes happiness, optimism, successful intention, communication, mental work, career.
? Brown: protective space, unity with nature, natural wisdom.
? Yellow: stimulates the mind, represents an achievement, learning, happiness, completeness, psychic power.
? Green: stimulates the mind, represents prosperity, fertility, love, romance, friendship, harmony.
? Blue: the color of spirit, healing, idealism, occult protection, wealth.
? Purple: spiritual strength, purity, healing, psychic work.
? Black: communication with the dead, illustrates the end but also a seed to a new beginning, riddance of negativity and negative thoughts.
? Silver: the color of vision and intuition, capacity, purity, healing, psychic work.
? Gold: represents a great achievement, wealth, durability, integrity, happiness and mental strength.

Rituals are performed to honor the African deities, known as orishas, who are believed to govern different aspects of life. These rituals often involve offerings, chants, drumming, and dancing. Divination, through methods such as consulting oracle shells or reading cowrie shells, is used to communicate with the orishas and seek their guidance. Magic is an integral part of Santeria, as it is believed to harness supernatural powers for various purposes. Practitioners of Santeria may use spells, charms, and talismans to protect themselves from harm, attract love or prosperity, or seek revenge against enemies. Santeria also incorporates healing practices, with practitioners known as santeros or santeras who are believed to possess spiritual healing abilities. Despite facing persecution and marginalization throughout history, Santeria has managed to survive and thrive among Afro-Latinx communities. Today, Santeria is practiced not only in Cuba but also in other Latin American countries such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil, as well as in diaspora communities in the United States. In recent years, Santeria has gained attention and popularity beyond its traditional communities. Its syncretic nature, rich rituals, and emphasis on ancestral connections have attracted individuals from diverse backgrounds who are seeking spiritual fulfillment and a deeper connection with the divine. However, it is important to note that Santeria is often misunderstood and stigmatized, as it is commonly associated with negative stereotypes and misrepresentations. The misappropriation and commodification of Santeria practices also perpetuate cultural appropriation. It is crucial to approach Santeria with respect and understanding, recognizing its rich cultural and historical significance..

Reviews for "Divination in Santeria: An African Magic Tradition"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Santeria African Magic in Latin America." The book seemed to lack depth and failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Santeria. The author seemed more interested in sensationalizing the rituals and ceremonies rather than providing a balanced and objective view of the religion. I was hoping for a more scholarly approach, but instead, I found myself reading a collection of anecdotes with little contextual analysis. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone seeking a serious exploration of Santeria.

2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Santeria African Magic in Latin America" to be misleading and culturally insensitive. The author relied heavily on stereotypes and myths surrounding Santeria, rather than delving into its roots and historical development. The book perpetuated harmful stereotypes of Santeria practitioners as superstitious and primitive, which is far from the truth. Additionally, the author seemed to exploit the religion for shock value, focusing solely on bizarre practices without providing a proper cultural and historical context. I was deeply disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking an accurate and respectful portrayal of Santeria.

3. Michael - 2 stars - As someone who is genuinely interested in learning about different religions and their cultural significance, I found "Santeria African Magic in Latin America" to be a disappointment. The book lacked depth and failed to explore the intricacies and complexities of Santeria. The author's writing style was disjointed and lacked clarity, making it difficult to follow the narrative. Furthermore, the book seemed to be more of a personal account of the author's experiences rather than an objective exploration of Santeria. I would advise looking for more comprehensive and well-researched books on the topic to gain a better understanding of Santeria.

4. Emily - 1 star - "Santeria African Magic in Latin America" was nothing more than a sensationalized portrayal of Santeria. The author seemed more interested in captivating the reader with shocking rituals and practices rather than providing factual information about the religion. The book lacked depth and failed to go beyond surface-level descriptions of Santeria ceremonies. I was expecting a more scholarly and objective approach, but instead, I found myself reading a poorly-researched and exploitative piece of work. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a meaningful understanding of Santeria.

Santeria Ceremonies: A Fusion of African Magic and Latin American Culture