Palero Tata Rodriguez is your guide through this exploration of Palo Kimbisa, an Afro-Cuban religion where nothing is as it seems: elements of nature become spirits that speak to the Tata and initiates, clay pots become miniature sacred groves, and a chef becomes a Tata--a counselor, protector, and teacher. Palo goddaughter Sophia Kelly Shultz experiences and relates Tata Rodriguez's practices through anecdotes, firsthand accounts, and exquisite pen-and-ink illustrations. Special passages bring life to concepts represented by each Spirit; others highlight important facets of the palero's beliefs and practices. Stories invite anyone, from future initiates to those who simply wish to know more about this religion, to get a feel for the rules and practicalities--and the magic--of Palo.

EL RAYADO, THE SECRETS OF CONGO INITIATIONS, PALO MAYOMBE, PALO MONTE, KIMBISA. This book explains how to do the Rayado (Rayamiento) initiation ceremony, Step by Step, (Regla De Congo).

This book explains how to ritually prepare, make and present the sacred mysteries of the Aje Spirits initiation ceremony, Step by Step, (Regla De Congo).This book also contains how to make a spiritual food offering to the witches (Adimu), various spells and sacred rituals to these very powerful elemental forces that we call "the sacred mothers of the marketplace" and the "invisible mothers of the night". This book will tell you how to summon these powerful spiritual entities for such things as protection against the evil eye, love attraction, money, wealth, health, marriage, Divine Justice and a peaceful home.

Explore the authentic mysteries of the Afro-Caribbean religious traditions of Palo Mayombe, Palo Monte and Kimbisa in a very revealing book which includes the Congo religious history, Congo Spirits, Initiations, Spells & Rituals, Invocations, Prayers and Sacred spirit signatures of the Congo Spirits. This book explains in full detail how to prepare a Spiritual Cauldron more commonly known as "Caldero Espiritual" and how to prepare the Congo Spirit Lucero. This book was written as a "How To" book for initiated and non-initiated individuals.This is a great introduction book for individuals who would like to learn more about the Congo religious tradition as found and practiced in the Caribbean.

Ten years in the making, The Book on Palo: Wisdom of Don Demetrio will be an invaluable addition to your library of precious books. Before, this book was considered too intense for publication, but these are intense times we live in and the time is now ripe for the Demetrio's wisdom to be shared with the world.

OZAIN, THE SECRETS OF CONGO INITIATIONS & MAGIC SPELLS, PALO MAYOMBE, PALO MONTE, KIMBISA. The initiation ritual into the mysteries of the African Spirit Ozain is one of the most important religious ceremonies that can be received by initiates of Palo Mayombe, Palo Monte and Kimbisa. This book contains the complete ritual instructions of how to correctly prepare and make the FUNDAMENTO DE OZAIN (The Fundamental Elements of Ozain).This initiation ceremony gives the initiate the spiritual right to be able to work and invoke the powerful magical mysteries of the spirit Ozain.

Cuban Ifá From An Insider Hidden within the mysterious Afro-Cuban religion of Santería, also known as Lucumí, there is a deep body of secrets and rituals called Ifá. This book pulls away the veil of secrecy to reveal exactly what Ifá is and how it works, exploring its history, cosmology, Orichas, initiations, mythology, offerings, and sacrifices. Join Frank Baba Eyiogbe in this fascinating introduction that discusses the functions of the babalawo, the role of women, the future of Ifá, and much more. Praise: "A wonderful and much needed addition to the literature on Afro-Cuban religion. Engagingly written, scholarly while remaining accessible . . . it presents an up-to-date exposition of both the history and contemporary philosophy of one of the world's most complex systems of divination."mdash;Stephan Palmié, Chair of the Department of Anthropology and Social Sciences at the University of Chicago and author of The Cooking of History: How Not to Study Afro-Cuban Religion

Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bones is an initiate's account of this much maligned cult whose central nigromantic mystery is the prenda, the cauldron containing the human skull or bones, reanimated by living spirit. Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold traces the roots of Palo Mayombe back to Kongolese sorcery, the warrior and leopard societies, and the impact of the Portugese Mission. The original African faith is carried in chains across the abysmal waters of Kalunga and it flowers in Cuba as a New World Creole religion and cult. Yet Palo Mayombe can only be truly understood in the light of a highly developed African cosmology. In drawing parallels with the ancient Greek practice of necromancy, and the grimoire tradition, Frisvold also considers the Western tradition, showing what we have lost in our denial of the dead and the cult of the ancestors. The magical head of Palo Mayombe in its three-legged iron cauldron has implications for understanding our own histories, whether Odin, Baphomet, Bran, John the Baptist or Orpheus. The Misa Espiritual suggests one way in which we can reforge that vital connection and resurrect both our dead and ourselves. The Garden of Blood and Bones gives explicit detail of the workings of Palo Mayombe for good and ill, the method of divination, the herbs, animals, trees and plants, powders, baths and waters, the songs and chants. It presents a complete living system one which embraces both the arts of healing and resurrection, and those that remove life. This study confronts the sinister and violent aspects of the cult, but rather than purveying lurid sensationalism expresses the deep dignity and integrity of its nature; it is intended to serve as a guide for practising Paleros and those seeking initiation. With access to rare materials, pamphlets, booklets and unpublished field notes, this is the most comprehensive study of Palo Mayombe to date. Santeros and practitioners of Vodou will also find much to ponder within these pages.

By understanding osogbo, the spirits of misfortune, we can better overcome them and return to health and balance in our lives • Explains how misfortune works in this world as living spirits that plague humanity but are also a catalyst for self-development and conscious evolution • Shows that we can overcome osogbo through ebó, sacrifice, and hard work as prescribed by consulting the orishas through the casting of the diloggún • Shares more than 40 ancient African sacred stories about the spirits of osogbo Beginning with the story of his goddaughter's battle with stage IV cancer, Lucumi priest Ócha'ni Lele explains the role of osogbo, or misfortune, in our lives. While everyone seeks blessings in life, undeserved blessings make us weak and lazy. It is tragedy that encourages us to grow and persevere. Exploring the Lucumí beliefs regarding osogbo, he shows that the Lucumí faith is neither fatalistic nor defeatist but healing and life affirming. He shares more than 40 patakís--stories stemming from the ancient Yoruba of West Africa--about the different spirits of osogbo, who like the orishas once walked the earth in human bodies. He explains the place of these spirits within the 256 odu of the diloggún, the divination system used in Santería to receive guidance from the orishas. Lele shows that the spirits of osogbo are not only concepts but also real deities and that we can, if we understand their nature, fight them through ebó, sacrifice, and hard work. He reveals how the osogbos see themselves as entities of misfortune who stand against life and all that is good in the world, but in truth it is misfortune that strengthens us, misfortune that motivates us, and misfortune that brings great evolution to the world. As the author shows, “Without bitterness, one could not know sweetness.” Likewise, without misfortune in our lives, we would never know blessings or what it means to be blessed.

In this book, Tata Oriate's Spiritual Circle for Beginners Volume 1: Mayombe and Spell Work is intended to enlighten, educate, and help individuals just starting their spiritual journey into Palo Mayombe. As well as being simple enough so that even a novice would understand. I intend to give you a glimpse of the true meaning of what it is being a Tata (an initiated Palo priest) or Yaya (an initiated Palo priestess) as if I was speaking face to face to you. The importance of initiates behaviors and conduct in and outside of their munanso (Palo house). The importance of the oath taken when initiated and what is its true meaning.