The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination
How to Cast the Diloggún, the Oracle of the Orishas
by Ócha'ni Lele
ebook
1 of 1 copy available
• Provides step-by-step instructions never before published, detailing requirements and procedure for casting the Diloggún.
• Includes a detailed "mojuba" or prayer used to awaken the Orishas (spirit entities) for divination.
• Devotes an entire chapter to each of the twelve basic Odu (random patterns in which the sixteen shells fall), providing ritual mechanics and oracular meanings for all possible castings.
The Afro-Cuban faith, known to outsiders as Santeria and to adherents as Las Reglas de Ocha de Los Lucumi, is not a static religion but a living conduit of energy for connecting the spirit world to our own. It came to the New World with the slave trade where it has evolved in response to the surrounding culture. For adherents of Lucumi, the Diloggún is the most important focus of worship: the sacred shells reveal the forces at play in an adherent's life. These forces are redefined and placated by the Orisha priest, who makes direct contact with the spirit world in an effort to help the adherent evolve.
While many books have been published about Santeria, The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination is the first to provide complete information on how to cast the Diloggún, including opening, reading, and closing the oracle, and how to give a comprehensive reading. With a detailed discussion about why each prayer is offered and insight into the metaphysical core of the religion, this book will bring those seeking the wisdom of the Diloggún closer to the living Orishas than they have ever been.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
September 1, 2000 -
Formats
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781594778612
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781594778612
- File size: 444 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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August 9, 2000
Since the 1993 Supreme Court decision that vindicated their right to practice animal sacrifice, practitioners of Santer a--or Lucum, an Afro-Cuban religion based on ancient Yoruban practices--have come out into the open. Lele's book is the most thorough print version to date of the orally transmitted oracles as they are currently practiced by American babalawos (priests) and santeros (practitioners). Joseph Murphy's Santer a: An African Religion in America (1988) and Luis Manuel N ez's Santer a: A Practical Guide to Afro-Caribbean Magic (Spring Publns., 1995) provide the necessary introduction to the traditions covered here. Lele gives traditional readings for each casting of the cowrie shells used for divination. He lists the associated proverbs, the spirits that speak, and the message, prohibitions, and subreadings for each configuration of the shells. Missing are the traditional stories associated with the various oracle readings: these are promised in a future volume. A glossary and appendixes giving examples of readings enhance the book's usefulness for practitioners, scholars, and the curious alike. Recommended for academic and public libraries.--Steve Young, Montclair State Univ., NJCopyright 2000 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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