THE NACIONES,THE MISTERIOS, THE ELEMENTS

THE NACIONES,
THE MISTERIOS, THE ELEMENTS

"In Sanse, everyone is born with

a Guia Principal, a Centinela, a Legba and a Guede."

The Misterios in Nature

In Puerto Rican Espiritismo the Santos / Misterios are often venerated and honored within the home altar called la Tableau Espiritual, but within Sanse they are also venerated outdoors in nature.  Those who undertake the various bautismos and refrescos de cavesa within this beautiful spiritual tradition are brought and presented to the various puntos de naturaleza where the energies of the Misterios are present and at their strongest.  Also offerings of food, liquids, tobacco and money are brought to these natural settings. 

The Ocean, every Caribbean Island is surrounded by the lush tropical Carribean sea, and is viewed as a Punto de Naturaleza where many Misterios reside.  Estrella Maris, La Diosa del Mar, Yemaya, La Sirena, Olixi Maya, and Madre de Agua to name a few reside within the depths of the ocean, and their blessings can be felt with the coming and going of the tides. 

In the lush rivers, waterfalls, lagoons, ponds and lakes is where many of the Misterios of the Metresas reside.  Many bautismos and refrescos de cavesas are done in these locations and puntos are recieved here.  Irzili Freda, Cachita Tumbo and Padre de Agua and other Misterios reside here.

The forests, jungles, woodlands and rain forests is where the Nacion of the Ogun reside and are venerated, especially on hills, and mountain peeks, and caves.   While Gran Bwa, Gran Bosque, and Osanjeh's presence can be felt deep within the woods.  The Ogun's energies are usually found on higher grounds.  Mountain peeks if possible is where the highly elevated Misterios are venerated.

Within the cemetery reside the Guedé and is ruled by el Baron de Cementerio, Centella, Gunguna, and Papa Legba as well as many other Misterios.

Indian Ceremonial grounds is where the Cemis energies can be felt.  While Indian burial grounds, are very sacred and highly respected, this is where the energies of ancient and ancestral Caciques, Bohiques, Nitainos and Naboria is felt and offerings are left in these areas. 

Other popular areas are in urban settings such as the market places, crossroads, courthouses, and even hospital grounds, where the energies of many Misterios preside. 

7 NACIONES

7 DIVISIONES

Although there are 21 Divisions both in Dominican Vudù and the Pantheon of Puerto Rican Sanse, 7 Naciones are the most venerated and respected amongst Puerto Ricans.  Within each Nacion their is a Punto Misterio known as el Jefe or La Jefa, but what is apparent is that each of the 7 Jefes come from one of the Naciones that follows. 

(Many of the Misterios are separate entities while others are Vueltas of the same spirit.  Example: popular vueltas for el Baron del Cementerio are, Baron de la Cruz and Baron del Sabado.)

THE LEGBAS

PAPA LEGBA

División de los Legbá is Governed by Papa Legba who is synchronized with Saint Anthony of Padua.

The Legbas Nacion embody the element of earth and fire.  They help in opening pathways, opening doors to other realms, as well as uncrossing and destroying sorcery and black magic. Many of the Legbas are great communicators and help us is relaying messages. 

They enjoy black sweetened coffee, pure cigars, coconut in all its forms, sugar cane, and spiced rum.  The younger Legbas enjoy toys, sweets candies of all kinds, coins and are mischievous by nature, while the older Legbas use walking sticks, bells, prefer bills over coins and are serious and stern by nature.  Their offerings are placed on the floor by an entrance, within a corner of a wall or at the crossroads.  Their colors are Brown, Red and black.  

1) Papa Legba
2) Legba Carifu
3) Legba Isasan
4) Legba Grasimo
5) Legba Coehn
6) Legba Lado
7) Legba Manose

8) Rosita Legba
9) Piti Legba
10) Luis "Sito" Elegba
11) Legba Tibon
12) Eleba Crucero
13) Leggua Encrucijado
14) Legba de las Crucesgba

THE OGÙNES

OGUN BALENDJO

División de los Ogunes is Governed by  Ogun Balendyó who is synchronized with San Santiago and Ogun Badagrí who is synchronized with Saint George.  Within this division presides Osanjeh, Gran Bwá, Rio Tempuestoso "San Cristóbal" and Gran Toro Lisa.  The Prieto Division of spirits also fall within this Nacion as well as other Divisions such as the Guedes, Candells, and Legbas.

The Ogun Nacion embody the element of earth, fire and metal.  They are hard workers, guardians, blacksmiths, soldiers and warriors.  Out of all the Naciones they work the hardest, none stop and can be very fierce and tempermental. 

They enjoy Gin, Aguardiente and Rum.  Black unsweetened coffee often spiced with liquor, and all forms of hot and spicy foods.  Their offerings are placed on the floor or on the grounds in wooded areas.  Their colors are Red, Green and Black.

1) Ogun Balendjo
2) Ogun Baldagri
3) Ogun Batalla
4) Ogun Batala
5) Ogun Guerrero
6) Ogun Farai
7) Ogun Oca
8) Ogun Chango
9) Ogun Panama
10) Ogun Sarabanda
11) Ogun Nagua
12) Ogun Ferayo

THE GUEDÉS

GUEDE

División de los Guedés is governed by el Barón del Cementerio who is synchronized with San Elías, within this division Santa Marta la Dominadora and Santa Marta La Bruja, Baron del Sabado, Baron de la Cruz and Papa Guede Limbo.  Although the Candelo spirits have their own division, they also belong within this division.

The Nacion of the Guedés "Ghede, Gedeh, Gwedeh" embody the element of earth and fire.  This Nacion helps in resolving all sorts of problems.  They help in opening and closing the doors to the realm of the dead.  They can be mischievous and often ruthless tricksters, and if offended, can be very dangerous.  They should never be called on by those who do not completely have wisdom over their misteries as they can unleash evil malevolent spirits as easily as benevolent spirits.  
They enjoy all types of hard liquor, black unsweetened coffee, and black pepper in their foods. Their offerings are left at the entrance to a cemetery or on the oldest tomb. There colors are purple, black, yellow and red.  El Baron and Centella enjoy purple..

1) Papa Guedé Nimbo
2) Guedé Alawe
3) Guedé Carifu
4) Guedé Uhsu
5) Guedé Lhea
6) Guedé Martyin
7) Guedé Dionisio
8) Luisito  Guedé
9)  Guedélia Legcua
10) Guedelina
11) La Baronesa
12) Guedé Brigetté

THE CANDELOS

PAPA CANDELO

The Candelos fall under the División de los Prietos, and within this Nacion one finds countless Misterios, which have their origins both in the Americas as well as Africa. 

The Candelo Nacion embody the element of fire and air, and although they are Guedés they also have their own Nacion / Sociedad / Familia / Division.  They open the pathways for progression, change and evolution.  They are great guardians and swift healers and messengers for Papa Buen Dios.  They work hard for finding a solution and solving all forms of dilemmas.  They are great paleros, and have a great wisdom and knowledge over ancient magic and herbalism.  They also work well in all judicial matters.

They enjoy rum, whisky and red wines, hot chillies and red apples, bread, pure cigars, coconut milk and coconut water.  Their offerings can go on the ancestral altar, the boveda or in elevated tombs, and is always covered with a red cloth.   Their colors are red, black and white.

1) Papa Candelo
2) General Cedife
3) Candelo Fronteh
4) Candelo Farai
5) Candelo Gayo Neh
6) Pa Candeh
7) Candelo Agadùn
8) Candelo Siete Espina
9) Candela Ollah
10) Candelina
11) Candelia Llegua
12) Candelito
13) Candeleria
14) Candelo Boro
15) Candelo el Toro
16) Candelo Milayo

THE BELCANES

BELIE BELCAN

División de los Radá or Blanca is Governed by the Higher Order of Misterios such as Belié Belcán "San Miguel", Asaca Dipié "San José", Damballah "San Patricio", Gran Solier, and other countless Highly elevated Misterios.

Within this Division one finds the Belcan Nacion, which embody the element of Air and Earth,   They fight for justice and peace and are a great defense against demons, evil spirits, occult enemies and black magic.  They are wise, ancient and of a benevolent nature although they are fierce warriors and keep order amongst chaos. 

As an offering they enjoy Rum, red wines, cornmeal, cigars and red and green fruits.  Colors are Red and Green.

1) Belie Belcan
2) Daweh Belcan
3) Chiqui Belier
4) Piti Belie
5) Ataque Belcan
6) Espada Fuerte
7) Belcan Sito
8) Papito Belier
9) Beliercito

THE METRESAS

METRESAS

División de las Metresas is Governed by Metresili "Virgen de la Dolorosa" as well as Anaísa Pié "Santa Ana", Anaisa La Chiquita, "Juana de Arco", Gunguna "Santa Elena", Rosita Legbá "Santa Rosa de Lima", Cachita Tumbo, Candelina, Alaila "la Virgen de la Altagracia", Clementina "La Virgen Milagrosa",  Ofelia Balendjo "La Virgen de las Mercedes", La Señorita "Santa Clara" and other female Misterios.  Although they pertain to their own Division, they can also belong to another.

The Mestresas embody the elements of earth and water.  Although this is one separate Nacion, many of the Misterios within it are a part of other Naciones.  They work in matters of emotions, thoughts and feelings.   They govern over love, womanhood, motherhood, maternity, fertility, beauty and femininity. 

They love sweet wines, mixed drinks, champagne, beer, cigarettes, honey, spices, molasses, and sugar.  They adore chocolates especially within a heart shaped box, tropical and citrus fruits, melons and pumpkins.  They love flowers of all kinds but each Metresa has her own favorite, as well as perfumes, mirrors, cosmetics, jewelry, laced fans, combs and hair brushes. 

Their offerings go on the altar in lavish plates and glasses.   Their colors are Pink, Yellow, Orange and Gold.

1) Madre Sili
2) La Metresa
3) Anaisa Pyé
4) Anaisa Demait
5) Cachita Tumbo
6) Danto Pye
7) Filomena Dantu
8) Esili Freda
9) Sili Danto
10) Canaima La Perla
11) Alaila
12) Filomèz
13) Gunguna

LOS INDIOS

INDIO CACIQUE

Division of the Indio Agua Dulce. This is the Division one finds.  El Rey del Agua, "John the Baptist"  Tindjo Alague / Tin Djo Alagwe "Saint Rafael" and Caciques and Cacicas such as Caonabo Yuisa, Anacaona.  In Sanse, el Rey del Agua watches and supervises over all baptismal ceremonies. 

This Nacios of Misterios make up 1/3 of the Misterios, they are highly venerated within Puerto Rican Sanse and are a very important division of Spirits.  They embody the elements of water and air.

They enjoy Tobacco in all its forms, mabi root bark tea, casava bread, yuca with codfish, cornmeal, and arepa bread.  They are often called Indio de la Paz, Indio Bravo, or Indio Guerrero.  Within this Division fall the spirits of the indiginous people and their elevated Spirits and Zemis.  Their colors are Red, Yellow and Green.

1) Indio Alague
2) Indio Carinoa
3) Pluma Blanca
4) Toro Sentado
5) Indio Aguila Roja
6) Indio Enriquillo
7) India Ciboney
8) India Jihoanya

Paños, Banderas and Candles

The Sances work with various paños, and candles representing the Punto Misterios which have their own traditional colors of banderas and paños that are placed on the altar, usually seven various colors are used as well as seven various colored candles or a seven day candle of seven colors is used.  Each of the colors represent one or more Sanses and Misterio.  Black is rarely used unless combating or battling occult enemies. Seven is usually used for peace and protection while nine is used for ending, and removal.  Some use three candles to represent the three divisions.  Excample:  white or yellow to symbolize the White Division, Red or black to symbolize the black division and blue or green to symbolize the indian division.

Yellow =. The Sances of the Metresas, Solier & Guedés.
White = The Sances of the Belcanes and Solier
Blue = The Sances of La Sirena
Green = The Sances of the Indios Belcanes & Ogunes
Pink = The Sances of the Metresas
Purple = The Sances of the Guedés
Red = The Sances of the Candelos, Ogunes & Legbas
Orange = The Metresas
Brown = Sances of the Legbas
Black can also be used for the Sances of the Legbas, Guedés, The Ogun, and Candelos









VODOU, VOODOO, SANSE, SANCE, VUDU, UMBANDA, BRUJERIA, ESPIRITISMO