COOLING WATERS OF LA SIRENA YEMONJA

LA SIRENA, YEMONJA

LA SIRENA

ESTRELLA DEL MAR

YEMONJA

O MIO YEMAYA

SANCISTA BRUJO LUIS CLEANSING JUAN

SANCISTA BRUJO LUIS

MARIA MUNECA TORMENTO MEDITATING

SANCISTA BRUJO LUIS

RECOJIENDO DESPOJANDO, BOTANDO

JOHANNA LEON

SANCISTA

HERMANO BRUJO LUIS CLEANSING JOHANNA

AGUANILLE!!!!!!

SANCISTA BRUJO LUIS

RECOJIENDO DESPOJANDO, BOTANDO

YEMAYA ASESU, ASESU YEMAYA!!!

GATHERING WATER FOR CLEANSINGS.

HERMANO BRUJO LUIS

AND MARIA TORMENTO

COLLEEN, MARIA MUNECA TORMENTO

AND SEAN NOONAN

MARIA TORMENTO, JOANNA LEON AND

 SANCISTA

HERMANO BRUJO LUIS

HERMANO BRUJO LUIS AND SEAN NOONAN

Erzulie Freda & Erzulie Dantor

Erzulie Freda & Erzulie Dantor

A long time ago in Africa there once lived a beautiful, noble and powerful queen named Maîtresse Erzulie.   She rulled wisley in a kingdom known as Whydah, Dahomey in what is presently known as the Republic of Benin

Maîtresse Erzulie greatly respected and loved because she was known for her skills in commercial trading which not only benefited her kingdom but all her people.  Maîtresse Erzulie was so skilled in the arts of trading that she not only traded with surrounding villages but also with other nations which made her very wealthy. 

One night when the moon was under the Black Moon as Maîtresse Erzulie was fast asleep a male intruder came into her room and sexually assaulted the Queen.  The intruder disguised his face in a mask and who he was, was never revealed to the Queen. 

Since the Queen never knew the identity of the rapist, she kept the incident a secret from her subjects, in the fears that it would create a civil war amongst her people.

As time passed Maîtresse Erzulie realized that she was pregnant, and to keep her subjects calm she blamed the pregnancy on a deity who visited her from the heavens above and had intercourse with her.   This of course made her subjects happy as the child within her womb would be a divine child.    

Maîtresse Erzulie was then brought to the Great Diviner who would fortell the future of the child within her womb.  When the diviner cast his bones and shells, he saw that within Maîtresse Erzulie's womb grew two female fetuses, and that a day would come when they to would be queens and that the day would come when people all around the world would love and venerate them greatly.

After 9 months Maîtresse Erzulie did give birth to two healthy baby girls.  One was a beautiful dark skin child with thick curly hair and eyes as black as cole, the other child was a mulatta with lighter skin, straight brunette hair and eyes as blue as the ocean. 

The twins where named after her, the darker complexion child was named Erzulie Dantor and the lighter child was named Erzulie Freda.  Although the conception of the twins filled  Maîtresse Erzulie with nightmares, and she never truly trusted men, she also never confided to any one how she had conceived the girls through rape.  She loved the girls more than she had ever loved anyone in her life as they had come to fill a void within her life that no one could fill. 

As the twin daughters were not identical, they were different in every way.  Erzulie Freda loved music and dancing, enjoyed jewellery and perfumes, was very feminine and was partial to wearing pink, light blue, white, yellow, orange and gold.  Erzulie Dantor was less feminine and enjoyed the arts of battles and weaponry and was partial to wearing clothes of red, green and navy blue.

No child on the earth before them or after them could wish for a greater mother, as  Maîtresse Erzulie was known for being a noble queen, she also was a good mother, and taught her daughters everything from the arts of magic, herbalism, divination, fortune telling, she taught them the mysteries of the moon, stars the sun, and of all the beauties that life had to offer.   Maîtresse Erzulie instructed them on how to one day be noble and just queens as she was.  But one knowledge Maîtresse Erzulie could not teach her daughters was the mysteries of the love a woman feels for a man, as she herself had never been in love with a man, had no interest in male companionship and she could not teach her daughter's these mysteries. 

As Erzulie Dantor and Erzulie Freda grew into young ladies a time had come when strange white missionary men from across the seas came to their kingdom.  The missionaries at first observing the twins could not agree which one was the more beautiful of the two, as each was stunning in the eyes of all who laid eyes upon them.  But one thing the missionaries from across the sea could not get over was the exotic look of Erzulie Freda, and how different her skin tone was to that of the rest of the subjects in the kingdom.  They especially were in aw of Erzulie Freda's blue eyes which resembled the color of the seas and skies.    They asked Queen Maîtresse Erzulie if they could bring Erzulie Freda across the sea to their home in Spain, where Erzulie Freda would receive education amongst the royal Spanish crown and be schooled in the mysteries of Christianity, they also promised Maîtresse Erzulie that Erzulie Freda would become as a Spanish aristocratic noble woman.  Maîtresse Erzulie could not bare the thought of loosing one of her beloved child, but although the pain stabbed her within her heart like a jagged blade, she knew deep within her heart that this would be beneficial not only to Erzulie Freda in being a posative ambassador for Dahomey but also in establishing a relationship with the white man of the royal kingdom of Spain.  So with great pain within her chest Maîtresse Erzulie gave permission for the missionaries to take her daughter with them across the seas.  On the day that Erzulie Freda was to depart Maîtresse Erzulie and Erzulie Dantor took her to the port to wish her farewell,  Maîtresse Erzulie began to morn her child for she did not know that it would be seven years of pain within her heart before she would set eyes again on her beloved Erzulie Freda.

ERZULIE DANTOR

So deep was the love of the Queen for her daughter, that she stood on the shore until the ship faded into the horizon.  All the while Maîtresse Erzulie cast flower petals into the ocean praying to the great mother La Sirene Yemonja to watch and protect her child.

After a few years of Erzulie Freda's departure from Dahomey, Maîtresse Erzulie's kingdom had witnessed many wars.  First came the iinvasion of the Arabian then came the invasion of the Egyptians, each with the intent of stealing the wealth of her kingdom and enslaving her people.

Although Maîtresse Erzulie was known as a noble and just Queen, she was also known as a fierce warrior, and although she and her kingdom fought courageously she knew very well that her army's strength was dwindling.   Worried, Maîtresse Erzulie sent an urgent message to the great warrior king of southwestern Nigeria, Ogun, in the message she wrote that if Ogun would send an army of his finest warriors to help her kingdom in the battles and wars that befell them; that she would give her daughter's Erzulie Dantor hand in matrimony to he who aided her in leading her people into victorty.  Ogun being one of the most respected and feared warrior Kings in all of Africa sent his two eldest sons, Ogun Balendjo and Ogun Badagris, each accompanied by the fiercest and bravest legion of warriors. 

When Ogun Balendjo and Ogun Badagris arrived at the palace of Maîtresse Erzulie she was moved to tears at seeing that Ogun's eldest sons where in fact twin brothers and like her daughters one was darker and the other lighter.   Ogun Balendjo was a handsome strong dark muscular knight while Ogun Badagris was equally handsome, equally as muscular and built but was of a lighter skin complexion with auburn hair.  Erzulie Dantor immediately became attracted to  Ogun Balendjo, while.the lighter Ogun Badagris immediately felt a deep attraction to the ebony princess Erzulie Dantor.

Both Ogun Balendjo and Ogun Badagris defended Maîtresse Erzulie kingdom fiercely, and they fought valiantly any and all intruders that dare come to attack the kingdom.   But in the mists of a great battle Ogun Badagris was wounded badly to the point that he had to be removed from the battlefield.  His brother Ogun Balendjo fought like no other single warrior had before or after him, with the exception of his father Ogun, who was the greatest warrior Earth has ever known.  Ogun Balendjo fought so bravely that he was the last man standing in the battlefield. 

Overjoyed with contentment Maîtresse Erzulie fulfilled the promise she had made of giving Erzulie Freda's hand in marriage to Ogun Balendjo.  This of course added to Ogun Badagris wounds as he had secretly fallen deeply in love with Erzulie Freda and had wished to have made her his wife.

Prior to the battles and the Ogun brothers setting foot in Dahomey, Erzulie Freda who had been taken to Spain to receive formal education in a monastery, had finished her schooling and was on her way back to her native homeland.  On her journey through Cadiz Spain into Moracco, Africa the beautiful princess was kidnapped by a band of thieves and sold into prostitution.  Erzulie Freda was a young and beautiful mulatta that was neither black nor white and she was an exquisite jewell to all who laid eyes upon her.  This made her very popular amongst her forced clientele who visited the brothel, as her lips were as sweet as honey and her skin had the faint aroma of cinnamon, citrus fruits and anise.  Her clientele where so charmed by her beauty that they showered her with gifts of golden charms, jewelry, perfumes, scented oils, cloths from Egypt, the Orient and money that rivaled that of any empress that had lived at the time. 

Erzulie Freda's strength to endure this atrocity forced upon her was that she secretly stashed away most of her profits and all of the gifts her clientele gave her with the hopes to somehow escape the lifestyle she was forced to live and return to her mother's kingdom.  And while she smiled, laughed, danced and seemed merry to all who saw her, alone at night in her chambers she would weep for what her life had become. 

ERZULIE FREDA

With her fame and fortune, Erzulie Freda plotted her escape from this undignified lifestyle that she had been forced to live.  One night when the moon was as black and the night she and her sister were conceived, she gathered all her belongings and escaped her confinement.  She made it back up north to Cadiz, Spain where she meet an African pirate by the name of Ague Taroyo.  Erzulie Freda quickly recognized that Ague Toroyo's accent was similar to that of the people of her mothers kingdom.  

Erzulie Freda begged Ague Taroyo to return her back to her mother's kingdom, and that she would give a big reward if he did so.   Ague Taroyo knew well the queen and although he was the greatest pirate the earth had ever seen, he had heard the stories of how one of the Queen's daughters had been taken to Spain.  In part because of the great respect he had for Maîtresse Erzulie and because he as all men could not resist the powerful beauty of Erzulie Freda he agreed to return her back to Dahomey to her mother's kingdom free of charge.  Especially since he was going to the port of Whydah and Guinea, how could he refuse. 

When they arrived at the port of Whydah, Ague Taroyo sent a messenger to Maîtresse Erzulie, that after seven long years her daughter Erzulie Freda had returned home.  The Queen Maîtresse Erzulie was overjoyed with the news that her daughter had finally arrived home, she wanted to prepare the biggest feast ever witnessed; as she sent a Caravan of escorts with the great Ogun Balendjo leading the group. 

This was great news for Maîtresse Erzulie since her daughter Erzulie Dantor would marry Ogun Balendjo within a few days, and now the great return of her daughter Erzulie Freda filled her heart with joy.   This would be a week of festivities thought Maîtresse Erzulie.  But when Ogun Balendjo set eyes on the beauty of Erzulie Freda he felt an instant attraction, never had his eyes seen such an exquisite beautiful mulatta with eyes as blue as the skies above and seas below.  Erzulie Freda also felt a sudden attraction to Ogun Balendjo, never had she set eyes on such a tall, noble,  muscular, elegant handsome man in her life.  Although Erzulie Freda's sister Erzulie Dantor was equally as beautiful, Ogun Balendjo had never felt such an instant attraction to a woman in all his life. 

OGUN BALENDJO

Ogun Balendjo plotted within his head, how was he to make Erzulie Freda his wife, so he escorted her the long way home, and spoke to her the most beautiful words he had ever said, for Erzulie Freda's beauty inspired the great warrior poetic words that flowed like honey through his lips.  When they reached the Osun River in Nigria the love for them was strong and they made love by the river banks.

After the long journey through Nigeria that should have been short they finally made it to the palace of Maîtresse Erzulie.  The Queen was overjoyed and the biggest feast the kingdom had ever seen had commenced.  During the festivities Erzulie Freda asked to speak privately with her mother.  In the courtyard Erzulie Freda confessed her undying love for Ogun Balendjo and if there was a way that the Queen could break off the marriage of Ogun Balendjo with her sister Erzulie Dantor. 

Maîtresse Erzulie was a wise Queen beyond words and always found an answer or solution to any and all problems, but this one truly had her puzzled.  How could she as a mother take away the happiness of one daughter to give to another?  After awhile of contemplation she finally answered. 

"Erzulie Freda you are my daughter as is Erzulie Dantor, and I would give anything in my kingdom to you, I would gladly give my life for you both.  But what you ask is beyond my power, and something I cannot possibly give.  My answer to you is to speak with your sister Erzulie Dantor and see if she would agree to break off the commitment she has to Ogun Balendjo and give him freely to you."

Erzulie Freda knew deep within her heart that her sister Erzulie Dantor would never agree to such a notion, for both sisters where very zealous of what they perceived as personal properties. 

Erzulie Freda then devised a plot, she asked her sister Erzulie Dantor to meet her in the gardens in the outskirts of the palace, alone without Erzulie Dantor bringing her loyal house madiens.  She asked her sister to meet her under the large Pomarrosa tree.  Hidden within her breasts she had a dagger.   When Erzulie Dantor arrived Erzulie Freda told her of her love for Ogun Balendjo and that they had made love by the banks of the Osun river where the Goddess Oshun had blessed their union.   Erzulie Dantor's first reaction was that of sorrow, as tears formed in her eyes, but being a great warrior as was her mother, she quickly became enraged and physically attacked her sister under the great Pamarossa tree.  Erzulie Freda was preparred for the outcome and quickly withdrew the dagger from her breasts and sliced her sister on the right side of the cheak two deep gashes.  But Erzulie Dantor was a greater warrior than her sister and was able to subdue her sister and take the dagger from her.  Then Erzulie Dantor plunged the dagger straight into Erzulie Freda's heart leaving her for dead, she left her there under the Pamarrosa tree.  But Erzulie Dantor did have great love for her sister as remorse filled her heart of the tragedy that had unfolded.  She then went to the Queen's chambers and told her mother what had happened and that Erzulie Freda lay under the tree. 

The Queen Maîtresse Erzulie sent men to bring her her daughter as quickly as possible.  When Erzulie Freda was carried into the palace she was almost dead.  Maîtresse Erzulie fearing loosing her daughter's life, sent for all the greatest healers of the nation, but none could restore Erzulie Freda back to health, until the great forest hermit Ogun Osanje the greatest healer and master herbalist came.  He alone was able to restore Erzulie Freda's health with his magic and knowledge of all healing herbs and medicine. 

One night when Erzulie Freda was recovering Ogun Balendjo sneaked into her room and proposed that that very night they would escape the kingdom and never part from each others side.  After the fight with her sister Erzulie Freda had grown remorse for her actions against Erzulie Dantor, but her great love for Ogun Balendjo was stronger still, and although she knew Ogun Balendjo and her sister Erzulie Dantor were to wed the following day, she became blindsided by the overwhelming love she felt for Ogun Balendjo and agreed to escape with him.

That night they rode on Ogun Balendjo's trusted white steed to the a near port where Ague Taroyo's ship docked for the night.  Ogun Balendjo paid a large fee and Ague Taroyo set sail to another far off port in a faraway country.  

Unknown to both Ezili Dantor and Maîtresse Erzulie that Erzulie Freda and Ogun Balndjo had left during the night they proceed with the plans for the wedding.  But unknown to Erzulie Dantor this would not start off as a happy occasion, until she realized that Ogun Balendjo was not going to show up for their wedding. 

There in front of the altar and the wedding guests stood Erzulie Dantor, and when humiliation crept on her because she realized that her husband to be was no where in sight, did she began to cry tears of rage and sorrow.  So frustrated was Erzulie Dantor that the wounds upon her face opened and began to bleed.  Just when all was lost, Ogun Badagris who had always loved her came before her and her guests riding his black steed.  He went before her and tenderly dried the blood that formed from tears as well as the blood that came from her wounds.   Then he declared infront of all who where present before them, his undying love towards her, and asked her if she would be his wife.  Just then Erzulie Dantor realized that she had been betrothed to the wrong brother.  As she looked deep into Ogun Badagri's blue eyes, she realized that she had fallen in love with him, and excerpted to be his wife, they wed that day and nine months later she gave birth to a young daughter that she named Maisia Noquea who would be born as dark and as lovely as her mother, but with the blue eyes of her father.  Although Erzulie Dantors rage and desire for vengeance against her sister and her would be husband Ogun Balendjo grew and would never truly be forgiven, she found solace in her beautiful daughter and in her husband Ogun Badagris who was a faithful and loving husband.

Maîtresse Erzulie felt the greatest fury and betrayal a mother could feel, and after the wedding ordered her new son in law Ogun Badagris army to search for both Erzulie Freda and Ogun Balendjo, but they could not find them in all of Africa, as they had made their way to a far off undiscovered continent far away.  But Maîtresse Erzulie knew that the day would come when she would unleash her fury on Ogun Balendjo as he was one of the heirs to the throne of his father Ogun's kingdom of Oyo in Nigeria. 

OGUN BADAGRIS

As years passed Erzulie Freda who had changed her name to Metre Sili so that she would not be found, sent message with the sea pirate Ague Taroyo to Africa.  For she, Erzulie Freda ( Metre Sili ) could never live in peace knowing the betrayal and wrong she had done to her sister, and wanted to ask forgiveness from both.    Erzulie Dantor would never forgive her but the Queen Maîtresse Erzulie who had taken the name Gran Sili because this is what her first grandchild Maisia Noquea called her yearned to see Erzulie Freda again, for as any mother Maîtresse Erzulie ( Gran Sili ) would always forgive her children.  She sent a message with Ague Taroyo, that she had forgiven her and that she named a province of her kingdom Fredah in which she would leave for Erzulie Freda to rule and govern. 

Although Erzulie Dantor never got a chance to seek her wrathful vengeance on Erzulie Freda, Destiny, Karma and Fate as they usually do made sure to take matters into their own hands.  For Erzulie Freda and Ogun Balendjo were never truly happy.  Ogun Balendjo was known to be an unfaithful husband, and had lovers and wives in every port and city he visited; and although Erzulie Freda suffered her husband's womanizing infidelities she too could be vengeful and married Ague Taroyo, and then Dambalah.  Although Ogun Balendjo was a womanizer he always loved Erzulie Freda dearly as did she him. 

Erzulie Dantor also made it to the new world with her husband Ogun Badagris, and between both Erzulie Freda and Erzulie Dantor they had many children, each named after their grandmother Gran Sili.  Such as Erzulie Balianne, Erzulie Mansur, Erzulie Mapiangue, Erzulie Yeux Rouge, Erzulie Yeux Rouge, Erzulie Toho, Erzulie La Flambeau, Erzulie Wangol,

Since then and until the ends of time, although Erzulie Dantor secreatly loves her sister she can not find it in her heart to ever forgive her the betrayal and shame she put her through. 

This story of the two Metresa Loases is similar to the rivalry held between the Orisha Ochun, Oya and Obba, some versions of the Orisha tale might include Yewa and Yemaya. 

On the altar Erzulie Dantor is kept cose to Ogun Badgris while Erzulie Freda is kept close to Ogun Balendjo. 
.

7 DIVISIONES, 21 DIVISIONES, Fulas & Paños

Paños, Banderas and Candles

La 21 Division Del Panteon Sancista
de los 7 Jefes

The Emisarios / Sances work with various paños, and candles representing the Punto Misterios which have their own traditional colors of banderas and paños that are placed along the edge of the altar, usually seven various colors for the tableau representing the Siete Jefes or 9 are used on the Ancestral shrine to symbolize both the number of the dead and the many incarnations one takes, the many roads of elevation as well as the many races that took to make up the person alive today.  

In many ceremonies of Initiation, Seven various colored candles or a seven day candle of seven colors is used.  Each of the colors, both with the candles and the paños represent one or more Sanses and Misterio.  Black is rarely used as a candle color on the Tableau unless combating or battling occult enemies and for the Guedes, which in that case the black candle would go on the floor and usually accompanied with a purple or yellow candle.  A black candle alone would symbolize either working black magic, or giving light to that which is unseen.
Seven candles "velas, velon or candelas" are usually used for peace and protection while nine is used for ending, and removal.  Some use three candles to represent the three divisions.  Example: white or yellow to symbolize the White Division, Red or black to symbolize the "Fuego" black division and blue or green to symbolize the "Agua Dulce" Indian division.
While in Puerto Rican Sance the Altar is often called La Tableau Espiritual or simply "el altar" the room housing the altar is simply La Sala del altar or el Santuario and the cloth are called Paños, in Dominican 21 Divisiones the altar or altar room is called the Badji and the paños are called Fulas.

The Paños hold great importance both in Sanse and 21 Division.  They are often used by the Misterios or Emisarios, to wrap around the head or across their chest, in their preferred colors or used to cleanse individuals from causas.  The Black Paño is often used when un Espiritu Burlon takes possession of a Medium.   These Paños are received during one of the initation ceremony, and only used when Laborando los Seres.

Unlike Haitian Vodou that use elaborate Banderas for the Loases, in Puerto Rican Sanse and Dominican 21 Divisiones, the paños and fulas are more simple.  Traditionally they where cloth material left over from a seamstress or bandanna or simple patterned fulas that one finds at a local botanica or other store.  

Many also use flags that represent a culture for a Commission of Spirits such as Pirate Flags, Taino Flags, Puerto Rican flags, or a flag that may represents their political views such as the Nationalist Flags on Independence Flags.

Colors of the Paños and Candles.

1. Yellow =. Las Metresas, Solier & Guedés.
2. White =  Belcanes  and Gran Solier
3. Blue =  La Sirena, Agua Dulce Division.
4. Green = The Indios, Ogunes, Belcanes
5. Pink = The Metresas, las Gitanas
6. Purple = The Guedés
7. Red = The Candelos, Belcanes, Ogunes, Legbas, and Congos.
8. Orange = The Metresas
9. Brown = The Legbas
10. Black can also be used for the Sances of the Legbas, Guedés, The Ogun, and Candelos

Color Patterns

1. Loa Guedes = Black Purple and Yellow for Guedes
2. Las Madamas = Madras or plaid design depending on the Division they serve. 
3. Red and White
4. Blue and White
5. Orange and White
6. Green and White
7. Yellow and White
8. Las Gitana = Red Purple and Black
9. Los Indios = Yellow, Green and Red or Blue for Agua Dulce Division.
10. Los Congos =. Red and White
11. Los Negros = Yellow, Green and Red

Days of Week of the Siete Jefes Divisiones


Monday = Lebanes, Legba

Tuesday = Ogunes

Wednesday = Guedes

Thursday = Belcanes

Friday = Metresas.

Saturday = Candelos

Sunday = Indios, Solier

21 divisiones, 7 divisiones, fulas, espiritismo, sanse, brujeria, vudu, voodoo, vodou, sance

The Mistsrio Naciones and Santos

The Mistsrio Naciones and Santos

7 Divisiones of the Puerto Rican

Sanse Tradition

GRAN SOLEY

1. Division Del Cementerio
2. Division de Lebanes
3. Division Soley
4. Division Indio Agua Dulce
5. Division Metresas
6. Division Del Fuego
7. Division Belcanes

Other societies of Sance use this order.

1. Division Solier
2. Division Belcanes
3. Division Candelo
4. Division Metresas
5. Division Lebanes
6. Division Indios Agua Dulce
7. Division de Guede

Still other Sanse Societies use these Divisions.

1. Division Leguas "Lebanes"
2. Division Ogunes
3. Division Guedes
4. Division Candelos
5. Division Belcanes
6. Division Metresas
7. Division Indio Agua Dulce

These orders of Divisions does not make one correct over the other, as each Sance society may have their differences, there are many elements that are the same. What is important to understand is that the Divisions will take on an individual, and no two persons has the same Misterios, as each of the Divisiones has traditionally 7 vueltas, and each Division has their own Emisarios "Sance". In my Sociedad we use the last list. But often times the Jemelos "Marassa call an individual into services and every Sancista works under the guidance of las Tres Maria.". Maria Fe, Maria Esperanza y Maria Caridad.

Important to understand, is that although the majority or practitioners of Puerto Rican Sanse recieve the Puntos to Seven Divisions, "me included". It is not unheard of that a Misterio of a different Division will call on an individual, which can only be determined through a proper Investogacion by a Sancista, and although the "Lua" Misterio may be of a different Division, it is important to understand that a Misterio can be a part of multiple Divisions which will fall on one of the above Divisions. 

One can only recieve Bautismos and Puntos into Sanse by a Sancista, just as one can only receive Ocha by a Lukumi priest or any other African or Indigenous Traditions. Unlike some European traditions which have self initiation rites, this concept does not exist in any shape or form within these traditions. Sance as is Santeria, Palo Mayombe, Candomble, Obeah, Shango, Umbanda, Quimbanda, Regla Arara, Dominican 21 Division, Vodou, Santerismo, Winti, 3 Potencia Maria Lionza, Kumina, Spiritual Baptists, Regla Abakua, and Orisa are not solitary traditions, but family oriented and group traditions.

The Seven Divisions or 7 Diviciones are also called, los Siete 7 Jefes and no matter if a seperate Division calls on an individual, he/she will receive the Puntos to Seven Divisions. Although there are 21 Divisions of Spirits, within Sanse only Seven are received. I have posted a few times the Puerto Rican 21 Divisions and I will again include the list.

The Legba "Lebanes'
The Ogunes
The Guede
The Candelos
The Belcanes
The Metresas
The Indios

The Solieres
The Prietos
The Simbises
The Centinelas
The Guineas
The Madamas
The Niños

The Orientales
The Potencias
The Magos
The Aguases
The Jemelos
The Cemises
The Arabeses

 

 

THE LEGBAS

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 cains, 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 = San Antonio - June 13

2) Legba Carifu = San Lazaro - December 17

3) Legba Isasan = San Pedro - June 29

4 Luis "Sito" Elegba = Niño de Atocha - January 1

5) Legba Coehn = Niño Cautivo / Nino de Cebu - April 21

6) Legba Lado = Niño de Praga - 3rd Sunday of May

7) Legba Tibon = Niño Pa - April 30th

8) Rosita Legba  = Saint Rose of Lima -  August 23

9) Piti Legba = Divino Nino - December 25

10) Legba Grasimo = Niño de las Suertes - December 25

11) Legba Manose = Anima Sola - November 2

 

THE OGÙNES

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 temperamental. 

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 Blue and Black.

1) Ogun Balendjo = San Santiago Apostal - July 25th , Santiago Matamoro.

2) Ogun Baldagri = San Jorge - April 23

3) Ogun Batala = San Martin Caballero - November 11

4) Ogun Guerrero = Saint Joseph the Worker - March 19

5) Ogun Feregai  =  Saint Pancracio - May 12

6) Ogun Oca = San Isidore the Laborer - May 15

7) Ogun Sango =  San Miguel con Lanza  - December 4

8) Ogun Panama = San Wenceslao - September 28

9) Ogun Sarabanda = Saint Pedro Pescador - June 29

10) Ogun Nagua = Saint Mercurius - July 25

11) Ogun Ferayo Jan Ferro = Saint Marcos Evangelist - April 25

13) Ogun Osanje = Saint Francisco of Asisi - October 4

 

THE GUEDÉS

División de los Guedés is governed by el Barón del Cementerio who is synchronized with San Elías. 
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 La Baronesa enjoy purple..

1) Baron del Cementerio = San Elija - April 17 or July 20

2) Baron de la Cruz / Baron del Sabado = Saint Gerard Majella - October 16

3) Papa Guedé Nimbo / Limbo = San Expedito - April 19th

4) Guedé Alawe = St Jerome - September 30

5) Guedé Carifu = San Cipriano - September 16

6) Guedé Uhsu = San Luis Beltran - October 9

7) Guedé Lhea = San Alejo - July 17

8) Guedé Martyin = San Martin de Porres - November 11

9) Guedé Dionisio = St Jerome - September 30

10) Luisito Guedé = Nino de Atocha - December 25

11)  Guedélia Legcua = Santa Teresa de Jesus - October 15

12) Guedelina = Santa Rita - May 22

13) La Baronesa = Santa Lucia - December 13

14) Ghuede Gran Bwa = Saint Jude - October 28

15) Filomena Lubana = Saint Martha - July 29

16) Bakúlu Baká = Saint Philip / Saint Gabriele - November 14

17) Guedelia = Santa Catelina

GUEDELIA

 

THE CANDELOS

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 = Papa Candelo - November 4

2) General Candelo Cedife = Saint Charles Borromeo - November 4

3) Candelo del Monte / Candelo de la Escoba = Saint Martin de Porres - November 3

4) Candelo Fronteh = Saint Moses the Black - August 28

5) Candelo Farai = San Benito de Palermo - August 28

6) Candelo Gayo Neh = San Baltazar - January 8

7) Pa Candeh =  Candelo with White Pants
8) Candelo Agadùn = Justo Juez Negro - Easter Sunday
9) Candelo Siete Espina = Jesus Negro  - December 8

10) Candela Ollah = Saint Barbara Africana - December 4

11) Candelia Llegua =  Nuestra Señora de los Desanparados - April 27

12) Candelito = Niño Divino - December 25

13) Candeleria = Senora de la Candelaria - Febuary 2

14) Candelo Boro = Saint Charles Borromeo - November 4

 

 

The Belcanes

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.



September 29th

1) Belie Belcan = San Miguel Arcangel - Sept 29
2) Amalia Belcan
3) Daweh Belcan
4) Chiqui Belier =
5) Piti Belie
6) Ataque Belcan
7) Espada Fuerte
8) Belcan Sito
9) Papito Belier
10) Beliercito
11)

The Metresas

The Mestresas embody the elements of earth and water.  Although this is one seperate Nacion, many of the Misterios within it are a part of other Naciones.  They work in matters of emotioms, 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, molases, 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 / Metresili  = Lady of Sorrows - September 15

2) La Metresa Mama Mambo = Saint Anne - July 26th

3) Anaisa Pyé = Young Mary with Saint Anna - July 26th

4) Anaisa  = Jean Dearc - May 30

5) Cachita Tumbo = Our Lady of Charity -  Sept 8
Patrona de Cuba

6) La Sirena = Estrella Maris - September 7

7) Esili Freda = Mater  Dolorosa - September 15

8) Sili Danto Ezili Danthó Pye = Saint Barbara Africana, Mater Salvatoris - December 4

9) Ezoli Alaila = La Altagracia - January 21

Patrona de Santo Domingo

10) Filomèz = Saint Philomena - August 11

11) Gunguna Balenyo = Saint Ellen September 14  / May 21

12) Madre de Agua Atabeira = La Divina Providencia. - November 19

 Patrona de Puerto Rico

12) La Clementina = La Milegrosa, - November 27

13) Ezili Kénwa = Saint Martha - July 29

14) La Señorita = Saint Claire - August 11

15) Ofelia Balendjo is Our Lady of Mercy -  September 24

16) Amalia Belcan / Mama Tete = La Milegrosa - November 27

17 Ayida Guedo = Virgen Milagrosa - November 27

 

Los Indios

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.

TAINA CACICA

Feast Day of all Indios fourth Friday in September and  October 12

1) Indio Alague = San Juan Baurista / San Rafael
2) Indio Carinoa = Rey del Agua
3) Pluma Blanca = Indio de la Paz
4) Gran Toro Sentado / Cacique Sentado = Jesus de la Buena Esperanza
5) Indio Aguila Roja = Indio Guerrero
6) Indio Enriquillo = Indio Bravo
7) India Ciboney = Kateri Tekakwitha
8) India Jihoanya = Kateri Tekakwitha

PADRE DE AGUA = JUAN BAUTISTA

RIO TEMPESTOSO

Other Misterios includes Gran Solier, Los Jemelos, and Las Tres Marias.
Gran Solier = Ecce Homo
los Jemelos = San Cosmas y Damian
Las Tres Marias = Faith, Hope and Charity.
Gran Kali = Saint Gabriel
and countless other LUA Misterios

CENTINELA

EL BRUJO LUIS

VODOU, VOODOO, SANCE, SANSE, 21 DIVISIONS, RELIGION, VUDU,