Espiritismo: Puerto Rican Mediumship & Magic

may use any number of divination tools, like tarot cards, playing cards, or
shells. They may also use cigars or coffee grounds—really, the options are
endless. They may also pasar los seres in order to pass on the spirits’
messages (see chapter 7).
During these consultations, brujos look for causas, imbalances, and
problems that their clients are facing. They also look for the solutions to
these ills. Their job is to help their clients resolve the problems at hand and
guide them toward dealing with the deeper rooted causas that are at play.
Once they reach a proper diagnosis, they can prescribe treatment.
Brujos have many methods through which they can work. The
treatments they prescribe always depend on the condition at hand. They
may consist of rituals, healing ceremonies, spells, magical work, spiritual
baths, reuniones, veladas, or any number of other techniques that are used
to resolve a client's problems
Brujos are paid by those who come to them for help. While some
reunions are held for the public, most services are conducted for personal
clients, although group rituals can also be commissioned by clients for
private purposes. How much brujos charge depends on their capacities,
their experience, and their cuadros. Followers and practitioners of
Espiritismo both know never to bargain for spiritual work, because the cost
is part of the sacrifice that must be made in order for healing to take place.
Charity is one of the basic tenets of Espiritismo, but this tenet is often
taken out of context and misunderstood by both followers and practitioners
of the tradition. Some claim that the teachings of Allen Kardec call for the
free giving of spiritual gifts. But the magical practices of brujeria do not
come from Allen Kardec's Spiritism. In fact, Kardecist Spiritism avidly
denounces such practices. Brujeria comes instead from native practices, and
in all native traditions, the shaman was the most cherished person within the
culture. Offerings had to be made to the shaman, as well as sacrifices to the
dieties. As a channel for the deities, the shaman had to be taken care of in
order to serve his purpose.
Thus, in Mesa Blanca, using brujeria and trabajos espirituales to get
what you want does not fall into the category of charity. Working with the
currents in order to manipulate life situations, heal people, or affect events
is not charity. Charity is about helping people progress on their spiritual
paths and develop their connections to the Divine. Charity is about
encouraging faith, hope, and love.