Espiritismo: Puerto Rican Mediumship & Magic

and tended to focus on the major spirits of these traditions, ignoring other
more minor spirits.
Unlike Mesa Blanca, which recognizes no hierarchy, these newer forms
initiated priests and priestesses. They also formed lineages, meaning that
the tradition was passed down via initiation from one person to another.
One such variant is Santerismo, which blends Cuban Santeria with
Espiritismo. In this form, the orishas, or divine beings of Santeria, are
worked with alongside the guides of Mesa Blanca, thus creating a new type
of espiritista, the santerista, who blended the music, rituals, and practices
of the two traditions. Since Espiritismo is adamantly against animal
sacrifice, santeristas do not practice it.
Sanse is another traditional practice formed in the late 1920s from the
blend of Mesa Blanca and the 21 Divisions. As with Santerismo, certain
elements of the 21 Divisions are used while others are left out. In Sanse, the
misterios of the 21 Divisions become the major focus of the protecciones
with which espiritistas work and new initiation rituals blending practices
from both appear. These hybrid practices have their supporters as well as
their detractors, who can be found among both traditional Puerto Rican
espiritistas and Cuban santeros. Many santeros consider them to be
disrespectful of their tradition, their history, and the orishas. To add to the
confusion, many santeristas identify themselves as santeros. And for many
traditional espiritistas, these newer forms simply contradict the basic tenets
of their faith.
CLEANSE THE SPIRIT—THEN EAT
Shaking like a leaf gently rustling in the wind, Doña Juana sat with Joanna at the dining room
table. As shivers gently rose and fell down her body, she waved her hands in the air as if
rubbing an invisible glass wall around her. Her voice suddenly became hoarse and harsh, and
she began to speak with a thick accent.
“Irabansiabalantabansai . . . That mother-in-law of yours wants to make your life
miserable. She puts the kids in a bad way. When they are with you, they don't listen or obey
you. And she tears into the ear of your husband too.”
La madama, a spirit of cleansing and wisdom, had taken over Doña Juana's body and was
speaking through her. She continued telling Joanna the reason why she was seated before her,
explaining how, little by little, problems had arisen in her relationships and her home. Her
mother-in-law was too pendiente, or watchful, of every little thing going on. Being watched
in this way was obviously not a good thing (see chapter 10).