Espiritismo: Puerto Rican Mediumship & Magic

physical realm, usually unwillingly—and poltergeists—spirits who
like to cause disturbances in the physical realm, for instance by
making loud noises or moving things around. We also find intranquil
spirits here—spirits who are living in pain or who died in suffering and
exist in a state remarkably like purgatory—as well as negative spirits
with truly harmful intent—criminalistic, sociopathic, and psychopathic
beings who lack remorse for their actions. Many of these spirits
purposely seek to cause others suffering—not because the suffering of
others lessens their own pain, but rather because they just enjoy
watching others suffer.
Guias falsos (false guides) are more powerful and dangerous than the
espiritus atrasados. They seek to give improper guidance and to get
people on the wrong path. Many of these spirits are strongly
committed to their malicious task.
Demonios (demons) are even more sinister than the false guides.
Espiritistas see demons in the same way that Christians do—as spirits
who were once angels who decided to go against God. Because they
were once angels, they are incredibly powerful. Many of them inspire
greed, lust, false pride, envy, jealousy, and many of the other negative
traits to which we humans are prone. Although these spirits are
impure, however, that doesn't mean that they are ignorant. In fact,
many of them are highly intelligent and informed about the world,
because they are the spirits most confined to the material plane, with
all its joys and its sorrows. Many demons are ancient and have been in
the realm of impure spirits for an exceedingly long time. Thus, they
know about the past and about how people act, and they use this
knowledge to manipulate others, including those who can
communicate with the spiritual world. They do this by mixing truth
and lies in order to create trust. In Puerto Rico, we have a proverb: The
devil knows more because he's old than because he's the devil.
PAYING TUPATE
Tupate was Titi Berta's main spiritual guide. According to Berta, he was a Taino Indian who
had been a spiritual leader and shaman in his tribe. He was wise, kind, protective, and a great
healer, and Berta referred to him as “my Indian of peace.” Tupate was easily pleased and
attended to, she said.