Espiritismo: Puerto Rican Mediumship & Magic

The central focus of group rituals is a table known as the mesa espiritual
that serves as both a ceremonial altar and as a place for the spirits to come
and communicate. This table is usually, but not always, covered with a
white cloth, a practice from which the Mesa Blanca tradition takes its name.
In some centros, the table is simply white or painted white rather than
having a cloth on it. For rituals conducted at home, this can also be just a
dining room table covered with a white cloth.
The table usually features a large clear bowl or glass of water. This may
be a fishbowl or vase as well; however, the glass must be completely clear
with no markings. On larger tables, there may be more than one. This
central glass of water is known as the fuente, or fountain (see chapter 12).
The fuente, which serves a variety of functions, is one of the most important
tools in Puerto Rican Espiritismo. All altars in Espiritismo have a fuente,
which acts as a conduit through which the spirits communicate. Just as
water conducts electricity, the fuente conducts the corrientes of the spirits.
It also acts as a spiritual portal through which spirits can enter and through
which mediums can direct their currents into the spiritual realms.
Mediums can use the fuente to scry, treating it like a crystal ball through
which they receive messages from the spirits. And they can also send
messages through it. The fuente can also be used to clear negative energies,
to remove causas, and to heal. Since it acts as a conduit for spiritual and
psychic currents, it is usually emptied after rituals, because the water
collects the energies and imprints of that which has passed through it.
At least one white candle will also be present on the table to give the
spirits light and to light their way. The candle is white to symbolize purity
and the intent to communicate with the good spirits. Since spirits are
attracted to light, the candle helps to get their attention. There can be more
than one candle on the table.
Although this is all that is necessary to set up a mesa espiritual, the
table usually also has a few other tools on it, particularly prayer books.
Since the very beginning of the tradition, brujos and curanderos have used
both traditional and Catholic prayers when working with and calling upon
the spirits, and these have been collected in various prayer books that are
used in their rituals.
Bottles of alcohol-based perfumes and colognes known as alcoholados
and kolonias may also be on the table. The most common of these is Florida
Water, a commercially produced cologne that has a unique citrusy semi-