Espiritismo: Puerto Rican Mediumship & Magic

The ritual starts with a series of Catholic and Spiritist prayers that set
the sacred space and the intention of the ritual. They create a unity of
intention in order to accomplish the sacred work. They also set the spiritual
boundaries that are needed for the mediums to accomplish their task.
After these prayers, the mediums begin to cleanse themselves with
passes of the hands and spiritual waters (see chapter 12). The congregation
may also be invited to cleanse themselves. Then the congregation is often
asked to go into a union de pensamientos, or union of thoughts, so that
everyone can participate in silent internal prayer.
Once the stage has been set, the work can begin. This usually starts with
the leading medium receiving a message from the spirits for one of the
individuals present. He or she then calls that person up to the table to
deliver the message and asks them to place their hands on the central bowl
of water as they receive it. Any other mediums who have something to add
may chime in, but only after asking for permission by knocking on the
table.
Once the initial message has been given, the service begins in earnest,
with mediums calling people up and delivering their messages. This
continues until all the messages have been delivered. When the mediums
are done receiving and delivering the spirits’ messages, the lead medium
calls for the closing prayers, which shut down the ritual and close the sacred
space. A reunion generally lasts from two to four hours.
Several other things can happen during a reunion as well. The
presidente or one of the mediums may do a reading and meditation on a
sacred text. Testimonials to the power of God and the spirits may be
spoken, with members of the congregation coming up to share their stories.
Or the lead medium may give a sermon on a spiritual truth.
There are many different types of reunions. They may also have a
specific purpose or be held for a particular person or group of persons.
Some reunions are investigative in nature, with the purpose of digging
deeply into someone's spiritual frame and life. There are also sessiones de
sanación, or healing sessions.
Participating in reunions was a regular part of my upbringing. There
were several presidentes de mesa, presidents of the table, in my family who
commonly held these functions. And we were frequent guests at the
reunions of my family's associate espiritistas. These reunions were
commonly held on Friday or Saturday evenings.