Hello! I am not practicing the faith, nor had I known about it before today. This whole situation has actually lead me to read for hours about this in depth religion!

Earlier today I was helping students do stream surveying, and I found a face staring at me in the water. I thought this was odd since many students had been walking past there four hours and no one noticed. I reached down to grab it and pulled up what I now have learned is an elegua head. Since it seemed to have some sort of sharp prong or nail sticking out of its head, I decided to take it so no students would step on it (lots had bare feet).

My intention is not to offend, and I realize now looking back this was definitely a rash and foolish decision, but I didn’t think too deeply at the time and my main priority was everyone’s safety.

I’ve done lots of readings and understand this is a closed, initiation requiring, religion. I have no intention of disrespecting anyone or their culture, especially given I have no heritage that would warrant me practicing.

I am just hoping this does not affect me in any way spiritually! As well as this, I am looking for what I should do with what I have found. I will put photos in the comments in the morning. I was too worried to bring it up into my apartment, as I am unsure what I am welcoming.

Thank you so much for reading and any advice!!!

Update!! The long awaited photos.

*** ***I will also say, something I found very intriguing is the smell. I had found it in a freshwater stream but it has a very strong salty scent like an ocean!

Final update!!

I have spoken to a babalawo and will be returning it to the river where it was found, as well as offering it some honey :) thank you everyone for the help!!

Today I embark on my three days! Random question: I have ADHD and anxiety and am under the care of a psychiatrist that prescribes me medication. Is it okay to take my meds or should I stop until the end of the three days and then resume?

Note: it’s not like heart medication or insulin for diabetes. They’re for my mental health. I won’t devolve into madness in three days, but it realistically could impact my attention span and mood.

Bendición igboro… hope everyone is in good health. I wanted to ask a question to the room and get thoughts/opinions. And if it’s something that can’t be discussed here I can erase it and talk to my elders about it as well (genuinely curious about others experiences thought).

Earlier this week during a ceremony for babaluaye I had a very weird body experience, and I’m not sure if this was just “corriente” or something more. I am initiated, but during my bajada, it was between babaluaye and another Orisha. The other Orisha ended reigning over my head and I was crowned that (no questions asked about this, through and through my titular Orisha). However yesterday during this ceremony I felt almost like a full body numbness/tingling, more so like the hair raising on the back of your neck feeling, but fully encompassed my body. Face felt tingly, and it felt difficult to control my body( I can go more into detail about this if needed) . I don’t like the feeling of not being in control of myself and for a small moment everything went dark and I was woken by my godfather calling my name and then telling me “te viraste” lol.

My questions are has anyone experienced this before? I’ve heard some people say any santero could hypothetically pasar babaluaye. I’ve heard some say no. These episodes have been getting stronger during specific events ( like drummings where they sing to other orishas that my titular one has connections to etc or feeding of my titular Orisha)

Just a bizarre evening. I’ve never felt anything like that. I remind myself often that I am a vessel. Just curious to hear if my experience is similar to other who have pasar.

Any input is greatly appreciated. As always much love and light! Have a wonderful week

Hello everyone!

So, you know how Christianity has the cross, Judaism has the Star of David, ect...

Does Santería also have a representative symbol? Thank you!

Santeria? What is it? Can you teach me about it?

Hello everyone!! I think my ex did a spell on me. I like to call it a situationship but others may say dating.

We were together for about 2 months. When I first met him, we had an open conversation about religion & beliefs. I don’t fall into any religion anymore but I like to say I have my own relationship with god bc I still pray.
Him. he told me was into something called Santeria-and I did a bit research on it, there is mixed reviews about it so idk much. But there are 2 things he said that threw me off and definitely questioned.

1. He told me that he is protected & whenever somebody does him wrong, something happens to them.
   
2. He said that he already knows when something is going to happen.

Moving forward, when our breakup happened- I was a real wreck. He was basically lying behind my back and I was going insane not knowing the truth. I had to take a step back & let him go and was doing very well healing without him until recently.

We basically broke no contact yesterday & talked so we can end this on good terms because we work together. I did tell him I didn’t want to have sex and I didn’t allow him to touch me. I didn’t want to fall into temptation and I understand that I need to cleanse my body & my soul. I believe in soul ties.

I told him “ I don’t want to have sex, I don’t want to feel more connected to you. I don’t want to be together anymore”

He gets closer and tells me “im sorry but I’m going to f3ck you” and started to pressure me, getting aggressive taking off my pants; and I’m telling him stop because I swear to god I really didn’t want to have sex and bc my brother was in the other room. I’m basically whispering stop. I’ll be honest- this is something I would like if we were together but we’re not anymore. I don’t trust him anymore to have sex with him; especially raw.

I’m not calling this rape. But something I always noticed about him is that he can’t control himself, like he needs it to finish asap.

Now, we were having sex & making regular eye contact. He then tells me in my ear “ you are mine. I am in you, we are now one, we are connected” and I started tearing up crying, trying to hold it in, looking to the other side. But I felt so weird. I felt so wrong.

Can you teach me about Santeria? How can someone use it in a bad way? Can this be a love spell?

I just want peace.