Hey everyone^_^Okay, so here's the deal. I used to live with my dad, from when I was about 9 to almost 12 years old. During that time, I was pretty much raised in Santeria with him, his wife, and my younger brother and sister. I grew to love it, especially when I found out that I was Jojo DE Elegua like my patroon was. I just felt such a connection, plus it was pretty much my only link to my heritage(well, not really, but close enough since I'm Cuban Lil). Anyways, troubles happened and I came back to my mom. She doesn't practice it. Her father used to though. After that, I stumbled upon Wicca, which I also grew to love. I've now been Wiccan for almost 4yrs. Though lately I've really been missing Elegua. I want to see him again SO badly. To just go to a Tabor & have fun like I used to. Even if I can't now, I'm sort of considering going back to Santeria when I'm older, but I'm too connected to Wicca to leave it. What should I do? Should I choose one, or maybe be apart of both religions?
And for any of you close-minded Christians, I'm not picking on you, but you're just gonna post a comment about how I'm worshiping false gods and that I'm going to hell without salvation or any other crap, then you can just forget about it and leave. Magick has been in my life for too long foe just one comment to change my whole perspective.
Blessed Be!
Just to quote on that, though, in the Charge of the Goddess, the She states that asks for no spilled blood because she is the Goddess of Life, and in Santeria sacrificing animals is a big thing for the Orisha. Especially that I'm hijo de Elegua, alot of chicken blood and goat blood wll be spilled for him. Though, I've already decided that if I ever do become a Santero I won't be doing the sacrifices at all( I wouldn't have the wits to do it, or the stomach lol)
I don't know enough about Santeria to comment on fusing the two. One option is to form your own practice, reflecting what you find best in both religions and making alterations as necessary to create a /coherent/ new practice. The drawback to that is you'll be unlikely to find others that share your particular practices.
Another approach would be to identify the deities that you wish to honor and then determine whether Wicca or Santeria is a better vehicle for such worship.
Third, is it perhaps possible to practice both, just /not at the same time/? That is to say, honor your Wiccan gods in Wiccan ritual and Santerian gods in Santeria rituals?
Have you thought about a third alternative? There is this way liberal dude - complete anti-establishment guy. He was all about enlightenment and showing others how to love one another. Wicked cool, too! He even has the power to defeat death. Finally, follow him and he'll let you into his house.
Answer: I would advise you to consult with a Santero as well as with some of your teachers in Wicca to see what the best way to integrate the two traditions in your life.
One of the benefits of being a Pagan, especially a polytheistic Pagan, is that you can worship as many deities as you feel drawn to and there's nothing wrong with it! If you feel drawn to both religions then participate in both of them.
If you get to a point where you decide that one of them just doesn't appeal to you anymore maybe then you will choose one over the other. Or maybe you won't.
I don't know enough about Santeria, but it seems to me that you can fuse the two fairly well. You might wish to speak with someone who practices both, although that might be a bit difficult to find. I did find some who discuss both (go ogle search); I wish you luck, shalom, and a blessed be on your search.
Merging Santeria with Wicca is hard. The only thing that both of them have in common is magi ck. Santeria is a Christian based belief system that uses magi ck and herbs in their practice. Sort of like the Jewish Kabala. It is based in Hebrew but incorporates magi ck into its practice. Now I am not saying anything bad about Santeria or about those who practice it. All I am saying is it is hard to merge the religious aspect of Santeria with Wicca. I actually know several individuals who practice Santeria, and we consider each other friends and fellowship when we get the chance. Which is not often enough!
Ultimately it?s your choice on your path, but be aware that you might be loosing one for the other. If they are family or very close friends there should be nothing keeping you from joining them in ritual. At least I don?t see a reason, unless they believe that you are not saved. In that case you might have to be re-baptized or convert completely to share with them on a spiritual and magical level.
Again be careful, not to give one up for the other. Many Wiccans feel alone because they are separated from friends that they have known their whole life or family simply because they found Wicca as a spiritual path. Stand strong, you are not alone, and the Wiccan family is growing larger every day. Even if you are alone now, you won?t be for long.
Sorry, did?t mean to get on a soap box. If anyone considers that I did or is offended by my statement I do apologize here and now.
I am a crowned Santero(Oshun con Oreo para Obba) in the Santeria/Lukumi faith.I would like to start by saying many Santeros are Paleros and Espiritistas also.Santo is Santa and Espiritismo is Espiritismo! Muerto is Muerto---they correlate but they are not all in the same, specifically to service delivery/worship.As the core principles are in harmony with one another I see no reason why one cannot practice many traditions.I personally practice Santeria,Palo,Espiritismo and my own path of Paganism.I see Olodumarre as the goddess.Wicca and Santeria do have many similarities.I don't think you need to choose between Santeria or Wicca.You are drawn to both, then practice both.I hope this has shed some light.
My friend i am a Santeria , Jojo DE Maya and a babbleWHO listen i would not recommend being apart of both because its not fair to the Santos nor is it fair in the Wicca religion , all i can really say is , look in your heart , what makes you feel better , what gives you peace of mind and comfort ya know and second you said your missing your elegy which is your angel DE la guardian at least even if you stay with Wicca , take care of your elegy please because remember even if you stay with Wicca , he has feelings to and he probably misses you to , well i hope this helped i sincerely wish you the best may whatever you chose help you in your life and give you peace , comfort , and protection take care.
Santeria or Wicca?
