#21 divisions

The Ancestors have lived it, the trees, the hills, the mountains, the sea and the saints have seen it.

with Papa Hector Salva / Houngan Hector, Author of “The 21 Divisions, Dominican Voodoo” and “Espiritismo, Puertorican Mediumship and Magic”.

How to please the spirits: Saint Edition Santa Martha

She is the wielder of the serpents, and all that is badass. Legend has said she protected a child from snakes that were sure to kill him, and made them her companions. She is the darkness, the mystery, the unflinching strength of womanhood. She is stealth and silence wrapped in green and purple, and I love her like she was my momma. Santa Marta is an incredible ally to have if you are trying to develop a backbone. She is the one who will put the heat on your tongue to make you speak up for yourself, or send a nasty wave of karma to those who dare to fuck with you. But she’s also the warmhearted friend that will remind you of your worth and check you into remembering who you are. She’s extremely gifted with witchcraft, and if ever there’s s need for protection, look no further than her altar.

Pleasing her can become one of the simplest of rituals if you allow yourself to get over the intimidating task of speaking to her. She can be very quiet, which can lead the inquiring spiritualist to feel like they’re doing wrong. But that’s just her; observing. Watching. Teaching you to do the same. She is also very honest. I can’t tell you the amount of times she’s told me ways I’m blocking myself, or that I need to clean my room, or has made something fall in my room thus make more of a mess to make me clean now. She’s funny like that (most spirits are!), but she is also not to be trifled with. When you make a promise to her, like with any spirit, make sure you understand what that entails. If you ask her for something, like abundance of wealth (which she manifests, QUICKLY), offer something back. Some material things she likes include coffee grounds, eggshells, rum, and purple flowers. Obviously these are things that are mostly very easy to come by; you can serve yourself a cup of morning bustelo & give her the grounds. If you’d like to offer something else, offer something more elevation based. Spirit guides love knowing they are helping you shirk away harmful habits, bringing you closer to your highesr self. Do something she has been suggesting to you. Meditate more. Dive into that bag of traumas you’ve been letting rot in the corner of your mind. Do more things that scare you and challenge your ego, for that is how you truly begin to blend with the universe…like she has. Be specific about the amount of time in which you will do/give whatever you offer, and allow it to manifest.

• BONDING WITH MARTHA •

The Colors Wear more purple! Its the color of royalty and divinity, and the main color of the crown chakra. Green is aligned with the heart chakra, and wearing a dark shade of it is sure to help you feel like an earthy goddess seeing growth Martha is usually depicted wearing purple and green, which are both ultra calming. Tune into your upper chakras and get groovy!

Meditating with Martha Sit in a comfortable position, preferably cross legged, and sit as still as you can. Measure your breaths evenly, and feel a column of white light fill you, flooding out of your body. Contrary to popular believe, you don’t have to play Palo music to tune into Martha (although that shit gets me hype odee). Imagine yourself in a dense forest, peaceful and cool. See yourself sitting, surrounded by trees and plants, maybe a lake full of pretty fish. When you’re comfortable in your setting, see her sitting across from you. Ask her to come forth, and animate your imagery of her. When you feel her, be polite! Say hi. If this is your first time, simply ask to learn about her; become familiar with her energy. If you’re wanting more for answers, ask for the best solution to a situation that is bothering you. Be open to whatever she shows you, and don’t be surprised if the first few things are a little unsettling. This is her way. She is unafraid, and veiless. Allow yourself to objectively pay attention, and continue on. If you’re unsure after observing, ask for clarification. Write down your visions, feelings, and any other significant moments you make have stumbled upon.

Altar Creating a space for a spirit in your home is a simple way of staying connected with them and keeping their energy by you. A nook in your bedroom or living room (or even by the house door) would be ideal–as long as it’s on the floor. Martha is basically a snake, and she’s much more comfortable on the ground. A basic altar can include a statue of her (can be bought at any botanica that caters to 21 divisions–she’s usually depicted wearing green with two snakes around her and a child in her lap), and items you’d like her to empower or offer. Try to make it a space of beauty, zest it up; mine has a purple silk sheet beneath the statue, and saint Martha incense. I leave some flowers for her as well, and most mornings I make it a habit to leave some offerings and say wassup. This is the space I go to when I light a candle for something I might want; where I go when I have some deep meditation to do, or when I’m trying to understand the aspects of myself that are strong but shrouded in fear or ego. This is where I go to crack myself open.

Offerings Giving to Martha is honestly the simplest offrenda I do. She doesn’t ask for much, and you can give her a lot in just a morning! Make enough coffee for everyone in your home (this is also a friendly gesture–if youre like me and your family leaves the strainer in the pot, you can just use that!) Serve yourself a cup, keep a teaspoon of grounds inside, and put the rest in a tin bowl specifically for her. If you wanna bless your family (or just yourself, you already made them niggas coffee) crack some eggs and clean the shells out. You can arrange them in the tin as they are, or get creative. An old friend used to glitter them up; another popular option is placing sugar in or around the shells. When you give them to her, say nice things! Talk to her. At first it feels a little odd. Most people arent used to speaking to a statue or representation of an etheric being, but as you become more sensitive to her energy you will be able to pick up on her responses.