Spirits and their common uses and misconceptions
The Congo Spirit
This better known spirit is well known through the Espiritismo community, but also through other spiritual communities like, Umbanda, Palo Mayombe, Santeria, Sanse, 21 divisions and Haitian Vudu. Let's start off with some history, The republic of Congo inhabits so many diverse religious communities and this wasn't any different before colonialism, much of their spiritual practices were tied to animism, vitalism, herbalism, witchcraft, ancestral and spirit veneration and sorcery. Some commonly known congo spirits are Tata/Papa Francisco, Negro, Tata Jose, Papa Guinea, Candelo, Felipe, to name a few. Many of these spirits were once living and were commonly known as witch doctors, paleros, root workers, and juju men. They faced enslavement during colonialism due to their religious/spiritual practices being deemed as devil worship through Christianity and many had to hide their beliefs through syncretism to Christian saints. It's commonly misconceived that these spirits are rageful and angry spirits, yet that is far from the truth they can be playful, wise, gentle and foolish. They love to play tricks and hide items around in the house, but not to enrage one, but to teach one patience and care. Many were enslaved so they do tend to protect their kin and those they walk with, with great strength. They are able to remove spiritual ailments, witchcraft, evil eye, espiritus oscuros (dark spirits), and negative energy off a practicioner. They can be offered liquor, tobacco, black coffee, candy, candle light, sharpened stones and water. These are spirits of light, but they also are able to teach great offensive magic. They can usually be housed in a rock and stick found through a trip to the mountains or woods. You would offer the spirit of the forest or mountain an offering for these gifts and customize them to what the spirit guides you to do. Usually a libation (a drink poured out to honor and give thanks to a particular spirit) is presented through this process as well as 21 pennies washed and prayed over with a cigar broken into half. You could also offer some popcorn and some pennies and it will suffice, if you're running short on some dough. The rock and stick must be consecrated with smoke and liquor. Many of these spirits had their own spiritual beliefs so they might pull you to learn about their belief system and even get intiated to appease the spirit. Also some of them tend to be in service of a greater Deity, Loa, and/or Orisha. SEDIFE! They resonate with the number 3 and 7. The colors white, black and red can also be used to represent them.
Prayer to El Congo
O Glorious Congo Spirit, for your virtues you have entered into the Kingdom of God and have obtained the blessings of Heaven. You leader of the heavenly commission of spirits and surrounded by Angels. I an admirer of your strength and courage, knowledge and wisdom, ask in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that you fill my body with your powers and aid me in vanquishing the evil thoughts sent by my enemies. Liberate me O Congo spirit from the snare of the Devil, and the demons that surround him. Vanquish from me all evil spirits and bind their hands and feet, may they never reach me, shut their mouths so they may never speak to or on me. O Glorious spirit of the Congo, with you at my side I shall defeat all my enemies and with your strength I shall overcome all obstacles and opposition. With your sublime powers given to you by God, I ask that you aid me in my daily necessities. Guard my home against envy, hate, jealousy, bad luck, witchcraft and all that is evil. Free me from all negative forces. I light this candle in your honor, and ask that you illuminate my path. As it is, So it is done. AMEN!
