The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination: How to Cast the Diloggún, the Oracle of the Orishas - Softcover

Lele, Ócha'ni

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0892818107 ISBN 13: 9780892818105

Publisher: Destiny Books, 2000

Synopsis

The first book to provide complete, specific instructions on casting the Diloggún, the cowrie-shell oracle of the Orishas.

• Provides step-by-step instructions never before published, detailing requirements and procedure for casting the Diloggún.

• Includes a detailed “mojuba” or prayer used to awaken the Orishas (spirit entities) for divination.

• Devotes an entire chapter to each of the twelve basic Odu (random patterns in which the sixteen shells fall), providing ritual mechanics and oracular meanings for all possible castings.

The Afro-Cuban faith, known to outsiders as Santeria and to adherents as Las Reglas de Ocha de Los Lucumi, is not a static religion but a living conduit of energy for connecting the spirit world to our own. It came to the New World with the slave trade where it has evolved in response to the surrounding culture. For adherents of Lucumi, the Diloggún is the most important focus of worship: the sacred shells reveal the forces at play in an adherent's life. These forces are redefined and placated by the Orisha priest, who makes direct contact with the spirit world in an effort to help the adherent evolve.

While many books have been published about Santeria, The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination is the first to provide complete information on how to cast the Diloggún, including opening, reading, and closing the oracle, and how to give a comprehensive reading. With a detailed discussion about why each prayer is offered and insight into the metaphysical core of the religion, this book will bring those seeking the wisdom of the Diloggún closer to the living Orishas than they have ever been.

About this title

About the Author

Ócha’ni Lele (1966-2019) was immersed in the underground culture of Orisha worship in 1989. By 1995 he had received several initiations in both Santeria and the Congo faith Palo Mayombe and in 2000 he made Ocha and was crowned a priest of Oya.

From the Back Cover

DIVINATION / INDIGENOUS CULTURES The Afro-Cuban faith, known to outsiders as Santeria and to adherents as Las Reglas de Ocha de Los Lucumi, is not a static religion but is a living conduit of energy for connecting the spirit world to our own. It has roots in Africa, most specifically with the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, but came to the New World with the slave trade where it has evolved in response to the surrounding culture. For adherents of Lucumi the Diloggun is the most important focus of worship: the sacred shells reveal the forces at play in an adherent's life and these forces are redefined and placated by the orisha priest, who makes direct contact with the spirit world in an effort to help the adherent evolve. At the heart of New World orisha worship, the Diloggun is both an oracle and a guide on the long road to personal transformation. While many books have been published about Santeria, The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination is the first to provide complete information on how to cast the Diloggun, including instructions for opening, reading, and closing the oracle, as well as everything necessary for giving a comprehensive reading. With a detailed discussion about why each prayer is offered and insight into the metaphysical core of the religion, this book will bring those seeking the wisdom of the Diloggun closer to the living orishas than they have ever been. oCHA'NI LELE has been immersed in the underground culture of orisha worship since 1989. By 1995 he had received several initiations in both Santeria and the Congo faith Palo Mayombe. This year he made Ocha and was crowned a priest of Oya. He lives in Florida.

Reviews

Since the 1993 Supreme Court decision that vindicated their right to practice animal sacrifice, practitioners of Santer!aDor Lucum!, an Afro-Cuban religion based on ancient Yoruban practicesDhave come out into the open. Lele's book is the most thorough print version to date of the orally transmitted oracles as they are currently practiced by American babalawos (priests) and santeros (practitioners). Joseph Murphy's Santer!a: An African Religion in America (1988) and Luis Manuel N#$ez's Santer!a: A Practical Guide to Afro-Caribbean Magic (Spring Publns., 1995) provide the necessary introduction to the traditions covered here. Lele gives traditional readings for each casting of the cowrie shells used for divination. He lists the associated proverbs, the spirits that speak, and the message, prohibitions, and subreadings for each configuration of the shells. Missing are the traditional stories associated with the various oracle readings: these are promised in a future volume. A glossary and appendixes giving examples of readings enhance the book's usefulness for practitioners, scholars, and the curious alike. Recommended for academic and public libraries.DSteve Young, Montclair State Univ., NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Destiny Books
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0892818107
• ISBN 13: 9780892818105
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 424