Ellis C.A. Arcwolf (Author)In both the Yoruban (Lucumí) and Celtiberian traditions, the door is the threshold—the interface between the public (the Material World) and the private (The Sovereign/"Ellis").
In the Lucumí tradition, the entrance is the domain of Elegguá, the Orisha who opens and closes paths. Additionally, while traditional Jewish homes place a Mezuzah on the doorpost, Crypto-Jews (conversos like my paternal family) often hid their sacred objects behind doors or within the internal structure of the entrance to avoid detection by the Inquisition. Moreover, Celtiberian castros (fortified hill-forts) were designed with complex, narrow gateways, and warriors were stationed specifically at the gate to ensure that anyone entering was meant to be there.
For these reasons and more, I'm delighted to have finally moved my bóveda to my room and placed it behind my door on my dresser. Now it's perfect. 💜
Elegguá, Anú, and my ancestors (Egun) can now watch over me while I sleep and work. 😻
The bóveda points outwards, with the open end kinda towards my bed. It was the best I could do in terms of facing it "towards the door." I partially wish I could curve it a little bit, but the arrow is all > and no —. 😛
Anyway, syncretism rocks, and I love how wildly diverse my ancestors were. I wish I'd learned any of this way earlier in life, but I'm happy and grateful to know it all now. 😊
#Lucumi #Santeria #Celtiberian #CryptoJewish #Sephardic #Yoruba #Eleggua #Anu #Egun #Ancestors #Syncretism #Boveda #Threshold #LiminalSpace #FolkMagic #HomeAltar #Sovereignty
Nina Zina
The Stone Studio
