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
I needed to leave home earlier this morning, but couldn't find my keys.😳 I tore up the house and eventually spotted a random grocery bag and picked it up. It had my keys!!! I thanked my #egun 🕯 for always whispering when I need them. I hail from Sanctified people who thanked the Holy Spirit for everything, so now I wonder how they feel about my shift.
Just some thoughts as I listen to #LifeKit on #NPR.
I feel like the #ancestors are doing a thing. I hope so.
When you notice the little bits of food set aside, try not to comment or inquire loudly. #AncestorVeneration has had to survive so far under our masks that we either practice without knowing or know the practices without talking about them.
At any rate, "pour out a little liquor" -2Pac an nem, light a candle, and set a little dinner to the side for your ancestors🕯, especially the Native American ones🕯, especially today.
Y'all be good, nah.💖
(2/2)