The Altar of My Soul by Marta Moreno Vega

Author:Marta Moreno Vega [Vega, Marta Moreno]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-56710-9
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2000-09-22T04:00:00+00:00

A Message from My Elders

In our first session, Elpidio gave me a small, smooth, flat stone, piedra de rayo—a lightning stone. It is believed that these are the stones that Shangó hurls to Earth from heaven when he is angry. The second gift was a double-headed ax, covered with red and white beads, the symbol that represents Shangó in his path as a warrior. He advised that I place the ax in a prominent location in my home and always carry the piedra de rayo to protect me from the wrath of war. He cautioned me to remember that we all carry the warrior spirit of Shangó; therefore, we must learn to control and direct our tempers effectively in order to win our personal wars.

Before my initiation, I collected small stones that possessed a special attraction for me. Wherever I traveled, somehow I would find a stone that seemed to carry a “special something.” On the beach of Loíza Aldea, I found a beautiful polished black stone that I treasure to this day. In Bahia, I found a piece of coral that reminds me of the African rhythms that permeate that beautiful city. During my sessions with my mentors, I came to understand that there are stones that are alive; when they are part of ritual ceremonies, they become sacred symbols of the orishas. It is important to bring natural elements into your home. Seashells, rocks, flowers, plants, and similar items bring nature’s positive energy into a home.

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