Initiation: Ilekes and Warrior
A Journey has Many Steps
The power of initiation is felt on many levels. Initiation often celebrates
the culmination of one spiritual process—and a graduation to a more fully
realized state of being. Alternately, initiation also cleanses refreshes, prepares
and commits the initiate: it is the first step on a long and wonderful journey.
In Santeria there are many stages of initiation, each bringing us into more
perfect harmony and communion with the Orishas.
The Ilekes:
When one is called to serve
the Orisha’s, the Orisha’s will often move to confer their protection
and attention on a person by gifting them with the sacred banners of the religion—the
Ilekes. The Ilekes are a beautiful series of multi-colored beaded necklaces,
each patterned for the primary Orishas, Ellegua,
Obatala,
Yemaya,
Chango
and Oshun,
and they serve as a sacred point of contact with these Orishas. Through divination
the Orishas will request or advise one to receive the Ilekes.
The sacred beaded necklaces are ritually created, prepared, blessed, and empowered
by omiero (a powerful herbal elixir) and their strength is brought to life through
the spiritual strength of eje (ritually offered animal blood). They are bestowed
upon the initiate in a beautiful and meaningful one day ceremony performed by
a Santera or Santero that includes, among other things, ritual cleansings, songs,
invocations, blessings and divination. The ceremony releases the initiate from
the past and places him or her under the care and guidance of the Orishas. The
ritual of Ilekes refreshes one’s spirit. It’s an uplifting, life-altering
communion.
Receiving “The Warriors”
To “receive” an Orisha is a tremendous blessing to those who serve
and celebrate Them. Receiving an Orisha basically means that one is presented
with an earthly “body” into which the Orisha is literally physically/spiritually
present—a form and home for the Orisha’s spirit to dwell. The Orisha
is called and anchored into this object through many age-old rituals, performed
only by members of the Santeria and Ifa priesthood, and in the case of The Warriors,
by a Babalawo.
This Orisha “body” is often composed of the most sacred and secret
implements of the Orisha and their sacred stones (otanes) through which they
manifest their spiritual strength on earth. The result is believed to be the
actual physical manifestation of the Orisha—which is then introduced to
and conferred upon the initiate in a beautiful traditional ceremony. Many Orisha’s
can only be received during the asciento—the full ritual of Santeria priesthood—or
by an already fully initiated Santero. But there are exceptions. In fact, before
the asciento can even take place, one must receive the protection and guidance
of three of the most beloved and powerful Orishas-- Eshu,
Oggun, and Ochosi.
They, along with an enigmatic Orisha called Osun,
are “received” together in this manner in a ceremony we often call
simply “Receiving the Warriors”.
Receiving the Warriors is
a powerful experience. The initiate begins a formal and life-long relationship
with these Orisha’s--it provides a palpable doorway to their personalities
and power. Ifa teaches that The Warriors—Eshu,
Opener of the Roads, Oggun,
Lord of Iron, and Ochosi,
the Divine Hunter—devote their energies to protecting and providing for
the initiate on his path. When The Warriors are received and brought into the
initiate’s home, weekly ritual communion through simple offerings are
observed to properly serve and care for Them, which is important, for Their
ashe (power or life force energy) literally paves the way to a greater, a richer
experience of life and to a deeper understanding of the strength and beauty
of the religion of the Orisha’s.
