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lb_leeReading The Altar of My Soul: the Living Traditions of Santería, by Marta Moreno Vega, found this bit on spirit mediumship. Vega first found herself exploring Santería after the spirit of her deceased mother took hold of a medium during a ceremony and spoke to her. This comes afterward:
"Before leaving, we thanked Olga [the medium] for conducting the misa [ceremony]. Smiling shyly, she asked whether the session had accomplished its mission: to inform Javier's spirits of his initiation.
"It was at that moment I fully understood that, as a trance medium, Olga did not remember what occurred during the times when various spirits claimed her body. Olga asked for a detailed explanation of what had occurred during the session. [...] They talked about the spirits who had manifested during the session as if they were talking about old friends they held in common.
[...] She [another woman] complimented Olga upon having the authority to call on the spirit of my mother.
"'You started foaming at the mouth and rubbing the left side of your chest, calling out Marta's name,' Zenaida explained.
"'When she did this, I knew it was my mother,' I added.
"Then Olga asked me to confirm the accuracy of the information the spirit of my mother communicated. When I did so, their excitement was overwhelming. Ma Mina and Zenaida agreed that Olga had an extraordinary gift, as verified by her ability to be the conduit for my mother's spirit. Olga modestly responded that my mother's spirit had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to communicate with me.
"[...]
"Like many other espiritistas, Olga had at first attempted to avoid the responsibility of mediumship. However, the spirits eventually have their way. Olga explained that before she accepted the call, she was continuously ill and often disoriented, because the spirits would possess her in public places. 'Imagine going to the grocery store and waking up by a lake. The nearest lake is a two-hour bus ride. The orisha Ochun kept taking me to the lake, her home, asking me to initiate for health reasons.' Zenaida, understanding that I needed an explanation, added, 'Often the orishas claim you as their child because they want to give you health. To gain their protection, you are crowned with their aché. In these cases, the orisha is in your home to safeguard your well-being. The orisha understands that your gift is in the spiritual realm of mediumship.'
"[...]
"During the misa, five different spirits had possessed Olga's body. [...] One of Olga's spirits stormed through Olga's body, making her eyes open wide and bulge as if they were going to spring out of her head. [...] Complaining that he was not a woman, the spirit gathered Olga's wide skirt from back to front, creating a trouserlike effect. He flirted with some of the women and competitively challenged the men present, prancing around the room like a proud stallion. The spirit then turned to Javier, covered his head with the smoke of his cigar, and said, 'My son, I am your father, the orisha Shangó. You are strong and brave like me. You have nothing to fear as long as you respect me.' Embracing Javier tightly, the spirit then sat at the table, took another thirsty mouthful of rum, and left Olga's body." (101-103)
"Before leaving, we thanked Olga [the medium] for conducting the misa [ceremony]. Smiling shyly, she asked whether the session had accomplished its mission: to inform Javier's spirits of his initiation.
"It was at that moment I fully understood that, as a trance medium, Olga did not remember what occurred during the times when various spirits claimed her body. Olga asked for a detailed explanation of what had occurred during the session. [...] They talked about the spirits who had manifested during the session as if they were talking about old friends they held in common.
[...] She [another woman] complimented Olga upon having the authority to call on the spirit of my mother.
"'You started foaming at the mouth and rubbing the left side of your chest, calling out Marta's name,' Zenaida explained.
"'When she did this, I knew it was my mother,' I added.
"Then Olga asked me to confirm the accuracy of the information the spirit of my mother communicated. When I did so, their excitement was overwhelming. Ma Mina and Zenaida agreed that Olga had an extraordinary gift, as verified by her ability to be the conduit for my mother's spirit. Olga modestly responded that my mother's spirit had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to communicate with me.
"[...]
"Like many other espiritistas, Olga had at first attempted to avoid the responsibility of mediumship. However, the spirits eventually have their way. Olga explained that before she accepted the call, she was continuously ill and often disoriented, because the spirits would possess her in public places. 'Imagine going to the grocery store and waking up by a lake. The nearest lake is a two-hour bus ride. The orisha Ochun kept taking me to the lake, her home, asking me to initiate for health reasons.' Zenaida, understanding that I needed an explanation, added, 'Often the orishas claim you as their child because they want to give you health. To gain their protection, you are crowned with their aché. In these cases, the orisha is in your home to safeguard your well-being. The orisha understands that your gift is in the spiritual realm of mediumship.'
"[...]
"During the misa, five different spirits had possessed Olga's body. [...] One of Olga's spirits stormed through Olga's body, making her eyes open wide and bulge as if they were going to spring out of her head. [...] Complaining that he was not a woman, the spirit gathered Olga's wide skirt from back to front, creating a trouserlike effect. He flirted with some of the women and competitively challenged the men present, prancing around the room like a proud stallion. The spirit then turned to Javier, covered his head with the smoke of his cigar, and said, 'My son, I am your father, the orisha Shangó. You are strong and brave like me. You have nothing to fear as long as you respect me.' Embracing Javier tightly, the spirit then sat at the table, took another thirsty mouthful of rum, and left Olga's body." (101-103)
