Havana, 1 Jan. The Religious Institution “Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba” predicts an increase in diseases, crime and alcoholism by 2023, in addition to warning about a necessary change of mentality in favor of the development of new socioeconomic perspectives on the island.
A group of Cuban Santeria priests or “babalawos” met last New Year’s Eve at the Association’s headquarters in Havana and this January 1 they published the “Letter of the Year” with their predictions, one of the traditions rooted in the practitioners and believers.
THE PROPHECIES OF THE LETTER
The prophecies of the oracle of the Afro-Cuban religions contained in the letter or the sign that will govern this year, also presage natural disasters due to hurricanes, sea turmoil and river floods with economic and human losses.
They anticipate an increase in violent criminal activities and robberies, so it is recommended to take precautions with individual and state properties.
They view with concern the aging trend of the population that is left without the support of the youth due to the massive exodus registered in the last year and the consequent decrease in the birth rate.
They predict an increase in alcohol consumption in the population that generates social problems and consider that the damage associated with it should be more publicized.
They also alert about the education of children and youth, and warn of the exodus of teachers to other occupations.
OBATALA, THE RULING DEITY
Obatalá, the deity of creation, the major saint who looms large in Afro-Cuban Santeria, will be the ruling or ruling deity.
In Cuban Santeria it syncretizes with the Virgen de las Mercedes (for Catholics) and represents purity, the divinity of impossible causes, protector of the sick. She is recognized as the creator of the human being and for this reason the power to be the owner of all heads is attributed to her.
This time it will have Oshun, the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, the Patroness of Cuba in the Catholic religion, as its accompanying deity. According to her story, she is the owner of love and the sweet waters of the world, personifying love, fertility, the intensity of feelings and spirituality.
THE ORACLE RECOMMENDS
In Santeria, one of the most widespread syncretic cults in Cuba, each letter or sign comprises a story of the deities or “orishas” of the Yoruba pantheon, who speak for it and implicitly carries a general teaching or recommendation.
In 2023, among its recommendations, it includes resuming preventive health measures in the country as a priority to limit the proliferation of contagious diseases.
Likewise, it advises a change of mentality that facilitates development for new socioeconomic perspectives, as well as legally promoting internal economic possibilities in agro-industrial production.
And it alerts the authorities regarding the excessive use of biochemicals in food, fruits, sausages and food in general due to its harmful consequences for health.
SANTERIA IN CUBA
The syncretic cults, arrived in Cuba with African slaves in colonial times, are transmitted by oral tradition from one generation to another through prayers, rites, spells, magic formulas, proverbs, dances, songs, sacrifices and liturgies.
Santeria has one of its main practices in divination and among its own elements are snails, intended for the act of consultation, and the use of the so-called “foundation necklaces”, made with beads of the colors that characterize each deity. EFE
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Cuban santeros foresee diseases, natural disasters and crimes in 2023