#maría lionza

[lasaraconor]

María Lionza

[elhoimleafar]

How do your dreams sound? How does your magic feel and sound? 😌🐈‍⬛🌄

One of my goals writing Dream Witchery was keeping it authentic and personal, but also real and faithful to the culture and history it represents.

The aroma of star anise, rosemary, chamomile, mint, cinnamon, kava kava, and orchids burning everyday over a piece of charcoal in the corner's cauldron, that was the essential spirit of the book bringing with it inspiration and motivation day after day, and occasionally camphor to refresh memory and properly clarify memories.

When you have Dream Witchery in your hands it feels like a bunch of wet earth from the edge of the Orinoco River in your hands, when you pick it up from the table it feels like a large, light rock from the bottom of the Segura River in Cartagena.

Those shades of orange on the cover they have that look that is reminiscent of the houses in the old villages of Peru, Cuba and Colombia, when the houses have been painted for so many years that you feel the color change in the cracks, but even so the families do not paint the houses because these were many times painted by their grandparents collecting money for weeks to be able to make these humble changes.

The subtle changes in the Orange cover remind me so much of the color of the burning fathoms at the edge of the Montana de Sorte (Cerro María Lionza) river where the brujas gather after that long two-day journey to honor the queen goddess of the land, It also reminds me of those amazing soups made over burning wood every Sunday afternoon at the Embalse la Mariposa, where my mother, as well as many brujas of the Capital in later years, usually brought their clients to perform spiritist sessions, and aromatics baths with flowers and essences in the river to honor Oshún & Our Golden Lady of Charity 💛

That dancing snake surrounded by moons that reminds me of how our ancestors, Hispanics, Indigenous natives, Europeans, and Afro-Caribbeans living on the coasts mixed with each other and constantly changed their skin, just like us, as well as all the witches in modernity, we constantly change our skin and adapt to everything that comes for us.

Those moons around are a subtle and wise reminder to always keep me grounded, remind me to be a child sitting over the hood of my dad's 1989 Chevrolet Classic just watching the stars and the moon all night and listening the drums coming from the house while everyone is dancing and singing all long night 😌

If you haven't read yet Dream Witchery 🌺 you can grab yours now in this link: https://amzn.to/4aPNCLd or in your favorite local bookstore.

#dreamwitch #indigenouswisdom #tribe

[1001-is-a-lot-of-albums]

Day 3 Part 1!

Today I listened to The Afghan Whigs's "Gentlemen, Willie Colon & Ruben Blades' "Siembra," and Soundgarden's "Superunknown."

"Gentlemen": 7/10 - A great grunge album and the lyrics and vocals were great. Favorite songs were Gentlemen, What Jail Is Like, and My Curse. One of my favorite albums so far. I loved the experimental use of guitars and I think it was an amazing album. Will definitely be listening to more of their discography.

"Siembra": 8/10 - Better than ANYTHING I was expecting!! Favorite songs were Plástico, María Lionza and Siembra. I loved the use of horns and percussion. Definitely a great introduction into Latino music for me. The songs had some of the best baselines I've heard.

"Superunknown": 7.5/10 - Didn’t think I’d like heavish metal but this album was very good. Favorite songs were My Wave, Fell On Black Days, Mailman, and This album’s totally a headbanger and I recommend that everyone should listen to at least ONE song off of this album.

Part 2 out soon :P

[isobellabelladonna]

There are a lot of cultures mixing there because of its location. Someone there taught me about the cult of María Lionza which is based in Venezuela. She is a part of a trinity herself.

[julio-viernes]

Justo dentro de un mes, 7 de septiembre, se cumplirá el 46 aniversario de la edición de "Siembra" de Willie Colon y Rubén Blades, obra maestra absoluta de la música latina y un renacimiento para la salsa cuando se encontraba en franca decadencia. El cantante y compositor panameño y el trombonista del Bronx criado en Puerto Rico parieron en 1978 su deslumbrante disco de la "salsa intelectual", cuajado de números magníficos como "Plástico", "María Lionza", la propia "Siembra", "Buscando Guayaba"... y, sobre todo, la sensacional e inmortal "Pedro Navaja", una de las mejores canciones de todos los tiempos, no sólo latina, sino en general. Una expresiva historia de asesinato urbano entre un malandro y una prostituta fantásticamente narrada, que Gabriel García Márquez hubiera deseado escribir. "Navaja" se inspiró en la célebre "Mack The Knife" - popularizada en 1955 por Louis Armstrong , y, sobre todo, en 1959 por Bobby Darin-, que a su vez era una versión de "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer", de Kurt Weill y Bertolt Brecht (popular en la voz de Lotte Lenya) para el drama musical de 1928, "The Threepenny Opera ("Die Dreigroschenoper").

Subo dos vídeos, uno sensacional en directo en los años 80 con Blades y su grupo Seis del Solar en plena efervescencia, recordando con gracia y estilo ese "Mack The Knife" primigenio (en concreto el de Darin), y por supuesto, con la cita final a "America" de "West Side Story" de Leonard Bernstein. El segundo es la versión en estudio - la historia, el meollo de la letra- de Pedro Navaja, dramatizada para la TV mejicana en 1980.

[noticlip]

La Montaña de Sorte recibió el “Mara de Diamante”

La Fundación Mara de Oro de Venezuela e Internacional este 2024 continúa premiando “lo mejor de lo mejor”, como parte de las actividades en el marco del Sextoagésimo Noveno Aniversario, realizando una Entrega Especial Histórica desde el Monumento Cerro María Lionza la máxima distinción: “Mara de Diamante”, otorgada este año considerado Patrimonio Inmaterial de la Humanidad.  “Para esta…

[keyboardinpain]

Culto de María Lionza

[espanquer]

Pedro Centeno Vallenilla .(1899-1988) Sketch for a slave in ‘Maria Lionza’ picture. María lionza is a Venezuelan goddess

Pedro Cebreno Vallenilla: Nude Study (1940s)

[magica-pseudoacademica]

From a historical perspective, the origin of the figure of María Lionza and her cult is still unclear. Everything seems to indicate, however, that this belief stems from ceremonies that the inhabitants of present-day Venezuela held in honor of female deities - deities associated with water, animals, and the forces of nature - before the arrival of the Spaniards. Later, these beliefs blended with Catholicism and with the rituals brought over by West African slaves. The cult has received strong influences from Allan Kardec's Spiritism, Cuban Santería, Umbanda, and Haitian Voodoo, among other religious practices. Despite its close connection with Venezuela, the belief in and worship of María Lionza has spread, in recent decades, to other South American and Caribbean countries - such as Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico - as well as to the United States and Europe, in particular Spain. The presence of the cult on the Internet is overwhelming, and so is the use that believers make of new technologies such as smartphones and social networks.

Roger Canals, “Studying Multi-Modal Religions: Migration and Mediation in the Cult of María Lionza (Venezuela, Barcelona, Internet)” (2018)

[torrid-wind]

Maria Lionza religion devotee during ritual. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy State, Venezuela, 2004 - photo by Cristina García Rodero

Devotees of the María Lionza religion, a mix of Catholic, West African and other customs, make a pilgrimage each October to Sorte Mountain in Yaracuy State, Venezuela, home of the high altar to the religion's central figure.

(***Click image or title link to view in higher resolution***)

[kalamity-jayne]

Ok soooo here's a non exhaustive reading list for anyone who might be interested:

The Possession at Loudun by Michel de Certeau (covers the historical events on which the movie The Devils is very loosely based).

Medusa’s Hair by Gananath Obeyesekere (a little over reliant on Freud but not without valuable insights)

Wombs and Alien Spirits by Janice Boddy (highly recommend)

The Mind Possessed by Emma E. A. Cohen

Spirit Possession: Modernity and Power in Africa

Channel-Surfing: Media, Mediumship, and State Authority in the María Lionza Possession Cult (another one of my faves)

Embodying Colonial Memories: Spirit Possession, Power, and the Hauka in West Africa by Paul Stoller

They Know Us Better Than We Know Ourselves: The History and Politics of Alien Abduction by Bridget Brown

Deliverance From Evil Spirits: A Practical Guide by Francis MacNutt (this one is good if you want some ironic laughs. It’s not annthropology, its a Christian’s guid to dealing with evil spirits contains advice like, “don’t use Ouija boards cause you can be possessed by demons.”)

There's so many more I'd love to list but I don't want to go any more overboard with infodumping about this particular hyperfixation.

Siiiiiiix

Here is the film I mentioned: Les Maîtres Fous/The Mad Masters Like I said, I couldn't find a free version with the English Subtitles, but you'll still be able to see the things I'm describing.

Also one lil correction, it had been ages since I last watched the film and in the audio I said they went out into the bush but they actually do the ritual in the village.

I'll reblog this post again later with some additional reading material if you happen to become interested in the subject but for starters here's the latest book by the professor I mentioned.

[kachimera]

Brand of catholicism that goes "depending on the current pope im either gonna chill out and be nice or run into the woods with the pagan goddess until the next one"

[jamesbarnesbestgirl]

Una Noble Reina - Chapter 1

Summary: 

K'uk'ulkan’s mother knew her son was special from the moment he was born. It wasn’t until she realized that he was aging at a far slower pace that she felt a deep sadness for her son. She turned to Chaac, who had blessed her shaman with the vision that saved her people, for solace that her son would know happiness and love. Chaac bestowed upon her the knowledge that when the time was right her son would meet his match in a woman with K'áak'o' tu yicho'ob (fire in her eyes). 

Nearly 500 years later K'uk'ulkan is faced with the startling reality of his own mortality in the aftermath of the defeat at the hands of Shuri. With relations with Wakanda improved but still strenuous, K’uk’ulkan turns his focus to strengthening Talokan by any means necessary. While recovering from the battle he is reminded of his promised match and sets on a path to find her.

CHAPTER 1 - Nos despedimos con un saludo

Notes: 

The inspiration of this story is very loosely based around the Venezuelan legend of María Lionza (also referred to as Yara) the goddess of nature, love, peace and harmony. 

I have not written a fanfic in quite some time so please be gentle. 

The only specific physical description that I plan on writing into this fic is going to be that the reader has central heterochromia in both eyes. This is a genetic condition in which an individual has two eye colors, with a primary base color and a secondary color in a ring around the pupil. The base color is up for your personal interpretation, but the inner ring is described as a ring of fire in the reader's eyes. The reader is also aprox. 27 years old. 

Present Day - Orlando, FL

The world was going to shit. At least, that’s what you thought as you walked away from your advisor's office back towards your own. Ever since the second alien invasion of earth (that you were aware of at least) had whipped out half the planet only for everyone to be brought back five years later, your life had been slowly imploding. 

First your entire family had been snapped away, leaving you to fend for yourself and grow as a person on your own. Now, a year after they had returned, your PhD advisor dumps the fact that the University is redistributing all research funds for her lab towards vibranium research. Thus, leaving her without a way to fund research and you without a clear path forward to obtaining your PhD.

“That purple demon should have just done us the mercy of snapping everyone out of existence. At least that way our lives wouldn’t be falling apart.” You said begrudgingly as you sat down at your desk.  Hiding your head in your arms in the process. 

 “You too, huh?” your friend and fellow former PhD candidate Itzel said. “It could be worse. They are at least granting us a masters for the work we’ve already completed.” She said placing her hand on your shoulder in a comforting gesture. 

“Yayyy…” you say unenthusiastically waving your finger in the air without lifting your head. You take a few deep breaths to gather your feelings before sitting up in your chair. “I guess I will just start tutoring full time while I’m job hunting.” You said, attempting to smile. 

“You know, my mother is the principal at the local elementary school in my hometown.  A few days ago when I spoke with her she mentioned that they are looking for an English teacher.” Iztel stated, while fully turning to face you. “I’m sure if I ask she would be happy to get us both jobs at the school. Plus, aren't you always saying you want to improve your spanish? What better way to do that than to move to Mexico?” She added enthusiastically. 

“Supongo que eso podría funcionar. Un cambio de escenario debería hacerme bien.” you responded after careful consideration with a smile. 

“Perfecto!” Itzel exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “I will speak to my mother tonight and then you can come over on the weekend and we can figure out the details.”

Feeling a renewed sense of hope you nodded in agreement. You finally turned towards your computer ready to get back to work for the day. 

Present Day - Talokan - Underwater Cavern

K'uk'ulkan was agitated. He was still attempting to wrap his head around his loss to Shuri. He had clearly underestimated her hunger for vengeance. Luckily for him and his people she had shown mercy at the eleventh hour. The loss was making him face a reality he was not expecting. That maybe, despite his best efforts, Talokan was not ready to fully protect herself from the surface world. Remaining hidden was becoming more difficult year after year. The tentative alliance that stemmed from the conflict with Wakanda would only act as a temporary solution to his dilemma. He needed a stronger way to ensure his people's safety. But how? 

“You’re doing it again.” stated Namora, as she entered his hut. 

“Doing what?” he asked, still lost in his thoughts. 

“Sulking.” she voiced. “You are the one that assured me that this alliance is what is best. If that has changed…” She continued.

“It hasn't.” K'uk'ulkan cut her off, finally turning his attention to Namora. 

“Then what has you so troubled?” Namora asked, her concern for her cousin seeping through her voice. “I ask as your cousin, not as your general.” She proceeds to sit next to him and look at the mural he was previously mindlessly staring at. 

K'uk'ulkan turned to her and sighed. “I stand by that the alliance with Wakanda is what’s best for Talokan, but I will not lie and say my ego was not bruised by the defeat.” He admitted. “I underestimated the princess, underestimated her drive.” he turned back towards the mural. 

“The surface world will turn on Wakanda, and when they do Talokan will be their only ally. I just need to make sure we are ready. That if, when the dust settles and Wakanda turns on us, there will be no question as to who the final victor will be.” He turns back to Namora, his jaw set in determination. 

Namora sits there with him, letting his statements sink in. They sit in silence as Namora scans the murals her king had painted throughout the hut. Moments of his history, of the history of Talokan, captured in the beautiful traditional paintings. One mural caught her eye. Slightly obstructed from view, below the mural depicting his birth, was a figure. The small mural was of a woman, one wearing an intricate crown, her eyes full of fire. 

“What about Le Reina?” She asked, breaking her cousin's contemplation once again. His focus shifts the mural Namora is gazing at. 

“She doesn’t exist. I’ve spent years searching for her.” he scoffs slightly, turning away from the mural. 

“I’ve never known you to be one to give up.” Namora says with a raised brow, a small smirk pulling at her lips. 

“I haven’t given up.” he scoffs in offense. “Le Reina, my match, I have always assumed would be a mutant, like me. I would know if there was another mutant within the waters of Talokan.” he stated firmly. 

Namora sat in contemplation for a moment. “It sounds like there is one place you have yet to look.” She turned her gaze to the hut door. 

“The surface world?” he questioned. “You think the queen of Talokan is from the surface world?”

“Well, have you checked?” Namora countered back. 

They let the silence once again take over. It is true that he had never considered a surface dweller. K'uk'ulkan had expected his match to be born in Talokan from the day his mother had told him of his intended. He had spent the better half of a century after he had first come of age searching for her. After almost 300 years of no sign of her, he had all but given up. 

“The surface world is a large place.” he stated. 

“Then we better start looking.” Namora said. She stood up and turned to exit his hut. 

16th Century - Yaracuy, Venezuela

In the rainforest of Venezuela, in a small village along the Yaracuy river the chief of the village waited impatiently outside his home. He paced back and forth along the river embankment. He could hear the labor pains of his wife from within his home. After a particularly loud groan from within the home he began to pray to their mountain god for the safe delivery of his child. 

A few minutes went by and the chief finally heard the cry of his newborn child. After a few moments one of the village women, who had assisted during the birth ushered him inside to meet his new child. 

“My love, come meet our beautiful daughter.” His wife gestured towards him with an exhausted smile on her face. 

The chief knelt beside his wife and pushed back her sweat soaked hair in a loving gesture. “May I hold her?” he asked as he kissed his wife’s forehead and silently thanked the gods for a safe delivery. 

His wife carefully transferred their newborn daughter into his arms. “She needs a name.” she said while smiling at her child. 

“Yara. Our beautiful Yara.” He said with a smile as he gently held his beloved daughter. 

As the family began to bond with their new member the child slowly opened her eyes. Both parents paused their loving gestures and looked from their child to each other. The girl's eyes were unlike anything the chief had encountered. She had eyes as green as the rainforest with rings of fire surrounding her pupils. 

Present Day - Orlando, FL

After your initial talk with Itzel you had finished up work for the day. That weekend you had spent nearly 5 hours on facetime with your friend and her mother. As Itzel had predicted her mother was enthusiastic about the idea of you joining her school as their English teacher. 

Now, 3 months later, consolation masters done, you were packing up the last of your things for the move. You had sold all of your furniture, as it would have been far too expensive to move.

 “How long of a drive is it again?” you ask Itzel as she loaded her last bag into the back of your car. 

“44 hours if we were to drive straight through without stopping.” she said as she walked around to the front passenger side. 

“If we aim for about 8 hours a day we should get there by the end of the week.” you state as you enter the driver side of the car. Itzel was from the small coastal town of Sisal, just north of Mérida in the Yucatan province of Mexico. As you plugged in her family’s home address into your phone's GPS system you ensured that you could see out of the rear view mirror with the trunk pact full of your stuff. 

“We better get going then if we want to reach the panhandle by dark.” she says as she adjusts her seat. 

You pull away from your apartment and start the drive north. It was strange leaving the place you had called home for the last 6 years, but in saying goodbye you were saying hello to a new chapter of your life. 

Translations

Supongo que eso podría funcionar. Un cambio de escenario debería hacerme bien. - I guess that could work. A change of scenery should do me good.

[enchanted-moura]

It is no secret to anyone that José Gregorio Hernández is adored as a healer.

The doctor of the poor belongs to the animist cult of María Lionza —a polytheistic religion— and Afro-Cuban Santeria has a cult of José Gregorio, “popular religion” adores him.

A well-known shaman, who says she teaches people how to call on the spirit of the doctor to turn ordinary water into medicine, sells most of her Gregorio-related items to practitioners of Santeria, the Afro-Latino tradition that prevails in Latin American and Caribbean regions. In parts of Caracas, psychic healers offer the desperate the opportunity to be attended to by Hernández in person. - https://bottegadivina.blog/2015/03/03/jose-gregorio/

[unwelcome-ozian]

Hello, thanks for considering this ask.

- A woman on a beast. The woman is sometimes nude or partially clothed. The beast is usually a feral animal. Ever heard of this type of symbolism in programming?

It would depend on the belief system followed. For example;

There I saw a woman sitting on a red beast. The beast was covered with evil names. It had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and red. She was shining with the gold, jewels, and pearls that she was wearing. She had a golden cup in her hand. This cup was filled with terribly evil things and the filth of her sexual sin. 5 She had a title written on her forehead. This title has a hidden meaning.-Revelation 17

Princess Yara rides through the mountains on a tapir and often appears in them form of a blue butterfly. (María Lionza)

Oz