Customer Reviews

The Altar of My Soul: The Living Traditions of Santeria

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dr Vega gives an excellent and spellbinding account of her journey to Santeria. She dispels the myth that African based religions are withcraft or "paganist", forcing the reader to re-examine ideas of blindly accepting western religious practices without asking some serious questions.A must read for any student of religion and/or religious history.

Just wanted to make known that this book didn't give me the information I was looking for and expected when I purchased it. While it is a fine memoir and description of the author's personal experience, what I was looking for was a more straightforward presentation of the basics of the the religion. While the book does contain this information woven through the narrative, I tired of wading through pages and pages of minute details of the author's personal life (including such minutia as the exact addresses of former residences) to reach the kernals of wisdom I was seeking. I finally gave up and went searching for another book. On the other hand, if what you are looking for is a story of one woman personal discovery of the Santeria religion, this is a good book to read.

This is a fine book. My only criticism is that I could use more detailed discussion of the rites and practices of Santeria, and less on personal family interaction, history and issues.

Santeria is clearly a very beautiful religion, and in my opinion quite scientific. Dr. Vega's work is yet another step in helping to dispel the vilification and demonization of a religion that has its roots in Ifa, one of the oldest religions known to Africans.

Unfortunately, much detail is left out of this book - probably too much, making the author somewhat conspiratorial in maintaining the secrecy that surrounds the religion, hence the perpetration of negative stereotypes by outsiders who just do not understand or know sufficient about the religion. While providing a glimpse into the world of the Santero, the book stops short of providing the would-be new practitioner of more detailed information necessary in making the decision to follow the path.

One of the more important points extolled by this book is that there are many paths toward spiritual enlightenment and Santeria is just one of them. There is no criticism of the other paths, but for those who choose Santeria, it's a wonderful connection to the Divine. An old and loved Cuban Santero, Ma Mina, is quoted in the book as making the following reference to her Chinese husband. "The divinities of the Chinese community are very similar to the orishas. People like to argue about the differences between the orishas, the catholic saints, and the Chinese divinities. For me they are different roads to the same destination." WELL SAID MA MINA.

I am so happy to not only have read this book, but also to own it! I could personally relate to Dr. Vega's experiences as Santeria has been "hidden" in my family for quite some time now. I enjoy this book so much that I have purchased it for my extended family and friends. It has helped them to understand me and my way of life.
This book was very positive, and was meant to be a personal narrative on Dr. Vega's journey through La Regla de Ocha. So anyone who is looking for a book on ebbos or trabajos, etc., well, you are going to have to keep looking-this book ain't it!
This book touched my soul, and I love re-reading it whenever the mood hits me. Dr. Vega also personally e-mailed me concerning a small issue I had with a santero, and she was able to advise me on how to handle the situation. I was deeply touched that she was able to help me despite her busy schedule. As she is a child of Obatala, her advice was wise and practical and helpful. I am grateful to her for her advice and her beautiful words in her book. I can only hope that she will one day write another wonderful book about our religion. As an omo-Oshun, I am extremely happy with this book. Modupe Dr. Vega! Alafia.

Dr. Vega's book is a rhapsodous account of her spiritual trek. As someone who is in the process of undergoing initiatings into the faith, it is enlightening to read an account of what it was like for another. A great text! From an omo-Chango to a daughter of Ayaguna, I applaud work! Bendicion, Dr. Vega

As a devotee and priest within this religion, I am always fascinated by the stories of others and how they became a part of it. Iya Vega paints a realistic portrayal of her upbringing within New York's Spanish Harlem, detailing her relationship with her grandmother and her connection with her Afro Puerto-Rican heritage and allowing the reader the opportunity to experience what her life was like. This is not a How-To book of Santeria, but the story of one woman's life and her spiritual awakening to the tradition of her ancestors, although there is information about the faith. It is but one of many stories that needs to be told.

This book, I highly recommend to everyone, even my baba [Father]

Not only is it a tattling read for people of all races but its beyond inspirational.

Marta's life has been a fantasizing path full of spiritual growth, understanding, travel and knowledge, a very charmed life.
In this book she not only stresses the impotents of traditional rituals, she also explains why it is important for Rites, knowledge, ancestor worship among many others with out being stuck up.

This book will fill you in to things you may not have known, and forces you to see small and large aspects of the religion in a whole new light.
When this book first arrived I was not thinking I would get hooked as fast as it did, but once I started reading, the content grabbed a hold of me and I was unable to put the book down, I read form beginning to end none stop and I know you will do the same.

The books message is also very important to woman and the roles woman carry within Santeria.
Be strong; be loving but most of all love you're self and what you do.
The book talks about just how important woman are, unlike some books that more or less praise men all around.

Wonderfully well written and styled - The detail is strong but not over powering where the writing becomes dull.
The details are just right, and the wonderful thing is: You can feel her though her words. She writes from the depth of her soul and enlightened mind, and it comes through the pages as bright as the sun.

You will be left with a cool claim mind, and a bigger and brighter out look on all things.

I highly recommend this book for everyone includeding those who don't know what Santeria is, like your friends and family- this book will help them understand so much.
This book is not just for people who are new to Santeria, but for everyone, young and old.

Ashe.

Happy reading.

A candid view of a day in the life of a santera,practioner. I appreciate her honesty about her experience. I love her viewpoints about the Orishas the "Saints" or forces of nature and how we can all get along being in or out of the "Religion".Its very important to stay positive in this world and her experiences show that there is hope when you connect with the world and see with spiritual eyes.

I like the fact that Vega is telling of her experience, from being a skeptic to becoming initiated into Santeria. this is a good book for those interested in the religion, but it's not in depth and left me yearning for more.

Dr. Vega has set an important example for all authors of the various Orisha traditions. She wrote a book on her life experiences not just within her Initiated Rama of Cuban Oricha Lucumi, but also on her experiences with Brazilain Orixa Candomble, and West African Yoruba Orisa Worship. No where in her book does she mention, how her path is the right way. Instead she writes on how it is important to unify all the various paths of Orisha worship. The Body can not run without the legs, and this is what the various Orisha worships are, one part of a whole body, and each one needs the other to survive.

I recommend this book to all that have minimal experience or knowledge of the Orisha religions. This is one of those books that I recommend, because of the beauty and sincerity behind the story. This is not one of those "How To" books on Santeria that is the latest trend, but a memoir of a Priestess of the Orisha tradition.