Nature's Ancient Religion: Orisha Worship & Ifa [Paperback]

Charles Spencer King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2008

6/1/2011  # 3 "Orisha" book on Amazon & # 7 "IFA" book on Amazon

 Nature's Ancient Religion is 50% autobiography of the author's spiritual journey from cynic to Babalawo with Wanaldo. His rank in the world's seventh largest religion (175,000,000) is on par with a Catholic Arch Bishop. The author describes each step or level of his rise in Havana, Cuba. Readers are treated to the unique flavor of the forbidden island too. 50% is authoritative narrative of religions including: Catholicism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, indigenous and African. Anthropology is discussed including the 2007 Haplogroup mapping that is so important . Fresh pataki ( legends) are introduced, shrines honoring the Orishas are described. Core concepts of Ashe (Nature's energy), Odu, Ancestors, Dead, dreams and divination are probed and explained. The increasing role of women is discussed as well as racial tensions. Nature's Ancient Religion has 22 pages of Orisha worship book reviews, a glossary, index and the illustrations of Victorio Evelio Cué Villate.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mr. King is the Cuba expert who has spent at least three months a year on the forbidden island since 1993. He's an author and lecturer on Cuba who specializes in Cuban culture, history, religion and US- Cuban relationships. He holds the rank of Babalawo with Wanaldo in the Afro - Cuban religion of Orisha worship. Literary offerings include: "Traveling Lite" an 88 page travelogue of a father and son golf trip to England and Wales in 2000. The pair plays 22 fine courses with no lodging, golf or transportation reservations over their five week trip."Fidel's Story" is a screenplay for theater or film with Fidel Castro talking to the American public in his trademark fashion. This history lesson is quite an eye opener. Fidel's Story is currently optioned to a major Hollywood production house. "Nature's Ancient Religion" is a unique look at the Afro - Cuban religion. It is unique in that it is an autobiographical narrative, sharing the nuts and bolts of the world's seventh largest religion. Unlike most offerings in its category, it is written for those outside the religion. NAR chronicles Mr. King's spiritual journey from skeptic to high priest. It is full of humor, discussions and observations about Orisha worship and IFA. 328 packed pages include a 22 page discussion on major offerings by contemporary authors of Orisha worship. Abundant original artwork, glossary and an index provide easy referencing. Orisha worship is Nature's original "green" or environmentally friendly religion. "Havana: My Kind of Town" is a 300 page offering that shares the true flavor of Havana and Cuba in general. Much like a streetwise travel journal, it provides insight from an insider's viewpoint. Humorous stories, discussions and experiences reveal Cuba's rich cultural history. Havana: My Kind of Town is not a travel guide, but it is the second book anyone should buy before visiting the island. Release date: December 2008 Spencer is an avid and approachable Blogger on Sulekha.com, India's largest website (Sulekha means "good writing" in Hindi). He is a native Chicagoan who now lives in Nogales, Arizona and Havana, Cuba. He's an avid golfer with a handicap of 9 who plays out of the Havana Golf Club. He is divorced and available for lectures or appearances. Spencer can be contacted on Facebook or through his Blog on Sulekha where his handle is "bilingual". He is currently working on the Spanish and Portuguese editions of Nature's Ancient Religion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (October 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440417334
• ISBN-13: 978-1440417337
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,113,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mr. King is a Cuba expert who has spent at least three months a year in
Cuba since 1993. The author, contributor, lecturer and Blogger's
literary offerings include: "Fidel's Story" a screenplay for theater or
film. Fidel Castro shares the Cuban perspective of history and US -
Cuban relations. (Optioned)

"Nature's Ancient Religion"(2008) a 328 page look at the Afro - Cuban
religion. The book provides a keen insight into the world's seventh largest
religion (175,000,000) of Orisha worship and IFA. Nature's Ancient Religion
is the original "green" or environmentally friendly religion. Learn key concepts of this ancient religion of the Yoruba of West Africa. Follow the author's journey from step by step from skeptic to a Babalawo with Wanaldo ( on par with a senior Arch Bishop or junior Cardinal). Read how this religion compares with the other major religions and ways of life of our world. Understand the major concepts of The Dead, Ancestors, Ase (Ache), and many of the venerable Orishas. IFA Be introduced to IFA divination system and Odu as well as traditional and recently discovered Pataki (Yoruba legends). This book was created for those new to and outside the world of Orisha worship & IFA, so it is easy to understand in simple terms. (Oct 2011) currently # 2 Orisha book on Amazon and *7 IFA publication. Also available in Spanish. (Hay version espanol)

"Havana: My Kind of Town"(2009) is 332 page offering that shares the true
flavor of Havana and Cuba in general. Reading like a streetwise travel journal
the book shares an insider's view of the forbidden island. Armed with "Moon
Cuba" AND Havana My Kind of Town, travelers will cover all the bases
and get the best bang for their buck. This book is for explorers who
want freedom and independence as opposed to a sterile all - inclusive
trip. King's forthright and humorous offering can be read as an auto-
biography or used effectively as a guidebook.

Spencer is a native Chicagoan who now lives in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico six blocks from the US border in the high desert of the Santa Cruz mountains,
and Havana, Cuba. He is accessible to his readers on Facebook OR Twitter via message or many groups. He is an avid golfer and member of The Havana Golf
Club. King is single and available for lectures or appearances. He is currently working on "The Adventures of Asabi and Ropo" (2012)
Asabi and Ropo are historical novels following the exploits and
education of two unique children raised by Orishas. The Afro- Cuban
Orishas are immortal, guardians of nature's elements and have exciting
powers. Each adventure finds our pair discovering history, Orishas and
religion. Book two leads off with Asabi and Ropo at fifteen years old and
traveling with the Orisha Shango (thunder, dance) and Oya (wind).The
setting is The Black Hawk War in 1831 where chief Black Hawk and a
young Abe Lincoln are on opposite sides. The duo learns about Native
American religion. Soon they are off to north India with new Orishas to
learn about Catholicism from a young nun (Mother Teresa).Next up is
Mahatma Gandhi and Hinduism set in an Ashram in the early 1930's.
Later, to Tibet in 1959 aiding the Dalai Lama escape the invading
Chinese. Each adventure is a small book where readers explore an important culture, it's religion and encounter embellished historical events while in the company of various Orishas and Asabi & Ropo.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, February 8, 2009

By 

Awo1 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nature's Ancient Religion: Orisha Worship & Ifa (Paperback)

Books written by Lukumi Babakawos are a rare event but this book makes for an even rarer event due to the fact that the author's first language is English. The great irony is that the author's great paternal grandfather was Head of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland!

This book is informative in a variety of ways but principally in the semi autobiographical manner that it discusses the stages of evolution from the author as a disinterested Aleyo to his initiation, as a Babalawo. The basics of Orisha worship are covered in a competent and interesting manner that is good for beginners.

Along the way we get glimpses into the current state of affairs in Cuba leading up to his initiations. As a "Yuma" (Virtually expatriate American living in Cuba), he is writing with a degree of inside knowledge into the current state of affairs that many expatriate Cubans no longer have access to. The author is at pains to state throughout that he is a new Babalawo that is repeating aspects of his elder's teachings but makes a decent effort to introduce the orisha from a standpoint that only a Babalawo can truly make. Unfortunately here lies my only criticism is that I disagree with the gender assigned to certain orisha such as Odudua for example, but if this agrees with the teaching of his house then so be it. The essence of the underlying message in the Pataki quoted, for me remains intact.

The final chapter is a frank discussion on the popular current books available in the USA on the religion.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Havana!!!, November 18, 2008

By 

Phillip Schmitt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nature's Ancient Religion: Orisha Worship & Ifa (Paperback)

Excellent read!!! I'm a keen follower of environmental issues, not very religious but spiritual. I bought this book because I liked the book cover LOL. I'm glad I did. I liked it so much that I am writing my first review here. The concepts are neat(cept for sacrifice). The respect the religion has for nature is something I like. I wish we as Americans could vacation in Cuba as a tourist. I feel like I am getting screwed by my government not letting me visit. I felt I was in Havana with Mr. King at his ceremonies. Five Stars is my rating.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great introductory read, May 31, 2011

By 

Davi Sosa - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nature's Ancient Religion Orisha worship & IFA (Kindle Edition)

I didnt know what I expected from this book which was purchased for me April 16th for my Ocha birthday, a completion of my time as a new initiate into the Orisa priesthood of Oshun. I dived into this wonderful book written from a logical intelligent perspective and personal experience. The story telling is heartfelt and authentic and without diving into secrets of our process the book is still educational and inspiring.