When one get to gain wisdom realizes that the greatest truths are the simplest. The depth lies in the heart of the ideas and energy. This is demonstrated in the concept and understanding of the nature of the Yoruba and the foundation of the Yoruba Religion. Every aspect of nature exhibits a constant and dynamic movement designed to achieve and maintain balance. A storm dissipates excess heat, earthquakes tectonic eliminate excessive pressure, hours of day and the night brought the awakening or resting trees, plants and animals in a habitable environment.

The Yorubas seen, felt and understood the power and necessity of this balance. When for a short period, nature was out of control, either due to drought, wildfires, floods, or excessive heat, the inhabitants of that area has suffered the consequences. It was only when nature dynamically corrected this imbalance of short duration that the safety and health were restored. They also noted another critical fact. All human beings on this planet come to their own balance as a result of the balance of nature.

At a basic level this is clearly understood. If crops are destroyed by drought, flood swept away the homes or our children impacted by shock, we suffer a great imbalance in our lives. When nature restores the balance, only then we can return to ours. But at another critical level, we also realize that as the energy of a storm could correct the imbalance caused by drought, fire or a forest to clean the place of dead trees so that new life will take place, that represents the symbiotic relationship of all living beings on this planet, the diverse energies of nature that allows to maintain or restore our own personal assessment as well.

They identified and named many of these energies. Called them Irunmole or Orishas. They became specialists in its many aspects. Intimately connected to specific aspects of nature and worked to effectively access and use this energy to restore or maintain balance in other humans. That helped balance our own natural connection and symbiotic relationship with the world in which we live. However, they never forgot that in the process of restoring or maintaining our own personal balance was just a bridge that allowed us to connect and reach a natural balance with the universe as a whole, of which we are a literal part.

Santeria is a syncretic religion of Caribbean origin, resulting from the union of the Yoruba religion with Catholicism, is also known as Regla de Ocha, Ifa. Their priests are known as Babalorichas, "Fathers of Orisha" and Iyalorichas, "Mothers of Orisha". The Orishas are a set of Gods of the Yoruba Religion, that the syncretic mix with Catholicism were given the name of Santos, so Santa Barbara syncretized with Chango, Yemaya with La Virgen de Regla, and so on. The Babalorichas and Iyalorichas are also known as Santeros or Santeras due at the end of Santeria. If you also work as diviners of the Orishas, are called Oriatés.

The highest rank within it have Santeria priests and priestesses of Ifa. Both priests and priestesses of Ifa receive Orunmila who is the Orisha of Prophecy, Wisdom and Knowledge, this is syncretized with St. Francis of Assisi. The Ifa priests are known as Babalawos which means "Father who knows the secrets" and priestesses as Iyanifa or "Mother of Destiny", they can perform all functions and ceremonies except IGBA deliver or look Iwa Odu. Women also are introduced as Appetebi Ifa, "Wife of Orunmila. The most popular Orishas in Santeria are Elegua, Ogun, Ochosi, Oshun, Chango, Oya, Obatala, Yemaya and Orula.

Santeria worship one God, a central entity, which created all that exists, which we call Oloddumare. Oloddumare in the world is expressed through the extension of himself, which left everything there and it all must return, this is called Ashe. Ashe is the absolute basis of reality, is the current divine that expresses the power of God in everything around us is invisible cosmic force that comes from the Creator.

Santeras Santeros and we believe that our life has been chosen by ourselves before birth, but when it comes to the earthly plane many times we deviate from our goals by the peculiarities of our environment. To achieve a communion with our guardian angel, and come with more ease and fewer obstacles to these goals we have already decided in advance is coming to help the Orishas and the ceremony of crowning Santo, where the Saints through its Oracle advise us and guide us to our destination.

Saints or Orishas are extensions Oloddumare also, are the protectors of mankind, from birth and each Orisha has chosen us to be our protector, or Guardian Angel. Knowing who is our guardian angel carries a ceremony through the oracle of Ifa babalawos or the high priests of Santeria are known by us which we were elected Orisha. We often have similar characteristics to our guardian angel and the children of Chango, the warrior god, are characterized by their courage and sense of justice.

Santeria: A religion where syncretized Yoruba Religion and Catholicism.

Read more: The Santeria