The Altar of My Soul: The Living Traditions of Santeria

By Marta Moreno Vega

Book Overview

Long cloaked in protective secrecy, demonized by Western society, and distorted by Hollywood, Santer a is at last emerging from the shadows with an estimated 75 million orisha followers worldwide. In... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 034542137X
• ISBN13: 9780345421371
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: One World
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Book!

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.

Learn as you go into this world.

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.

Excellent memoir

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.

Beautiful Autobiographical account

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