People sometimes want to know what we mean by “religious practices” when referring to Santeria. Well, here’s an overview of practices that bring the orishas into the lives of practitioners and a few that anyone can do.

Tambores. These are the party-like celebrations that include ritual drumming and dancing. They are usually held to honor a particular orisha. Songs are played for each orisha, however, and any of them may choose to show up by possessing anyone who is present, though the initiated are the most likely to be mounted.

Initiations. Initiations into Ifá and Santeria are largely open to initiates only. Parts of these celebrations are open to non-initiate family members. The exceptions are tambores that are held during the week-long initiation into Santeria which are open to the community at large.

Feast Days. Some communities hold large celebrations honoring particular orishas on the assigned feast day of the corresponding Catholic Saint. For example, the New York community holds a celebration at the beach in Long Island on September 7 from Yemayá. These feast days are also celebrated with offerings of candles and fruits in the homes of the santeros initiated into an orisha’s mysteries.

Daily Life. Celebrating the Orishas is not something only done during ceremonies. Here are some ways to bring the spirit and energy of the orishas, the energetic manifestations of God, into your daily life.

Prayer. Of course, an obvious way to bring the orishas into your daily life is to pray. It could mean learning the Yoruba prayers for each orisha or reciting the ones you find on the backs of prayer cards for the Catholic saints. Or, it could simply be a matter of talking to orishas as people, out loud or during silent meditation. My godmother always told me that she prayed to her guardian angel, Yemayá, just as she spoke to God. She never learned the formal Yoruba prayers by heart, believing that prayer only need be heartfelt to be understood and received.

Colors. Each orisha is associated with different colors, but one way to bring the energy of the orisha closer is to wear white clothing. If this is hard to do during the day, try sleeping in white pajamas and on white sheets. White is the color of Obatalá, the owner of all uninitiated heads. White is also a reflective color. I believe it reflects negativity and brings clarity. Want to Dress for Success using the orishas as your guide? Click here for some fun tips.

Music. Put the word “Latin” in front of nearly any genre of music, and you’ll find the influence of Afro-Cuban rhythms. Below, I list one artist and one song per category that actually specifically mentions God, orishas or offerings.

Afro-Cuban. Ave Maria by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas (Rumba de Corazon, 2002)
Jazz. Agua Larga Pa’ Yemayá by Omar Sosa (Spirit of the Roots, 2004)
Hip-Hop. Donde Se Fueron? by Ozomatli (Ozomatli, 1998)
Pop. A Dios le Pido by Juanes (Un Dia Normal, 2002)
Rap. Represent by Orishas (A lo Cubano, 2000)
Rock. My Way by Los Lonely Boys (Sacred, 2006)
Tropical. Elegua Quiere Tambo by Celia Cruz (100% Azucar!: The Best of Celia Cruz con la Sonora Matancera, 1997)

Visit the Web sites of botanicas and online bookstores, and you’ll find CDs of the ritual drumming played at tambores in honor of the orishas. Each orisha has his or her own song and dance that is played on sacred drums.

There’s nothing like cleaning the house, dancing with the orishas as you go.

Nature & Daily Surroundings. The orishas are manifestations of God’s energy on earth. As such, they inhabit earthly realms. If you need a little infusion of orisha energy, take a trip to the source of their power on earth.

• Have a health challenge or need new opportunities in your life? Whisper a prayer to Elegguá as you pass through a doorway or cross at a four-cornered intersection.
• Need peace and clarity to come up with solutions to life’s problems? Surround yourself with white (candles, flowers, clothes, sheets), inviting Obatalá’s calm.
• For strength and motherly comfort, go to the beach to visit Yemayá.
• Need help in matters of love or wealth? Ask for Oshún’s blessings next to a stream or river.
• Need to gear up for a fight? Sit in front of a fire on a cold night or light a red candle for Changó on a warm one.
• Hike through the woods looking for signs of animal life, thinking of Orúnmila, Saint Francis of Asisi, the patron saint of animals.

Whatever you do, keep in mind the blessing that you seek and the orisha from whom you are asking for guidance and favor.