Elekes are associated with the Santeria tradition, where the religion’s practitioners wear necklaces and bracelets believed to have a spiritual connection to different Orishas or supernatural spirits.
Elekes are, therefore, a linkage between the believers and the five deities, whose spiritual connection must be renewed and maintained periodically.
So, how do you feed elekes, or how do practitioners maintain the elekes spiritual strength?
Here are quick tips on how to feed your elekes:
1. Take a Ritual Bath
Santeria spiritual practices require partakers to cleanse themselves before engaging the spiritual realm.
Cleansing yourself with herbs such as lavender is recommended to keep elekes functional.
2. Create an altar and light a candle
Find a space to set up an altar. Clean the place and ensure the table or altar cloth is also pure.
Light a candle to create a spiritual ambiance for your offering.
3. Choose offerings for specific Orisha
Each of the five Orishas represents different spiritual attributes and, for that reason, requires different offerings.
Yemaya, for example, represents the motherly sea, offering protection and healing. Offerings for this Orisha include fish, white flowers, seashells, etc.
Choose the right offering depending on the Orisha represented by your elekes.
4. Pray and give offerings
Recite prayers for the Orisha the elekes represent.
Pray sincerely, give thanksgiving, and pray for more blessings.
After prayers, place your offerings on the altar so Orisha can repower the eleke.
5. Sprinkle salted water
Purifying elekes by sprinkling salty water on them is another way of feeding them.
It helps restore elekes diminishing power so users can continue using them.
6. Take care of the Elekes
Feeding eleke goes hand in hand with caring for it by, for instance, removing it in unpleasant or unholy surroundings and frequently cleansing it using purified water.
How Often Should I Feed My Elekes?
Santeria traditions vary in different communities, meaning that even the frequency of feeding the Elekes may differ across all beliefs.
However, the following feeding frequencies may apply to several Santeria religion groups:
A. Initiation feeding
This type of feeding happens immediately or sooner after receiving the Elekes as a first-time believer.
The feeding is supposed to activate Eleke’s supernatural powers.
B. Periodical feeding
Depending on the practitioner’s preferences or instructions from their religious leader, regular Eleke feeding can be monthly, bimonthly, or after several months.
You may also use the Santeria calendar for guidance on establishing feeding days.
C. Spontaneous feeding
You can feed Elekes depending on intuition after feeling the Elekes need a spiritual power booster.
This can happen after several personal and spiritual events render the Eleke impotent.
How to determine if My Elekes are satisfied with the Offerings
Is there a way to determine if your Elekes are satisfied with the offerings?
Yes, you can by considering the following factors:
I. How you feel after presenting the offering
If you feel contented, peaceful, and connected to the Orisha like before, it is a sign that the supernatural spirit you were offering your gifts to is satisfied.
Instincts never lie, even in Santeria religion.
II. Dreams and visions
If you start experiencing coincidences in your life after making the sacrifice, which is dreams aligning with real-life happenings, it is another sign that the Elekes are satisfied with your offerings.
Orishas sometimes communicate to believers through dreams and visions, so pay attention to the positive messages.
III. Elekes become glowy
Some believers have reported vibrancy in their Elekes after an offering.
If yours start shining or glowing immediately after feeding them, chances are the Orisha is pleased by the offering.
IV. Seek clarification from experienced Santeria practitioners
If not sure whether your Elekes are satisfied with your offering, seeking answers from an experienced Santeria observer can help you clear the air.
They are best placed to interpret spiritual responses associated with the offerings.
They will help you rebuild your Elekes connection and achieve Eleke satisfaction if they discover you went wrong somewhere while feeding your Elekes.
Also check:
What to do if someone Touches Your Elekes
