Because Santeria (Regla de Ocha) is a syncretic religion blending West African Yoruba beliefs with Roman Catholicism, it views physical, emotional, and spiritual health as deeply interconnected.
A person does not self-diagnose "symptoms of Santeria." Instead, they visit a high priest () or a priestess/priest ( Santera/Santero ) to undergo a reading. This process uncovers the spiritual root of the symptoms. The Tools of the Trade symptoms-of-santeria
: Dreaming frequently of ancestors, specific colors, or powerful natural elements like the ocean (associated with Yemaya) or lightning (associated with Chango). Because Santeria (Regla de Ocha) is a syncretic
: Used by Santeros, 16 cowrie shells are cast to determine which Orisha is speaking and what advice they are offering. The Diagnosis The Tools of the Trade : Dreaming frequently
: Used by Babalawos, this chain is dropped on a mat to read the patterns (Odus) it forms.
: Feeling uncharacteristically anxious, angry, or drawn to specific spiritual practices and altars without prior experience.