THE SPIRITS

The Seven Lines of Umbanda are headed by the seven major orixas - who are the chiefs of these lines. But the universe of Umbanda is balanced and is not only made up of Chiefs but also of Indians - in the true sense of the word!

"Spirit guide" is a term used to describe an entity (disincarnate spirit) who acts as a spiritual counsellor or protector to a living, incarnated human being. A guide is said to have lived at least one earthly life before becoming a spirit guide so that they can understand the struggles of human life and help and support us as we go through similar experiences.

Spirit guides are persons who have once lived on this earth and have advanced beyond a need to reincarnate. Many psychics believe that spirit guides are chosen "on the other side" by us before we incarnate, and that they guide us to follow our life's plan. But as we go through different experiences in this life-time, we can also attract a variety of other spirit guides. The common belief is that a guide is attracted to us because he or she sees something in our spiritual/ psychic make-up that draws him or her closer to us – to help us grow spiritually, understand our purpose in life and evolve.

Simply put, you and your guide planned your life on earth before you incarnated. You would live the life and your spirit guide would help you along the way.

Within the seven lines we find a multitude of such Spirit Guides. Amoung the most well known are:

CABOCLOS - Native American Indians

The Caboclos are spirits of Native American Indians. Often people see division of Caboclos only made up of traditionally Brazilian Adoriginal Indians, but this is not entirely true. North-American, South-American as well as central American Adoriginal Indians can be found among the Caboclos. Be it Maya, Inca, Tupi, Hopi or Apache, a Caboclo is always a Native American Indian! These spirits connect us to the vibration and energy of the land. They have vast knowledge of herbs and plants - and also poisonous snakes, toads and other animals! The Caboclos are great healers, Warriors and Shamans. Very proud spirits, the Caboclos usually arrive at the temple with their "war cry".

PRETO VELHOS - Spirits of Old African Slaves

MARINHEIROS - Spirits of Sailors

BOIADEIROS - Cowboys and Cattle-Dealers

BAHIANAS - Male and Female spirits from the north of Brazil

ERES - Spirits of children and infants

CIGANOS & CIGANAS - Male and Female Gypsy Spirits

MALANDROS - Male and Female spirits of Husslers & Gamblers

EXU & POMBA GIRA - spirits of Witches and Sorcerers

Nothing in Umbanda is completely "black or white" and the above 'categorisation' of Spirit Guides should be approached with an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of Umbanda and of the cosmology of the spirit-world in general. It might for example be possible to find a Spirit who is an Exu and at the same time an Ere, a Caboclo or a Preto Velho...