Indeed, the veil of secrecy that had shrouded my Lucumi experience, and which I presumed would be lifted following my initiation, turned in a steel curtain. So, I had to find out on my own. I did, but most others are either not so fortunate or determined. Nor, should it be necessary. As a result of our own initiations, The Foundation became determined to make the path to priesthood as nurturing and empowering as possible.
Initiation is a process of birth, or re-birth.
This accurately defines the new born, and vulnerable, condition of the initiate. Our view, and approach, is to make the path prior to initiation, initiation itself, and the period following initiation, as nurturing, powerful, and loving, as possible. From the time the initiate arrives at Ola Olu, and places their tent in the Garden of the Orisa they will crown, they are encouraged to open emotionally to the positive energy of the natural setting which surrounds them. Nurturing cleansings from the priests, or priestesses that will help conduct their ceremony, follow a day of decompression, of simply allowing the stress and negative energies to peel slowly away, The ceremony itself is conducted with an emphasis on the love and appreciation for the ase' of the animals that make their journey into priesthood possible, as well as the love and ase' of those conducting the ceremony. It should not be a frightening, or terrifying experience.