Fluid Divination: Movement, Chaos, and the Generation of “Noise” in Afro‐Cuban Spiritist Oracular Production
Diana Espirito Santo
Anthropology of Consciousness May 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1111/anoc.12006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that among Cuban espiritistas the meaning of particular oracle configurations cannot be separated from the event that brings them about, and that simple oracles such as water generate a background of chaos or "noise" that is essential to divination and, by analogy with electronic voice phenomena, allows spirits to communicate. |
Abstract
Abstract: An examination of oracles in popular forms of Cuban espiritismo invites a rethinking of the role of “randomness” and “context” in the anthropology of divination. Through an analysis of the ways by which spirit mediums develop as persons, and their implications for the mechanics of divination, I argue that among espiritistas the meaning of particular configurations cannot be separated from the event that brings them about. Relatively simple in their properties (e.g. water), spiritist oracles function to provide impulse to a perceived metaphysical universe that requires the generation of movement in order to achieve instantiation. The argument is that this movement provides a background of chaos essential to the purpose of divination. To demonstrate this, I forward an analogy to the language of electronic voice phenomena in parapsychology, in particular with its concept of “noise.” In both EVP and espiritismo, “noise” is the substance that allows spirits to communicate.