What does amaci mean in umbanda?

The amaci is a technique used in Umbanda to help in the development of the medium who will incorporate the Orixá or its spirit guides. It is used for washing the head, specifically its Ori - region of connection with spirituality, also known as crown chakra.

For this, they make use of herbs, which must be specific to each Orixá. They help in the intertwining of energies, opening the doors for incorporation. Thus, it is essential that the process be done in a reliable terreiro and under the guidance of more experienced people, avoiding problems with your energy field or attack of malicious spirits.

This is because during the process of incorporation, the energy of the magnetic field - or aura - of the medium is connected in a subtle and intense way with that of the Orixá or his guide, at that moment. Even though there is no possession of the other's body, as a substitution of souls - as it is popularly imagined - a sympathy is created that allows the use of the medium's physical faculties, such as, for example, thevoice or even body movements.

For this to happen, there is an entire preparation and study, which culminates with the amaci, beginning the role of worker of the initiated medium. However, it goes far beyond a rite of passage, and can act directly in the life of the son of Santo, positively or negatively, depending on the care, intentions and guidelines. Understand better what it is, how it is done and the results of the amaci in theUmbanda.

Softening characteristics

The amaci is a complex process, which may seem punctual, but its effect takes a long time. Moreover, after going through the ritual, it is important to have some basic care, since your crown chakra tends to be more exposed and sensitive. Understand what are the characteristics of the amaci and some key details for its success.

Meaning of the word amaci

Amaci is a popular denomination for the medium's rite of passage in Umbanda, and means to soften or make more receptive. To do the amaci is to make yourself available to receive your Orixá and Masters, in a controlled and healthy way. For that, you make your Ori (head, in Yoruba), or crown chakra, available for incorporation.

The softening ritual

Performed by Mães and Pais de Santo, the amaci must be done with all caution and takes days of preparation, not counting the following days of rest. The ritual begins with the preparation of the herbs, which must be suitable for the Orixá of the medium. Incarnate and disincarnate godparents are also chosen, to help in the protection during the rite.

In the gira (meeting) of the day of the amaci or in a specific gira for initiation, the environment is prepared with defumação and the pertinent pontos (prayers in the form of songs and beats). After the beginning of the works, the mediums, who already have more than 6 months in the house and have prepared for the rite, begin the process of amaci. For this, their heads are carefully bathed with the herbs and coveredwith a white cloth, in several turns, to protect the ori.

Some people may begin to have involuntary movements in their limbs, blink with more intensity, yawn, cough... others even incorporate their Orixá. During the whole process, they are accompanied by their godparents, incarnate and disincarnate, until they are less vulnerable to any possibility of attack from bad energies.

The purpose of the softening

The purpose of the amaci is to facilitate the connection, which can be made naturally, without the aid of plants. However, with the use of the herb with energetic frequency sympathetic to the Orixá in question, everything becomes easier. Of course, the medium is already prepared, studying and practicing incorporation for a long time. In other words, even though it is not necessary, the amaci aims to facilitate the connection between thematerial and immaterial, through the power of the herbs and other processes involved in the ritual.

The intentions of the softening

A very important point, since the preparation, handling of herbs, preparation of space and invocation of the gira, is the intention. Understand the intention as focus, concentration on a particular thought or idea. So, when someone will prepare the herbs for the amaci, must have in mind the expected connection, with the specific Orixá of those leaves.

In other words, intention is focused thought, which directs the energy - personal and of the environment - towards a certain achievement. Therefore, the whole process should be done with care, anticipation and focus, not only of who prepares, but mainly of the medium, with the need to go through the resguardo to intensify the intentions of connection and protection.

Importance of the guarding for the softening

Before the amaci, every medium must go through seven days of preparation, putting his intentions more in focus, leaving aside for a time some things considered more material.

Among them are sex, which should be avoided the week before the rite, as well as the consumption of heavy foods, especially meat. This phase also requires a lot of introspection, pauses for reconnection, the use of herbs in teas and, especially, baths. They can be prepared at home or applied in the terreiro itself, depending on the availability and tradition of each house.

When the amaci is carried out, the medium must remain in seclusion for at least one hour, being closely accompanied by the godparents. On the following days, he does not need this accompaniment, but must maintain a sober posture, baths and teas to keep the energy field high and protected. In this way, he avoids the approach of bad energies and opportunistic entities.

Let us see below in more detail which material things the medium needs to keep away from in the week in which he prepares for his amaci.

Food

The food before a gira, whether common or amaci, should always be light and preferably without meat. However, for those who will go through the rite, it is essential that they eat consciously, avoiding the consumption of too much fat and especially of red meat.

There are traditions that ask to avoid any kind of meat, such as white meat as well. This happens because of the need for purification of the body, which will function better without having to process meat, whose demand on the body's resources is great. In addition, there is the energetic factor.

In order for the ori, or crown chakra, to be properly energized in the ritual, the base energy (kundalini) must flow to it. During the process of digesting meat, which requires a large amount of energy, there is a considerable loss, hindering the outcome of the process.

Abstinence from alcohol and drugs

Just as red meat consumes a lot of energy to be processed by the body, alcohol and other drugs, legal or not, can also hinder the reconnection process, since they will not allow the correct energization of the crown chakra during the tenderizing process.

However, these drugs also have another factor that should be taken into account, reinforcing the need to avoid their consumption. They disturb the correct functioning of the conscious mind and open doors to another energetic level, when, at the moment, all the person needs is control, consciousness and protection.

Abstinence from physical contact

During the sexual act, there is an intense energetic exchange, even between strangers. In this way, the auric field becomes impregnated with the vibrations of the other person. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but in the same way that good energies and thought forms can settle in the energetic field, bad ones do as well.

They are the known astral larvae, or thought-forms, that if fed - that is, gaining attention and energy among the thoughts of the host - can show themselves dangerous. After all, they can become entrance doors, energetic gaps, for opportunist obsessors. Inclusive, it is recommended to do a cleaning from time to time, mainly who has several partners, preserving yourenergy integrity.

In addition, the medium should also avoid other physical contact, even if in lesser intensity. Among them are handshakes, hugs or any kind of touch that could intensify the exchange of energies. This is probably the most complicated part, especially for those who have to work outside.

Protecting the head

Both during and after the amaci, it is considered important that the medium covers his head with a white cloth, for example, a turban or ojá. However, in the ritual it will be soaked with the herbs of the Orixá in front of the medium, while in everyday life, it can be any type of cloth or binding.

This is important for the protection of the crown chakra or ori, preventing it from being exposed to any kind of energy, influence or attack. Of course, if the person knows how to protect himself and close the body to outside energies, this is not necessary. The choice of using an ojá or not is up to each terreiro or medium.

The herbs and the orixás of amaci

Each Orixá corresponds to a certain energy or element of nature. In this way, it also connects with the vibration of certain plants, which end up helping to better form the link between the medium and the Orixá. See then which are the herbs of each, according to some terreiros, more appropriate for the rite of amaci.

Amaci de Oxalá

One of the main amacis of Oxalá is the boldo, also called Oxalá's carpet. Besides this, mint, lavender, rosemary, alecrim, alevante, basil, alfavaca, sunflower, chamomile, marjoram, white mallow, thousand leaves, sage, white rose, pennyroyal and fennel (sweet herb) can also be used.

Amaci de Iemanjá

For the Queen of salt water, the obvious choice is lavender, but there are other options. They are capia, mint, white rose, orange blossom and leaves, clover leaf, jasmine, white mallow, and pata de vaca marianinha.

Amaci de Xangô

For the Lord of Justice, one can use the power of coffee, both the bean and the leaves. Also his herbs are alevante, mint, plum tree, St. John's wort, thousand men (angelic), quebra pedra, alfavaca roxa, lírio do brejo, gervão, eucalipto limão, pariparoba.

Amaci de Oxóssi

Oxóssi, the King of the forests, is very connected to his herbs, fern being one of the most remarkable. He also connects with lemon grass, guinea, araçá leaf, pitanga, rosemary, malva cheirosa, lavender, guava, guaco and pariparoba.

Amaci de Ogum

The Lord of the ways, Ogum, also has his favorite herb, the aroeira. Among other good options for the amaci are losna, mango, carqueja, sword of St. George, sage, tanchagem, cana do brejo, lavender, watercress, jabuticaba, arnica, pata de vaca.

Amaci de Oxum

The beautiful Oxum, Queen of Gold, is delicate and sweet like chamomile. She also vibrates in harmony with lemon balm, lily, yellow ipe, marigold, arnica, alfavaca, fern and marcela.

Amaci de Iansã

The powerful Iansã, beautiful warrior, has bamboo as the main amaci, and can also be the pomegranate, sword of santa barbara, peach tree, catinga mulata, strawberry leaves, lavender, red geranium, laurel and peach tree.

Common questions about the softening

As in all traditions, there are important and pertinent questions about its rites and customs. See which are the most common for the amaci of Umbanda and understand even better this ritual.

Can anyone participate in amaci?

Yes, as long as you are predisposed to work as a medium and have prepared yourself for at least 6 months. In addition, you have to have the guidance of a reliable and, of course, well-intentioned Mother or Father of Saint. Studying the precepts of tradition and understanding how incorporation happens is fundamental for this, requiring a lot of dedication, reading and moments of introspection and analysis.

What is the difference between amaci and herbal bath?

The amaci has the specific purpose of helping in the connection between the medium and his guides or Orixá, being made only for this purpose and its use prohibited outside the rituals or by lay people. On the other hand, the baths can have several objectives, such as protection, happiness, healing and others, being much more open, but powerful - so they must be done with guidance.

In addition, the way of preparing the amaci and the herbal bath are very different. The amaci should only be done in a terreiro, and may take days to be ready. The leaf bath, on the other hand, can be done at home, provided that the rules of care in preparation are followed and under the guidance of a more experienced person.

What are collective amacis?

The amaci may be performed with only one medium, but normally the ceremony is collective, with a study group that has reached the point where they are already prepared for initiation. In this rite, all the initiating mediums are bathed together, but accompanied individually by their godparents. The process of stasis is also collective, for a certain time, after the ceremony. Then, each onetakes care of your details.

Is softening a practice that can bring harmony and well-being?

Yes, the amaci can help to have a more harmonious life, if it is well done, with the right intention and mainly, in a prepared medium. This because, if these points are not well established, it can generate some problems, as obsessors, for example.

However, as a rule, the amaci can promote important changes in the life of the medium, both in the affective, physical and even financial fields, given the connection with more sublime energies and the power of your Orixá. Also, your way of expressing yourself in the world becomes more defined, with authenticity, security and well-being.