The medicine of Palos

well in vegetalismo and curendersimo we dont have many secrets... not that i have seen at least...
in vegetalismo there are a trype of curandero called a paloero as well... totaly unrelated to travis's tradition... they work with tree medicnes and do dietas with trees...
i think there is alot of room for exploration in that area... there are trees all over the world that you could dieta with that would teach youmany things... VS for instance is planning on doing the deita with aciaca correct VS... that would make him a paloero...
hmmm an acaicia staff would be pretty cool...
i know that there are many trees that have sacred as well as medicianal properties... i havee allways been fond of madrona... as well as alder.. alder being the symbote that cyanecean mushrooms live with... so to us PNW people its a special tree under the skin of this tree there form little well beads that can be harvested and drilled and worn... tey are very special. alder is a water tree...it helps by offering protection during transition, and helps you to trust prophetic insight...
birch would make a good stave... its medicineis balance and healing, as well as opening new dimensions...
i personaly love fir and pine and cedar... the great everr greens that i have spent my life with...
cedar is a tree that has befreinded me... i work with cedars leaves in ceremony for cleanseing and purification as well as to bring newness, freshness and strength... cedar is tall and straight and strong... it is also a giving tree who has helped by giving us to much clothing, shelter, nearly everything people had inthe PNW was made of cedar... cedar is very loving...
pine is balanced strength with softness, emotional protection and healing...
fir i beleive is purity...kindness...and offering...
orange would be great for releaseing fears that people hold unto and cause sickness and bad luck...

Well, lets see, seeing that a complete list would make my head explode, i will rattle off a small list as they come to mind. Rest assured that i am already neck deep in finding the correct botanical classifications- so you can expect a book available next season that is soley focused on palos, it is my love. And while like yourban ewe, they have different owners, palos are viewed as more heavily influenced with Ozain than other plant materials. The cult of Ozain has the same status in Palo as Orunmila does in Ifa. AND YOU KNOW, WHILE I THINK OF IT, WE SHOULD HAVE A SACRED STICK EXCHANGE PROGRAM HERE, as we all use sacred sticks in all our traditions, and like you Veg, i get all excited when a stick from another medicine place is sent to me. Within the beleifs of palo, you need to sing songs (mambos) to the sticks, to open them, to realease the spirit medicine. Similar to some of the different camwood songs sang to Osun/Osain. Many palos are used for many different ends and needs. Palos that go into a sacred kettle are refered to as "Cargo's", they have a general nature to assist the spirit associated with the kettle. And in general, they are chosed from certain groupings. Then there are groupings of palos that are just "for works".
There is alot that is forbidden to talk of, but there is enouph that isn't to keep this discussion intresting and helpful.
PALOS
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La Ceiba (kapok, or silk-cotton tree) (if anyone reads this that lives around any, PLEASE CONTACT ME!!!!!) Ceiba tree is probably the most important tree of Palo. It is the spirit tree. the dead reside in its roots. Its sticks are used for all things for spirit communication, and manifesting spiritual powers. Powerful medicines are made in its shade. Zombi medicines are made under it. It is the resivoier of Lunar Powers. Its sticks represent the bones of the dead. La Ceiba is a regal lady, any insult to her is quickly punished, heaven and earth commune thru her. Nzambi Mpungo (god on high) touches the earth thru her. She is so sacred that her tree is god.

Palo Framboyan: is sacred to Oya/Centella- goddess of the cemetary. It is her that gives permission to speak to one of the dead. The large seedpod that is produced on the tree (over a foot long) with its large seeds inside, is used as a rattle to call the attention of the dead.
It is sacred to all diasporic cults of the dead. This can be used to protect from dead spirits, or call them, depending on the bent of the practitioner. In Haiti, this is the tree that gives Zombi medicine its power, and that one special powder is prepared underneath it. Its black bark makes it intresting.

Palo Guaramo: sacred to spirit of white clothe, spirit of the tracker. This is shaved into small little peices and placed inside prepared amulet for protection, also grated and used in powerful cleansing and protection baths. do not use if you are of questionalble character, it may decide that it would be protective to house you in jail.

Palo Guyaba: (guava stick) this is sacred to the warriors, especially Ellegua, and Lucero. we cut it in the form of a hooked staff, feed it medicines, and then the Morning Star that lives with our kettles can use it to "hook" a camino, for the spirit to move along. This is one of the things we have that resembles a mesa, we jam that stick in the ground outside when conducting a ceremony. Guava sticks are also used as "clicking sticks" using a small stick to play a spirit song with it on another guava stick. Opens up doors of Opportunity, especially when they are stubborn.

Palo Ramon- Ozain stick- used to communicate with and control spirits.

Palo Raspa Lengua- used in strong cleansing baths. Also used to help one evade the policias. ahem.

Palo Rompe Zaraguey- (also called break stick) owned the spirit of lightening, you use it to "break on the head of someone cursing you",
It sends back curses and manipulation, usually with a punishment thrown on top for lesson teaching purposes, ahem.

Palo Cambia Voz- (chirp a new voice) this palo is used to encourage others to see you in a new light

Palo Una de Gato- (one of cat) this is used, especially in perfumes, to make your aura sexual and attractive. some use it for witchcraft as well. it makes your immediate energy fields intensify.

Palo Ven A Mi- follow me. need i say more?

Palo Amargo- Sacred to the Ocean Mother and Lightening. Ocean mother uses it to protect children, and punish those who hurt children.
It is also an ingredient in lightening spells.

Palo Santo- (not the same as the palo santo that you are all familiar with) owned by the god of metal. used to shut a persons mouth. stops gossiping.

Palo Vence Guerra- this palo fights your battles for you, and is a weapon in a kettle.

Palo Vira Mundo- (turn the world) this is sacred to Lucero, the Morning Star, who circles the world. a stick for opportunity and success.

Palo Parasio- for cleansing baths, and for internal cleansing for certain initiation rituals. clears away "heavy" energy. very positive palo.

Palo Canpeche- sends a witches evil back like an arrow. used in amulet and rituals of protection and journeying.

Ocotillo branches- used to protect a person or community, and to repel threats. good thing to make crosses of with red yarn and leave in home windows. Good cleansing bath.

Palo Vence Battala- fights your battle for you. owned by the spirit of lightening.

Palo Quita Maldicion- aquittal curse, sends back mavolent intentions, aids court cases and keeps you out of jail.

Palo Dulce- (allspice sticks) for love works, to protect a family, good for jobs and prosperity

Camwood - red irosun- this is used to protect ones spirit. in allignment with your guardian angel. It is a componant of all fetishes that are
fed hot food, it contains one of the highest amounts of red ashe (power). When it is made into a paste and put on a cleanly shaved head, it induces an ancient energy, and readies one for possesion. It goes in countless amounts of protection and character development medicines.

Palo Abre Camino- used in many cleansing paths to remove negative energies, and to open the road for you- opportunities.

Palo Caja- Punishes a witch, and protects from magic

Palo Namo- sacred to the messenger/eshu, for working thru situations that are hard to change, wedges the path open. good for difficult situations.

Palo Vencedora- to help you succeed in an undertaking, to come out victorious. to fly above a situation. added to other palos, helps them succeed in working for you.

Palo Mulatto- this stick is to help you keep working at a situation, it helps other sticks be persistent with their work. use in situations that are hard to change, or are "stuck"

Palo Espanta Muerto- (scare the dead) this palo removes unwanted deads.

Palo Chuaisimo- also called union of matrimony, this is to help one attract what one needs for their heart- usually a mate, but sometimes can be used for special requests for beneficial things- like property for a home, etc.

Palo Pino (pine tree) is sacred to the god of lightening and is used for cleansing baths and to invoke divine justice.

Ok, Veg, the ol fingers are getting weary. is that an ok starter for ya? There are literally hundreds of sticks, and to acheive something, it is rarely one type of stick that is used, like orisa, there are numbers of sticks used, and they work together in a formula to spell the desired outcome. The above are some popularly used palos.