The 21 Divisions: Mysteries and Magic of Dominican Voodoo

by Hector Salva, Hoodoo Sen Moise (Foreword)

One of the first books to explore the unique tradition of Dominican shamanism, the magical practices called the 21 Divisions.

Like all forms of Caribbean Voodoo, practitioners of the 21 Divisions believe in one God, a distant God that doesn’t get involved in human affairs. Followers of this Dominican spiritual tradition believe that God created intermediaries to help humans, beings known as Los Misterios.

The Misterios are powerful beings with rulership and dominion over universal forces and human conditions. Practitioners of the 21 Divisions have ways of connecting with the Misterios to achieve success in life, improve their careers, resolve love and relationship issues, heal illness, and much more.

Filled with detailed insider information and real stories of healing, magic, and mystery, this book will serve as an illuminating guide to the 21 Divisions. Hector Salva—one of the foremost authorities on the practice of the 21 Divisions—offers his insights into:


The history and foundations of Dominican VoodooThe major Misterios, or spirits, of the 21 Divisions
Ceremonies, rituals, and magical spells
How to get started on the path of the 21 Divisions

Genres: Spirituality, Magick, Religion, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2020

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on Everand and found it fascinating. The discussion on Dominican shamanism, it’s origins, spirits within the culture, and the experiences weaved into this book were incredible. The author left no stone unturned.

[Lakisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vibrant plunge into the hidden spiritual world of the Dominican Republic, this book by Héctor Salva offers both insider ritual detail and a lyrical journey of discovery. You’ll meet the “Misterios” ghosts, deities, spirits of the 21 Divisions tradition, their roles, and how they’re worked in everyday life.

What makes it sing is the author’s dual stance: part ethnographer, part practitioner. The writing confidently balances explanation and enchantment, offering beginners clear pathways while rewarding more seasoned readers with anecdotal richness. That said, the text is also grounded: Salva acknowledges that much of this tradition remains orally transmitted and regionally varied.

For someone curious about Afro-Caribbean spirituality, this is a gem, it opens a door to magic, music, and meaning in a culture often overlooked. Highly recommended for readers who like their non-fiction exploratory and alive.

[Angy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty informative guide to Dominican Voodoo and from reading this, I've learned a lot of things from this system of spirituality that I hadn't known before. Hector Salva is overall pretty engaging as a writer, too. However, I feel like it gets a bit slower at times, or not as deep as I would like it to be.

[Genie Cerda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!! Such a great read!! Definitely answered my questions!!

I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about 21 Divisions. This book describes the most popular divisions and is written as if the writer is talking to you which I like a lot. This answered so many questions for me as well as served as confirmation for some of what I already was familiar with. Definitely a book you will want to reread if thinking about starting on the spiritual path of the 21 Divisions. I love that there is a lot of history which explains why and where certain beliefs or traditions come from which is so important. Definitely and enlightening read!
Thank you papa Hector!! Blessings to you all I hope this book is just as magical for you!

[GockBh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I became interested in this book thinking it was an academic publication, with an anthropological study on Dominican traditions and practices. However, I soon discovered it was just a yellow book, with tons of non useful information, and A LOT of self-advertising remarks such as:

“…much of what you may need can be done by a brujo, if he knows how from a distance. In fact, I work with clients all over the world and have a huge international following.

I have initiate students and apprentices all over the world and have special ways to train and develop people no matter where they are living.”

I would not recommend this lecture to anyone.

[Teo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great primer on the 21 divisions tradition. It is very general and covers quite a bit. I am a Interfaith Chaplain and an initiate in another ATR that shares much of the tradition and culture in this book. I believe it is important to be educated on all religions in my field and it was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking to educate themselves on this tradition.

[Damien · Rating 2 out of 5]

On one hand, it is an interesting cultural introduction that educates the student of Voodoo/Vodou on the differences between the Haitian and the Dominican practices. On the other other, it reads like a long infomercial that tries to create business for Dominican brujas and brujos, citing as testimonials one miracle after another.

[Freddie Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to 21 Divisions

This book gives a great introduction to 21 Divisions. I loved the focus on the stories regarding the misterios, especially the personal testimonies included. The chapter about the brujo was very enlightening and the instructions on how to set up a non-initiate altar were very helpful and appropriate.

[Serenity L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small but powerful. Unless you're Dominican or Dominican adjacent, you've probably never heard of 21 divisions. This is a great resource to introduce the religion

[Elhoim Leafar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you come from a country like Venezuela, and most of your family has dedicated to spiritualism, esoteric sciences, and santeria, it is quite common that you frequently hear terms such as candomblé, Umbanda, quimbanda and '21 divisions'. All of them look quite similar to the naked eye, they all have the same beautiful Afro-Caribbean and intercultural aspect that mixes dancing together to the rhythm of the drums, but at the same time, this same dance leads them to lose each other and not have an obvious identity. The “Dominican voodoo" has a long and very complex oral tradition that resists losing his own essence, and Master Hector takes the rigorous task (and personal challenge) of taking these traditions and 'secrets', writing them down and polishing them with great and remarkable precision and detail to make them linguistically understandable to the public.

The author takes this set of oral traditions from a much more modern and clear point of view, puts them in writing with immense and delicate detail, to finally deliver a complete manual of knowledge and anecdotes, which far from turn one into another reader, they lead you to feel in a certain way that you are witnessing those wonderful passage rituals in the company of the spirits that make it up.

He explains about how works the magic of the brujo, los Misterios, the spirits, and the Divisions in a amazing book about magic and brujería, cabe destacar que la capacidad descriptiva del autor es brillante.

I love a book that you can read again. Far from just another book full of infinite formulas, Hector focuses on providing a manual fully loaded with detailed information, knowledge properly explained in a way that you can keep this guide as one of those books which you can consult again and again, every time you consider necessary. This is because the amount of knowledge here is so wide that you will even find small chapters within each chapter, forming a small-large library specialized in the subject, and all of this is in this book.

—Elhoim Leafar, author of The Magical Art of Crafting Charm Bags.

[Denny Santana · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Lucie Marie Hamilton came all the way from Arkansas during the summer and died during a “spiritual cleansing” at salvas home-“nbc10news

This book is selling you a bunch of lies and deception. The devil comes disguised as an angel of light. Where his lies sound pleasing, helpful and true but ultimately end up stealing, killing and destroying.

2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV): "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light".
2 Corinthians 11:15 (NIV): "It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve".

10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.

Do not be deceived, you are not helping anyone with these practices, this isn’t cultural this is demonic. And no your intentions could be pure but does not take away the destruction you are bringing into your lives and those you bring into it. Read the Bible for yourself. If you believe in the spiritual how could you not believe in god

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good overview of Las 21 Divisiones, which is Haitian Vodou's sister tradition in the Dominican Republic. Papa Hector is a friend of our Haitian Vodou house, and he is knowledgeable about both traditions on a very deep level. Before reading this book, I knew that our two traditions were similar, but Papa Hector's writing revealed to me that there are also some pretty significant differences between the traditions. For example, in Haitian Vodou we don't have much of an emphasis on Taino spirits, and we serve the Petwo lwa on a regular basis (whereas many 21 Divisiones houses will not). Overall a great overview of a religion that has had significant influence on Dominican culture and daily life.