Magic 101: Bóveda Starter Pack

The bóveda (literally “vault” in Spanish) is a sacred space for honoring your ancestors and spirit guides—a kind of spiritual hotline to the Other Side. Think of it as a metaphysical charging station where your spirits get their clarity, power, and pep while you get their guidance, protection, and possibly a few side-eyes if you forget to refresh the water.

In essence, the bóveda is a bridge between the land of the living and the dead, a portal where you can pray, meditate, divine, and occasionally just spill your existential tea to someone who won’t interrupt.

While the basics of setting up a bóveda are fairly consistent, every practitioner adds their own flair. Some follow strict traditional setups; others let their spirits guide them to something more unique.

Building the Bóveda

Traditionally, the bóveda sits on a small table (or shelf if space is tight) covered in a white cloth. It typically features fresh flowers, white candles, incense, and an odd number of glasses filled with water. This number can range from three to 21, depending on the size of your table, your connection to your spirits, and how many ancestors you can comfortably call out. The centerpiece is usually a large glass of water, often dedicated to the Creator or your highest concept of divinity, surrounded by the smaller glasses.

Most setups arrange the glasses in a circle, with the main glass at the center, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your spirits will guide you to what works best, and they’re not shy about offering their input.

Bóveda Maintenance: Cleanliness Is Next to Spirituality

Keeping your bóveda clean and functional isn’t optional; it’s non-negotiable. Think of it like this: if the water in the glasses gets cloudy, the spirits lose clarity. If the flowers wilt or the offerings rot, you’re essentially saying, “Hey, thanks for the advice—BTW, trash day is next Wednesday.” Not a good look.

Change the water weekly (or more often if it turns cloudy), replace dying flowers immediately, and keep your food offerings fresh. Dispose of old water respectfully—pour it outside or repurpose it for magical workings unless it’s cloudy. That’s not spirit-friendly; that’s compost.

I give flowers only when I am working my bóveda. If it’s a “normal” week, I keep the water clean, and give them coffee. Spirits like coffee and tea as much as the living.

Working with Your Spirits: The Rituals

Commit to a specific day to tend your bóveda—Sunday and Monday are popular choices, but whatever works for you. Here’s a basic ritual to get you started:

1. Clean the space, light some incense (palo santo, sage, or cigar smoke will do), and lay down a white cloth.
2. Fill the glasses with fresh water, add flowers, and light a white candle.
3. Coffee, pastries, cigarettes, rum, soda—whatever you think your ancestors or guides would love. Bonus points if you include something culturally or personally significant.
4. Say their names aloud. Don’t know them? That’s fine—invite ancestors of elevated and moral character whose names are unknown to you. Over time, they’ll introduce themselves. (Yes, it’s as spooky and awesome as it sounds.) If you know your lineage in order (most recently deceased to oldest), recite that. I had to write mine down and I will readily admit it took me a good year to memorize it.
5. Many practitioners use prayers from Allan Kardec’s The Spirits’ Book, which offers a thoughtful framework for connecting with the spirit world. If you’re in a group setting like a seance (or Misa), take the time to ask attendees about their religious traditions and incorporate prayers that align with their practices. This shared approach brings in harmony and respect for all present.
6. Talk to your spirits like they’re your best friend. Pray, vent, meditate, journal, or use divination tools to hear their guidance. This is your time together, so make it count.

Your bóveda thrives on attention and care. Greet it daily—yes, daily—and give it a full refresh weekly. If something feels off or your spirits start dropping hints (usually subtle, sometimes very unsubtle), pay attention. It’s all about building a relationship, and relationships thrive on respect and effort.

With consistency, your bóveda will do more than just sit there looking spiritual. It will honor the shoulders you stand on, boost your intuition, clear your roads, and protect you from the curveballs life throws your way. Plus, it’s a great excuse to keep coffee and flowers on hand at all times.