White Table Tarot: A Deeper Look (1 of 6)
Why White Table Tarot?
The name "White Table" is a direct translation of Mesa Blanca, though a more accurate translation would be White Altar...but I personally think White Table (Tarot) has a nice ring to it!
What Is Mesa Blanca?
Mesa Blanca refers to both the ancestral and spiritual guides' shrine and one of the most well-known traditions of espiritismo: Espiritismo or Mesa Blanca. Others refer to this ancestral shrine as a bóveda, which translates to "vault" or "tomb," but the tradition of Mesa Blanca carries its own distinct meaning.
The term Mesa Blanca also refers to both the table altars used in veladas and misas espirituales (spiritual gatherings) as well as the personal shrines kept in the homes of espiritistas.
A private Mesa Blanca is typically a simple table, often positioned against an eastern or western wall; east to greet the rising sun or west to honor the setting sun, though most prefer the west. The table is draped in a white cloth, as white represents both purity and the presence of the dead.
At the center of the Mesa Blanca sits a large goblet filled with fresh, clean water or holy water. This is called la Fuente Espiritual (Spiritual Fountain). Traditionally, the Mesa Blanca had just one large fountain, known as El Santísimo, but in more recent times, some practitioners have begun including three, seven, or even nine smaller fuentes. The largest fuente remains at the center, while the others represent different mysteries: the Centinella (Sentinel), Santo (Saint), Protector, Ancestors, and the spirits of the 21 Courts of Spirits.
What You'll Find on a Mesa Blanca
A traditional Mesa Blanca is simple yet deeply symbolic. In addition to the Fuente Espiritual, it often includes:
A book of prayers
Candles
One or two vases of fresh carnations
An altar bell
An incense or oil burner
Some also place photos of deceased relatives near or above the altar, but never photos of the living.
Additional items might include:
Tarot cards or la baraja Española
A bottle of holy water
Alcoholado 70 Superior (Bay Rum)
Florida Water
These are used for cleansing, purification, and blessing oneself, as well as for maintaining the shrine’s spiritual integrity.
There’s so much more to share about Mesa Blanca Espiritismo, but I’ll save that for the next blog post! Stay tuned. ❤️
Luz y progreso
White Table Tarot
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