Cascarilla Powder: How to Make & Use This Powerful Spiritual Tool
Cascarilla powder is a spiritual tool used for protection, cleansing (limpiar), and ritual work. It’s often associated with Santería, but its meaning and origins are also rooted in the Yoruba traditions of West Africa. Here in the United States, witches and spiritual pratictioners typically make their own from eggshell husks.
In this article, I’ll explain what cascarilla is, its meaning and origins, spiritual ways to use it, how to make your own, where to buy some, and answer frequently asked questions. By the end of this article, you’ll understand its many uses, benefits and how to include it in your spiritual practice!
Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout OR at the bottom of this article.
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Table of Contents
What is Cascarilla? (Que es la Cascarilla)
Cascarilla is used in witchcraft and spiritual practices to create protective barriers, purify spaces, and repel or neutralize negative energy. Cascarilla is pronounced kaas-kuh-ree-yuh.
Many practitioners use it to draw symbols, anoint candles, or mix into ritual baths. However, Cascarilla powder or chalk may consist of different substances depending on the spiritual practitioner and their practice. It may include finely ground eggshells, cascarilla bark (from Croton eluteria tree), clay, or dirt.
Although they share the same name (there are alternative names depending on cultures and locations), they have slightly different histories stemming from the same origins. Cascarilla is commonly associated with the element earth.
Cascarilla Meaning and Origins
The history and origins of cascarilla are rooted in the Yoruba traditions of West Africa and a sacred white earth; a type of kaolin clay. This clay is used to make Cascarilla chalk called efun (pronounced ee-ph-oon). It’s typically applied to the skin or used in rituals to ward off negativity and bring blessings.
Cascarilla in Santería
When the Yoruba people were forcibly brought to the Caribbean and Latin American areas through the transatlantic slave trade, they brought their spiritual beliefs with them. In Cuba, efun remained an important part of Santería (an Afro-Caribbean religion that blends Yoruba traditions and deities with Catholic saints). However, they no longer had access to the sacred white earth (kaolin clay).
They turned to the Croton eluteria tree (known as the Cascarilla tree) and ground its light-colored bark into a fine white powder. This white color symbolism is important and carries spiritual meaning associated with protection, purifying spaces, and removing negative energy. They also used this plant for medicinal and healing purposes.
Cascarilla de Huevo
Over time, eggshells became the most common ingredient when making cascarilla powder. Typically, eggshells from Black Hens were used. This is especially true in the United States, where eggs are more accessible than tree bark or kaolin clay. Eggshells also hold spiritual significance and are often used in purification rituals like egg cleansing.
Many witches still use cascarilla for protection and carry forward a spiritual tradition that has evolved across cultures and generations.
I want to be clear, there’s nothing written that conclusively says when people started using Cascarilla and EFUN. As long as people have been praising in Africa, this has been used. As long as people have been trying to protect themselves or cover themselves in some way, efun has been used…
..Many of these traditions, if not all of these traditions, have been passed down from someone mentoring, someone sharing, word of mouth, and so on.
Rev. Dr. Elemi Gayle – Yeyeo Botanica
Spiritual Uses of Cascarilla Powder
Cascarilla is effective at neutralizing energy, making it a popular choice for ritual baths. It isn’t really intended for consumption. Here are a few ways to use cascarilla in your spiritual practice.
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How to Make Cascarilla Powder
Making your own Cascarilla powder at home is very simple. Plus, when you make it yourself, you can infuse it with your own spiritual energy and intentions. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial!
Gather Your Supplies
- Eggshells
- Tool to grind eggshells (mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, blender, etc.)
- A fine mesh sieve (optional, but useful for really smooth powder)
- Glass Jar or container (for storage)
- Label (optional, but helpful for organization)
Collect and Clean Your Eggshells
After you’ve consumed or used your eggs, clean and rinse them thoroughly to remove any leftover egg residue.
Some practitioners choose to leave the inner membrane intact because its spiritual meaning is associated with new life. However, others prefer to remove it because it’s much easier to grind up that way. The choice is yours, my peculiar friend!
Dry the Eggshells
Allow the eggshells to air dry on the counter until completely dry (mine normally takes around 48 hours). This is my preferred method, and I’ve never had any issues with it.
If you’re in a hurry, you can bake them in the oven on the lowest heat setting. Keep an eye on them and remove them as soon as they’re dry.
Some witches and spiritual practitioners prefer baking them because they worry about salmonella or bacteria. However, if you wash them thoroughly to begin with, that shouldn’t be an issue.
Grind the Eggshells into Powder
Now that your eggshells are completely dry, you’ll want to crush them into a fine powder. Feel free to use the method of your choice to accomplish this. Popular choices include a mortar and pestle, a coffee grinder, or a high-powered blender.
I prefer to use a coffee grinder to quickly break down all the large pieces. Then, I use a mortar and pestle to crush it into powder form. I like this method because it allows me to infuse my intentions into the eggshells and focus on my intended outcome.
I’d also recommend saying an affirmation or your words of intention into the eggshells as you grind them into a powder.
Store Your Cascarilla Powder
Place your finished cascarilla powder into a sealed jar or container. I prefer using a labeled mason jar, but any container of your choice will help preserve its energy and potency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cascarilla
Cascarilla powder is a powerful witchcraft tool for your spiritual practice. However, if you’re making it for the first time, you probably have some additional questions.
Here are some common questions and answers to help you get the most out of your Cascarilla powder.
Can I Use Brown Eggshells for Cascarilla?
Yes, any colored eggshell will work, and in my experience, the powder still turns out light-colored. However, if you want a purely white cascarilla powder, stick to white eggshells.
How Can I Make Cascarilla More Powerful?
Cascarilla is powerful on its own. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to witchcraft, and many spiritual practitioners like to add additional ingredients to boost intentions. Experiment and make it your own!
Some people mix it with Florida Water or other magical oils for added cleansing benefits. You can also add Moon Water from the lunar phase of your choice. Adding these helps to create a paste you can use on your body, altar, candles, doorways, etc.
Additionally, you can add herbs based on their associated or aligned spiritual intentions. Add magical protection herbs like cinnamon (protection and success), rosemary (protection and purification), or lavender (peace, love, and protection).
How Do I Dispose of Cascarilla?
I very rarely need to dispose of it because Cascarilla is biodegradable and can be used or disposed of in several ways:
- Composting
- Scatter it at a crossroads
- Sprinkle it around garden plants (my tomato plants love the calcium)
- Bury it in the earth
- Release it into moving water
Where to Buy Cascarilla (Cascarilla Donde Comprar)
If you’d rather buy Cascarilla instead of making your own, try to source it from a local metaphysical store or practitioner.
I recommend checking out Urban Gurvi Mama Shop on Etsy. This eco-friendly Afro-Caribbean spiritual shop is run by Shontel, a West Indian practitioner. Her offerings are created with intention and respect for tradition.
When shopping, try to be mindful of sellers who mass-produce Cascarilla without understanding its cultural and spiritual meaning. Remember to check reviews, look for ingredient transparency, and review the shop and its owner to make sure you’re supporting genuine practitioners.
I hope this article on Cascarilla was helpful! Sending you lots of love, and remember, as always…
