The arrival of the new year often brings new hopes and predictions, and for many Cubans, the 'Letra del Año' (Letter of the Year) serves as a pivotal cultural and religious event. Every year, this tradition involves the interpretation of signs and oracles from the practice of santería, providing insights about the coming year's social, political, and personal guidance. For 2025, the letter has once again stirred attention, especially amid the severe economic crisis the nation is facing.
On December 31, 2024, at the headquarters of the Asociación Cultural Yoruba de Cuba, the priests gathered to announce the predictions for 2025. Presided over by Antonio Sevilla Rodríguez, the senior priest of Ifá, this year’s letter centers on the orisha Shangó, revered for his attributes of justice, thunder, and fire, and accompanied by Oshún, the goddess of love, fertility, and prosperity. This pairing reflects not only religious fervor but also the cultural resilience of many Cubans.
Shangó's presence signifies strength and the call for justice, echoing the sentiments of countless individuals yearning for social change. The letter proclaimed, “Una suerte de salud firme y seguro en el plano de la tierra con la bendición y el apoyo de todas las Oshas y Orishas,” capturing the essence of hope intertwined with caution as the nation navigates its turbulent waters.
The letter goes beyond the surface of spirituality, delving deep beneath the challenges faced by the populace. Among the stark health predictions are concerns about cancer, ulcers, and other serious ailments tied to pervasive socio-economic conditions. Specific recommendations were issued, including measures against increased criminality, heightened awareness of economic investments, and emphasis on maintaining familial integrity.
Yet, this year also marks the continuation of division within the religious community, with two distinct Letters of the Year surfacing following the earlier unification attempts back in 2015. This schism has led the Commission Kola Ifá Ocha of Miami to issue its own predictions, stirring debate on the authenticity of the official letter. This year, the rival organization declared Odua as the ruling deity associated with issues of equity and justice, accompanied by Yewa, reinforcing the role of justice and humanitarian sentiments amid rising societal issues like child crime and family disintegration.
The divergence between the two letters has prompted considerable discussion and skepticism among practitioners and believers. Many Cubans, particularly those residing abroad, have turned their attention to foreign interpretations, often feeling disconnected from the narratives pushed by the government-influenced associations on the island. The perceived government control over the Asociación Cultural Yoruba has endangered its credibility, raising questions about the integrity of its interpretations and the socio-political influences behind them.
“Se debe tener especial cuidado en conversaciones delante de niños,” states one recommendation from the official letter, reflecting broader concerns about the urgent need to safeguard future generations. The socio-economic upheaval has made conversations and actions around children especially significant. Family and community cohesion have become focal points, especially as the nation hopes to rise from its challenges.
Both letters forecast challenges related to public health, with warnings about food poisoning, sexually transmitted diseases, and even general health checks being advised. This convergence of predictions reinforces the growing urgency for communities to take heed and make proactive decisions, fostering resilience through collective action.
The prediction trends do not merely serve as guidance but are also barometers of the national psyche, capturing the intersection of diverse Cuban realities—those who stay and those who leave. Many await the chance for renewal, hoping for blessings from the orishas to hit the country soon.
Community organizations have stepped forward to assist Cubans feeling the shifting undercurrents of their homeland's resilience. Yet with each passing year, the Letra del Año highlights both the desire for improvement and the stark reality of daily challenges faced by many. The intertwining of spirituality and social commentary remains powerful, urging citizens to act, gather, and hold fast to their roots as they navigate unprecedented transitions.
The hope is clear, but it is matched by responsibility—to pay heed to the guidance offered, whether from the gods or by one another. What lies next for Cuba in 2025 is intertwined with continued faith and community action across the nation and the diaspora.