“Some people swear by these,” says Suarez, indicating the various bottles and candles for used by customers who practice Hinduism and Catholicism as well as Santeria, Voodoo, Wicca and Black Magic.

A post card on the front counter advertises: “Religious Articles, Spiritual Flowers & Animals” and “Herbs & Remedies, Spiritual Counselor.”

The spiritual counselor, in this case, is Suarez, a sociable and outgoing 43-year-old Cuban-American initiated at 19 into the world of Cuban Santeria, a form of nature worship that originated in Africa and was disseminated, adapted and spread in the Caribbean and now North America by slaves.

Suarez, a trained Santeria priest, gives readings to clients who seek advice on everything from money to personal relationships and work. His advice is tailored to individual problems. And depending on the day, he can counsel between one and five clients.

An estimated 20,000 people in South Florida practice Santeria, which is usually what people refer to when they say Afro-Caribbean religion, according to Professor Akin Ogundiran, Director of African New World Studies and Associate Professor of History at Florida International University in Miami. Although there is no way to know how many practice the religion nationwide, large communities also exist in New York, Texas, Boston and Los Angeles, as well as Chicago and Atlanta, and very small towns in Washington State and Ohio.

Afro-Caribbean religions in the United States are growing in popularity, according to Ogundiran and others who practice and study the religion. One way to gauge is by the growing numbers of botanicas in areas like Miami and around the country.

"We can tell by how many botanicas in Miami," Ogundiran said, adding that in South Miami, there’s no major street you can't travel down and within 10 blocks find at least two botanicas.

“If it’s not a marketable venture, they won’t be setting up botanicas all the time. If it’s not a powerful force, you won’t have religion established in Ohio, in Atlanta. You wouldn’t find it in New York, in major cities.”

In a botanica, religious articles can look like ordinary objects to non-believers. Soup tureens and covered vases can hold minor deities. Sticks, shells and rocks can signify special meaning for those who feel an intense connection to the natural world around them. The spiritual flowers and herbs are ground or dried whole in bags. Animals – often chickens, pigeons, ducks and guinea fowl – are kept in the back behind a door sporting a large hand-written sign that informs patrons that there are no refunds on animals for any reason.

For outsiders, candles and potions that repel the evil eye or attract wealth, men and good fortune at Bingo might sound like a novelty. Suarez himself points out that some of these things are just water and essence.

Still, he says, many people truly believe in using them with a kind of blind faith. He said he wishes he had that kind of faith, but he doesn't.

"I have to see it to believe it," he said.