They are not Gods or Goddesses! They are sacred embodiment of Ashe. They are the messengers of that particular Ashe. We believe in One God, who is of neither gender nor sex, Olodumare.
(via hijadeelegua)
A prayer to Yemaya
O My Yemaya Take care, bless your children, and all those who have faith in you. Cleanse us with your sacred saltwater, Ashe.
O My Yemaya Goddess of The Sea Take away the bad and Throw it into the sea. O My Yemaya Bless, Protect us, and Deliver us from evil. Ashe O Mio Yemaya.
Ogún (Oggún) is the owner of all metals and minerals, especially iron. He’s associated with knives, machetes, nails, metal tools, firearms and other weapons, as well as mountains. Generally, he’s portrayed as a solitary blacksmith or ironmonger who lives alone in the forest. When the Orichas came to earth, Ogún was given the task of clearing the forests with his machete. The patakis (sacred stories) tell us that Ogún’s father is Obatalá, his mother is Yemú (Yembó), and his brothers are Eleguá and Ochosi. Often Changó is also mentioned as a brother or half brother. The stories say that Ogún was in love with his mother and wanted to have carnal relations with her, but Eleguá was always on the lookout and stopped him. On one occasion, Ogún escaped Eleguá’s watchful eye and forced himself on Yemú, but he was caught in the act by Obatalá. Before Obatalá could punish him, Ogún cursed himself. He told Obatalá that he would go live in the wilderness all alone and devote himself completely to work for the rest of eternity. Only his brother Ochosi, the great hunter, saw him from time to time. Otherwise, Ogún was always alone, working day and night, miserable and unhappy, and he started to spread ofoché (magical powders) around the world to create arayé (tragedy, discord). To save the world from arayé, Ochún, the goddess of love, intervened. She sought out Ogún and seduced him with her beauty and sweetness. After his encounter with Ochún, Ogún calmed down and lost his bitterness. He was married at one time to Oyá, but she left him for Changó; some lineages say the brothers became enemies because of Oyá’s infidelity, but other lineages say the rivalry is exaggerated and the two Orichas still work together on occasion.
Ogún is the patron of all those who work with metal, mechanics, engineers, policemen, soldiers, surgeons. He knows the secrets of the natural world and can perform powerful witchcraft when the situation calls for it. He has a violent, brusque nature, but he also has a more peaceful side. He’s good at farming, raising animals and hunting. Ogún is also the owners of keys and locks, jails, and chains, and he’s the foundation on which everything is built. He oversees construction and labor, and is the master of the technology required for human progress and evolution in the material world. In traditional images of Ogún, he wears a close-fitting cap on his head, his chest is bare, he wears a hunter’s pouch slung across a shoulder, and around his waist he wears a belt with a long fringe of mariwó (palm fibers), which protects him from evil. Together with Eleguá and Ochosi, he protects the interior entryway of homes.
Oyá (also Ollá, Yansa or Yansán) is one of the most powerful female Orishas.
In Santeria, she is the owner of the marketplace and keeps the gates of the cemetery. She is the force of change in nature and in life. She manipulates lightning and rides the winds into battle, often fighting with her machetes side-by-side with her favorite lover Changó
Oyá raises the armies of the dead as her soldiers and it is said she uses tornados as her weapon. Oyá’s aché is fierce, changing and protective.Contrary to the assuptions made about here where abouts, Oyá does not live in the cemetery. She lives in the marketplace and steers the changing fortunes made through business. She does own the cemetery gates but escorts and guides the spirits of the dead to the threshold of the graveyard. It is actually Obba and Yewá who live in the cemetery itself. Oyá is said to control the air and winds in nature. She often rides storms into battle against her enemies.Oya is a complex orisha who has experience extreme sadness in her life. She is known as the “mother of nine” for she gave birth to nine different stillborn children. Her sadness expresses and exposes her incapacitates to give birth/ She dresses with nine different colored scarves around her waist in memory of her lost children. When Oshún ejected her twins, the Ibeji out of her house it was Oyá who took in the Ibeji and raised them as her own.
Oyá was once married to Ogun and it was he who forged her favorite weapon, the machete. Oyá left Ogun and became one of Chango’s lovers. It was only Oyá who could truly keep Chango in his place. She stole Chango’s secret of throwing lightning, and knew how to use Chango’s fear of the dead to keep him under control.
There is also a great misunderstanding about the relationship between Oyá and Yemaya. These two orishas do not have enmity between them. This is a misunderstanding perpetuated by author Migene Gonzalez-Whippler that Yemaya supposedly tricked Oya into exchanging the sea for the cemetery. This pataki is not found anywhere in odu – it is a folk tale not based in our religion and originates from a lack of understanding in ceremony.
There is actually a ceremonial reason why Oya and Yemaya (Chango, and Inle too, for that matter) cannot be in the same room when Oya is being consecrated. This story is captured in the diloggún odu Ogbe’sa. Oya was betrayed by the ram. It was once her best friend and then tried to betray her to collect the bounty that was out on Oya’s head. When his treason was uncovered, Olofi demanded that the ram be killed. Oya cannot stand the sight of the ram because of his betrayal but at the same time she cannot bear to see him being killed because she still cares for him. Ram is the favorite food of Chango and Yemaya (and Inle too). These Orishas bear the scent of ram. So when Chango or Yemaya (or Inle) are being consecrated, Oya’s items must be out of the sacred room (Igbodú). Similarly if Oya is being consecrated, Chango and Yemaya (or Inle) cannot be anywhere near her items. This is strictly because of the ram’s betrayal and has nothing to do with personal issues.
7Trigo
Quem tem Ogum na frente não teme quem vem atrás.
Saravá Ogum
Ogunhê!
O My Yemaya
Take care, bless your children, and
all those who have faith in you.
Cleanse us with your sacred saltwater,
Ase.O My Yemaya
Goddess of The Sea
Take away the bad and
Throw it into the sea.
O My Yemaya
Bless, Protect us, and
Deliver us from evil.
Ashe O Mio Yemaya.
-Iya Olawo Che-
I’m back!
After over a week, Tumblr @staff was able to pinpoint the problem and restore my blogs.
![myoruba:
“OYA’S HERBS
[Español:http://101.myyoruba.com/hierbas-de-oya/?lang=es]
Orisha Oya’s herbs are used for cleansing, destruction and to call for supernatural powers.
· Anis
· Carnation
· Calamus
· Clove
· Dragon’s Blood
· Dittany of Crete
·...](https://66.media.tumblr.com/69114e92bae3671eb1f452a517506fca/tumblr_n7f9k4GL7D1tsuocfo1_500.jpg)
OYA’S HERBS
[Español:http://101.myyoruba.com/hierbas-de-oya/?lang=es]
Orisha Oya’s herbs are used for cleansing, destruction and to call for supernatural powers.
· Anis
· Carnation
· Calamus
· Clove
· Dragon’s Blood
· Dittany of Crete
· Geranium
· Hibiscus
· Lemon
· Lime
· Myrrh
· Nutmeg
· Oak Moss
· Poplar
· Sandalwood
· Star Anis
· Tangerine
· Yucca
Source:101.myyoruba.com
![myoruba:
“AGGALLÚ SÓLA
[Español:http://101.myyoruba.com/aggallu-sola/?lang=es]
Agallu is the orisha that represents the nature and wrath of the volcano. He is a very tall gigantic man who lives alongside the rivers. Agallu/Agayu, Bi Yaya or Agallu...](https://66.media.tumblr.com/d1f0580d14005193c028c7dc6d40ab34/tumblr_n7ml34VG2E1tsuocfo1_500.jpg)
AGGALLÚ SÓLA
[Español:http://101.myyoruba.com/aggallu-sola/?lang=es]
Agallu is the orisha that represents the nature and wrath of the volcano. He is a very tall gigantic man who lives alongside the rivers. Agallu/Agayu, Bi Yaya or Agallu Sola which he is also known, is represented by earthquakes, the energy and core of the earth. The lava and magma is associated with him, due to his mother Oroiña. He is the heat that comes from within all and keeps the earth moving. Agallu is the cane that holds all of the orishas. In Santeria, priests of Agallu receive him in a wooden or terra cotta vessel where his mysteries are kept. It is said that the vessel should stay uncover because you can’t put a cover on top of a volcano. You place a cloth of multicolor or mariwo (grass skirt) on top of him to contain anyone seeing his secrets. Agallu is that strength that we all have inside that comes from deep in our soul. The core of our body.
Earthquakes are associated with the orisha Agallu because it is him that is changing the earth from deep within the core. Whether it’s because the orisha is upset or he is making room for change. When humankind disrespects the earth, he lets go and shakes the walls of the core which quakes the earth. He is very popular on the western part of the United Sates due to the high volume of earthquakes. But people forget to realize that earthquakes happen in all parts of the world. It happens deep under the ocean crust where Agallu and Yemaya are planning on changing the surface of the earth. When an earthquake happens it changes the way we live on earth. From the new crust that shows more and new roads are built and theirs new life and artifacts to explore.
Agallu is also seen to be near riverbanks. He is the one that transports and people across the rivers. He is our modern day ferryman. He learned how to soothe the rough river waters after having a relationship with the orisha Oshun. From then, he has transported humankind across the rivers so they can reach the other side. Agallu’s colors is a burgundy or dark wine colors. He also takes the 9 colors of Oya due to an exchange that Oya gave him. She gave him her multicolor skirt to wear out of thanks for a favor. When Agallu walks he takes big strides and has a heavy foot. He is said that he takes big steps because he is stepping over huge obstacles. He carries a staff and his oshè (double edge ax), in which he uses when he walking around overstepping obstacles. He is a silent warrior as he stays to himself. But when he is bothered he comes with great force, just as the lava and the earthquakes that shake our planet.
Source:http://101.myyoruba.com/
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![myoruba:
“QUESTIONS ABOUT SANTERÍA
[Español:http://101.myyoruba.com/preguntas-sobre-santeria/?lang=es]
Who is the Aleyo?
A believer not initiated in Santeria.
Who is the Ooni?
It’s someone like the pope from the catholic religion, for the Yoruba...](https://66.media.tumblr.com/c87c67e6e1195df2c5194c0286bd4b4c/tumblr_n7qbcmERw21tsuocfo1_400.jpg)
QUESTIONS ABOUT SANTERÍA
[Español:http://101.myyoruba.com/preguntas-sobre-santeria/?lang=es]
Who is the Aleyo?
A believer not initiated in Santeria.
Who is the Ooni?
It’s someone like the pope from the catholic religion, for the Yoruba religion.
What is an Ebbó?
It’s a ceremony bestowed by the Orishas to a person to change his/her spiritual energy.
What is odu, sign and letter?
The three elements of the oracles (Ifá, Diloggun and Obi) use to make predictions and divinations.
Who is the Apeterbí of Orunmila?
All daughters of Oshun and Ololodi that have Ikofafun and Kofá of Orula.
What is Ikofafun or Kofá of Orula?
This means that the woman has her Guardian Angel defined and a sign of the oracle of Ifá. Ikofafun is the highest rank a woman can reach in Ifá, since women can’t be Babalawos or Olúos.
What is Awofakan or Hand of Orula?
This means that the man has his Guardian angel defined and a sign of the oracle of Ifá.
The Awofakan is an Ifá user and it’s like a cleric rank, he’s in his way to be Babalawo.
Who are the Babalosha and Iyalosha?
Babalosha is for men and Iyalosha for women. This person reads the oracle of diloggun and had met two characteristics; first completed his/her stage as Iyawo and then consecrated another person in osha.
What is the Oracle of Ifá?
It is the supreme oracle and with this the Babalawo can communicate with Orula and all other deities from the Yoruba pantheon.
What is an Omo Alañá?
It means “Son of Aña”, and only men can be sons of Aña. It’s the name given to all men who plays the Batá drums on ceremonies.
What are the Batá drums?
They’re three sacred drums used to communicate with the Orishas and to pay tribute to them. The biggest drum is called Iyá, the medium drum is called Itótole and the smallest is called Okókolo.
Who is Aña?
He’s the Orisha who lives inside the Batá drums. He carries the messages from the drums to the Orishas and Olodumare.
What means to ‘make saint’?
It’s also called ‘consecrated in osha’. It’s the most important ceremony in the religion and it consists in consecrate the person to his/her guardian angel. A year after the ceremony this person will be able to escalate ranks in the religion.
Why do people make saint?
You can consecrate in osha for a lot of reasons, to achieve harmony, health, protection and equilibrium within yourself, with the world around you, all divinities and your own destiny.
Who determines if a person should make saint?
As everything else in our religion, Olofi and the Orishas are the ones calling the shots.
What is a Bóveda Espiritual?
A Spiritual Vault is a table with a white cloth over, it should be in a very private place for you and there you’ll work with your spirits and forefathers from your cuadro spiritual.
Source:101.myyoruba.com
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![myoruba:
“FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS
[Español:http://101.myyoruba.com/preguntas-frecuentes/?lang=es]
Who are the Yoruban people?
The Yoruba people are the west African habitants of what we know as Nigeria.
Why is your religion secret?
It’s an oral...](https://66.media.tumblr.com/c87c67e6e1195df2c5194c0286bd4b4c/tumblr_n7zkedAxjz1tsuocfo1_400.jpg)
FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS
[Español:http://101.myyoruba.com/preguntas-frecuentes/?lang=es]
Who are the Yoruban people?
The Yoruba people are the west African habitants of what we know as Nigeria.
Why is your religion secret?
It’s an oral tradition. Knowledge it’s passed down generation to generation since the beginning. And there are some knowledge that’s only for the elders and the ones they trust and respect.
What do you believe in? Do you believe in God?
Yes and Yes. Santeria believes Oloddumare (God) created everything under the sun and his aché is what gave us life. As in the catholic religion, we believe that Oloddumare is a holy trinity (Olofi, God almighty and Olorun the sun)
Are the Orishas and the Catholic Saints the same divinities?
No. But they do share some similarities.
Do you have any church?
There are Santeria churches in the US. In fact, in 1974 the Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye became the first Santeria church in the U.S.A.
Is Santeria voodoo?
It is related but not the same.
What’s the difference between Santeria and Spiritualism?
Spiritualism is to Santeria what the Catholic Religion is to Santeria. Meaning that Spiritualisms elements are blended with the traditions of Santeria.
Is Santeria a pagan religion?
Pagan comes from the Latin “Paganus” meaning “country dweller”. In its early years Christianity was an urban religion and “pagan” was everyone from the country that worshiped other religions. So, any other religion than Catholic is a pagan religion.
Is Santeria witchcraft?
No. Since we incorporate spirits to all our praying and beliefs, people think Santeria is the same as witchcraft. We indeed call for our ancestor’s spirits and other good spirits, but it is our moral that determines if these spirits are going to work for good or evil.
What are the unchanged truths of your religion?
God is real; God is good; God is the creator. God is on earth.
How old is your religion?
Really old, our religion it’s descendent from the Yoruba people in West Africa (Which is the oldest continent of all). There our forefathers were taken as slaves and brought to the new world. In America to keep their religion they had to blend/hide their religion with the Catholic to avoid persecution.
Who founded it?
No one funded it. It’s a tradition that blended with something else, let’s say it’s something organic.
What does ‘aché’ means?
Aché is the spiritual energy of life and divinity. It’s the power that helps everyone to fulfill their path in life. When you wish ‘aché’ to someone you’re wishing this person with good luck.
Who is the Babalawo?
The Babalawo is a priest of Osha-Ifá and he reads the oracle of Ifá.
Who is the Santero?
The Santero is a priest to the religion.
Source:101.myyoruba.com
