The Marinheiros in Umbanda: Joyful Healers of the Waters
The Presence of the Marinheiros in Umbanda Like the tide that sometimes kisses the shore with gentle waves and other times crashes in with the force of a storm, the presence of the Marinheiros in Umbanda carries both softness and intensity. They arrive swaying, laughing, and dancing—mirroring the carefree joy of sailors ashore. Yet beneath […]
Myth Ose Meji: When the Land Cries to the Sea
The Myth: How to Tell the Sea We Are Drowning on Land? In the sacred Odu Ifá Ose Meji, there is a myth about a drought-stricken land and its desperate cry for relief from the ocean. Long ago, there was a village nestled in the heart of a fertile plain. The people lived in harmony with […]
Odu Irosun: The Flow of Consciousness, Legacy, and Divine Order
Introduction to Odu Irosun Odu Irosun, particularly Irosun Meji, occupies a prominent place in the corpus of Ifá as a symbol of transformation, ancestral connections, and the flow of life and destiny. Its teachings explore the interplay of earthly challenges and divine wisdom, emphasizing the importance of humility, sacrifice, and alignment with one’s destiny. This […]
Women in Traditional Odu Ifá Divining: A New Perspective
INTRODUCTION In the rich and intricate world of Ifá, the ancient Yorùbá system of divination, the interpretation and practice of Odu Ifá have traditionally been viewed as the domain of men. This perspective has been reinforced by cultural norms and historical practices that have often positioned men as the primary custodians of this sacred knowledge. […]
Exploring Love and Duty: The Myth of Oshun and Shango in Yoruba Beliefs
OF FORBIDDEN LOVE AND SACRIFICIAL CHOICE: UNVEILING THE MYTH OF OSHUN AND SHANGÓ The Yoruba pantheon brims with tales of love, loss, and the delicate balance between desire and duty. The myth of Oshun, the goddess of love and sensuality, and Shango, the fiery deity of thunder, is a captivating example. It delves into the […]
The Mystical Power of Eggs in Iyá Mi Osorongá Worship
THE EGG: A SYMBOL OF FERTILITY IN RITUAL AND MYTH Within the rich tapestry of Ifá tradition, the egg occupies a central role as a potent symbol of fertility, intricately woven into the fabric of purification rituals, initiation ceremonies, Borí, and Èbós for both propitiation and defense. This emblem of life is not only pivotal […]
Mystery of Creation and Abundance: The Egg in Orishá Traditions
ABOUT THE EGG IN ORISHÁ IFÁ TRADITIONS In the rich tapestry of the Orishá traditions, including Santería, Candomblé, Palo, Umbanda, Vodou and others, symbols carry the weight of history, wisdom, and the sacred. Among these, the egg, in its simplicity and profundity, plays a pivotal role. This newsletter explores the egg’s significance, the myths that […]
Orishá Oshun: Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Fertility
INTRODUCTION TO ORISHÁ OSHÚN: THE ORISHÁ OF THE FLOWING RIVERS Welcome to a journey through the sacred waters of spirituality, where the divine essence of Oshun flows with the grace of love, the allure of beauty, and the nurturing power of fertility. Orishá Oshún, the revered Orisha of the Yoruba religion, embodies the very heartbeat […]
Where Elegbá (Eshú) lost an Eye
A YORUBÁ MYTH FORM THE SACRED CORPUS OF ODU IFA OGUNDA IROSUNA Elegbá (Eshú) was walking on his way and arrived in a land that was crossed by a river, naturally leading to another land on the other side. The first land was very firm but lacking in everything. Its inhabitants wanted to have everything […]