Yemayá is the most powerful of the goddesses in the Yoruba religion . She is considered supreme, above all others, and was the firstborn. She is the mother of all that exists. She also governs the sea.
Who?
There's a lot of talk these days about the goddess Yemayá , and everything you hear about it relates to the rituals of Santería. Somehow, Yemayá has permeated society, and although many don't share the belief, everyone knows something about her. If you want to learn more about this religion, you can read about Elegua.
This is not a belief of modern times, nor without tradition, the worship of these deities comes from a long time ago, and with the deity in particular, it is well recognized, but few know its entire history, so here we will talk about who is.
The goddess occupies the highest position in the Yoruba religion , holding the highest rank in the rituals within the sacred space of the Santeros. Believers in this religion treat her with the utmost respect, considering her very powerful and strong. She was the firstborn when Olofin created the world.
From this goddess comes all that is known, all that exists in the air, on the earth, and in the sea. She was the consort of Obatalá ; they were the givers of life, and from them all the Orishas originate . This majestic being is known as the one who reigns in love, imparting it to all others; she is the one who created this wonderful feeling in human beings.
This goddess has her own standards, and valuation system, she has her own characteristics. She is distinguished among others, by her great generosity and her majestic acts of nobility. These are two essential characteristics to reign in a peaceful land, with happy beings and great gifts, for which she is loved by many.
It is to be emphasized that human beings individually or as a group, who dislike her, will suffer for this affront without any doubt. She is extremely vengeful and effective and she will do justice against anyone who does not respect her. In addition, it is this one who represents the female gender, and she has the happiness of understanding her children like any mother.
Another characteristic of her is that she has great pride and is very arrogant. Finally, it should be noted that it is the one that rules the ocean, over its waters and under them, and within the human body it has great power in the uterus, as well as in the buttocks, chest and liver.
History of Yemayá
Yemayá is as old as life itself; she has existed since the beginning, as has her former partner, Obatalá . Together, they were responsible for populating the world, which was entrusted to them by the original deity. It is said that she was born when the creator of the world managed to extinguish the fire that reigned within it.
According to legend, the goddess was born thanks to the ruler of the sea; her parents were Olokun and Olorun . She was born in a place called Ife , the town that, according to believers, is the place where the entire Yoruba civilization grew.
Another characteristic of her is that she has great pride and is very arrogant. Finally, it should be noted that it is the one that rules the ocean, over its waters and under them, and within the human body it has great power in the uterus, as well as in the buttocks, chest and liver.
Yemayá is the source of life and all that exists as we currently see and perceive it; everything visible in the heavens, on the earth, and in the sea originates from her. The Yoruba belief is more deeply rooted in the Americas; it is not as prevalent in other parts of the world. In the Americas, however, she is highly revered and beloved.
A very frequent way of representing her is in the foam of the waves that occurs in the waters of seas and oceans, she is the lady and sovereign of the seas and oceans, when she dances her movements are similar to the movement of the waves. She has the same cadence as hers, it's an undulating dance, as if she let herself be moved by the wind.
Etymology of the name Yemaya
Yeye: this word means “mother”; Omo : means son; Eyá : is used to name fish. So by combining these words, it is understood that she is the progenitor of all marine life, which is why she is invoked for the benefit of motherhood, and is associated with everything marine.
It is commented that the close reference to marine life, defends the fact that life develops in an aquatic environment, the fetus swims in the mother's uterus, during the duration of gestation. She is from the goddess from whom the power from which we were all born comes, she is the mother of everything.
The tone of dye that is associated with it is none other than the same blue, which is a color that we can appreciate in the ocean waters, its day to celebrate in the week is Saturday, in numerology it is associated with seven, and also she has 7 tours, this will be explained in detail later.
Yemaya as Orisha
She is the mother of all the Orishas , therefore she occupies the highest position in the court; she was even the consort of the one who succeeds her in power, and the primordial creation of the god who created the gods. Furthermore, she not only reigns over the sea, but is also considered the owner of the oceans, and the mother of all that exists.
The goddess Yemayá is the guardian of many treasures. For this orisha , a treasure is something spiritually valuable; even an ordinary human might consider it something to be discarded or thrown away. This is why, with her help, we can recover what we believe is lost, and why people turn to her to ask for what they lack.
With the help of this powerful deity, you can find almost anything, sincere or tied affection, recover from serious illnesses, pregnancies, and things in this vein. To make these requests, the appropriate rite must be known, since she only responds to offerings related to her origin. In addition, the rite must be performed in the right environment.
When the goddess is offended or upset, and attacks something or someone, she will destroy it and will use the great destructive power of the waters of the oceans for this. When she precedes to destroy you will see big waves, strong disasters coming from the sea, typhoons, tidal waves and the like. She will also always receive additional strength and help from the wind and the moon.
This goddess, according to tradition, had four life partners: Babalú Ayé, Aggayú, Orula, and Oggún . She is a strong woman who refuses to be coerced into doing things. She is powerful and cunning, and also an excellent hunter and caper. She cannot be mentioned by those who have her initiated into the sacred world unless that person touches the sand with their fingers.
Types of Yemayá deities
One of the goddess's defining characteristics is that, hierarchically, she is above Oya . This is why, when we speak of the typology of gods, we are referring to those at the top of the major religions, ensuring that at some point in history they were real people, and each one has a pataki (life story ).
It must also be understood that all these beings likened to the goddess must have died and then ascended to the heavens, from where they can observe and make themselves known through the different elements. Upon reaching heaven, they encountered their god, whom they call Olofin, as explained in previous sections.
These deities, representing Yemayá in different roles, allow the goddess to multiply her gifts, so to speak. Some prefer to believe that Yemayá is one, but most see power and wisdom in these representations, and in turn, they all work in the same ways as the main deity.
Each of them has its own characteristics and rites, and has its own tastes and customs. They have their own powers and gifts, what they have in common is that they live in water, they all flow with the energy and power of the waters, whether river or sea, from here their great power is born, and they all watch over their children and defend them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-acaotz2Mo
This descriptive classification corresponds to one of the affinities of the Yoruba religion with the deity we are discussing. As with all deities, these are the ones who can govern the universe, possessing the power and strength to do so. They are powerful enough to govern using the elements: earth, sea, air, and fire; of course, they can only have one or two.
win
This is a goddess who generates much controversy. There is a group that, to achieve personal goals, claims that Agana and Yemayá are the same person, and they have dedicated themselves to spreading this false information. According to them, they are the same body, possess the same power, come from the same place and the same people; however, history refutes them.
There is a collection of stories and narratives about the origin of the gods, known as patakies , which allow us to clarify any doubts regarding both deities. One can look in the Odu Ogbe Irete , which interprets that the goddess in question had to accept and keep a secret told to her by Agana Eri ; therefore, her characters are two, not one.
This is the reason why you have to make sure, if you are narrating the legends correctly, if the stories are told, distorted or with false data, there is a risk of spreading the word with a false prophecy. In the end this can confuse entire generations, or future ones who want to enter into these beliefs; in this case it is established that both deities are different.
There is a collection of stories and narratives about the origin of the gods, known as patakies , which allow us to clarify any doubts regarding both deities. One can look in the Odu Ogbe Irete , which interprets that the goddess in question had to accept and keep a secret told to her by Agana Eri ; therefore, her characters are two, not one.
This is the reason why you have to make sure, if you are narrating the legends correctly, if the stories are told, distorted or with false data, there is a risk of spreading the word with a false prophecy. In the end this can confuse entire generations, or future ones who want to enter into these beliefs; in this case it is established that both deities are different.
It is clear from the biography that tells the story that Agana and Yemayá have different paths, and their achievements are entirely individual; what Agana does has nothing to do with Yemayá . However, the following reference exists: Yemayá Ibu Agana , which is described as follows:
- Regarding the name, it means two characters: both enraged and mad.
- Although she is considered very beautiful, it is part of the legend that she has uneven legs, one skinny and the other robust, and also has 7 protuberances on the lower part of her body.
- It lives in the depths of the ocean waters, it can also be found in some coral reefs, it is a legend that it was responsible for the ocean swallowing the Atlantis.
Mayelewo
This is a deity very similar to the god Oshum Ibu Kolé or Ikolé ; she is a relative of this god, and it is said that they shared the same parents. She is his sister, said to live in wells, but there are forests with springs, and she is also present in any minor water source. She is a deity of fresh water and of all that lives there. She is related to Ogun.
This is the goddess to whom people pray for medicine, as her wisdom centers on healing plants. She is sought out to alleviate symptoms of ailments of both body and soul, and is very magical when it comes to healing. This goddess is among Olodumare 's favorite daughters . And in this case, as with the previous one, she lives deep in the sea, in the place of the seven tides.
The most outstanding thing about this goddess is that when you have faith in her, she can give the person a lot of permanence, removes restlessness, balances energies, but in addition to this it is ensured that she is very proud, so not everyone likes her. world, since, as they say colloquially, they look askance.
The name of this goddess means taste for commerce and fortune goods, for this reason it is ideal to ask her for economic prosperity. As for her appearance, she usually carries with her a stone that she obtains from the reef, in addition to a silver snake, as well as a lead duck. A necklace with seven hooks is also usually placed on her neck.
assu
Before discussing Asesu , we must first mention Olokun , a deity of the aforementioned religion. She is associated with the hidden inner aspects of life, and not only in this life but also in death. This deity bestows abundance and good health.
This deity is responsible for transmitting messages to Mayelewó . Legend also says that she herself decided to separate from the earth. Just as there are deities who reign over the river or the ocean, this one has power over certain animals, such as geese, swans, and ducks.
Like the great and magnificent Yemayá , this deity dwells in the waters, but in her case, turbulent waters, murky waters such as swamps, sewers, or other similar bodies of water. Another characteristic of this deity is her fleeting memory; she often forgets what she is supposed to do or certain constant elements.
Although it takes time, this is a very miraculous god, when they want to make blood offerings to her, she has a preference for poultry, such as ducks and geese, and when this happens at the request of something, she counts each and every one of them. the animal's feathers, and if in the process he forgets or makes a mistake, he starts the procedure again.
asaba
This is the deity in charge of everything requiring extensive knowledge. She possesses great cunning and vitality, resolving complex matters with her intelligence and wisdom, and is also very strong-willed. A prominent feature of her appearance is the silver chain she wears on her ankle, and she is a very haughty deity. She was the wife of Urumila.
This relationship did not last long, due to the divinatory powers of the goddess. Regarding her santero rites, and more specifically, the moorings, the ones she achieves cannot be dissolved later, they are forever. A relevant element of her appearance is that there is a lot of sagacity in her eyes that makes them irresistible, so when she speaks, she does so from behind.
Her necklace is made with indigo rocks, very light combined with white. She is usually represented by an anchor, since protection is sought in this type of object. This deity has a very significant representation, and it is that she usually goes to solve all adversities constantly, and she does not stop for them, since she puts faith in the resolution.
She can be identified for being the shortest, without this being seen as less valued, moreover, she is the goddess who is given the most love for the effort she puts in when something is asked of her. The animal that is sacrificed to her, her duck, is placed on the lid of the tureen.
okute
This is Yemayá , who dwells in the coral reefs of the coasts. Like all the deities she is, she is closely associated with water; she is frequently found in the sea and rivers, but not only in water, she can also be found in the forest. She is usually depicted with a very light blue hue, and her food is the rooster. As for her personality, she is generally considered a rather unkind goddess.
She has a strong character, when she needs to fight she fills herself with weapons and goes, she stays active, she is always looking for something to do. Her favorite animal is the mouse, which is always in charge of carrying and bringing messages to her children and from them to her, it is even said that she has the power to become this animal.
This is a very particular deity because he is afraid of dogs, they are not to his liking, this means that his children cannot have this animal as pets at home. She uses her genius to challenge, she also tends to hold a grudge against those who betray her, she is quite severe in terms of her decisions and actions, when she performs her dance she does it with a snake.
It prefers meat from sheep and poultry as food. As she is a goddess of cold tributaries, this implies that her children tend to have much more luck in that season of the year when temperatures are lower.
ataramawa
This goddess was born in a place called Oddu Irozo Elleunle . The name of this goddess is interpreted as "that femininity which is important at any time." Like all the deities already mentioned, she also has power over an element, specifically over the riches found both in the sea and on land.
This goddess has a very peculiar place to live: she resides in a soup tureen, which sits atop an ornate drawer. In this particular arrangement, the tureen should be surrounded by numerous jewels, while in the second case, it should be filled with pearls, seashells, a compass, and a sword. For more information about the deities, you can consult the section on the children of Shango.
The goddess with this name will wear on her mind a jeweled crown, in which a set of 7 keys should be visible, but not only this, but all those tools that belong to Oggun , in addition to the figure of two opposing but important elements, the moon and the sun; as well as two stones and two oars plus a compass and a sword.
The unique characteristic of this goddess, which we do not find in the rest of the Yemayá , is her way of dressing; it is not blue, the clothes of this goddess are white and the tone of her skin is the same color; likewise it is said that the deeper she is in the sea her tone also changes; her food is a bird, the dove.
okoto
This is a goddess whose name means "the woman who dwells in the seashells," a rather unusual name given to her because that is where she lives. Like all the Yemayá described in the previous paragraphs, she lives in the sea, but more specifically in seashells. Her birthplace is called Oddu Marunla Irozo.
If there is one thing that is essential for this goddess, it is the fact that she leads all the wars that can take place at sea. She is too protective of her children, whoever has the courage to mess with one of them will end up finished, since she is usually ruthless about this. Her clothing is usually nine colors.
He is always carrying a piece of wood, this comes from a boat that at some point was shipwrecked, when one sees his hands these are formed by snails. But this is not the only thing, in front of where he lives there are usually seven machetes accompanied by a flag that will be blue plus a spear.
This particular goddess not only uses the usual color of the goddess, but she adds to her paraphernalia some shade of pink, that is some shade of pink. Inside the bathtub that she is usually in, she has two rings, a snail and seven bracelets that are silver.
Gold
This is a goddess who was born in Oddu Oddi Osa . The meaning of her name is "the woman of the sea who sings," and singing is something she always enjoys doing; she has great talent. Regarding her personality, she is said to be very mysterious, and her actions and attitudes tend to be low-key. This goddess does not live alone but is accompanied by the so-called egguns ( ancestral spirits).
It is very particular because it can be found trimmed in the middle of the curtains. He also has favorite foods, his favorite is an animal, the duck. It has a tureen, which has a sword that is made of silver, in addition to this mask that is made of copper, there are also seven plates and the same amount in seashells.
His head must be crowned with a group of objects, these must be; 7 bells, the same number of rings and paddles, while she carries a single anchor, a sun, a compass and a machete.
The goddess prefers two woods in the form of a ribbon, which are poplar and cypress. From her She has some color tones typical of her, these are dark blue, plus jet and water.
He's grown up
This is the last goddess we will mention; they are not all, but there isn't enough space to list them all. Akura is considered by believers to be the goddess of the two waters, but what do they mean by the two waters? Simply that she belongs to both the fresh water of rivers and the salt water characteristic of the oceans.
In the river currents, she and one of her sisters, Oshun , with whom she cohabits, are found in the river water, that is, fresh water. As for her personality, she is usually very cheerful, her temperament is very pleasant, and something she loves very much is dancing.
She is not entirely honest with the way she acts. She is very popular due to the fact that she performs a variety of remedies of which nobody knows the composition of her, this is her great secret, but the most important thing is that she manages to cure the sick of any disease. Something she adamantly refuses to do is hexing.
This is the goddess to whom very specific and complicated things can be requested, such as tying up those evil entities, which sometimes attack children, who manage to cause death at an early age.
Who is ibu aro?
In religion, the names of the deities correspond to specific meanings. This particular name means owner of the drums, and in her history it can be determined that she resides above this musical instrument, that is, a drum, in addition to this she poses in front of three more accompanied by an ozain.
It should be noted that she is crowned, in her headdress should be reflected, 3 small drums, and the headdress should be similar in size to her son's head. In addition to these characters already mentioned, something very important as well as special is that she is deaf, although it may sound strange, since she likes drums, and they must ring with matching bells.
This deity comes directly from Africa; she is venerated in a religious festival in Nigeria, which commemorates Oshun . The most unique aspect of this festival is that it lasts for twelve consecutive days, and at the beginning, the first thing to do is to look for the goddess by going house to house, playing drums.
This is the story of why the drum is to the liking of this deity in particular, it became part of her rite, this flatters her. It is significant, for which it can be used either to praise, warn an adversary or enemy and to abuse something.
about the awoyo
As in all such circles, this generates much controversy, and therefore it is important to clarify the question of whether or not there are multiple Yemayá. Some members of this religion maintain that there are several Yemayá , while others categorically deny this belief.
This deity of which we mention, is said among believers to be the oldest of all. There is also the belief that she is the one with the most purchasing power; something in common that she has with the one we have been presenting is that she also lives in the sea; and not near the shore but well away from it, it is said that the greatness of the ocean is due to it.
He dresses with great luxury, and according to tradition, when he must go on the attack to defend or fight for his progeny, he dresses in seven skirts, all with his particular blue color, the tone must be different, there cannot be two alike, let us remember that it is the representative color of this deity, due to the characteristic color of the sea.
Her headdress, because she is also a crowned goddess, must include Oshumare , since Olokun is responsible for wearing her jewels. As you can see, this deity is a different way of representing the Yemayá we have been describing, being somewhat more luxurious in terms of her presence and possessions, although she is very protective of all her children.
Let's talk about your pataki
Pataki has a very interesting story, so we will tell it separately. She was the wife of Orula when he lived in Ife , where he worked as a diviner, becoming quite famous for this role. His miracles spread rapidly, and he became increasingly sought after by many people.
The goddess's consort was very close to Diloggun , as his wife would tell him what she was doing and keep him informed about everything related to the sea. And everything she said, he could interpret according to the Oddun . One day , Orula had to travel; it would take a long time. He had to meet with Olofin at Olofin's request.
This meeting took a long time, it was so long that his wife did not understand why he did not come back, after many days the money ran out, to which he made a decision applying his knowledge helping whoever wanted it, to raise money through her fortune teller power, having great success in addition to giving salvation to many needy people.
When the husband came back, he heard gossip from many people who praised the divinatory arts of a very famous lady, who worked as a fortune teller, and was also the producer of many miracles among the villagers, and this to find out more exactly who it was this woman, he disguised himself and found out where to find her.
He followed the instructions he was given to get to the place, and his astonishment was enormous when he realized that it was his house, this annoyed him a lot, but his wife defended herself by arguing that she could not wait for him, because she could die of hunger, but he ignored her and introduced her to Olofín.
When this happened, the supreme deity realized his greatness and power, and gave him the domains of Diloggun , and ordered all others to pay him tribute.
Relationship with Shango
They interact with each other in a somewhat peculiar way, as is popular knowledge she is the progenitor of Shangó , this is not a biological relationship but one of adoption, then it happened that she left the earth to go to her home, at the bottom of the sea, since she had to resolve various matters, which took her a long time.
The days began to pass, and these were followed by the months, and the goddess felt nostalgic, she was missing something, the sea alone was no longer enough, she missed the world of men, and when she heard some drums, she decided to go up to earth dressed very elegantly, for which she was not recognized by her adopted son.
The son looked at this extremely beautiful lady and wanted to flatter her with his song, he performed a dance for her and played a drumbeat for her, with the aim of a love relationship, to which this goddess, realizing it, decided to give her a well deserved. She spoke to him affectionately, she invited him to his home, and when he arrived near the shores of the sea, he told her that he did not know how to swim.
The goddess convinced him to go ahead, assuring him that nothing would happen to him that she would protect him, that he would not have any kind of fear, he was so dazzled by the woman that he listened to her and entered the sea.
They were far out in the vast ocean when the woman jumped out of the boat, leaving him alone. Being the queen of the sea, she created whirlpools that churned the waters. Due to the powerful collisions, Shangó fell from the boat, pleading with the goddess to save him, but she ignored him.
She looked at him, while he was fighting against the turbulent waters, he feared for his life, but at the moment that the forces were already beginning to abandon him, she emerged from the sea imposing and beautiful, and told him who she was and reminded him that he owed her respect, so he asked for forgiveness and she saved him.
obatala myth
Obatala lived alongside Yemayá , the mother of all, in one of her forms, in this case, Agana. This deity constantly asked to be allowed to have a child for the world, but she never succeeded. Therefore, she visited Orunmila, who determined that she should perform an Ebbo.
She was informed that the life that would come into the world through her body was going to be a being capable of terrible things, wherever she was there would be problems and she would regret having brought it into the world, which she ignored, and her husband he was always upset. When she gave birth, this child was very ugly.
The child caused quite a bit of trouble and was always starting fights. His mother loved him so much that she indulged his every whim, but the people where they lived were often terrified by his antics. Obatalá , seeing all this, went to certain authorities to perform rituals for his son and bring peace to the land.
The rites were performed, they sang and from here great transformations came out, for this serenity for the land was achieved, from here there was peace, the tranquility in the land of this deity was reborn, where its inhabitants managed to work normally and continue with their lives as usual.
Prayers to Yemayá
As in all organizations of this type, believers usually look for mechanisms to communicate with the gods, they usually make their requests through prayers, both to thank for something, health, life or a gift, as well as to ask for something that is you want very much. Also in this case this goddess is very famous for her great power.
In cultures that profess this religious trend, there is much fervor for this goddess. There are a lot of texts to pray, all well written because this is a goddess very sensitive to offense. With the prayers through her name, necessary supplications are made; This tool is very useful for people who are just starting out in this practice.
If it is the first time that you are going to make a request to the goddess, it is good to have the prayer already prepared, which is why this type of document is important. It should be noted that depending on what you want to ask for or thank, there is a type of prayer, so you cannot make a request with a prayer for well-being, for example, or vice versa, so you have to prepare.
Those who work in professions of the sea are strong believers in this deity, she is the governor of the ocean, and usually takes care of them, through her power over it and all its inhabitants, she will be able to protect them and help them with their work so that it is fruitful without offend her.
This goddess is the one who protects and promotes fertility, she is the one who is asked for a woman to get pregnant, or for the pregnancy to come to a happy term, for when women are going to give birth to their babies . They also usually ask for her well-being and that of her son. So if yours is one of these cases, do not hesitate to say a prayer for him.
The process of prayer always involves preparation. Believers should ensure that the place where they wish to pray is filled with peace, harmony, and tranquility. Choose a day when the sun is shining and birds are singing. If possible, surround yourself with natural elements such as mountains, trees, the sea, or something similar. To learn more about these things, you can look up candles.
It is also important to do it with the right mindset and spirit. It is important to do it with a lot of faith, the goddess has to realize that she is respected and loved, otherwise the simple pronunciation of the prayer will not do any good. But if it is done with humility, in this way everything will work much better and faster.
For welfare
A prayer to Yemayá for well-being aims to bring prosperity and many good things to the individual and their family. It asks for an abundance of love, freedom, harmony, and tranquility, and for truth to always reign, peace in the soul, and freedom from pain of any kind, both physical and spiritual. Well-being resides in all of this, and the prayer is also used to express gratitude.
When this act of faith is going to be carried out, which in addition to harmony and peace allows to resolve economic crises, an offering of fruits or flowers must be made to the goddess. The prayer is:
“Great Lady Yemayá who rules over the tides; and over all the oceans of the planet, your luminosity shines with imposing rays, we know that the affection for your progeny is as immense as the ocean.
Yemayá, you are the most intelligent of the intelligent deities, protect me with your wisdom and kindness so that I can find the paths of prosperity.
Make money flow in my life like the waters you govern flow through the world. Hear my prayers Yemayá, what I ask. It is not wealth but not to spend misery. May I have prosperity and abundant money.
I name you because you are powerful, wise and you love me, just as I love you too, or powerful, wise and fair Yemayá.
So be it.
for protection
This is one of the most used prayers, all people want to go through life feeling safe, and safe, knowing that a higher power protects us is valuable.
Everyone wants to go out and feel safe, they want to be protected from evil, from insecurities, from illnesses, for which they make requests and give thanks with faith.
When what is sought is to be safe, personally or for the family, offspring, housing. In short, everything that concerns us is protected.
True prayer to Yemayá brings the goddess the support of the mother goddess and protects every individual who believes in her. Pray the prayer with faith and dedicate a light blue or purple candle to her.
“ Beloved mother Yemayá, grant me the grace to be wrapped in your shawl. Blessed with health and justice.
I send my prayers to you because you are the protector of the waters, so you protect our lives, just as you protect the seeds so that they grow into trees, so you protect us so that we can develop in life.
Dear progenitor of everything, beloved Yemayá, be the mediator between evil, so that it does not come close to me, so that it does not obstruct my course of growth. Mother of the waters and the seas. Deliver us from my enemies. And of the path that I lose. Take care of me like your seed”
To open paths
As time passes, there are moments and stages in which we are not completely satisfied with our lives, we think that we are stagnant, or stranded and we cannot continue, it seems that we are facing a big door that prevents us from moving forward; and for this reason many times we decide to pray to whom we have faith.
As human beings, we tend to be hopeful in superior beings, who can help us overcome obstacles, allowing us to achieve our aspirations.
This type of rite is very strong, it allows to remove all negative influence and open paths for love, well-being, prosperity and all good things to arrive.
This prayer is used to ask Yemayá to help you overcome your problems, or you can also make specific requests. It is very effective; it should be reinforced with fruit offerings, and a violet or indigo candle should be lit and allowed to burn completely.
“Yemaya, consecrated to the deities, lady of the waters, beauty of the ocean. Matron of the prepubescent. And orisha that protects your pious. She touches my existence with your court of assistants, so that with your panache and domain.
They can open the roads that are now blocked that can open the way for love, happiness, health and prosperity.
Conscious to shelter me in your hollowness. Guard me like the parent you are. Fill me with security to move forward. Clarify my destinations and how to reach them. Receive from my hands these gifts, accept them, as a symbol of my devotion and trust. Orisha Yemayá reigns over you”. So be it.
For the love
There are many things that lead people to come to this type of prayer. Love is a great motivator for human beings, it blinds them, makes them suffer or makes them happy. Love has caused wars and has motivated great sacrifices. People who come to this prayer many times are for unrequited love, or for keeping their love by their side.
In this particular case, Yemayá pleases her children. This is one of the most powerful prayers, as it can strengthen a weak love and make it grow over time. The beloved will only have eyes for the one who casts the spell. This prayer allows the person we desire to notice us.
Prayers for love should be used with caution, because the goddess always grants, and it is very important to know that for the one who asks for this, it will be a love that lasts a lifetime, that will bring happiness. It also works when love is not reciprocated, it can bend the loved one, so that he only wants to be with the believer in this religion
Unrequited love
Human beings cannot help but love, which is why one of the saddest situations is experiencing unrequited love. Believers in the goddess Yemayá often turn to her to make the object of their affection notice them. This type of request is very effective, as the goddess specializes in these kinds of problems.
This is the goddess dedicated to love, since she loves everything created, because it is her work, she will make the applicant's good things be noticed, and will smooth the paths so that they unite forever.
“Oh dear and great lady Yemayá. Today I am before you to ask you to help me. That you make my beloved (here goes the name of the person you want to attract) look at me.
I want this person to be passionate about me, to only see me. That he wants to kiss my lips and wrap me in his arms.
Oh wonderful Yemayá. May your passion be as powerful as the ocean waves. May your loving ardor be as overwhelming as the rushing waters.
My beloved (here the name of the person you want to attract) should be certain that without me he will die, that he should know that I am the only one who will make him happy, for all his life. I ask this of you, oh great and beloved Yemayá . "
You must pray and perform the rite daily, light a white candle and place sweet agricultural products, that is, fruits and a small amount of sugar.
Once the request is fulfilled, it should be thanked by helping another believer to obtain this same favor, preaching as the goddess was requested.
for true love
For true believers in the goddess, she is capable of granting all these requests. She can make true love happen. When this happens there is no need to keep trying, this kind of love is for life.
In this type of rite, we must be precise, we must ask a person to value us for what we really are. The goal is not to force anyone to be with the applicant, but that this person really wants to be there, that is true love. It is asked to be faithful, that both want to walk the same path.
“My beloved goddess, my very dear Yemayá. You are the one who knows and understands what my life needs from the emotional point of view. You always guide me and take me by the hand.
I ask you great sovereign at the present time, to bring my true love before me. Only you can do that. Oh wonderful Yemaya”.
for mooring
There are circumstances in life that cause our partner to distance himself from us. They are simply details that gradually erode the relationship, this may even be due to misunderstandings, overwork and, on many occasions, the intervention of third parties. These specifically seek to separate the couple permanently.
In these cases, one can ask the goddess Yemayá to intercede. She has the power to control and resolve these situations. With her intervention, separation can be avoided.
A rite is performed, which, together with the correct prayer, will cause the distant part to rejoin, and this union will be very solid and permanent.
This is a very powerful prayer, as long as it is done with true faith in the powers of the goddess, it must be accompanied by the right offerings, and it must be uttered with the right words.
“Oh great and powerful goddess Yemayá. Sovereign lady of the oceans. Since you have the power to subdue the force of the seas with your great and strong love.
Give me the happiness that love that walks away stays by my side. May my home become the shelter where real affection takes refuge.
Oh beloved goddess Yemayá, you are wonderful, good and fair. Have mercy on us and don't leave me sad and alone. Calm my anxiety and my mortification.
Please bring (name of loved one) back to me. And with that, may my wish be fulfilled that they remain by my side until the end of our lives. So be it.”
For pregnancy
Having children is one of the deepest desires of human beings; bringing another life into this world signifies the continuation of who they are and is the greatest love anyone can have. Some couples are unable to fulfill this longing, so they turn to the goddess Yemayá , who, as the mother of all, has the power to help them conceive.
This prayer is not only effective for getting pregnant, it also works for health during the gestation period and for the delivery to come to term safely. Peace of mind and well-being should be requested throughout the process until delivery.
Once the pregnancy is achieved, a ritual of gratitude must be carried out, with pleasant offerings to the goddess, and also with prayers, it is at this moment that it is requested to come to fruition.
“Oh dearest and kind Yemayá. You who infinitely love all your children. Beautiful and brilliant lady, governor of the waters that surround the earth. You are the force that takes care of those you love. I request from you loving deity that you fill my belly with tenderness.
With this I want affection and tenderness to come to my home and my family. Oh praised sovereign Yemaya. I beg you affectionate and great benefactress. She hears my plea and heeds it. Send offspring into my life. May bliss come into my life. beloved mother.
Oh mother of the seas. Much is your strength and your shining glory. You have a great deal of affection to give your progeny. Great is your wisdom, with it you command, from all the waters of the earth.
I beg for my petition to be heard. Grant me the props. Keep away from me those who wish me ill. May my fears go away, protect my house, may nothing sad come. No one with a grudge will be able to enter, no regret will come.
Your wonder is the great wealth of the world, and take it by my side. Greetings Yemayá, lady, your name does not matter, on any shore of waters, blessed by you. My faith in you I deposit, my plea will be answered and if I deserve it, it will be fulfilled.
Prayer to Yemayá in Yoruba
The Yoruba is not strictly a language, but rather a dialect derived from a large group of African dialects. The different ethnic groups who practiced this religion gradually merged their prayers, giving rise to this unique way of reciting them.
“Yemaya orisha obunin udú, kulú re eye abyá ni re oyú, yaba awó ba okí mí, yá ogá ni gbobo kuo, eyé Omó eyá, lo juoyina ni re ta gogbo aku nii iwo ni re lowo, nitsi re Omó terria, aukue Iyá Me".
Praying in this language is done, strictly on special occasions, in order to pay superior homage, and to show great admiration, descendants perform it, and initiates in this religious culture.
Those who do not speak the dialect can say it in Spanish, so translated the sentence says:
“Venerable African lady, with your 7 marks on your face, magical sovereign, I send you my greetings, lady in charge of the waters, progenitor of marine life, your throne is far away, in the depths of the ocean, where you keep your treasures. I thank you great woman”.
It can be said in the language that is most related to us, it is very useful to know it by heart to be able to pray in a group, you should always be thankful, and show devotion for this is this prayer and all believers should know it.
rituals for her
The rituals in this religion are similar to those of other types of cults. It includes paraphernalia, and elements of each one. They are highly related to the culture from which they come, and the uses of each country. The way each person views religion also affects the ritual.
Each ritual has its own symbolism, and each group of believers adapts it to their own circumstances; even the day of the ritual varies. Yemayá 's rituals have their own particularities. They use prayers very similar to those already mentioned, and similar elements are used for the offerings.
Although there is a specific ritual for each request, they all have elements in common. The goddess is always related to the waters, and depending on the representation used, they will be fresh or sea waters.
For rites of love affairs, one must be in the vicinity of the marine waters, which is where the goddess obtains her power. It can be performed by practically anyone, as part of the ritual water fruits must be on hand, in sufficient quantity, all must be tropical. They can be sideburns or melons.
There will be many herbs in the arrangement, those that have a lot of smell, they must be green and fresh, to flatter the taste of the goddess. It is extremely important that before performing the rite, the applicant takes a bath with watercress
This is done so that, during the ritual, the goddess gives us good health, and if we also add parsley, without being explicitly requested, it will bring us economic prosperity. In addition to all these preparations, we must have a set of tools, these are: sword, fan, crescent, anchor, blue ribbons, melon, blue candle, molasses, vanilla extract.
As for the best day of the week to perform this ritual, it's Saturday. This is the day that corresponds to Yemayá . The ritual begins by lighting the candle. While doing so, you tell the deity that it is for her, writing her name next to the name of the person you love. This must be done with the conviction that it will work.
The date of birth must be known, it will be written 7 times, making sure that the color of what is used to write is scarlet, this will be done on a sheet. On the same sheet on the back, we will make the request in writing, either to reconcile or for the two.
The fruit that we will use, we will crack it a little, through this crack we put the paper that we have just calligraphed, while we do it we will ask for our wish, that it guide us along the path of happiness, that everything be sweet, and what we wish to ask for as complement. In this same crack we will place the tools, and everything or tie with the tapes.
Once the melon is prepared, along with the petition, tools, and ribbons, we take it to the altar of the goddess and thank her sincerely for the request she will grant. If you would like more information about the rituals, you can read the prayer to Yemayá.
Yemaya's day
This is a religion where each deity has a day assigned to pay tribute, in the case of the goddess, it corresponds to February two of each year. In this celebration the faithful followers of her, gather in the places where she is worshiped, to pray and perform rites. This is the ideal day to make special requests.
The faithful who can do so gather on the beaches, there they place gifts for the goddess, they play percussion instruments, they make requests for their personal problems, and thus this becomes the place of celebration for the goddess.
This day is celebrated that she is the mother of the earth, and of everything we can see, touch and perceive, and thanks are given because she introduced people to the world. This party must be held in places where many tourists or recreational activities are not seen. Everyone should attend dressed in white and blue.
Attendees must bring offerings, pray and sing to the goddess, there will also be dances and everything that is pleasing to her. Observers may be allowed as long as they respect the ceremonies. In short, we are all supposed to be her children.
If possible, a Maes de santo should participate , who are religious figures who can perform healings on site, in the name of the goddess, and with the help of their great power.
Offerings to Yemaya
It is a common mistake to think that anything can be offered to any deity, really each god has his preference, when it comes to offerings. Each deity has a related element, and this dictates what the offerings will be and what type they are.
This particular goddess is one of the main ones of this religion, all the others come from her, if she is offended with an inappropriate offering, her anger can be very destructive, that is why you have to be very meticulous when choosing the offerings, according to the request made.
To exemplify, if you are going to make a request, with something that is work in the ocean, or the sea, you can give him a dish that is his favorite food, this is called ochinchin; It is prepared with these elements: beans, garlic, onion, ginger, shrimp, egg, green banana, sugar, fish, papaya, pineapple, melon, pear and tomato.
Another example is, if it is requested to do justice, it should be offered: malanga, purslane, malanguilla and carqueja.
The offerings for love requests, which are the most made to this goddess, are made up of fruits. Here you also have to be very careful, because it cannot be just any fruit, the goddess has her preferences, these are: grapes, blackberries, coconut and pin, this is good to accompany with herbs such as basil and fern.
Songs
The deities must be thanked properly, either for the favors granted, or simply for their great power, not only are prayers said to them, or offerings are made to them, they are also sung to.
Lady Yemayá has her special songs; these, like the prayers, must be pleasing to the goddess's ear to avoid her anger.
I already asked Xangó. I already begged Oyá. I also requested compassion from Olofin. And today I dedicate my song to Yemayá. And Oxum pity the needy. Yemayá, my spirit guide.
Goddess, I who am so miserable. I only implore for serenity. From my home, from my surroundings.
I only ask for peace. Yemaya, goodness. I only ask for peace. Yemayá, Mayan goddess, Yemayá my goodness.
I only ask for peace. Yemaya, goodness. I only ask for peace. I sang to goodness. I dedicate my song to Yemayá. I begged Olofin for mercy. And now I beg Oyá.
Yemaya, goodness. I only ask for peace. Yemaya, goodness. I only ask for peace.
Oh, my lineage and my friends. I only ask for peace. Yemaya, goodness. I only ask for peace.
Woe to my country, woe to the entire universe. I only ask for peace and quiet. Yemaya, goodness. I only ask for peace.
Drums to Yemayá
This goddess is sung a lot, she is also danced, now we are going to mention her favorite musical instrument, the drum. Few people can witness the ritual with drums, since these are used by the so-called santeros in their special ceremonies. These are the true devotees and declared children of the goddess.
These rituals, performed by the santeros, consist of singing songs in the Yoruba language and performing dances, all to the sound of these wooden instruments. The garments used are batá , which are long robes with very wide sleeves. This is the ceremony where they ask the queen to look upon them.
As an outstanding characteristic of this kind of percussion interpretation, in the rites or celebrations, is that in the middle of this music offerings are made to the goddess. It can also be used to initiate new santeros, that is, when a person is going to start being part of this belief or tradition.
This ceremony is performed by the godparents and the so-called babalawos. Its purpose is to ask Yemayá for her blessings, to be happy in love, finances, to be healthy, in short, everything that one desires.
These drums can be accompanied by other instruments related to the goddess, they can be other percussion or string or wind instruments. During this party, it can cause the guide to transport, and start saying words that are usually what the queen is saying through it.
all about her necklace
In most religions, the spiritual is what stands out, people focus on this, when they perform their rituals. The Yoruba religion, the emphasis is on the material, it is possible that this is because the deities are human beings, only more powerful. In them you can get everyday items, such as necklaces, bracelets and clothing, among others.
These physical elements are a symbol of the culture from which they come, and for those who wear them, they have a lot of meaning and meaning. Chokers, typical of the deity, have a meaning that dates back to time immemorial, since our ancestors wore it with great pride, corresponding to the spiritual world to which they belonged.
All this tradition of necklaces is still valid, it has not changed because time has passed, they have been used since ancient times, what has happened is that with cultural evolution, the number of them has increased. These necklaces have a defined number of beads, as well as a specific color, in addition to other important things.
In the case of the goddess, her numbering is 7, as coloration, bluish and whitish stones are used. These bracelets are not used because the person wanted it, she must be assigned, and the goddess will say the color and number of bracelets to use.
What does your bracelet represent?
This bracelet, like the necklace, has a meaning and a use. In addition to blue and white, the bracelet uses a colorless glass. They can be made with blue beads and a coral, or with soap and coral, or with stained glass. Although, there is also another kind of bracelet that is not stones but is represented through rings, which have a certain meaning.
When earrings are used, it is to reference the riches of the goddess. These riches include marine life and everything under the sea. The name of this jewelry is bopa , a word that means tribute to Yemayá , and its language is Lucumí.
The use of this bracelet indicates that the queen is worshiped, and that respect is owed to her above all, the goddess takes this as a blessing. 7 can be used, the number of them will be indicated by the goddess in a special ceremony.
seven floors
All the saints have objects and plants of their choice, as well as foods and condiments. In the case of this goddess, the plants are used to cleanse, or to take baths of prosperity. To use it, they are cooked in water, and cooled, then they can be used in a bathroom. With this you can get peace and harmony, in principle 7 herbs are used.
These herbs are of the sarguero-breaker style, they are very aromatic herbs, which capture the attention of the goddess, allowing requests to be made to her. Depending on which one is used, problems of love or money can be solved.
In ceremonies to the goddess, another group of plants can also be used, these are intended to solve specific health problems. The santero, during the rite, will make a secret combination of these plants, and with this tincture he will give it to the sick person to drink, through this ritual the goddess will restore his health.
Despite the fact that the goddess is the regent of the sea, among the herbs that she uses, to grant gifts or to heal, there is no aquatic plant. This is explained, because she lives in the sea but she is the creator of everything on earth, so she can benefit from using both resources from the sea and from the land.
Kari osah yemaya ceremony
This is a term little known to the non-believer. The translation of this phrase is, when a person is going to become a full-fledged holy figure. In another way, it can be said that it is that ceremony performed, in order to lead a person to convert or officially enter this religion.
The person to be initiated must be taken to a seaside a week beforehand, to be exact, to the Iwayo , and the initiate will bring a white rooster. If you want to learn more about this interesting religion, read the prayer to Obatalá.
Once there, they must perform the following ceremony: they will form a circle with the other saints, and in the center, the principal names will be written so that the court is aware of what is going to be done. Everything must be covered with feathers, and the rooster's head must be taken to the Iseh Ozian . A cigar must be dried for the Ahse of the Liré , and then the following will be sung:
"Ya loromiya lorefawoyo yemaya"
In the same way, if the beginner has doubts about what is being done, this is the moment to ask the questions that are needed, the people already initiated can clarify the doubts. In this way, the one who initiates goes with total discernment on the day of the saint, he will be fully aware of what he is going to do and what this implies.
Yemayá roads
The term paths, in Santeria, refers to the different things or situations in which the saint has interference. He is related to all the things that can be asked of him and in which he can help, the problems that he can solve or simply how he can serve as a guide.
The initiate in this religion, culture or way of life must learn a number of terms that are new to him. In the case of this goddess these terms are: 7, 21 and 35, for the common person this may lack coherence, but for the santero it has a lot of meaning.
The number 7 means that the believer is a beginner in the faith, and above all it is interpreted as that he has not yet learned about the goddess, and this is his first start in the rites. After this stage is passed, it is increased to 21, this number already indicates that some learning journey has already been made. Being a true believer goes through continuous learning.
To reach 21, they must spend at least a five-year period. The followers of this cult, when they reach this level, have already developed a more holistic vision than when they have started, like everything in life, it is necessary to carry out the process gradually. Finally, to reach 35, you must go a long way in faith, it requires a lot of experience.
Another classification of the paths of Yemayá includes: Awyó, Akura, Kona, Ases, Ocue, Mayalwo, Achaá, and Navira . These are distinct from one another and possess their own unique characteristics, yet they are united and interconnected through their use in the worship of the goddess. They share her colors, are associated with the sea, and possess her power.
Relationship with Oshun
These two saints are highly related; the goddess has power over the sea waters, while the other governs the streams, and of course, sooner or later all tributaries flow into the sea, since this is because Yemayá and Oshun are sisters.
According to legend, they have a strange relationship. These legends claim that Oshun possessed great wealth, was very powerful, and lived in luxurious surroundings. She was immensely graceful and beautiful, and for all these reasons, she was very vain, constantly admiring her reflection in mirrors to admire her beauty.
This deity completely lacked humility, she dressed with great luxury, her hair was long and beautiful, she was very fond of herself and her hair filled her with pride. Like all things in life, she passed the time and the beauty was waning, and her power was diminished by constant conflicts with others. For this, she was banished and poor.
With the passage of time, his hardships increased, each time he saw himself poorer, he was a service person, he suffered hardships for food, he was cold; the valuables that he owned, he was selling them to be able to eat and his beautiful hair fell out, because of all the hardships he was going through.
She suffered greatly, and to make matters worse, she was utterly alone, impoverished, destitute, and enslaved. Yet, despite everything, she still held onto hope. She had one relative left, the powerful Yemayá , to whom all her sister's tears flowed down the river to the sea.
Yemayá possessed strength and fortune, and was the being who loved her most. She offered her great comfort, telling her that she would regain her power, for all the precious metal on earth would be hers. She gave her the most beautiful seashells to adorn herself with and assured her that she would never again be anyone's slave, but rather that she would sit upon a grand throne.
She would never have to serve anyone again; she gave her own hair as a gift, so that no one would ever see her bald. These daughters of the same father defend each other, and the same is true for their offspring. To learn more, you can read the prayer to Elegua to defeat enemies.
Relationship between Yemaya and Olokun
Legend says that they are not two goddesses, but rather the same goddess with two names. Those who say she is one interpret her as the representation of one of the paths. It's important to remember that Yemayá has power over the sea and everything in it.
Olokun , depending on the country, is considered a male figure in some and a female figure in others, but is always associated with the vicinity of saltwater. This is a highly debated concept.
All the contradictions arise when the two perspectives converge, whether in rituals or in the celebrations of the saint's day. The difference between the two perspectives is exacerbated because some claim that Yemayá lives on the surface, while others say she dwells at the bottom of the sea. The important thing is that when we hear about the goddess, we are clear about whose perspective we are listening to.
The difference with Oya
There are a variety of legends that mention the two goddesses; among them, the most widespread tells how the two goddesses fought because Oya saw Yemaya eating sheep in the company of Shango.
This discrepancy will always be maintained for the simple reason that they live in opposite elements, one queen in the sea and the other in the air. They rarely coincide, despite the fact that both elements support life on the planet. Both want dominance and when they fight each other they cause great catastrophes, that's why they maintain long periods of peace.
This must be known, because you cannot make the mistake of offering to one of the goddesses what the other likes. This makes them furious, it is very important to keep everything separate, very carefully and if possible, do not ask for both at the same time.
Yemaya tureen
The rituals of the saints are full of symbols, artifacts and offerings. This is a very material religion, so it is very important to know what elements we must have for each saint, when setting up his altar and making requests.
Yemayá has a taste for beautiful and expensive things, and she requires beautiful objects, including a soup container. Offerings are usually placed inside this container.
In most cases it is made with baked white clay, they can also be made in another way. They can be metallic and what they have in common is that they are richly decorated. These decorations will be chosen by the manufacturer, the colors usually correspond to the colors of the saint to whom the tureen will be dedicated.
This tureen can only be seen and used by those people who already have time in religion, those who are not initiated, are not allowed to approach or see it. Once the offerings enter this tureen, they can no longer be seen by anyone.
Yemaya's costumes
The goddess likes to be full of luxuries, not only does she like jewelry, she also likes to dress well and luxuriously. Her dresses have to be noticeable and in some shade of indigo, plus she can have certain white parts.
Bells will be sewn to the suit, and a waistband made of cotton will be placed, this will be closed with a diamond-shaped buckle. As part of the decorations of the dress, something made of equine hair, which has been dyed white or blue, should be placed on it.
There is a sacred object, representative of the goddess's power, which must also be part of the attire; it is called an agegbe . For those unfamiliar with Santería, this object is simply a fan made with peacock feathers. It must be decorated with pearls and seashells. Anyone can make them.
What is Yemaya Olodo?
This is a term used in Santeria, it has 2 interpretations that will depend on the context in which it is used. When you listen or read, you must be very careful to understand what is being talked about.
This word primarily defines one of the goddess's paths, one of her faculties. Therefore, if it is known that the goddess is walking one of her paths, it is said Yemayá Olodo . It is very common for it to be considered a symbol of journeys already undertaken, particularly very difficult ones.
It can also be used when we want to refer to the tour of places we do not know, or new places for us.
The following interpretation of the phrase or term is that the goddess is the owner and ruler of a river located in Nigeria called Oggn , which she shares with her sister Oshun.
What saint is in the Catholic religion?
In its origins, this cult arrived in America at the hands of the tyrannized Africans. Once in this land, they were not allowed to practice their rites and the Catholic religion was imposed on them, they had to manage to continue professing their religion.
In order to do so, they mentioned their deities, with the names of Catholic saints. Of course, they tried to create a similarity between the two saints and in this way they created a dialect that only they could understand so that their masters would not realize what they were doing.
Yemayá was not exempt from this, and her corresponding saint in the Catholic religion is the Virgin of Regla . Both Yemayá and the Virgin of Regla are similar; they both enjoy constant work, are considered perfect, and favor everything related to good health. Both are associated with the sea and protect its creatures.
Both deities came to America from the hands of a believer, who had to hide it so that it would not be damaged. The two traveled similar paths, through turbulent places, protected by their faithful to prevent desecration. Despite the problems, both arrived intact at their destinations.
In 1860, the goddess arrived in Cuba , specifically in the area where the chapel for the Virgin of Regla was built . During the time of slavery, on the Virgin's day, slaves were excused from work to attend the worship, but they did attend, and they worshipped Yemayá.
What is its satanic meaning?
The goddess, for some, is taken as being associated with the devil, this is because, as she governs the waters and is extremely powerful, they fear her. She is capable of ruling the maritime forces, for better or worse, and because of that she scares many.
Those who associate it with evil, allege that it has the power to grant wishes, not very holy, such as tying up the loved one, or achieving unrequited love. Also if she is contradicted, this goddess is capable of being extremely destructive.
Those who associate the goddess with evil preach that the devil dwells in the depths of the ocean and takes souls from there to hell. Therefore, since Yemayá lives there , she is associated with this belief.
The cakes
Among the many offerings to the goddess, are cakes. These will bear her name and an allegory to her body. This is presented to the altar on the day of the goddess, this is February 2, it is very similar to a birthday party, but since the goddess likes it a lot, she can also offer it another day.
Those who are about to be initiated into the priesthood also usually wear one, thus indicating that from that moment on, that date will be an anniversary. To learn much more, you can read the prayer to Shango.
How do they see the goddess in Cuba?
Originally the religion arrived in Cuba, from there it migrated to the continent. In Cuba the goddess is highly revered, because being an island, she is surrounded by water. In fact there is a tourist industry around the visit to celebrate her day.
What is crowning the deity?
The deity coronation ceremony serves to transform the believer into a santero or santera. There are two ways to receive a deity: a crowned deity or a washed deity. The washed deity ceremony lasts only one day and does not involve the Iyaworaje initiation period , nor does it require shaving the head.
The ceremony of receiving a crowned deity is recommended for those who will not be performing consultations, spells, or any kind of Santería rituals. When the guardian angel is Shangó , the deity must be crowned; this deity does not accept a deity that has been "washed."
The crowned deity ceremony is quite large and laborious; in this ceremony the guardian angel places a crown upon the initiate, hence its name.
This rite requires a varied group of immolations, purifications and cleansing of the body and soul, which will be the way to receive the deity with dignity. The act of coronation separates the initiates from those who have had the vocation to dedicate themselves to their deity. Everyone has their own deity that will protect them, and although for many each ceremony is different.
Coronation Ceremony Requirements and Costs
When this type of rite is to be performed, it requires that, first, the applicant has received the warrior deities: Elegá, Ogu, Osos, and Osu . It is in this preliminary rite that the court tells the believer who their guardian angel is ; this will be the deity who will guide their journey through life.
Once the prerequisite is met, according to the deity revealed to the initiate, one or more sacrifices must be performed, the forces to be used will be chosen, and the necessary payment, or granting of rights, for the coronation will be determined. After this coronation rite, the person changes their name to Iyawó , which means initiate.
One of the most expensive coronations is that of Elegá . This is because a great deal of magic and power are used for this coronation, and many sacrifices are also performed. There are other deities that are much more affordable, including Osu and Obatala . Of course, it is the petitioner who decides which deity to crown.
There is a basic monetary payment called the "fee ," which is the salary of the person leading the ceremony for providing the service. In addition to this, the living beings to be sacrificed for the cleansing and purity of the initiate must be purchased. Food must also be bought to feed all those participating in the ritual.
What is the holy room and who prepares it?
This ceremony or ritual is something only babalawos and iyalosha , the godchildren of Osa , can perform; they can be male or female. This is a religion where women are considered important, because of the mother of all. In it, women are always religiously superior to any other human, and for this reason, godmothers of the saint are special.
The simplest way to know if someone has been crowned the saint is by the color of their clothes, since they must wear all white for a full year, which is a custom from Cuban folklore.
The deity's room is a very special space for this ceremony, this is where the requesting person must be, confined by the godparents, and it is in this place where the hidden rites of the coronation are carried out. The best known steps that are performed there are the haircut of the initiate, cleansing with herbs and emetic sacrifices.
Only those already initiated, and those who have been initiated before, may enter the sanctuary. At times, santeros may prevent babalawos from entering , as once they have entered the land of Ifá , they can no longer perform this ceremony for others.
During the days of the ceremony
On these days the person remains in the room and the rites last more or less seven days. In the full placement of the crown, there will be days of more fury than others. The first ceremonies are strong, demanding a concentration of importance, both for the santero and for the interested party.
In the initial moments, the person is prepared to experience everything correctly. They are cleansed with a wide variety of plants, specifically those favored by the deity whose crown they wish to wear, and the Egu are informed of everything that will happen. This aspect, which we mentioned last, may be accompanied by sacrifices.
The animals that are immolated serve to honor the dead, along with spiritual rituals. Then the rites are prepared to deliver the offerings of larger living beings, or four limbs.
When the most complex rites have already been carried out and the previous steps requested by the saint have been carried out, they spend a few days at rest, so that the initiate recovers energy, as well as those who guide him, the saints who are around it.
On the last day of the grand crowning ceremony, the applicant is given an Iták, which is the prediction with which the deity tells him what he should do from then on; this is the guide for the rest of his life, which will be dedicated to the saint.
Powers that are received when crowning saint
This ceremony, being so intimate, immediately helps to increase one's connection with the religious community to which one belongs. The person who crowned the deity becomes familiar with the saint; in this ritual, they learn who their other parent is. For example, a son of Shangó is revealed to have his mother's identity revealed, and if it is Yemayá , he will know who his father is.
While this is happening, the initiate, now crowned, leaves the room with the knowledge of who their spiritual progenitors are. In addition to this important knowledge, in this rite the Iyawó initiate obtains the powers of the so-called Head Orishas , among which are Obaalá, Osún, Yemayá, and Shangó, which are always received.
Of course this varies, with the parents that have been revealed to you, and with the guardian angel, you can even receive more deities than those mentioned. Another thing of importance is the rite where the necklaces of the saints that he will possess are delivered, since with this the person has the protection of him.
The Iyawó or initiate
Once the deity's coronation rite is complete, the person becomes an Iyawó , or initiate. This title is entirely religious and will accompany them for the next twelve months. During this time, the Iyawó must lead a life that is as healthy and pure as possible, adhering to numerous limitations. It is a purification of the spirit.
Some of the prohibitions can be, being in the street without your guide, getting caught up in rainwater, sleeping late, calming down or being out at dawn, eating food that the saint does not like, arguing or getting heated, directly delivering something in hands of other people, among many other things.
Another peculiarity of this ritual is the initiate's attire; during these twelve months, everything they wear must be white. Furthermore, on some occasions, the saint forbids them from ever wearing bright colors again. Moreover, after a certain period, the Iyawó is obligated to renew their purification, for which they perform " Ebbós ," a rite of spiritual cleansing.
Once these twelve months are over, the initiate can already consider that he has his deity done correctly and becomes an authority of the religion, and according to his sex he will bear the name and from there he can receive new powers of Santeria. He must commit to fulfilling the rest of his life with his saint or he must bear the consequences.
Where does the cult of Yemayá come from?
The Yoruba religion encompasses the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practices of the Yoruba people . Their homeland is located in southwestern Nigeria , comprising Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti , as well as the Lagos States and adjacent parts of Benin and Togo , commonly known as Yorubaland.
It shares some parallels with the Vodun practiced by the neighboring Fon and Ewe peoples to the west and with the religion of the Edo people to the east. Yoruba religion is the basis for a number of religions in the New World, notably Santería, Unbanda, the Orishas of Trinidad, Haitian Vodou, and Candomblé.
Yoruba religious dogmas are components of Itan , the intricate world of songs, stories, and other cultural elements that shape the Yoruba nation . According to Kola Abimbola , the Yoruba have evolved into a strong tradition. In essence, he maintains that all human beings possess what is known as "Ayanmo ," which is considered destiny.
It is expected that each person will eventually become a spirit with Olodumare (also known as Olorun, the divine creator and source of all energy). Furthermore, the thoughts and actions of each person in Ayé (the physical realm) interact with all other living beings, including the Earth itself.
Every person living on Earth strives to achieve perfection and find their destiny in Orun-Rere (the spiritual realm of those who do good and beneficial things). The ori-inu (spiritual consciousness in the physical realm) must grow to consummate union with the "Iponri" ( Ori Orun , spiritual self).
Meditative recitation (or well-balanced recitation ) and sincere devotion are necessary to strengthen the ori-inu of most people. It is believed that well-balanced individuals can make authentic use of the simplest form of connection between their Oris and the almighty Olu-Orun : a madura (petition or prayer) for divine support.
The prayer to one's own Ori Orun causes an immediate impression of contentment. Eshu Elegbara initiates contact with the spirit realm on behalf of the petitioner and communicates the prayer to Ayé ; the liberator of Ase or the spark of life.
Transmit this prayer without distorting it in any way. The petitioner may then be satisfied with a personal response. Of course, this response should include an expression of gratitude for what will be received.
In the event that he or she is not, the Ifa divination of the Orisha Orunmila can also be consulted. But conversely, all communication with Orun , whether very simple in the form of a particular prayer or intricate in the form of that performed by an initiated Babalawo (divination priest), is filled with energy by invoking Ase.
In the Yoruba belief system , Olodumare has an opinion about everything that is. Therefore, he is considered supreme. He is the most important "state of existence." Considered as all-encompassing, he cannot be assigned any gender. He is more of a state than a saint.
So it's common to hear references to "it" or "they" (although this is meant to address something of an oddity).
"Those" are the owners of all heads, because while people were being created, Olodumare gave "emi" (the spirit of vitality) to them. In this, Olodumare is Supreme.
Perhaps one of the most important human efforts praised within the Yoruba literary corpus is the search to improve the "Iwa" (character, behavior).
In this way, the teachings transcend religious doctrine and advise how to do it, since a person must also improve their civic, social and intellectual spheres.
Each stanza of the sacred Ifa oracular poetry contains a portion that addresses the importance of "Iwa ." Central to this is the theme of justice, both individual and collective. The Yoruba people , as a tribe, consider Olodumare to be the principal agent of creation. To learn more about the elements in the rituals, read about incense.
According to one of the Yoruba creation stories, at a certain stage of the process, "truth" was sent to confirm the habitability of the newly formed planets. Earth, being one of these, was visited but deemed too wet for conventional life.
After a period of great prosperity, several deities, led by Obatala, were sent to assist the planet in developing its crust. On one of his visits to the realm, the deity Obatala ascended into space carrying a shell that concealed some form of soil, winged beasts, and some cloth.
The fill was scooped out into what soon became a huge ridge on the surface of the water and soon after, the flying brutes went to spread this around to the point where it gradually turned into a huge patch of dry land; the various indentations they created eventually became hills and valleys.
Obatala leaped to a commanding place and named it Ife . He brought nutrients, and the area began to sprout plants. From handfuls of earth, he began to mold figures. Meanwhile, as this was happening on the planet, Olodumare gathered the gaseous elements from the farthest reaches of space and caused an explosion that became a ball of fire.
He then sent them to Ife , where he drained much of the land and, at the same time, began to cook the inanimate bodies. It was at this moment that Olodumare released the "spirit of vitality" to flow throughout the planet, and the figurines slowly began to "be" like the first people of Ife . For this reason, Ife is known locally as " Ife Oodaye ."