The Sweet Life

Yesterday I went to the Ochun tambor in Spanish Harlem. It was full of blessings especially for the small children who were present who recieved much love, money, toys, and candy from the orishas. Oshun gave me a message or rather a confirmation. I know that my Mother loves me and She always has my back. Ora ie ie O Oxum. Ashe.

4 years since I entered this new life

Today was my 4th birthday in Candomble. Moudpe Baba Logunede, Iya Oxum e Baba Oxossi. Ashe. Words cannot express my gratitude to the orixas for their many blessings in my life.

Madre Tierra/la Mère de la Terre/Ile Aye

On Saturday Evening, I was walking in the East Village wherein I happened to stumble upon this mural above. It was an advertisement for a plant shop. It said "Mother Earth, Loves You, Love Mother Earth." It inspired me to take a picture of it.
All of this brings to mind the present condition of our Mother Planet and how we treat her. At the last meeting at the Caribbean Cultural Center, I heard the orisha and lwa traditions referred to as "Earth Based Relgions". This is a good designation for our faiths as we do honor the forces of Nature as well as work with various herbs to conduct rituals. In this sense we do have elements in common with the Native American traditions and those of pagan religions, the main difference is that Orisha and Lwa beliefs are centered on limited montheism. This is the belief in a Supreme Being, Olorun, Bondye, Nzamabi, a force more powerful than the orisha/lwa and yet the deities are aspects or parts of the One.

This being said we do revere Mother Earth in the Yoruba traditions. In Nigeria she is called Ile which means House. Ile Aye means the House of Life or Earth. She is also known as Onile. Yoruba religion looks to the earth and the waters not to the stars or celestial objects like other African ethnic groups such as the Dogon or the Egyptians. The Yoruba proverb states "Aiye l'oja. Orun n'ile. (The world is a market place. Heaven is home.) This world we live is a marketplace in that it has all the beauties and sorrows that life has to offer. Sometimes the buyer must beware and sometimes you find that rare gem of an item. Also this means that there is so much diversity and opportunities in life, the Divine created us to enjoy the wonders of life not run away from them. However Heaven/Ile Orun or the world of Spirit is our true home and we must remember that we came from spirit and shall return to that plane. It is like that saying, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience we are spiritual beings having a human experience."

Onile, the orisa of earth is honored in the Orisha Religion of Trinidad. Here She is also Mamman L'Terre or Mother Earth. Sometimes the spirit of La Madama is used to represent her. La Madama is depicted below as an elderly black woman with a broom and is usually revered by Spiritualists.Onile is also seen in Trinidad as an elderly woman. The third drum in Trinidadian Orisha ceremonies always beats to the heartbeat of the earth and Onile when she possesses a devotee she will move to the beat, albeit slowly since she is an old woman. I received the above information from a priest of the Orisha Religion of Trinidad.

No matter what different cultures around the world call Her, the Earth is Our Mother and we must care for Her as She always provides for us. Without Her we cannot exist, however she can exist just fine without us. She was here before us and She probably will be here long after we are gone. Adupe Onile!

Spirituality in One Dimension-Part One

I am going to examine what sometimes occurs in three religions that I am familiar with, that of Neo-Paganism, the Orisha traditions, and Christianity. I call it the one dimensional view of the gods.

Let's start with the Afro-Caribbean religions. Sometimes there is this one dimensional, human based idea of orisha in which the divinities are sometimes described as dramatic soap opera characters. Grant it there are stories of the orisha in which they may behave in less than perfect ways. However these stories are meant to teach us how to behave better. Many initiates justify their bad behavior because they say well "I am a child of this orisha so I can.." Ok, but you are the child of the orisha not the orisha. Wear your crown proudly but leave your ego at the door.

Also this pinning the orisha down in rigid categories. One time, this woman who was not an initiate criticized me for saying "Mama Oshun". She said, "I see Yemaya more at the Mother and Oshun is the flirt. This is some stupid modern Western concept that says that motherhood and mothers by extent cannot be sexy. Oshun is a Mother of several orishas and is called YeYe, the Good Mother. Oshun also has warrior aspects as does Yemaya, but many overlook this because these orishas are considered "feminine". Yeah, like women never fought before. Yemaya, although maternal is quite sensual, the siren of the seas. Again, the whole idea that sensuality and motherhood is not sensual rears its ugly head. There are some aspects of Yemaya that are often mistaken for Oshun because of her behavior.

Many forget the orishas are aspects of the Divine. Some may have been deified ancestors, some aspects of orishas may have been older divinities that were absorbed. After all there are 401 orisha in Nigeria and only a mere fraction of those are honored in the Diaspora. The orishas exist on many levels, aspects of the Supreme Being Olorun, deified ancestors who were once human, and forces of nature and the cosmos. Also while I am on the subject of Olorun, why do people equate the Supreme Being in Yoruba belief with the Judeo-Christian concept of God. Olorun is neither male or female and cannot be comprehended by human belief. I know some of us come from Jewish, Christian, or Islamic background but that storm and war deity of the Hebrews is not the same as the Supreme Being in Yourba religion or in any religion for that matter. The idea of a Supreme Being transcends human comprehension.

I had an interesting discussion with a young Lucumi priest of Obatala. We were discussing the significance of Ogun. How he represents the iron in our blood that allows us to live, the force that moves our muscle, and the whole idea of civilization itself rests with the concepts of Ogun and Oshun. That story of when Oshun leading Ogun out of the forest has so many deeper meanings. One, that love, represented by Oshun was able to lead him out of the forest of his despair and isolation. Two, the waters of Oshun and the metalworking of Ogun are necessary for civilization as all of civilization came to a halt when Ogun retreated into the forest. The earliest civilizations on earth of Egypt/Africa, Indus River Valley/India, Yellow River/China, and the Tigris/Euphrates/Middle East, they all began in river valleys and learned to use metals and agriculture to forge civilizations. The waters of Oshun are needed to cool and temper the force of Ogun in order for civilization to exist.

Well I guess I will get to the neo-pagan and Christian parts another time as this post became quite long. My purpose is not to rant or criticize but I think we need in general to become better researchers and look deeper into the meanings and dimensions of our spirituality.

The Divine Twins in the Yoruba Pantheon

I had some very powerful dreams about my ancestors, family, the Ibeyji and Shango this morning. So I've been seeing black twins everywhere and had a dream about the Ibeji this morning so I think I will give candy to the Ibeji tomorrow. The Ibeji are the divine twins, the children of Shango.

In Catholicism, they were syncretized with Saints Cosmos and Damian, twin doctors. My Italian great-grandmother had a special devotion for Saints Cosmos and Damian, she had this beautiful statue of them on her dresser. My grandfather and my great aunt (her children) also had a devotion for them. My great aunt Lucia gave me a wallet card for Saints Cosmos and Damian many years ago which I keep on my Ancestor altar.

My mae de santo told me there are 3 paths of Ibeji in Candomble. The children of Shango and Oshun are a boy and girl.The children of Shango and Oya are two boys and the third path no one knows who the mother is but Iemanja raised them and it is a boy and a girl. The colors of the Ibeji in Candomble are pink and blue or green and yellow depending on the path.

Usually in both Lucumi and Candomble, the feast of the Ibeji is a party for kids with lots of candy and toys that are given to the kids. The feast of the Ibeji is usually celebrated on the Catholic feast day of Cosmos and Damian which is September 27th.

It is said that the Yoruba have the highest birth rates of twins in the world. A Yoruba child born after twins is called Idowu which means "child born after twins". I have a Yoruba friend with that name.

When twins die among the Yoruba, wooden sculptures are made of them and venerated by the family.

In Vodoun, the Divine Twins are known as the Marasa and also have male and female aspects. The males are syncretized with Cosmos and Damien. The female Marasa are syncretized with the three Virtues, Faith, Hope and Charity.

As a son of Logunede, I've always had a connection to the Ibeji. After all the Ibeji are Logunede's brothers/sisters via Oshun. The Ibeji also have connections with Oshun, Oya, Yemaya and of course their father Shango.

An Umbanda (Brazilian Spiritism) legend that has roots in an older Yoruba tale tells how the Ibeji defeat Eshu once. In the original Yoruba version, the Ibeji trick an spirit into defeat. In the Umbanda version it tells who the twins defeated Eshu and explains the origin of the exu and pombagira line of spirits.

At the dawn of time, Eshu challenged the rule of the other orisha and rebelled against them. He began to populate the earth with many monsters and other horrors.The other orishas could not defeat him. Oxala (Obatala) divided himself into two aspects Oxaguian, the young warrior and Oxalufon, the old king in order that he may fight Exu with his two avatars. The Ibeji also fought Exu as well. One twin would fight him for 12 hours and the other for another 12 giving each rest. With the combined strength of Oxala and the twins, Exu was defeated. Exu swore that his children, the spirits known as exus or pombagiras would serve the orixas. This is why each male orixa has an exu and each female orixa has a pombagira as its messenger. The exus are not the orixa Exu but a class of very powerful dead folk who have passed on but have a connection to Exu. For example Exu Tata Caveira was an Egyptian prince in Roman times who became the Lord of the Cemetery. He has links to Babaluaye. With the Pombagiras, the were often the spirits of prostitutes, princesses, or queens who after death became linked to Pombagira and Exu.
I hope the Divine Twins, the Ibeji bless you and your children with more fun and laughter in your lives. Ashe.

Completed Spritual Training

I have been training in a course as outlined in Francesca de Grandis' book, Be A Goddess. It is a 15 work course but due to my busy schedule and my duties as an initiate of Candomble, it took me about 6 months rather than three. I'm good with it because we learn on our own pace. Also I finished at a good time, when I feel things are finally starting to turn around for the better in my life. I started this course at the end of January and finished yesterday. So I celebrated by doing two of the rituals in the book, the Honor Candle and Becoming the Goddess.
Francesca de Grandis is an initiate of the Feri tradition of Witchcraft as well as the founder of her own branch of Feri Shamanism, the Third Road®. She also has another book called Goddess Initiation, which I also have and is a one year course of study. I think I am going to hold off on that one for a while as I am preparing for my four year birthday in orisha this month. I think my next course of study is to study the Tarot more intently using this one particular book I own. I highly recommend Francesca's books and her training programs.
Her website is Shamanic Training
Blessed Be!

Full Moon in Capricorn

Tonight's Full Moon falls in the sign of Capricorn. It is time to focus on fiscal responsibility, prosperity and abundance. However, if you want success and prosperity for yourself, wish success and prosperity for others. Now is also the time for compassion, to nurture yourself and others. Mother Earth is the Empress of Abundance and now is the time to manifest that abundance. I wish all who read this post, much prosperity, abundance, success, and good health in their lives.

Roads in Life, Caminos de La Vida Loca

Today is Monday, the day of Eshu/Elegba in both Lucumi and Candomble. Here is my tribute to the Divine Trickster himself.
The roads of life may be difficult or easy depending on the choices we make. Exu, is always there to guide us or trip us with a banana peel to make sure we learn. Sometimes the only way we learn is to fall on our asses. Myself, being the stubborn hard headed Taurus, I often learn the hard way. Yet no matter what errors I make, how many times I stumble, I end up in the right place and that is what matters. No matter how much I may fume or shake my fist at the heavens, I end up laughing at myself when I realized that nothing I have done is in vain. I would like thank all of you who have enriched my life, who have brought blessings just by being the wonderful people that you are.

Eshu,
Divine Trickster,
Left Hand of God,
Messenger of the gods,
Guardian of all doorways and roads,
show us the right paths in life and be with us as we travel those stone filled roads,
filled with trials,
help us to make the right choices at the crossroads of Life.
Ashe.

Ti amo baba. I love you. Exu Laroie!!!

Fiction with African Traditional Religious themes

There are quite a few novels that contain references to the orisha or the lwa. Some of which are very positive and well written. I've read all of these books so I will include a short description.

The Salt Roads by Nalo Hopkinson-takes place in 18th century Haiti, 19th century Paris, and ancient Egypt-the story of three women, a Haitian slave, an Egyptian saint, and a Paris courtesan who have a spiritual connection to Ezili Freda, Ezili Danto and La Sirene.

Chango's Fire by Ernesto Quinonez-about a Puerto Rican arsonist living in Spanish Harlem who turns from a life of organized crime to a more positive life because of his involvement in Santeria. This book also deals with the current issue of gentrification that El Barrio is facing.

The Accidental Santera-by Irete Lazo based on the authors spiritual journey into the orisha religion, it is about an agnostic biologist who finds peace, healing and fulfillment on her initiatory journey into Lucumi.

Dona Flor and her Two Husbands by Jorge Amado-the story of Dona Flor who turns to a Candomble priestess because her deceased husband is haunting her and causing problems in her second marriage. The scene where the orixas themselves intervene is beautiful. This was made into a film starring Sonia Braga and also into a telenovela.

War of the Saints by Jorge Amado-about a young girl who is to be initiated as a priestess of Oya but her fundamentalist Catholic aunt who is her legal guardian refuses to allow any exposure to the orisha religion. Oya herself comes to save the girl and sets the story in motion.

Memórias do Distrito de Diamantina, by João Felicio-this novel is more famous for its film and tv adaptation becoming the film and telenovela Xica da Silva. It is based on the true story of a slave woman Xica who lived in 18th century Brazil. She gains her freedom from becoming the beloved of the colonial governor. The tv show depicted aspects of the orixa tradition.

The Famished Road by Ben Okri-tells the story of a Nigerian boy in the 1960's who is an abiku or child that has died before and returned to its mother. His parents are often doing ebbos to save him from various disasters which occur due to his curiosity.

The Book of Night Women by Marlon James-the story of a Jamaican slave girl Lilith and her discovery of a secret society of African women who plot a slave revolt. References to Yoruba words and deities are throughout the book

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, Yo!by Julia Alvarez-these two books tell the stories of the Garicas, a Dominican family who flee the Dominican Republic during the Trujillo dictatorship. In Santo Domingo the Garcias have a Haitian nanny who practices Vodoun and uses it to protect the girls. In New York, the Garcias have a Dominican housekeeper who practices Espiritismo.

Still Water Saintsby Alex Espinoza about a Mexican American woman who owns a shop called Botanica Ochun in Southern California. She inherits the botanica from a Cuban santero. It is a series of short stories about the different people in town, their hopes, dreams, and tragedies. Very uplifting and sad, keep the tissues handy.

Master of the Crossroads by Madison Bell-a ficitonalized account of the Haitian Revolution. It includes a lot of references to Vodoun and the lwa.

Merrick by Anne Rice-part of her famous vampire series, the story of Merrick Mayfair a descendant of the famous European Mayfair witches and African American Vodoun practicioners. Set in New Orleans, it also discusses the story of David Talbot, who was initiated to Oxala (Obatala) in Brazilian Candomble. David's involvement in Candomble is discussed in Rice's book Tale of the Body Thief. Merrick uses florida water and invokes Papa Legba in the first chapter.

Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez- set in Colombia's colonia period a Spanish nobleman's 12 yr old daughter is bitten by a rabid dog. Believing the girl to be possessed by demons due to her illness, she is taken to convent to be buried alive. The girl was raised mainly by Yoruba slave women who give her necklaces of the orisha and teach her the Yoruba language hence the reason why her family thinks she is speaking "in tongues". The girl is later revered as a local miracle working saint.

Voodoo Dreams by Jewell Parker Rhodes-fictionalized account of the life of
19th century famous Voodoo priestess Marie Leaveau whose tomb is a place of pigrimage in New Orelans.

There are more books of course and I will be updating this post in the future.