and the rain fell down like a blessing from Olorun

My mind is thinking back to that dance production about Oshun I saw last month. The story was a bit of a different spin on the story of Oshun and Ogun. In the play, Ogun and his warriors were wreaking havoc on the earth, spreading destruction and terror in their midst. In one scene, the drummers started playing a slow mournful beat and the singer sang a song of praise to Olofi, the Supreme Creator. Normally most orisha music sounds joyous but there was something different about the way he was singing it. It was so slight but it sounded more like a cry for help although sounding like praise still. Two women entered on the stage. One was an old woman in a white gown with long white hair. She fluttered in and looked like she was suffering. Her body contorted in anguish. A younger girl in a red dress came out and clung to her. They looked like a mother and daughter clinging to each other in sorrow, distraught by the suffering caused by tragedy and war. They leave the stage and Obatala enters declaring that Ogun's raw brutality must be kept in check and there will be peace. Much later the girl becomes one of Oshun's handmaidens.
Oshun and her handmaidens enchant Ogun and his warriors and the drums of war become the sensuous Ijesha rythmns of Oshun. Love conquers War and peace and civilization are allowed to continue. The old woman who in my mind represents the human soul burdened by suffering now glides on stage and her daughter leads her to Obatala. She kneels before the King of the White Cloth and prepares to enter the next world. In Candomble, Obatala is sometimes associated with death, the final ending that brings peace and a ceasing of suffering.
This play brings to mind another story of when Oshun in the form of a peacock flies up to the throne of Olofi to beg the Creator to send rain. The sun blackens her feathers and she becomes a vulture. Once again she saves the world from extinction.

Sometimes I feel like that scene in the play where humanity cries out to the Creator for an explanation. But sometimes the explanation is there is NO explanation. Our human minds were not meant always to grasp these mysteries. Sometimes the only answer the orishas can give me is We love you. Sometimes I pray and the rain falls down like a blessing from Olofi.
I'm not always sure what path to take. I know what I have to do in this life. I may have to do it alone or perhaps may have someone at my side to love me. In either case, the only strength I can rely on is my own. I thank all of you here, whom I have mentioned and those not mentioned for giving me such love, good advice, and friendship.
In the words of a fellow priest, Omi Leti "The chains are broken and my waters will engulf the world." I say let the rain fall, whether its tears of joy or tears are sorrow, both are equally sacred. Whether a smooth flowing sweet water of love or an angry tidal wave in the end all that is negative, all that is not of the divine is washed away. Ashe.

River of Rebirth

I'm listening to the music of Trinidad Orisa priestess Ella Andall, her powerful voice, the chorus, the beating of the drums sing praises of Oshun and Shango, making me move along to the music. She sings "Aladadoye!" (He lives) in praise of Shango, calling on him to destroy the obstacles that plague our everyday lives.
Yesterday I went to the Hudson River, to put yellow roses in the river to my mother Oxum. Tomorrow is her feast day in Candomble and I went to the river despite those freezing temperatures. The river was moving onward to the ocean of Yemanja, fast and strong as ever. I let go of something with sadness in my heart and today I find myself dancing to the beats of Trinidad's drums. The river is still flowing, the sun still rose this morning. The music still continues.
This is what it means to practice the religion of the orishas. To survive, to thrive even despite the boulders that lie in your path, despite the mockery of the tongues of others, despite the seemingly soul crushing burdens of every day life. to dance with joy, even though you are weighed with sorrow within. The pulse of the drums still plays, the voices are still raised to Ile Orun in praise. Ashe. (The above painting was done by artist Maria Guilla Alemanno)

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.

Osun song from Trinidad by Ella Andall

Osun by Ella Andall
from the Album Osun Bamise-copyright 2008

Lyrics
OLA N GA LA FILA FI OSUN
OLA N GA LA FILA FUN YEYE
OLA N GA LA FERE KAYERE
OSUN GA LA FILA FUN YEYE
The one who commands wealth like a crown is Osun
Wealth is commanded like a crown for my Mother
She commands wealth like our Mother's crown
TALADE OSUN, TALADE OLOMI (OSUN TALADE)
TALADE YEYE, TALADE OLODO
TALADE, TALADE, OLORI
OSE REMI KUMERE YEYE
Osun is the owner of the crown
The crown is benefiting the ruler of water
(Oshun owns the crown)
My Mother owns the crown,
the crown is benefiting the owner of the rivers
The one who owns the crown is the queen
We give thanks to my friend,
My Mother who makes good of blessings.
OSUN ME GBA IBEJI LO
IBEJI LO YEYE OSUN
OSUN ME GBA IBEJI LO
Osun take me so that I may have twins
Let twins come, Mother Osun
Osun take me so that I may have twins
OSUN ME BA IBEJI LO
IBEJI LO GUL OSUN
OSUN ME BA IBEJI LO
Osun helps me to have twins
May twins come Osun
Oshun helps me have twins.

Oshun and Shango Playlist

Oshun and Shango playlist from various artists

Oshun and Shango playlist