Ṣàngó: The King of Justice, Thunder and Fire
Ṣàngó: The King of Justice, Thunder and Fire Main Domain Justice, Royal Power, Fire, Thunder, Quarries Sacred Symbols Oxé (double axe), Edun Ará (lightning stone) Colors and Day Red, White | Wednesday Greeting Kaô Kabecilê! 1. Introduction: The Principle of Justice and Authority Ṣàngó is the Orisha of justice, power […]
Ìbejì: The Dual Divinity of Joy and Prosperity
Ìbejì: The Dual Divinity of Joy and Prosperity Main Domain Joy, Childhood, Twins, Prosperity, Arts Sacred Symbols Twin Dolls, Sweets, Toys Colors and Day All colors, especially Pink and Blue | Sunday Greeting Bejiróó! 1. Introduction: The Principle of Duality and Luck Ìbejì is not a single Orisha, but a dual divinity, […]
Ìkú – Death in the Nagô-Yorùbá Tradition
Ikú: Death as a Force of Nature Main Domain Death, End, Transition, Cycles Sacred Symbols Scythe, Hourglass, Skeleton, Coffin Colors and Black Day | No specific day Greeting There is no greeting, but rather respect and appeasement. 1. Introduction: The Principle of Inevitable Transition In Yoruba cosmology, Ikú is not an Orisha to be worshipped, […]
Ori – The Essence and Personal Destiny
Orí: The Personal Divinity and Guardian of Destiny Main Domain Destiny, Consciousness, Individuality, Head (physical and spiritual) Sacred Symbols Head (physical), Iborí (settlement of Orí) Colors and White Day, and the individual colors of each | Everyday Greeting Orí, mo pè o! (Head, I call you!) 1. Introduction: The Principle of Consciousness […]
Orunmilá / Ifá – The Òrìṣà of Wisdom and Destiny
Orunmila (Ifá): The Orisha of Wisdom and Witness of Destiny Main Domain Wisdom, Destiny, Divination (Oracle of Ifá), Knowledge Sacred Symbols Ifá Tablet (Opon Ifá), Ikin (oil palm seeds), Opelé (divination chain) Colors and Day Green, Brown | Sunday Greetings Òrúnmìlà, Èlerí Ìpín! (Orunmila, Witness of Destiny!) 1. Introduction: The Principle of Cosmic Wisdom […]
The Crossroads in the African Worldview
Èṣù – The Messenger and Guardian of the Paths
Èṣù: The Divine Messenger and Lord of the Ways Main Domain Communication, Order, Chaos Sacred Symbols Ogò (stick), Crossroads Colors and Day Red, Black | Monday Greeting Laroyê Èṣù! 1. Introduction: The Principle of Existence Èṣù is often misunderstood as an evil or 'diabolical' figure due to syncretism with Judeo-Christian culture. However, in […]
Ọbalúayé, Orixá of Earth, Health and Disease
Obalúayé / Omolú: The Lord of Earth, Disease and Healing Main Domain Earth, Disease (especially of the skin), Healing, Death Sacred Symbols Xaxará (straw scepter), Wooden Spears Colors and Day Black, White, Red | Monday Greeting Atótóò Ajúbèrú! 1. Introduction: The Principle of Disease and Healing Obalúayé (the king and lord […]
Ọbà, Warrior Orisha, of the River and Loyalty
Obà: The Warrior Queen of Love and Sacrifice Main Domain Relationships, Sacrifice, Loyalty, Whirlwinds Sacred Symbols Copper Shield, Ofá (bow and arrow), Razor Colors and Day Red, Coral, Brown | Wednesday Obà Xiré Greeting! 1. Introduction: The Principle of Loyalty and Sacrifice Obà is the Orisha of self-sacrificing love, of […]
Nàná Burúkù, Primordial Orisha of Mud, Ancestral Wisdom and Death
Nàná Burúkú: The Great Grandmother of Still Waters and Ancestral Wisdom Main Domain Mud, Swamps, Death, Ancestry, Wisdom Sacred Symbols Ibiri (straw scepter), Clay Colors and Day Lilac, Purple | Saturday Greeting Salùbà Nàná! 1. Introduction: The Primordial Principle Nàná Burúkú is the oldest Orisha of the pantheon, the great grandmother. She is […]