Oshun (the river) and Yemaya (the ocean) Goddesses of Love and Luck.

Working and Venerating the Sister Goddesses of Africa, Oshun, the goddess of the river, love, and fertility, and Yemaya, the goddess of the ocean, fertility, and family.

Greetings and hugs to all the readers who walk around here (incredible, every time we are many more !!), today I am going to share in this post some information that may be useful to you about the Orishas of the waters, and how to work with them when You are not initiated in one of the corresponding Afro-Caribbean currents.

As promised earlier, I had this post saved waiting until our beloved Lilith Dorsey published her new book "Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens", to take it as a reference, but then I just forgot to post the post, Thanks Adriana for the reminder.

(click here to buy your copy of the book)

I would like to bore you a bit with all this “background” about coming from Venezuela, having grown up in the Amazon, having been initiated into the Candomble and the Lucumi way, 14 and 17 years ago respectively, but you can find all that in my biography, so here we get to the point, what you have come to.

The Orixas are (for lack of a better name) divine essences, spirits that incarnate different forces of nature and express themselves through them, they are enormously powerful, they come from Africa, as well as all of humanity (Thank you !!), and Although the Afro-Caribbean rites are mostly reserved for those who have been initiated in their corresponding ways, Candomble, Umbanda, Quimbanda, Lucumi, Yoruba, Ifa, etc..., It is not new that the Orixas always pay vital attention., even those who are not initiated, and if you doubt it, before answering, just try it, you will see the results, and you will be able to judge for yourself.

The Orixas are entities derived from a primordial deity "Oloddumare", below this post I will leave you the links corresponding to other posts that I have previously written about other deities of Africa and the Caribbean.

The Orixas or Orishas, ​​are forces of nature that influence humanity in all possible forms and aspects, we have as many Orishas as gods in the Greek pantheon, but the light always jumps to the group of the central Orixas (Xango, Yemaya, Oshun, Eleggua, Oya), here I am going to share some information about some of these Orishas, ​​who unlike others like Shango and Olokun, is certainly more "accessible" for those who have not been initiated.

Since I have given you a brief (incomplete) and clear introduction to the Orixas, here I leave you the links to each one, on each page I leave you a brief introduction to the corresponding Orixa and a couple of rituals that you can perform without having to enter in religion or without having been an initiate. They are simple rituals to do and do not require any elaborate preparation, I hope they serve you, put them into practice, and help you a lot.

Read here: Oshun, Goddess of the river.

Read here: Yemaya, Goddess of the sea.

Other similar posts you should read:

• Orishas Of Graveyard
• Iyamis (the Witches)
• Maria Lionza, Queen of Witches & Fairies.

Magic Rituals for Health.

Three Magic Rituals of my grandmother and my mother for Health.

Hugs dear reader, thank you for walking a few minutes in my little virtual corner. Here I share three rituals that we perform at home, the first of which is widely used by my grandmother in the Amazon, especially performed for tourists. The next two belong to my mom and she taught me how to use them to assist her from time to time with her clients.

Healing with rocks and plants.

Although this ritual is commonly performed in the surroundings of the Orinoco River by the healers of the region, it has become very popular lately among other groups, so it is a pleasure for me to share it without any prejudice in this regard.

This ritual consists of finding a nearby river or any natural source of freshwater, submerging your feet in the water momentarily, closing your eyes for an instant and taking a deep breath, imagine a white light that comes from the bottom of the water, maintain this vision for a few moments while you breathe deeply and feel the river water running between your feet.

After a couple of minutes open your eyes, look down and extract three stones from the river, it is your decision which one to choose, once you have them with you proceed to store them, let these stones dry in the sun, rub them with coconut oil or coconut water and place these items on a plate next to a white candle. At the end of the three-night count, return these stones to the river, not by throwing them into the water, but by burying them near the shore, to allow "Asire" (the river's healing mother) to take those evils back to land.

This ritual is very popular with tourists to absorb the discomforts caused by some disease, it is also widely used to combat some serious diseases. Its most popular use is among people who are receiving chemotherapy because with the intake of medicines they cannot ingest certain herbal preparations or hot herbal teas and certain fruits.

Coconuts and Candles for Obatala that never fails us.

Obatala is the Orisa of Wisdom, Health and of everything that is pure, healthy and “purifying”, he is the father par excellence of all healers and the African deity who cures all ills.

Although the initiates in the Afro-Caribbean cult have their own stricter and secret rituals. A ritual that is always performed for the uninitiated, consists of the painting of two white coconuts using white eggshell powder. Two white candles are lit in honor of Obatala the healer, a few leaves of white sage or peppermint are burned as votive incense, the coconuts are passed several times by this smoke, and then they move around the entire house and in all its corners.

Traditionally, after several hours, the coconuts are blown, throwing them on the ground to "destroy" any discomfort or disease that they have absorbed, although that is the traditional thing, my mother always affirmed that doing this only moved the discomforts of the house of one place to another, because by bursting the coconuts they released the evil back. So she proposed to keep the fruits under the beds for at least two nights in a row and then throw them in the trash without breaking them.

This ritual is used to absorb all physical and spiritual discomforts in the home, as well as to prevent the appearance of illnesses and health complications that are not visible.

Working directly with the god of disease.

This ritual is for those individuals, who although they are not initiated in any specific mystical current, wish to prevent these diseases, for this you need to go through a nearby cemetery and collect some soil, you can store it in a glass jar with a lid. Cemetery land has a number of important properties and elements in the world of mysticism, but we will talk about it later in another post.

The Ritual.

Sakpatá or Azojuano, is the deity of virulent diseases, venereal diseases, viruses, skin conditions, smallpox, leprosy, plagues, and misery.

Better known in modern times as Babalu Aye, he is one of those gods as revered as feared, he is associated with all diseases but also with his cures, he is invoked to implore the recovery of our loved ones, but also to end the enemies health.

A simple but effective ritual to win his favor is to lay a piece of purple or red cloth on the ground spread a good amount of the graveyard soil all over the cloth, and serve a piece of bread, a handful of raw or sardine meat, a handful of rice, a whole handful of lentils, 17 grains of corn, a pinch of guinea pepper and a tiny crystal quartz stone.

Along with this, serve a glass of red wine and a glass of water, light a red candle in the name of Sakpatá or Azojuano, pleading for his favor and healing, to keep away all the diseases and discomforts that are under his control in exchange for this. small offering, let him know that in your home his name will always be respected and that whenever he requires light or food he can come here to ask for it.

When this candle is completely consumed, you must fold the cloth and tie it with a cord as if it were a little bag, and bury this offering somewhere, which may well be a park, a cemetery, a beach or some nearby forest. Once the offering is completely covered with earth, pour red wine above the earth.

In its oldest version, this ritual was performed directly in a small hole in the cemetery, but that is not only "inappropriate" but also unethical for many people, therefore we only use the land to take advantage of its energy that is already charged.

From Elhoim Leafar Made With Love.

Elo.

READ TOO:

• Magic & Sorcery for Beginners (part I).
• Seven magical ways to Improve your “workplace”.
• Seven things if you go to visit Amazonia.
• Four ways to empower your Clairvoyance.
• 10 New books you need to have this 2020.

10 New books you need to have this 2020.

Each semester I recommend four (sometimes only 2) books of a holistic nature that I think would be an interesting acquisition for your library, but this year 2020 (apparently Uranus has done a very good job here) has started very well, not only with a gigantic variety of titles but also, among them there are several very attractive.

I choose these books personally based on the author's work, not in the publishing house, copies sold or "trending topic" is simply my personal recommendation of titles that I think can be interesting.

Some of these I have already read, others, I am waiting for the publication date to add them to that small bookshop next to my altar.

It will only take you five minutes to find a book you like on this list, if you have 10 minutes to review Instagram, believe me, you have five minutes to find here a good book to add to your small collection.

If you wish to purchase one of these titles or read more about them, just click on the name of the book so that you are immediately redirected to the book page.



For fans of gems and crystals:

• Crystal Basics: The Energetic, Healing, and Spiritual Power of 200 Gemstones, by Nicholas Pearson.

Nicholas Pearson has been immersed in all aspects of the mineral kingdom for more than 20 years. A certified teacher and practitioner of Usui Reiki Ryoho, he teaches crystal and Reiki classes throughout the United States.

In this in-depth yet easy-to-follow guide, crystal healing teacher Nicholas Pearson offers a full-color compendium of 200 crystals and gemstones as well as a hands-on practical handbook on crystal healing, perfect for those just beginning their crystal journey as well as long-time stone lovers seeking an all-in-one reference.

Voodoo, Hoodoo & Folk Magic:

• The 21 Divisions: Mysteries and Magic of Dominican Voodoo, by Papa Hector.

Hector Salva (Papa Hector) started training as a brujo in 1989 and initiated in his family lineages of 21 Divisions and Sanse. In 2003, Papa Hector was initiated into Haitian Voodoo as a Houngan Asogwe, a high priest of the Asson lineage.

The Misterios are powerful beings with rulership and dominion over universal forces and human conditions. Practitioners of the 21 Divisions have ways of connecting with the Misterios to achieve success in life, improve their careers, resolve love and relationship issues, heal illness, and much more.

• Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens, by Lilith Dorsey.

Lilith Dorsey, MA, hails from many magickal traditions, including Celtic, Afro-Caribbean, and Native American spirituality. Her magickal training includes numerous initiations in Santeria, also known as Lucumi, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo. She has been a professional psychic for over three decades.

Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens show you how to celebrate and cultivate the traits of these goddesses, drawing upon their strengths to empower your own life. In addition to offering a guided tour of the key goddesses of the African religious traditions.

Psychic & Divination:

• Tarot for Troubled Times: Confront Your Shadow, Heal Your Self & Transform the World, by Shaheen Miro & Theresa Reed. 

Shaheen Miro is an intuitive consultant, energy worker, artist, writer, and spiritual nomad. Through Intuitive guidance, and spiritual cleansing techniques Shaheen helps people transform their lives, concisely manifest their reality, and connect with their spirit.

Theresa Reed “The Tarot Lady” has been featured on over 50 blogs, websites, podcasts and magazines. She is the host of Tarot Bytes, on www.tarotlady.com, a popular podcast with short, bite-sized tarot lessons.

Tarot for Troubled Times is not just another book on how to read the tarot—the authors provide specialty readings and suggested practices for issues such as grief, addiction, depression, fear, anger, divorce, illness, abuse, and oppression, and provide practical suggestions for stepping up as an ally or leader so that you can shape social policies. With a selection of mindful, introspective tarot spreads, you’ll learn how the Tarot can help you rewrite your healing story and change your life, and help transform the world.

• Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation, by Mat Auryn.

Mat Auryn is a witch, writer, psychic, and occult teacher. He is an initiate of Black Rose Witchcraft and a priest in the Sacred Fires Tradition of Witchcraft. He is also a devotee of the Covenant of Hekate founded by Sorita D’Este. Mat has been featured in various magazines, radio shows, books, and other periodicals.

Discover how to be a powerful psychic witch with this book on wielding energy and awakening your psychic senses. Psychic Witch explores the relationship between psychic ability and magick, interweaving them to create a strong foundation for accessing the full potential of your mind, body, and spirit.

WitchCraft, Sorcery & Magic:

• The Book of Candle Magic: Candle Spell Secrets to Change Your Life. by Madame Pamita.

Madame Pamita is a professional tarot reader, rootworker, and teacher. She is the owner of an old-time spiritualist's shop, called Madame Pamita's Parlour of Wonders. She is the host of two YouTube video series, Hoodoo How To and the weekly Magic Q&A Tea Party. Madame Pamita is also the host of the Magic and the Law of Attraction podcast.

The Book of Candle Magic empowers you to manifest more happiness, love, prosperity, and fulfillment through candle spells. Discover how to make candles from scratch, perform candle readings, create your grimoire, and add some pizzazz to your rituals. Explore the best herbs, gems, talismans, and symbols for giving your spells a boost. With this beautiful book, you can claim your birthright of using fire to reach your magical goals.

• Modern Witch: Spells, Recipes & Workings, by Devin Hunter.

Devin Hunter is a professional psychic medium and modern witch and is the resident house medium at the Mystic Dream in Walnut Creek, California. He holds third-degree initiations in both the Northern Star Tradition of Wicca as well as the Dianic Tradition of Witchcraft (the Cult of Diana), and is the founder of his own tradition, Sacred Fires. Devin is currently teaching with the Black Rose School of Witchcraft and is the reigning Master of Ceremonies at the New Orleans Witches' Ball.

Discover an authentic collection of spells, recipes, charms, and correspondences that have been used and refined by the author for nearly twenty years. Combined with the author's original photographs and art, these teachings illuminate the five most popular types of magical entreaties: love, healing, protection, prosperity, and divination.

• Horse Magick: Spells and Rituals for Self-Empowerment, Protection, and Prosperity. by Lawren Leo & Domenic Leo.

Lawren Leo is an author and the owner of New Moon Books, Crystals, and Candles, a metaphysical boutique in Pompano Beach, Florida. He contributes to and co-edits the e-zine he founded, The Familiar. He is a spiritual counselor, student of esoteric philosophy, and practitioner of the magickal arts in the tradition of the Golden Dawn.

Domenic Leo, PhD, holds degrees in French and Spanish literature, linguistics, and ancient Greek, early Christian, Islamic, and medieval art history from Georgetown University, Christie’s Education, and New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. He taught art history at Duquesne University, Youngstown State University, and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division and has lectured throughout the United States, Great Britain, and Europe.

The spirit of the horse exists in the subconscious minds of humans and takes shape in various forms, whether as a symbol of fertility in the land, as in Celtic mythology, or as a psychopomp, which leads the dead to the next world. The horse has made its way into the current of our collective unconscious as a universal archetype.

Horse Magick contains spells, rituals, chants, and meditations for many purposes, loosely based around equine imagery. Numerous traditions are represented, as are many deities, including Athena, Epona, and Baba Yaga. No contact with actual horses is required.

• The Little Work: Magic to Transform Your Everyday Life, by Durgadas Allon Duriel.

Durgadas A. D. Is a formal practitioner of magic with more than twenty years of experience. He has been an initiate of the Hermetic mysteries since 2005, a journey that began with two and a half years of intensive training. Durgadas is also a licensed clinical social worker and a certified holistic health practitioner, and he has studied and practiced yoga for over fifteen years.

Make your day-to-day life as fulfilling and rewarding as your magical practice by turning everything you do into an extension of that practice. Nothing is truly mundane in this world―but if you can't pay bills on time or weather difficult relationships, how can you achieve spiritual transformation? Packed with practical tools that help improve your willpower and focused intention, The Little Work teaches you how to build and sustain the magical life you desire.

Healing Work 

• The Alchemy of Inner Work: A Guide for Turning Illness and Suffering Into True Health and Well-Being. by Lorie Eve Dechar (Author), Benjamin Fox (Contributor)

Lorie Eve Dechar holds a master’s degree in acupuncture from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute and training in Archetypal Psychology, Gestalt and Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy. She was a member of the faculty of the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City and leads workshops and pieces of training nationwide. With her husband, Benjamin Fox, she co-founded A New Possibility, a global healing and learning community.

Benjamin Fox is a professional counseling astrologer and a licensed massage therapist with 20 years of integrative bodywork and healing experience. He lives with his wife, Lorie Eve Dechar, in Blue Hill, Maine, and Nyack, New York.

Alchemy is the science of transformation―how to change one thing into something else. In The Alchemy of Inner Work, Dechar and Fox examine how illness, suffering, and dis-ease―the “lead” of our lives―can become the “gold” of our authentic selves, and the key to good health and well-being.

Drawing on traditional Chinese medicine, Eastern and Western alchemical traditions, Kabbalah, and Jungian psychology―plus case studies from working with patients―the authors provide hands-on insights for bringing “the soul of medicine” back into our lives.