Denise/Orisha's/part two

[Guest guest]

First wife of Ogun then swept away by Chango (realize all these orisha's are

brothers and sisters too). Oya represents the Niger River, the tornado and the

whirlwind, the marketplace, the gatekeeper to the cemetery, female anger,

essence of change, difficult to know.

My other guardian Orisha or 'mother' energy is Oya (to Obatala's calmness...hehe).

She is the most difficult to fathom because of the mysterious quality that is

essential to her energy. When she 'does' impact our lives, it is done with

such an abruptness and ferocity that we would prefer to avoid it rather then

encourage it. Yet for the children of Oya or for those adept at tapping into

her energy, the possibilities are endless.

As Chango's wife, she was the power behind the throne. When Chango hung

himself, Oya tried to drown herself in the Niger River and also transcended

human form to become immortal. She possessed the power that enabled Chango to

hurl his destructive bolts of lightening. IN this way they work together...Oya

setting the 'course' and Chango delivering the blows. Later on science

confirmed this technical way that lightening is produced...there is a

'microsecond' before lightening occurs...a minute electrical particle is

emitted that descends to Earth. The lightening that strikes a nanosecond later

follows the exact path of this energy particle so this 'tale' that was developed

thousands of years ago bears out in science. Oya determines the path that

Chango follows.

She represents the energy of sudden change. The marketplace is

hers...representing trade, commerce, profits and losses. Obviously with the

stockmarket situation in the U.S., Oya is not 'happy' with our marketplace

dealings here.

Oya rules the tornado...sudden change. The tornado's select destructiveness is

part of its fascination. She 'chooses' what she lays waste to. She also rules

death... another 'change'. Though Icu, the Orisha of death (minor orisa)..Oya

is the gatekeeper of the cemetery. She rules the opening of the gate between

Heaven and Earth. Oya is completely comfortable with the dead. She is an

expert witch. When Oshun bewitched Chango away from Oya, Oya called up the

dead to surround their house and keep Chango prisoner. Oshun bewitched the

dead with her beauty and was able to sneak Chango out of the house. Even

though Oya and Chango no longer were man and wife, they reached a mutual

understanding and friendship and still work together with the casting of

thunderbolts and destruction of the enemy.

This sense of betrayal, pride and anger pervade Oya's children on a cellular

level. Oya carries a sword in each hand <G>. She loves TRUTH and honesty and

she still carries and shares this with her first husband Ogun....from whome she

took instruments of war when she left him for Chango. Indeed, these instruments

often adorm the omo Oya in the form of necklaces or bracelets. Oya's children

are identified by strings of dark red beads such as coral, jasper, carnelian

and bloodstone. Oya dresses like a priest of Chango. She is the mother of

Egungun or the ancestor masks. The igba gourd is shaken to call Oya.

Oya will enter side by side with the male Orisha in battle....and is viewed as

the bearded female warrior whose wrath and power sweep all injustice, deceit

and dishonesty from her path. Oya is volatile in nature. The children of Oya

are often called 'the rushing wind that tears down trees from the top'.

Children of Oya possess a certain sensuality and smokey complexioned. Their

sensuality is restrained or self imposed. It is almost as if the hurt felt by

Oya over Chango's indiscretion with Oshun has permanently colored her view of

relationships. For this reason it will take extraordinary efforts for

men/women to wear down the inherent skepticism of the Oya they love (as in the

case of my spouse). In matters of loyalty and dependability...no Orisha can

match Oya. Children of Oya, once committed, will remain loyal till death

unless deceived or lied to.

Oya likes dark colors because of her relationship with the dead. Purples, reds,

blacks, maroons are acceptable. Black would be taboo for omo Obatala's (I am

both Oya and Obatala...try this one on for size) and improper for all other

orisha. The children of Oya have such a strong connection with the dead that

it would be rare to find one that has not had memorable contact with the dead

in some way or at least a sense that spirits are around (I live on sacred

Indian ground, have had two shaman's here and have ummmmmm...strange things

that go on of a poltergeist nature in my house ALL the time so I just live with

it).

Her children will be natural herbalists and occult oriented and will be natural

witches whether they realize it or not. Most of her children are 'plant'

oriented or have 'green thumbs'. They will have little problems making money.

Oya energy requires movement and change. She also rules the wind...owner of the

air we breathe.

Offerings:

She loves eggplant...depending on the circumstances up to nine can be offered at

one time. She also loves rum, gin, beer, wine and dark fruit such as plums or

purple or red grapes. Palm oil, kola nuts and coconuts are also suitable.

Nine colored ribbons or the old fashioned children's pinwheels which harness

and react to the wind are also excellent for Oya. Wednesday is Oya's day. I

am not sure what astrological planet would rule Oya. She seems to be a combo

of Hades (TNP), Pluto, Uranus, Mars. I would think Black Moon Lilith would fit

her as well.

Oshun/Osun....

Personification of beauty and sexuality (Venus obviously). She rules the rivers

and streams. Oshun energy strikes distrust in Western women, it is said, as she

is not one to give up her 'dominance' (feminine wiles) for 'equality' as she is

the epitome of all sensuality in an 'old school' sense. Who actually rules in

a master slave relationship? Who sets the tone? Who manipulates? The slave

does if she is a 'smart' slave (think harem style).

She is sensuous and graceful and any body type can be associated with her so

long as they are 'in touch' with that sensuous self. Her single goal is the

conception and bearing of children. Both men and women can have Oshun as one

of their ruling Orisha. My spouse is ruled by Chango and Oshun. Oshun likes

freedom, joy, happiness and free to be who she is. If a child of Oshun is not

being who they are...they will get sick such as my spouse who was in a job for

several years for the government and had a heart attack in March. Although

very good at helping the elderly who could not help themselves, the gov't

mentality (nitpicky crap) got to him bigtime and while I tried to steer him out

of there, being the stubborn Chango person he is...he did not listen. Oshun and

Chango rule the 'passion of the heart' and if that passion is not expressed,

dire things can happen physically.

Oshun's children are extremely sensitive to their environment. They carry a

sense of immediacy...of absolute involvement and listen to their instincts

rather then their reason. They may ask you 'what should I do' and you can give

them a million logical reasons why they should do something but a child of Oshun

would invariably make their decisions based on what they feel. I just sit there

and KNOW that and it's ok (thank God for Obatala's reasoning and wisdom).

Oshun's children to not like ridicule, disdain or lack of respect in people and

can bring about a fury and a rage that will sweep against all that stands in

their way. Of all the Orisha, she is the LEAST likely to forgive (boy this is

true). Once you have offended her, you must go to great lengths to appease

her.

Oshun rules prosperity such as beautiful clothing, find food, vintage wine and

colorful jewelry. The children of Oshun must be careful to not overindulge.

She is also adept at witchcraft. Oshun rules the metal brass and her children

should wear brass bracelets. She favors music, dance and excitement.

Children of Oshun and Yemonja will find themselves attracted to the water and

may live by a river or ocean. She favors the color yellow. Fish are her

divine messengers and the catfish is of particular importance. Honey is a good

offering. Her children will go to her rivers and pour honey into it while

asking Oshun for a favor. Oshun also likes light-colored fruits, wine, beer,

run or gin. Candies, cakes, flowers, mirrors, kola nuts, red palm oil,

coconuts and cowrie shells are favored by her. Friday is the day assigned to

Oshun.

Also...one may be born with two particular guardian Orisha's and for some

reason, it can be divined that another Orisha or more step in to 'claim' that

child for some reason. A babalawo (head priest) can divine in a life reading

such a situation and why. I was a twin and my original ruling Orisha's were

Oshun/Chango however shortly after birth...Obatala and Oya stepped in to

'claim' me as my twin had not fully developed and my destiny was changed while

in the womb. Obatala as head Orisha, has the right to claim who he wishes for

whatever reason. I have an affinity for all four Orisha (and was adopted in

realtime as well) and have no inherent dislike for children of Oshun (Venus on

my Ascendant, by the way in perfect trine to Pluto) and in fact adore

Oshun-types as they are usually so full of life and joy that it's hard not to

like such an individual. I make offerings to all 'four' Orisha's. Before

knowing who my Orisha's were...just by nature I have been described as using my

head but 'don't piss her off...she's like a tornado when she's mad' <G>. I

favor both dark red, black and white colors. I wear necklaces of coral and

pearls ALWAYS and make jewelry, have always been an herbalist and practitioner

of the occult, live at the foot of a mountain with lakes nearby and need to

'retreat' when depleted energy wise (Obatala). I do NOT like any drugs or

alcohol as I don't react well to anesthesia like I said nor do drugs act within

my body in 'normal' ways. Tylenol, for example, gives me a feeling of

depression so I have to be careful about what I take. Alcohol affects me

easily so I don't go near it. Have always been in contact with the 'dead' in

some way such as this sacred ground. Death doesn't bother me. And I take care

of the homeless, the disabled, the mentally ill, the substance abusers (Obatala

ruled) in my work as a counselor. Interesting, huh?

Hope you enjoyed that...

Renee

[Guest Amoelmar]

Very nice enjoyed reading it