These categories are not rigid, and in some cases they overlap. Now, depending on who you ask, the 7th (Oya) is sometimes substituted with Orunmila or Ochossi. Orisha's govern all of the natural phenomena in the world, so there are many more than these seven. In the center of the image is "Justo Juez" (Just Judge), a representative of Oludamare (God). In the native religion of the Yoruba people, Orisha (spelled òrìṣà in the Yoruba language, orichá in Cuban practice and orixá in Brazilian practice of Latin America) are spirits sent by Olodumare[1] for the guidance of all creation and of humanity in particular, on how to live and be successful on Àiyé (Earth). This is a list of known West African and diaspora Orishas, Vodun, Lwa, notable Spirits, and Deities. Often depicted with their images linked together in a chain circling an image of the crucified Jesus, these deities represent all that is sacred and powerful in Santeria. The Nigerian scholar J. Omosade Awolalu divided the orishas into three categories: primordial divinities, deified ancestors, and personified natural forces and phenomena. She told me to the Babalawo, who told me who my orishas were, and how my commadre was to proceed with me. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. The seventh chakra is the Ori and represents the highest level of consciousness. Yemaya. These dieties are found in many religions such as Ifá, Santeria, West African Vudon, Hoodoo, and others. Though like Muslims who do the same, they are dangerous, it is important for us to understand that they truly “know not what they do”. To invoke them, create an altar with two white altar candles and a white cloth. He is married to Obba but has relations with Oyá and Oshún. Known for having over 100 caminos, or roads/manifestations, Elegguá is usually depicted as a little boy. The ancestors did not die, but were seen to have "disappeared" and become òrìṣà. 7. For one, the Orisha Oya has been swapped out with Orula. West Africa’s Orisha and Astrology Our vast universe is home to a host of celestial bodies. They have influenced the actions of man since time immemorial. The vignettes of saint images are linked together with a metal chain with 7 of Ogun’s tools hanging from the bottom. Twelve of them however can be equated to the twelve signs of the Zodiac along with their respective houses. They are also venerated by the Edo of southeastern Nigeria; the Ewe of Ghana, Benin, and Togo; and the Fon of Benin (who refer to them as vodun s). At any Botanica (a store to purchase all spiritual items for Santeria and Palo) , You will find candles, oils, incenses, powders, spiritual baths and image statues of the Seven African Powers. Now, you might say, that’s ridiculous. Oshun. The specific orishas who are most involved in human everyday matters may be invoked together as a group known as the Seven African Powers. "The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya." 3. which is accordingly regarded as a holy city.7 The orishas became the rivers and streams, the mountains and hills, and some notable trees of Yorubaland, as well as other natural principles and elements such as light-ning, thunder, wind, sudden change, the ocean, and the crossroads.8 Ifá: Philosophy and ethics of West Africa Others are said to be humans who are recognised as deities upon their d… The Seven African Powers are these seven Orishas: Eshu Elegbara, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango and Oya. You can view the famous image HERE. The Orishas also govern the energy centers of the body, also known as Chakras. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more – an innumerable number." It is described as the power to make things happen. In Brazil, orisha is spelled orixa but pronounced exactly the same: oh-ree-sha. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. Though the Orishas are not competing with God, and have in fact been assigned by God to specific purposes, and even in the true monotheistic sense are, at worst, a face or aspect of God, some Christians view them as competition. I’ve gathered information from a variety of sources. As we look above we look below ...searching for our past history to find ourselves...the journey that we embark on the way of the warrior, acknowledge that the destruction of our Afrikan civilisation took place over 500 years.....it will indeed take as much time for our healing: We … The 7 African Powers are powerful Orishas. Why We Must Reconnect With the Orishas & Other African Deities Exodus 7 1 Kings 18 Acts 19 Richard D. Bullard, ThM ; Lord Game Over: Scam Buster Promoting greater accountability in the spiritual community by busting scams and informing people of what proper ceremonial and root work should be. Eshu Elegbara (a.k.a. It means the mind is not a thing. There was a time when they conducted a power struggle against Olorun and tried to persuade him to abdicate for sixteen years. Though a reading is the only way to truly find out which Orishas have influence over you, this list can help give you a general idea of … Le orishas qui ne sont ni guerriers ni de tête n'ont pas d'objets de pouvoir ... (Spanish: The Order of Lucumí), the most common name given to a religious tradition of African origin that was developed in Cuba and then spread throughout Latin America and the United States . Taken from the book, "The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts" by Baba Ifa … Thousands of orishas may exist, but only approximately forty have anything to do with humanity. 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