Stephanie Rose Bird is a hereditary intuitive, contemporary rootworker,
solitary green witch and visionary. She has been involved with mysticism,
symbology, spiritualism and the occult for thirty years. Bird is inspired by
her ancestors, in particular her grandmothers, one of which was a psychic and
the other a spiritualist minister and herbal healer. Her uncle, a Santeria
priest, Babalawo of Shango, taught her the Ifa traditions of the Yoruba
people. Bird studies healing, magical and divination traditions of indigenous
people around the world with a focus on Africa. Her passions include keeping
the ancient traditions alive and updating them so that they evolve with us,
suiting our current environment and lifestyles. She is a member of the
American Folklore Soceity, the Herb Research Foundation and the Handcrafted
Soap Maker's Guild.
Summer is the time of year that many of us who live in temperate zones flock
to the water. For some it is a seasonal rite that almost occurs
perfunctorily, while for others it is a spiritual pilgrimage. This article is
devoted to those who see the presence of divinity in water and for those who
would like to engage the sacred nature of water but are unsure how. As is the
focus of most of my work, such as my new Llewellyn Book, Sticks, Stones,
Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs spiritual engagement
in this article involves African deities, our stories, traditions, and herbs.
Let us consider two orisha - angelic beings of the Yoruba pantheon -
Yemaya-Ologun and Oshun, and their Afro-Brazilian counterpart Iemanja. One of
the trends I have noticed with some dismay over the past few years is that
far too often these deities are treated like one-dimensional goddesses. They
are seen as water deities, which is a fact. Yet they are often portrayed as
all-good, sexy black mermaids. Once you delve into the lore of Africa's
Yoruba people and begin to examine each orisha's character in other faiths of
the African pantheon such as Umbanda and Candomble, a more complex picture
develops. Most deities, from whatever culture they hail, have complexities.
To ignore that fact is to whitewash their story. My advice in all of my work
is to honor and recognize the complexity of deities as you seek out the
divine.
In the case of Yemaya-Ologun, this is a male/female dual figure. Yemaya is
the mother of all orishas and she lives in the sea. She can be punitive since
she is the ultimate lawgiver. Ologun is lord of the depths of the sea. One of
my main spiritual influences was a Santeria priest. Under his mentorship I
grew up honoring the Santeria vision of the two deities as being infinitely
linked. Thus I usually refer to them as one orisha, Yemaya-Ologun. Oshun is a
sister to Yemaya-Ologun. Both are members of a powerful family of orisha.
These water deities are equally adept at using their sexuality as a weapon or
tool as they are at using it to bestow sacred gifts. Yemaya-Ologun - as sea
mother, owner of the sea, and tender of the depths - gives and takes life.
Much in the same manner as Kali-Ma, there is most definitely a dark side to
this deity. Oshun has tricked commanding orisha - such as the powerful
warrior orisha Ogun - to meet her goals, luring him into the river and
mesmerizing him with a honey dance. In short, as you go to your favorite
watering holes this summer seeking to praise or honor these and other water
deities, do so with sincerity, respect, and some trepidation; the sisters
don't play.
A Libation
A simple, humble way of utilizing water spiritually is through libations.
Various groups of Africans in the Motherland, as well as the diverse
diaspora, use libations as a tribute. Libations are a way to salute the
spirits and to feed the Great Mother, who many recognize in Yemaya-Ologun and
Iemanja. Our ancestors also crave acknowledgment and in return they bestow
blessings. Libations please the ancestors. Here are a few ways of integrating
libation rituals to invite water deities into your life and ritual work from
Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones:
1. Place a special crystal bowl or a reflective metal dish on your altar,
mantle, shelf, or dresser. Fill with seawater. If seawater is unavailable,
pour in a saline solution: 2/3 cup tap water mixed with 1 tablespoon of sea
salt (coarse and fine are both OK). Replenish once it is absorbed back into
the spirit realm. You will know this has happened when the bowl is empty.
2. Substitute Florida Water (a sweet water enjoyed by ancestor spirits) or
Kananga Water (a water which helps ease mourning) for the saline solution or
seawater.
3. Substitute vodka, gin, or rum (spirits enjoyed by the ancestors) for the
saline solution or seawater.
May the Ashe of the Universe Imbue Your Life with The Cleansing Spray of
Yemaya-Ologun. So it is written … so it is done!
Yemaya-Ologun Ritual
Try this ritual on a Monday, as it is Yemaya-Ologun's day - or on the seventh
of the month, since that is her number. This ritual is designed to invoke the
spirit of Yemaya-Ologun so that your week can be blessed with her positive
qualities love and deep insight, nurturing and care, sexuality, fairness, and
mothering. It involves moonstone, one of her stones, as well as sea kelp,
eucalyptus, peppermint and passionflowers - her ewe (herbs).
Before beginning say an invocation/praise chant:
Onibo to ile (One who nourishes and protects the house)
Aya onibo to ile (The wife of one who protect the house)
Yemaya-Ologun, Yemaya-Ologun
Onibo iyawa (One who nourishes, the queen)
Yemaya-Ologun, Yemaya-Ologun
Iya nibo ile (The mother who nourishes the household)
Yemaya-Ologun, I call you will admiration and respect
Yemaya-Ologun
Next, boil a cup and a half of water in a teakettle. Put 1 teaspoon dried
peppermint leaves and the same amount of passionflowers in a strainer or a
muslin tea bag. Run a bath; add 1/8 cup ground sea kelp and crumble and add 2
to 3 eucalyptus leaves. Add the moonstone. Fix the tea; place it near the
bathtub. Light a blue candle and a white candle. Place them on a fireproof
silver colored candleholder.
Repeat the invocation again softly:
Onibo to ile (One who nourishes and protects the house)
Aya onibo to ile (The wife of one who protect the house)
Yemaya-Ologun
Onibo iyawa (One who nourishes, the queen)
Yemaya-Ologun
Iya nibo ile (The mother who nourishes the household)
Yemaya-Ologun, I call you will admiration and respect
Yemaya-Ologun
Get in the tub. Hold your head under the water briefly, as you contemplate
the divinity of Yemaya-Ologun. Sit up slowly. Inhale the sensua aroma of the
herbal bath and tea, realizing that these are the ewe of Yemaya-Ologun.
Exhale. Repeat this action slowly, seven times. Place the moonstone on your
belly. Recite: "Praise be to Yemaya-Ologun, sustainer of life, keeper of
the law, lord and mistress of the sea." Relax and enjoy your
peppermint/passionflower tea.
Midnight Iemanja Invocation
In the Afro-Brazilian path of Umbanda, Yemaya-Ologun manifests as Iemanja.
Iemanja is so revered that she is seen as an incarnation of the Virgin Mary
by a culture that is largely Catholic. Each year on New Year's Eve, devotees
petition Iemanja for good fortune by the seaside. People come bearing gifts
for blessings during the coming year. In Hoodoo, we conjure helpful spirits
to assist in our daily lives and spiritual work as well. Whatever path you
follow, you might like to appeal to Iemanja during one of your visits to the
seashore this summer, if so try this:
Begin this work just before midnight on a waxing moon. Go to the seaside
carrying talcum powder, a light blue candle, a white candle, rum, fragrant
flowers (lily, gardenia, rose stock, or jasmine), a cigar or pure tobacco
(with a charcoal block to heat it), a large seashell, and matches in a basket
or bag. Light the charcoal block and place it inside the seashell (if using
tobacco) atop a mound of sand. Quietly make your plea to Iemanja as you light
the cigar or tobacco and candles. Arrange these items on the sand. Sprinkle
some of the talcum powder in a protective white circle around the seashell,
candles, and smoldering cigar (or tobacco). Pour some of the rum on the
ground inside the circle. Take a sip of the rum yourself and pass it around
if others are participating in the Iemanja Invocation. Cast the flowers out
to sea. Sprinkle the talcum powder on the foam of the sea as well-all the
while imagining that you are powdering the spirit of Iemanja. Sit down, gaze
upon the fire and smoke, listen and look hard, as you breath deeply; see what
messages Iemanja has for you.
Reflecting on Oshun
Last but not least, consider working with the energy of Oshun. This is more
of a musing than a practical ritual although if the opportunity presents
itself-go for it! Oshun abides by the riverside, a place rich in African and
African American lore. To invoke her spirit and pay homage to her sassy ways,
you will need to work with a partner.
Begin by setting out a brass or ceramic candleholder. Place a few cinnamon,
honey, or orange scented candles in the candleholder. Light the candles. Gaze
into the fire and reflect on the beauty and mystery of Oshun.
In unison, say the praise poem:
Barewa lele (The beautiful one emerges)
Umale (The spirit-god)
Arele umawo (One of the family reincarnated)
Repeat until you are both relaxed and comfortable.
Spread honey on each one another lips and elsewhere if you'd like. Share the
honey between you. See where this leads. Afterwards, look around you and see
which of Oshun's gifts appeal to you. Collect a few items such as tumbled
glass, driftwood, or river rocks. Bring these back to your altar at home.
Gaze on these items and remember Oshun is not only goddess of love,
sensuality, and sexuality, she is also protectress of women and children. She
has been known to alleviate menstrual disorders; help us heal from physical,
sexual or psychological abuse; and help us increase our fertility.
Ase!
TITLES BY THIS AUTHOR AND OTHER RECOMMENDED TITLES:
STICKS, STONES, ROOTS & BONES:
Learn to use herbs and other natural ingredients in the traditional folk magic of the African/Native American/Judeo-Christian fusion tradition.
HANDBOOK OF YORUBA RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS:
Describes the orisha, or angelic forces that reside in the natural world, and teachings of the 16 odu.
COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO VOODOO:
Author Shannon Turlington will explore the secret and mysterious voodoo rites and rituals, and the charms and spells.
GREEN WITCHCRAFT: FOLK MAGIC, FAIRY LORE & HERB CRAFT:
Folk magic, fairy lore, and herb craft.
These title and others can be found at Isis Books & Gifts! With over
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