During the slave trade, the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria who were brought to Cuba were forbidden to practice their religion by their Spanish masters. To protect themselves, the slaves opted for the identification and disguise of the Orishas with some of the Catholic Saints worshipped by the Spaniards, allowing them to worship their deities without fear of punishment. This book presents the major Orishas of Santeria in their syncretic identifications with some of the Catholic Saints.

An inspiring exploration of the goddesses of the West African spiritual traditions and their role in shaping Yoruba (Ifa), Santeria, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo. Throughout Africa and beyond in the diaspora caused by the slave trade, the divine feminine was revered in the forms of goddesses like the ancient Nana Buluku, water spirits like Yemaya, Oshun, and Mami Wata, and the warrior Oya. The power of these goddesses and spirit beings has taken root in the West. New Orleans, for example, is the home of Marie Laveau, who used her magical powers to become the “Voodoo Queen” of New Orleans. Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens shows 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, the book offers magical spells, rituals, potions, astrological correspondences, sacred offerings, and much more to help guide you on your own transformational journey.

Third volume in the On the Orishas' Roads and Pathways series. This book discusses Yemojá, Orisha of the waters and motherhood.

Millions of people worldwide have been inspired by the Yoruba people, their culture, and their teachings. Via the qualities of the Orishas as universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained. We are always given a guardian Orisha, regardless of race or gender, to watch over and lead us on our path through life. With an perceptive of the Orishas as cosmic forces and how they act within the cosmos and us, the purpose of this book is to enlighten readers. Telling the Orishas story, you would certainly be captivated by the essence of this remarkable civilization with a simple breakdown. Some of the Ideas defined on this e-book are: Santería Exploring in Cuba Who are the African Seven Powers? Magical Associations Obatala's Ways to Invoke the Seven African Powers Human powers and events personified What Orisha do you like more How do you know if an orisha chooses you In Trinidad, the Orisha religion The Spiritual World: Gods' Images Traditions and history How to Invoke Oshun, the Yoruba Goddess of Sensuality and Prosperity A Goddess to Give and Accept Affection A rite for Oshun to invoke

The goal of this book is to help you find your Orisha path. Each person has a camino (path) they are meant to walk, and an Orisha meant to guide them. Fostering connections with your path and your guardian Orisha links your presence in the physical world more strongly with the spirit world.Orisha is found throughout the Americas, and in West Africa. It maintains one of the strongest oral traditions in practiced religion, and some estimates date it back to the 8th century A.D. Though there are countless Orisha, this book covers the eight main Orisha: Elegua, Yemaya, Oshun, Chango, Obatala, Oya, Orunmila and Ogun. These Orisha are often called the Seven African Powers (Oya and Orunmila replace one another within the Seven African Powers, depending on region), and each exerts control over the ebbs and flows of our lives.As you read of the Seven African Powers, my hope is that you gravitate toward one of them. While there are initiations and divinations which can more concretely set one in their Orisha path, the first step in finding one's path is to learn of the Orisha.A journey with the Orisha is spiritually enriching, and can bring clarity to situations which remain obscure. Each Orisha has preferred numbers, colors, and offerings. These will be covered, as will their stories, and the proper rituals through which you may reach them. Ultimately, your journey with the Orisha is your own, but hopefully this book can act as a guiding hand, so that you may find your path with one of them.

Zľie Adebola remembers when the soil of Ors̐ha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zľie's Reaper mother summoned forth souls.