In honor and veneration of Oshun
Oshun is one of the most revered deities in the Ifá religion, an African traditional belief system practiced primarily by the Yoruba people and their descendants in the Americas. As one of the Orishas, Oshun is the goddess of love, fertility, rivers, beauty and healing. Her role in Ifá is central. Representing compassion, sweetness and abundance. Oshun is often seen as a protector of women and children and is called upon for matters of fertility, marriage and personal well-being. In the Yoruba creation story, Oshun is a key figure in the cosmic balance. Playing a pivotal role in bringing harmony to the world. Known for her ability to heal and bring prosperity, Oshun is celebrated for her nurturing nature but also for her strength and power in times of need. Her symbolism is deeply intertwined with water, particularly rivers, which represent both life-giving and transformative energy. Oshun is honored in numerous rituals, dances and ceremonies and she holds a significant place in the hearts of practitioners of Ifá, especially in the Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Brazilian traditions where she is widely worshipped.
General information for context. Please feel free to research and educate yourself with her identity.
Ochun; Oxum; Mama Cachita
Great Queen, Daughter of the Mountain, Lady of Waterfalls, Mother of the Waters. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha or goddess in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love and sensuality. She is considered one of the most powerful of all orishas and like others she possesses human attributes such as vanity, jealousy and spite. Oshun can also take away if she feels that we are ungrateful for what she has given.
Oshun, Spirit of Sweet Water, is the embodiment of love and romance, wealth, beauty, abundance and magical knowledge. Oshun has dominion over things that flow: water, honey, love, money, mother’s milk and so forth.
Her power extends over various parts of the human anatomy, particularly the reproductive organs. Oshun is petitioned for personal fertility and to heal reproductive disorders. She fulfills devotees’ wishes, providing wealth, employment, love, beauty and protection.
Oshun is powerful and an expert at divination. Oshun may be Yemaya’s daughter or sister. They are extremely compatible and are venerated together. A spirit of incredible generosity, Oshun is very slow to anger. However once angered she is reputedly the most dangerous of all orishas and extremely difficult to appease. If you make her a promise and do not keep it, expect her to take back whatever she has given.
If you petition Oshun for children, then eating pumpkins and yellow squash in any form, including the seeds is taboo for you. Many devotees refrain from these foods anyways just from respect even if nothing is asked of her. In Cuba, Oshun is syncretized to La Caridad del Cobre, “Our Lady of Charity”; in Brazil, she is identified with Catherine of Alexandria.
Manifestations: She most commonly manifests as a breathtakingly beautiful woman, usually dressed in yellow or gold. She may manifest as a mermaid. She wears five brass bracelets and may carry or wear a mirror at her belt, the better to be able to stop and admire herself whenever she wishes. Oshun manifest in honey and in cinnamon.
Attribute: A pot of river water, representing her gift of healing magic
Colors: The spectrum of yellow, gold and orange
Creatures: River fish, especially catfish; crickets; leopards; crocodiles
Birds: Parrots, peacocks, vultures
Botanicals: Lantana, marigolds, rosemary, pumpkins, and yellow squash
Metal: Oshun is traditionally associated with brass and copper but she now claims dominion over gold too.
Number: 5
Jewels: Amber, coral
Planet: Moon, Venus
Day: Friday
Element: Earth but associated to Water
Emblem: Vultures and Peacocks
Minerals: Carnelian, copper, jasper and agates
Time: 8 September
Area: The bedroom and near fresh, flowing water such as rivers, streams, and waterfalls. She likes the kitchen and is a master chef. Offerings and supplications are most effective if performed in these places. For maximum effect, perform rituals or petitions for Oshun near a river or stream under a full moon.
Sacred sites: Nigeria’s Oshun River, The shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Cobre near Santiago de Cuba, The shrine of Our Lady of, Caridad de Cobre in Miami, Florida
