Origins of Oshun
Posted by Daniel Roman on
Iʼm starting this blog to address many questions regarding the Orisa Oshun, Over the last eighteen years I have researched this topic with little finding and lots of misguidance, My objective is to input the correct information that I have gathered through the years,
A lot of my teachings have come to me from Yoruba worship temples and now
from Ifa training. I promise not to reveal in depth information, If you have questions
please feel free to write, Under the rites of Ifa which contain the origins of the folklore
from African tradition, states that oshun is the daughter of Olofin (The Law Giver) and
Nana Buruku ( Cruel Mother-The Night Sky) Olofin only had two children one male
Shango (The Divine one Olodumare's Hand of Justice) one female "Oshun. Born on a large clam shell arriving at the borders of the ocean and river.
It is Oshunʼs role entrusted by her father the art of communication from the religious
priesthood's to him Olofin. the river is the dominion that suits her best, for it cites the
birth and departure of life, one must cross the river of heaven to arrive on earth, it being Orisa or Human. ( I will speak more on this later ) oshun represents all that is femme,
she is the owner of Honey and laughter, theses suit her well, for with her laughter she
announces destruction or peril, with honey oshun is able to sweeten the most stern
hearts or transform a bitter demeanor to a intoxicated lover.
The folklore goes to state that she had requested to be different from the rest of the
other female orisa when she would descend from heaven (Olurun), oshun asked
Yemaya to give her the secrets so she may be different in appearance when she arrived to Ife, she desired to have a thin waist and her skin tone to be the color of honey, in exchange for this secret, she gave some of her Hair to Yemaya, oshun keeping the rest
using it to create the craft of Hair dressing which is still practice till today, The exchange
of hair for beauty would be a small price to pay unknowing the true cost of being the
most beautiful of the orisa.
Oshun was so divine in apearance that one night her father Olofin had to
much palm wine, becoming intoxicated causing himself to rape his Child, in this
coarse oshun learned not only the emotions of Love but of hate and revenge,
Those whom know of oshun know that she represents Love, Joy, Sexuality, Charity,, deep in
her soul lies a bitter side,a stern dry demeanor, Hate, vengeance, bitterness are part of
her inner personality. Oshun is the representation of The struggles of Life.
Oshun was designated by her father Olofin to be the chief priestess of the cult of the
Ancestral Mothers the Cult of (IYA-LORDE) This commandment is stated in the Odu
Oshe Tura, which is a cult still practice till this very day in Nigeria Africa, in the town of
Osogbo. In the Odu Iroso Ka Orula certifies her the Apetebi and his wife despite her
faults.
Oshun has influence the life's of all of the orisa in one way or another, in the Odu Ofun
kana she saves Asowano (Babalu Aye) life, in Odu iroso ka, she saves the world from
destruction, Orisa Oya from her enemies in the Odu Eyiogbe, in the Odu oshe Leso
saves the love of Yemaya for Ogun. All of these endeavors have costed her the same
price, her body and Flesh.
Oshunʼs favorite sati-factional Husband is Orisa Inle(Water hole by the Streams or
rivers,sometimes in the Woods) which they had one child Orisa Logun Ede (The
androgenesis)
I will write more on this orisa latter on, with Osha-Odduduwa (Spirit of the shadows or
Darkness that brings Light) she gave birth to Orisa Oloshe with Osha-Orula(The
Shadow that follower us,Witness of Creation) she had many daughters one in particular
is Orisa Poroye, but the husband she had the most children was with Orisa
Obatala!(King of the white Clothe),thIs is why till this day, a majority of Obatalaʼs Priests have
oshun as their second guardian, or mother as some say.
Oshun has many avatars or paths 29 in IFA/OSHA that can be crown a few more that
are not, INCLUDING Logun Ede???
Many may ask why do orisa have these avatars,
its because our religion is based on reincarnations, IFA teaches us that all of the Odu,
Orisa and Osha have returned at one point or another back to heaven. when they
returned back to earth they would state a different name or there carnal parents would
name them differently if you understand African culture, when a child is born he or she
is taken to a Awo a Priest of Orula so that childʼs destiny is revealed and is named.
You
ask Why the reincarnations? just like human beings the orisa have faults, they failed in
performing the needed ebbos(Offerings) in heaven before there departures so they
could have success in there new form, these ebbos were recommendations from the
Irumoles( 401 Divine spirits of heaven).
I am a Priest or Iworo of Oshun( Ibu Yumu ) my father is Obatala, my Iruko(name)is
“Oşun mi esegun” “Oshuns my Victory” pretty Cool name, oshun has
given me everything in my life in one form or another, sometimes even
the things I should not have, but how can one learn if not through our pains and sorrows, donʼt get me wrong it has not been all negative,
IFA teaches us that there is "No bad luck", it's that we didnʼt have the wisdom to obtain success.
If I ask oshun for a Million dollars and she grants me such a fortune, do I really have the knowledge on how to use the money. yet If I did ebbo and received the guidance on how too and what too spend the money on, would success not be by my side, would it not last my life time. One must always ask for (Itona) guidance first and our lives would run smother just like pouring honey. This is learn in Oshe Meji the arrival of riches on Earth, and in Ogunda Meji when the armaments,gems and mentals arrive on earth,from heaven.
I would like to mention thy most important Orisa to receive if possible, is Ori, its the orisa of your soul/consciousness its the orisa that enters our head at birth, it takes an oath in Odu Ogbe Odi before olofins feet, its oath is to live a certain life right before entering our mind. If Ori follows the oath Life is successful, if it faults hmmm, attempt to amend it ASAP. Our guardian orisa serves Ori, not the other way around. our orisa is our Crown, Ori lies in our head. Ask me questions for my next Blog post.Emi bere Ibulaye fun Itona fifun mi Tito Oşun
I ask permission for
guidance give me direction oshun
Baba Awo Ifa Gbemi, other young Awo, Myself, Alex Awo Obara
meji Lazaro Awo Obaradimeji my italero
Paths of Oshun:
Ibu Kole ( The Vulture) Colors are amber and coral born in Ogbe-tua this is a powerful
Oshun, that guards the house, she is known to be Crafter of serious Magic, she is very
common as a mother to her selected heads.
Ibu ololodi (the Warrior The Owl )wife of Orula this oshun likes every offering in double,
uses great amounts of Metals like Iron, etc. Born in ogbe-roso mother of Orisa Poroye,
Ibu Akauro ( The Cornish hen, the meeting of the river and ocean)It is said that she is
like the Cornish Hen Deaf when she wants to be, and has a false Smile, born in ojuani-
meji colors are Yellow white,green
Ibu Yumu ( The deaf serpent handler Thy most beautiful of all oshuns)Born in Ika meji
Ibu Aña (The one who hears the drums and goes directly to it) Born in Otrupon bekonwa
The Arraraʼs call her ñawedito
Ibu Iñañi (the famous one of disputes)
Ibu Oddonki (the rising river fill with Mud) The Arraraʼs call her Takago
Ibu Oddoi (The Dry Cowie Shell) The Arraraʼs call her Fosupo
Ibu Oggale (Loves Keys) The Arraraʼs call her Oakere
Ibu Okuanda (The one thorn into the river Dead) The Arraraʼs call her Agokusi
Ibu Addesa (The assured Crown) The Arraraʼs call her Aboloto
Ibu Ayede (The one thats like a Queen) The Arraraʼs call her Yiaa
Ibu Okuase oddo (The one that emerged dead in the River) The Arraraʼs call her
Totokusi
Ibu Bumi (The collector of river water)
Ibu ede ( The Shrimp/Prawn) This oshu lives in muddy water
Ibu Latie eleke Oni (The wrestler)
Ibu Itumu (The amazonian, Believe to be lesbian, dresses in white with male clothes,
the Arraraʼs call her Jueyague
Ibu Tinibu ( lives with Orun The lord of the sky “Sun” is born in Irete-yero is a director of
the Cult Iya-Lorde.The Arraraʼs call her Alegue
Ibu Aja Jura ( Lives in the lagoons and is a warrior).
Ibu Aremu Kondiano( The first to insert her feet into Ori “sheabutter” dresses in White
her chain is Of coral and Pearls and Orula color beads some say she is a Water
Obatala but she a oshun that dresses in white. The Arraraʼs call her Tefande
Ibu Ceni (The one that lives in small water holes near the river). The Arraraʼs call her
Ajuanyinu
Ibu Fondae (The one that died with Inle), Uses a sword and enjoys war.
Ibu Odoko ( This oshun is very strong and is born in Ogbe-Kana likes the company of
Orisa-Oko
Ibu Awayemi (This oshun is Blind likes to be in company with Azowano and Orula
speaks in Oyekun Meji
Ibu Eledan (This oshun is owner of the Nasal Oreophasis
Ibu Idere Lekun (This Oshun lives in the caves at Marine coastal and dances to the
sound of the waves. is Born in Otura-Sa
Ibu Añare (Daughter of ibu Aña this oshun lives on top of Money and sand, yet she
doesn't like to give her children Money
Ibu agandara (This oshun lives seated on a Chair, and likes to be covered in water lilies
so no one can see her seated.
All of these oshun have many more secrets to add to her tool sets, from certain
Feathers, instruments, or elements. One of the tools in my set is a set of hair Combs,
In my ita I ask “why the Combs? Baba said, When your hair is tangled up you use a
Comb to remove or straight your hair,oshun uses this to untangle you from your
Problems and enemies. These tools are asked or relate to your oshun, There are many
offering one can give Oshun there are some favorites of hers, or if in your heart you
wish to give something, do it, no one refuses a gift right, just make sure its in good
taste, oshun is Queen by birth right. Oshun is thy most important female Orisa in the
yoruba system. I am not saying that Yemaya, Obba,Oya, etc are not, but Oshunʼs role
in IFA/Osha are indisputable. All of Orisa,oshaʼs have there own Ashe
Wind,fire,strength, but oshun knows how to tap these forces, using all of the I.O.Uʼs the
other Orisa have with this majestic Queen.
Note:
On many of the names or paths of oshun are included a Odu, I will speak on my oshun
Ibu Yumu is born in Ika Meji the word IKa in yoruba means cruelty meji means double or
two, double crueltyʼ does this mean my path is cruel no! it means that there are many
things in her life that were, its a odu of strife and great gains, this Odu makes the arrival
of refined oil and fine string, these two object while in heaven were told to do Ebbo to
have great success on earth, they followed the guidance and when a Awo on earth was
in his darkest hour IFA told him” his ebbo required fine oil and string, and to light it with
fire, Awo IKA meji did so and obtained what we have now as oil lamps to light our
darkest Hour.
Although my oshun is born in IKA meji My opening Odu is Ogbe she, which is the Odu
of great power its the Odu Oshun herself nurtured, its folklore is of the African Grey
parrot. Its a odu of dis-considerations of others towards you, the Lore goes
That the African grey is Olofins favorite Bird, and made him laugh with his dancing, the
other Birds of the forest, hated him for this reason and plotted against the grey, so they
gathered powders of coal, and palm oil.
Olofin decided to invite all of his creations to a feast, expecting the Grey to arrive on
time to amuse him with his dance, The grey on his way to the feast was ambushed by
the other birds and they poured the coal dust and painted his tail feather with the red
palm oil, The grey had done Ebbo and didn't understand the cause yet, and was
concerned how Olofin would receive him in such a condition, but remembered the
advise of Ifa and went as is, olofin waiting became concern that the Grey didʼt arrive, but
short after the grey arrives with his Dance and Olofin laughing and enjoying the dance,
awaiting to approach the grey, the Grey offers his Moforibale to Baba and excuses for
his delay, Olofin ask what has happen to you, the grey explains of his misfortune on his
way to the feast, olofin becoming upset makes an Order address to all his creations, “
From this day Forth, Any and all Ebbo will contain the red tail feather of the Grey, When
there is a Yoko Osha, i will not give my blessings if there is no greyʼs red feathers at the
reunion TO BAN EhSU!
So when offering ebbo to which ever orisa there must always be a african grey red
feather in the ebbo so Olofin may receive it, this said My oshun warnings are that I
would live a life where people would not even open the door for my arrival because of
jealous, yet they are the one to lose the most, it makes my life a bit difficult too, but if I
do ebbo I will alway have success and favor of olofin himself. The oduʼs I speak of is a
vessels of great amount of information, this which I have share is but a faction, back to
My oluoso orisa (guardian)in the odu marks my orisa to have a crown of grey feathers, oil lamps, to light my dark hours, this odu also states when Ogbeshe is lanced we all shall eat well and prosper.so one must look at the odu of ones orisa and her birth odu to be able to see what is her advise to you, her struggles are not yours we at times state oh My Oshun behaves like this or that, NO! those are hers to bear if you behave in that manner thats YOU! there are some behaviors that are witnessed in her children but those are also defined by one owns choice, or in up brings ethics etc.
So if oshun went to bed with Ogun to fool him into thinking it was Yemaya in bed, does this mean I would sleep with my brothers wife, or sister husband to save there marriage THIS BEHAVIOR IS NOT A POSITIVE THOUGHT, HOW CAN I EXPECT IT WORK OUT FOR THE BEST?
LOGICAL THINKING: I could do is, do ebbo for my brother or sister and have Oshun solve the problem. lets use common sense Positive attracts Positive and Negative
attracts Negative.
One of my favorite Quotes from Oprah Winfrey is
“When You Know Better, You Do Better”
so do better in your life, focus on Positive Energy, Everything in Life is made of Positive
and negative, in Negative States transform it to Positive.
Writen By Daniel Roman
Iworo Ogbeshe Oshun mi esegun
Ile Tuntun
Temi Baba,, Aragba Awo Ifa Gbemi Odu ogbe Iwori: Jorge Castillo
Tuesday, February 19, 2013