Prayers for Oshun

The Mysterious Depths of Oshun

By: Michael Atwood Mason

In the religion, the orisha Oshun is always among the first orishas that outsiders  discover.   Aleyos are charmed by her beauty, enticed by her sensuality, yearn to emulate her grace. However, who is this orisha and what role does she play in human life?

The elders laconically repeat, "Oshun is the owner of the river."  She lives in the currents and eddies of the river where her force moves ever forward.  Traditions agree that this vain orisha binds people and orishas together. She adores fine clothes and beautiful objects.  She is the sweetness of love.  She is the dance of passion.  She is the cool water that heals the sick abdomen and brings children to the barren. But this stereotypical representation of Oshun overlooks an essential aspect of her character, in pataki after pataki, Oshun provides renewal when no one else can.

When Ogun, the fierce and hard-working blacksmith, withdrew from the creation of the world and retreated into the forest, Oshun brought him out.  With the departure of Ogun's force and labor, creation stopped.  No new fields were cleared for planting and no new inventions appeared to help the Orishas and human beings.  Ogun took to the bush, and the process of creation came grinding to a halt.  Several orishas tried to draw him out of the forest but failed.  Finally Oshun went into the woods with her five scarves and her gourd of honey.  She did not call to Ogun. Instead she found a clearing and began to dance.  Her beauty and her sensual movements caught Ogun's attention.  As he watched her dance, he was drawn to her.  Slowly he approached her, and when he drew close, Oshun smeared his lips with her honey. As she danced, Ogun followed her back to civilization and resumed his work. This story does attest to Oshun's beauty and seductiveness, but it also shows how she uses these characteristics to accomplish what no other orisha can and renew the process of creation.

Oshun also renewed the whole world when it was in danger. This story has many versions.  Some elders say that Olodumare had a terrible drought, while others maintain that it was day after day of rain that threatened humans and the orishas.  Many orishas had tried to communicate with Olodumare and many birds had flown toward Olorun in attempts to save the earth.  But no effort succeeded in reaching heaven. Finally, the buzzard came forth and said she could take their message to Olodumare. The orishas were astonished and they doubted that Oshun, the youngest orisha, could reach heaven and convince the creator to save the earth. But after great struggle and flying until she was exhausted, Oshun arrived in the heaven and asked Olodumare to spare the earth because there were just beings who valued life and followed the laws established by God.  Olodumare was so impressed by her honesty and her efforts that he appointed her as his messenger to humans and the orishas.  When no one else could, Oshun saved the earth from destruction.  Since that time,  Oshun has been coming into the lives of individuals and fulfilling their deepest needs and desires.

Elder priests guard many secrets to call upon Oshun, and these ceremonies use the same, well known tools to move her. People salute her as an elder using her formal title lyalode. Others greet her as a dear mother calling "Ori Yeye o!" She loves everything yellow and five is her number. Five jars of honey, five oranges, five eggs, or five pumpkins offered to Oshun will release her renewing powers in human life.   Her altars must be beautiful and usually include ornate fans and mirrors.

Praise Oshun when you are tired, and she will enliven you. Call on the river when you are dry, and she will refresh you. Sing to her when you are broke, and she will provide what you need. Pray to her when you cannot have a child, and she will impregnate you.  Adore Oshun, and she will renew you.

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