YEMAYA 
 “Obiní ku wa egba mió...” 

 

Yemaya is represented by“Nuestra Senora La Virgin de Regla” and with “Our Lady of Immaculate Conception". Of the 7 African Powers, Yemaya’s number is 7 or multiples of 7, she is a “cool” Orisha like her sister Oshun whom she shares Saturday with. Yemaya is considered to be the greatest deity in Santeria. This is because Yemaya is the Mother of all things that exist and she is also the mother of most of the Orishas . Obatala who is the Great Father Orisha and who is the seed of life respects Yemaya and her powers. for it is she who germinates his seed.. Without Yemaya the seed could not grow and would die. Without Yemaya there would be destruction and death. With Yemaya there is life and hope. 
 

       “ Yemayá Madre de agua, luna nueva: Una paloma, un cordero, ofreceré al mas austero, para pasar esta prueba. La vida muerte conlleva. Una cruz de cascarilla: Firmaras mí último aliento y contra marea y viento remare, hasta la otra orilla.

- Orishas –

- Severo Sarduy “
 

by Joey Fernandez, Adéfunniké

 

Olokun, Maferefun!
Vast and deep is the sea as it flows, where it goes noone knows.....
Olokun, keeper of treasures, secrets and dreams--cast Your
silver net to bring stability, wealth and knowledge to me.
I respect Your awesome powers and mysteries, Olokun.
Preserve me always from danger in the ocean of this life.
Olokun, Olokun, how beautiful, strong and unfathomable
are you--who brings abundant life from the sea.
I praise Yemaya the Great Mother. The mighty ocean is the cradle
of the Earth. Hail to Yemaya the nurturer of all!
Invocation to Yemaya
Yenya orisha obinrin dudukueke re maye mi re oyu ayaba ano rigba
iki mi reta gbogbo okin nibe iwo ni re elewo nitosi re omo teiba modupue iya
mi.

 

                                                                                                                                                  art by Winsom-Winsom

The Paths of Yemaya

Yemaya Asseu

In this aspect she lives in dirty and polluted waters. She accepts offerings with the dead and she is pretty slow in answering the requests of her children.

Yemaya Oquette

Is the violent form of the goddess. she is destructive. The mother who gives birth to her children will also destroy them, In that aspect she is like Kali in her destructive aspect.

Yemaya Awoyo                                     

She is the ancient form of Yemaya. She is wise, honorable, loving, caring and she is also very wealthy. she wears a rainbow (Ochumare) as a crown over her head. She is also a powerful warrior.

Yemaya Mayalewo

She is a powerful witch. She works closely with Oggun. She lives in lagoons that are surrounded by a wooded area. She lives in solitude. She loves the peacefulness of the woods
                                           
Yemaya Achabba

Married to Oggun who heeds to her wise advice. She is the serious and stern aspect of Yemaya. She disciplines when she has to and can be very dangerous. Her magic spells are very powerful, and turns her back to listen to her devotees.
Yemaya Acuaro

This is an aspect where the river (oShun) Meets the sea (Yemaya). Therefore she is very close to Oshun her sister.Who she loves to dance and spend time with. She is a powerful healer and she can dispel evil spells. She does not do any other magic. 

Yemaya Okuti
Her Magic is very powerful for she is the Queen of Witches. Sending her messages to her children via mice. She owns the coral reefs and mother of pearls. W hen she dances, Yemaya Okuti always has a snake draped around her arm. This would suggest her wisdom and sexuality. In this path Yemaya has a bad temper. She is harsh and unforgiving. It would be wise not to upset her for she can make one's life very miserable. A fierce warrior, she battles alongside Oggun. During wartime she carries his weapons and working tools from her waist. Also close to Oshun, her home are the rocks near the coastline that break the water and can also be found in lakes, rivers and forest. 

Yemaya Olokun
She can be found in the deepest of the ocean. With her vast wisdom, and at times rather violent nature. This aspect can be very overpowering.

So now you know that Yemaya is not just some push over. She is a powerful force. Yes, she is a loving and nourishing, but just as all mothers, she has the ability to destroy her children.
 

 

offerings to yemaya

Blue and white candles, salt water, water melon, any type of melon,  pictures or figurines of mermaids, fish and shell fish, seaweed, anything  silver, clear quartz, pearls or mother of pearls, coconut milk, , boats and  ships , shells,  perfumes and scented oils, cakes, silver colored or silver bells,  champagne,  blue and white flowers, lace, soap, blue and white beads, seven coins, tied blue and white ribbons,   plantains ,lambs, and roosters, violets, water cress,   Yemaya accept whatever a  child makes from his or her heart (that depends on her path in her more gentler form that is).

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