Orisha and Loa in VooDoo

December 22nd, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under Information |

In my exploration as a witch, its always been of benefit to explore and understand other branches of witchcraft. Which brings me to Voo Doo. Although Wicca and VooDoo share alot of the same altar construction when it comes to representing the 4 elements, this is where the similarities end.  I will be going more into depth about altar construction and symbolism later on but just the basics for now. This entry will consist of understanding the Orisha and the Loa

The Loa (also Lwa or L’wha) are the spirits of the Voodoo religion practiced in Haiti, and other parts of the world. They are also referred to as the Mystères and the Invisibles. They are somewhat akin to saints or angels in Western religions in that they are intermediaries between Bondye (Bon Dieu, or good god)—the Creator, who is distant from the world—and humanity. Unlike saints or angels however, they are not simply prayed to, they are served. They are each distinct beings with their own personal likes and dislikes, distinct sacred rhythms, songs, dances, ritual symbols, and special modes of service. Contrary to popular belief, the loa are not deities in and of themselves; they are intermediaries for a distant Bondye.

In a ritual the Loa are summoned by the Houngan (Priest), Mambo (Priestess) or Bokor (Sorcerers) to take part in the service, receive offerings, and grant requests. The Loa arrive in the peristyle (ritual space) by mounting (possessing) a horse (ritualist) - who is said to be “ridden.” This can be quite a violent occurrence as the participant can flail about or convulse before falling to the ground, but some Loa will mount their horses very quietly - Ayizan is one such Loa.

Certain Loa display very distinctive behaviour by which they can be recognised, specific phrases, and specific actions. As soon as a Loa is recognised, the symbols appropriate to them will be given to them. For example Erzulie Freda will be given a mirror and a comb, fine cloth or jewellery; Legba will be given his cane, straw hat and pipe; Baron Samedi will be given his top hat, sunglasses and a cigar.

Once the Loa has arrived, fed, been served, and possibly given help or advice, they leave the peristyle. Contrary to the Western perception of possession, a Loa has no need to remain in the horse (possessed ritualist). Certain Loa can become obstinate, for example the Ghede are notorious for wanting just one more smoke, or one more drink, but it is the job of the Houngan or Mambo to keep the spirits in line while ensuring they are adequately provided for.

There are many families or “nanchons” (nations) of Loa - Rada (also Radha), Petro (also Pethro, Petwo), Nago, Kongo and Ghede (Also Guede, or Gede)to name but a few.
Rada Loa
The Rada Loa are generally the older, more beneficent spirits, and are associated with the gods of Africa. They include Legba, Loko, Ayizan, Dhamballah Wedo and Ayida-Weddo, Erzulie Freda, La Sirène, and Agwe. Their traditional colour is white (as opposed to the specific colours of individual Loa).
 Petro Loa
The Petro Loa are generally the more fiery, occasionally aggressive and warlike Loa., and are associated with Haiti and the New World They include Ezili Dantor, Marinette, Ogoun, and Kalfu (Carrefour). Their traditional colour is red.
Kongo Loa
Originating from the Congo region of Africa, these spirits include the many Simbi loa, it also includes the much dreaded Marinette, a fierce and much feared female loa.
Nago
Originating from Nigeria (specifically the Yoruba speaking tribes) this nanchon includes many of the Ogun spirits.
Ghede Loa
The Ghede are the spirits of the dead. They are traditionally led by the Barons (La Croix, Samedi, Cimitière, Kriminel), and Maman Brigitte. The Ghede as a family are loud, rude (although rarely to the point of real insult), sexual, and usually a lot of fun. As those who have lived already, they have nothing to fear, and frequently will display how far past consequence and feeling they are when they come through in a service - eating glass, raw chillis, and anointing their sensitive areas with chilli rum for example. Their traditional colours are black and purple.

An Orisha (also spelled Orisa or Orixa) is a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare (God) in the Yoruba spiritual or religious system (Olodumare is also known by various other names including Olorun, Eledumare, Eleda and Olofin-Orun.

Partial list of Orishas
Nana Buluku (Nana) - female deity of creation, old sky mother and primordial swamp spirit, associated with the moon and often identified with Iemanja
Olokun - guardian of the deep ocean, the abyss, and signifies unfathomable wisdom, also patron of African diaspora
Obatala (Obatalá, Oxalá, Orixalá, Orisainlá) - father of orishas and humankind, deity of light, spiritual purity, and moral uprightness
Orunmila (Orunla, Ifá) - deity of wisdom, divination, destiny, and foresight

Eshu (Eleggua, Exú, Esu, Elegba, Legbara, Papa Legba) - Eshu is the messenger between the human and divine worlds, god of crossroads and beginnings, and also a phallic and fertility god. Eshu is recognized as a trickster and child-like, while Eleggua is Eshu under the influence of Obatala.

Ochumare (Oshumare, Oxumare) - rainbow-serpent deity, orisha of movement and activity, guardian of children and associated with umbilical cord

Iemanja (Yemaja, Imanja, Yemayá, Jemanja, Yemalla, Yemana, Yemanja, Yemaya, Yemayah, Yemoja, Ymoja, Nanã, La Sirène, LaSiren, Mami Wata) - divine mother goddess, divine goddess of the sea and loving mother of mankind, daughter of Obatala and wife of Aganju

Aganju (Aganyu, Agayu) - Father of Shango, he is also said to be Shango’s brother in other stories. Aganju is said to be the orisha of volcanoes, mountains, and the desert.

Shango (Shangó, Xango, Changó, Chango, Nago Shango) - warrior god of thunder, fire, sky father, represents male power and sexuality

Oba (Obba) - Shango’s jealous wife, goddess of marriage and domesticity, daughter of Iemanja

Oya (Oyá, Oiá, Iansã, Yansá, Iansan, Yansan) - warrior goddess of the wind, sudden change, hurricanes, and underworld gates, a powerful sorceress and primary lover of Shango

Ogoun (Ogun, Ogúm, Ogou) - deity of iron, war, labour, sacrifice, politics, and technology (e.g. railroads)

Oshun (Oshún, Ọṣun, Oxum, Ochun, Osun, Oschun) - goddess of rivers, love, feminine beauty, fertility, and art, also one of Shango’s lovers and beloved of Ogoun

Ibeji - the sacred twins, represent youth and vitality

Ochosi (Oxósse, Ocshosi, Osoosi, Oxossi) - hunter and the scout of the orishas, deity of the accused and those seeking justice or searching for something

Ozain (Osain, Osanyin) - Orisha of the forest, he owns the Omiero, a holy liquid consisting of many herbs, the liquid through which all saints and ceremonies have to proceed. Ozain is the keeper and guardian of the herbs, and is a natural healer.

Babalu Aye (Omolu, Soponna, Shonponno, Obaluaye, Sakpata) - deity of disease and illness (particularly smallpox, leprosy, and now AIDS), also orisha of healing and the earth, son of Iemanja

Erinle (Inle) - orisha of medicine, healing, and comfort, physician to the gods

Oko (Okko) - orisha of agriculture and the harvest

Osun - ruler of the head, Ori

Yule Log

December 21st, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under My Book of Shadows |

The Yule log is a remnant of the bonfires that the European pagans would set ablaze at the time of winter solstice. These bonfires symbolized the return of the Sun. The Yule log can be made of any wood. Each releases its own kind of magic.

Aspen: invokes understanding of the grand design.

Birch: signifies new beginnings.

Holly: inspires visions and reveals past lives.

Oak: brings healing, strength, and wisdom.

Pine: signifies prosperity and growth.

Willow: invokes the Goddess to achieve desires.

On the night of Yule, carve a symbol of your hopes for the coming year into the log. Burn the log to release its power. Save a piece of this year’s Yule log for kindling in next year’s fire. You may also wish to decorate the log with greenery, flowers, ribbons and herbs for magickal intent. Some choices might be:

Carnations-protection, courage, strength, healing, increases magickal power, vitality

Cedar-wealth, protection, purification, healing, promotes spirituality

Holly-dreams, protection

Juniper- Exorcism, protection, healing, love

Mistletoe-a catalyst, fertility, health, success, protection, banishing evil

Pine-healing, wealth, protection, purification, exorcism, exorcism, fertility, wealth

Rosemary-health, love, protection, exorcism, purification, increase intellectual powers, peace, blessing, consecration, very powerful cleansing and purifying

Roses-love, courage, luck, health, protection, beauty

Ribbons can be used according to their color magick correspondences. Be creative and have fun!

MERRY YULE, DEAR READERS!

May the goddess bless you and yours this solstice.

Oak Moon (December Moon)

December 12th, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under Lore, My Book of Shadows |

Also known as the Long Nights Moon, this is the moon that is closest to Winter Solstice. This Moon observes the time of year when Winter declined and people began to look toward Spring. The great oak tree stretches her branches to the sky, topped with the sacred mistletoe. Her life giving roots, branches in reverse, stretching into the Earth, into the Underworld, symbolizing the balance and duality that is the focus of our sacred path, Wicca.

Ritual:

Purpose: To rest and meditate on earth’s lessons..

Tools:

A white candle.
A clear quartz crystal, the stone of winter and cold.
A piece of oak, if possible.

The Working:

Oh Mother Moon, represented now in the Wheel of the Year by the Full Oak Moon, you represent Nature’s lessons.

Help me to see your lessons of death, rest, and rebirth in the quiet, barren landscape that surrounds me now.

Hold the clear quartz crystal in both hands and meditate on the idea of freezing and rest until you feel restful inside.

Hold the oak in both hands and meditate on the idea of hope in future growth.

Sit will these energies, and with Spirit, until you can feel both rest and the hope of future growth in your soul. Then, hold the white candle and say:

God and Goddess, Holy Spirit, I accept your restful, healing energies into my life. May they prepare me for the future growth that the return of the Light represents.
Put the white candle in a holder.

Sending the Energy:

She changes everything she touches; everything she touches changes.
As I light this candle, my will be done.
This, or something better, for the Highest Good of all concerned.

Light the white candle and leave it burning throughout the rest of the ritual.

Imagine the remainder of the energy flowing to God, Goddess, and Spirit; stand in Goddess position and “let go.”

After the Ritual:
Put out the white candle at the end of the ritual. Leave it on the altar, and re-light it in order to meditate with the restful and hopeful energies of this ritual until it is burned out. Then bury the remainder of the wax in the earth.

Meditation Techniques

December 10th, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under Lore |

Meditation isn’t working for me! I sit quietly for 20 minutes concentrating on my beathing and I just can’t get there!

Undoubtedly!

One of the hardest things to do is to actually clear your mind. I know you’ve heard it thousands of times - just “Clear your mind”. How can you possibly do this? You’re always thinking of that project that needs attention, you think about work, family, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend. Always have some sort of song stuck in your head or that one person you just can’t seem to stop thinking about.

So, what do you do?

Here are some simple techniques to help get you there. First of all, keep in mind, you don’t have to sit in the middle of a quiet room attemping to empty your head for hours on end, because most of us do not have that kind of patience.

Walking Meditation:

Get out there and walk! No seriously, walk. In walking meditation we use the experience of walking as our focus. We become mindful of our experience while walking, and try to keep our awareness involved with the experience of walking.

Obviously, there are some differences between walking meditation and sitting meditation. For one thing we keep our eyes open during walking meditation! That difference implies other changes in the way we do the practice. We are not withdrawing our attention from the outside world to the same extent that we do when we are doing the Mindfulness of Breathing or Metta Bhavana (development of lovingkindness) practices. We have to be aware of things outside of ourselves (objects we might trip over, other people that we might walk into) and there are many other things outside of ourselves that we will be more aware of than when we are doing sitting - especially if we sit inside. These include the wind, the sun, and the rain; and the sounds of nature and of humans and machines.

But one of the biggest differences is that it’s easier, for most people, to be more intensely and more easily aware of their bodies while doing walking meditation, compared to sitting forms of practice. When your body is in motion, it is generally easier to be aware of it compared to when you are sitting still. When we’re sitting still in meditation the sensations that arise in the body are much more subtle and harder to pay attention to than those that arise while we’re walking, This can make walking meditation an intense experience. You can experience your body very intensely, and you can also find intense enjoyment from this practice.

The practice of walking meditation can also be fitted in to the gaps in our lives quite easily. Even walking from the car into the supermarket can be an opportunity for a minute’s walking meditation.

For your first attempt, you might want to find a park or open space where you will be able to walk for twenty minutes without encountering traffic.

Journey meditation:

Journey meditation combines imagery and visualization to achieve a meditative state. This form of meditation appeals to those who find peace by picturing themselves in a peaceful place.

Here’s how to do it.

 Sit up straight. Get into a comfortable position. Either sit on the floor with your back against a wall, or sit in a chair with your feet on the ground and your hands resting on your knees or thighs. Have a pad and pencil nearby. Write down the worries, concerns or problems that you’re afraid will distract you from meditation, and promise yourself that you’ll deal with them when you’re done.
 
 Take a few cleansing breaths. Breathe in slowly and deeply for five counts, then exhale slowly for five counts.
 
 Find a peaceful place. Close your eyes and concentrate on a soothing, tranquil place where you feel safe and calm. As distractions flutter through your mind, remind yourself that you’ll deal with them when you are finished meditating.

A quiet beach is an ideal mental destination for most people. Picture yourself resting on the sand. Feel the sun on your skin, hear the water lapping the shore, listen for the sounds of seagulls or see the ships gliding out to sea. You can use the same routine for any beautiful, serene place that calms you.

Do it twice a day. Most persons will benefit from a 5- to 15-minute meditation practiced several days a week. A good rule of thumb for practicing journey meditation is to do it in the morning and then again later in the day. A peaceful meditative journey as you wake up can improve the whole tone of your day.

Journey meditation is also an excellent antidote for afternoon slump. Most people find that at about 3.00 PM, they are at their lowest energy level for the day. This is a good time to take a short nap or to take a short journey break. In as little as ten minutes, you’ll find that you’ve refreshed yourself.

Vibrational Meditation:

Also called sounding meditation, this technique uses the repetition of a word or sound as its focal point. Vibrational meditation has appeal to those who find that making noise is a path to inner quiet.

We’re taught to be nice and quiet as little children. Releasing sound and noise helps us release stress.

Here’s how to begin.

Get on your feet. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent and your hips centered, as though you’re about to squat. Or, if you wish, sit or lie down. Keep your body loose and comfortable with your arms at your sides or on your hips. Begin by taking a few cleansing breaths.

Pick a word, any word. Choose a word that alternates vowels and consonants-like “serenity.” The word that you select doesn’t necessarily have to be a spiritual one. It just has to feel good when you say it.

Repeat after yourself. Repeat the word, chant the word, focus on nothing but saying the word over and over again. Let the sound of the word vibrate through your body. Let the word resonate up from your abdomen and let it go to your hands, your feet. Let your muscles move as you chant the word.

Some people have a tendency to clench their muscles when they’re tense. It’s important to roll the sound through your body so that you can clear out the tightness in your muscles. Doing so promotes the meditative state of relaxation that feels like a natural high.

Instant Calming Sequence:

Meditation and mindfulness are great when you have enough control over your time to enjoy them. But what happens when a crisis requires immediate action?

Using scientific findings in the physiology of relaxation, Dr. Robert Cooper has developed a six-step program that minimizes the negative effects of stress the moment the body begins to feel stressed. He calls it the Instant Calming Sequence.

Step 1:: Practice uninterrupted breathing. When stress strikes, immediately focus on your breath and continue breathing smoothly, deeply and evenly.

Step 2: Put on a positive face. Smile a grin that you can feel in the corners of your eyes. “The conventional wisdom is that happiness triggers smiling,” Dr. Cooper explains. “But recent studies suggest that this process is a two-way street. Smiling can contribute to feelings of happiness, and in a stressful situation, it can help keep you calm.” Try this simple test: Smile a broad grin right now. Don’t you feel better?

Step 3:: Balance your posture. People under stress often look hunched-over, hence the oft-repeated phrase “They have the weight of the world on their shoulders.”

“Maintaining good posture works like smiling,” Dr. Cooper says. “Physical balance contributes to emotional balance.” Keep your head up, chin in, chest high, pelvis and hips level, back comfortably straight and abdomen free of tension. Imagine a skyhook lifting your body from a point at the center of the top of your head.

Step 4: Bathe in a wave of relaxation. Consciously sweep a wave of relaxation through your body. “Imagine you’re standing under a waterfall that washes away all your tension,” Dr. Cooper says.

Step 5: Acknowledge reality. Face your causes of stresses head-on. Don’t try to deny it or wish that it hadn’t happened. Think: “This is real. I can handle it. I’m finding the best possible way to cope right now.”

Step 6:: Reassert control. Instead of fretting about how the stressor has robbed you of control, focus on what you can control and take appropriate action. Also, think clear-headed, honest thoughts instead of distorted ones.