Tuesday June 18, 2019. Bring the love and hope CiberCuba.com, Her colors are blue and white, and she is associated with fish, fishing nets, and seashells or stones. Place the two cups of water in a container and dissolve the azulillo, place the candle in the center of the container, about candle place the coins, turn the candle In this post we will concern ourselves with Yemaya. Yemaya doesnt intend to cause harm but likes to keep everything she lovesher treasuresnear her. being manufactured with prayers in Spanish and with Catholic images to which some of the orisha had been syncretized. Gifts on behalf of the marine environment and sea creatures may also please her. people out of the Earth and breathed life into them. They say she created humanity with the aid of her son. Your cheek kissed the beautiful moon; and with She is a spirit of divination and healing. You will be very mischievous and love to have fun. She can give guidance and protection in many forms. The sun, the flowers, plants." Deposit gifts for Yemaya in flowing streams or rivers. These sister deities reign over the river and ocean bodies and are identified by the colors yellow and blue, respectively. Yemay is offered food, fruits and flowers such as: The Ochinchin made with shrimp, capers, lettuce, boiled eggs, tomato and chard, Ek (corn tamale wrapped in banana leaves), Olel (beans or beans made into paste with ginger, garlic and onion), Green banana in balls or yam with okra (okra), In your sea of nature and harmony, I want to live. Treat her with kindness, as you would your own mother, and trust in her power to offer you cleansing, uplifting, and blessings in the year to come. Devotees traditionally visit her at the ocean, bearing gifts. Re-create the sea: add sea salt to spring water. To connect with her, you must be aware of the power she holds. Your short articles on the Yoruba religion and practitioners in Cuba is quite interesting. However, i am from the source of Yoruba religion and i felt that though we are faithful in that which is small considering the rich liturgy of the universal culture, but we can also check to see if we have good standing, what if the Yoruba ancestors were once monotheist, whose descendants gradually became apostate, living us the present system of things? In addition to being the spiritual manifestation of the ocean, Yemaya can also be called up for help in matters of health, money and to bring stability into ones life. For this reason, its no surprise that some of the many symbols of Yemaya include the sun, the moon, and the cornucopia. (This can be a river, an ocean, or even a lake.) Leave an offering for Yemaya in the water or, if it is frozen, on top of it. "Some I lived in the USSR until I was 13, although I was already familiar with Cuba-- where we would take our vacation almost every year. I am currently teaching in the Agrarian University of Havana. I found what appears to be a dead baby bird on my bedroom windowsill todayit barely has feathers so no, The digestfromexperts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Lisa, she's the daughter of Yemaya, who is the sea, and I'm daughter of Shango, who is thunder. Garnish everything with generous libations of molasses. This verse was attached: (Google translation) De La Torre, The Santeria Experience -Migene Gonzalez-Wippler, Mysteries and Secrets of Voodoo, Santeria and Obeah Lionel and Patricia Fanthorpe, Exu, Divine Trickster and Master Magician Denise Alvarado, Santeria: Correcting the Myths and Uncovering the Realities of a Growing Religion Mary Ann Clark, The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination: How to Cast the Diloggn, the Oracle of the Orishas chani Lele, Orisha Oko Orisha of Fertility, Progress and Evolution: A Guide to Accessing the Divinitys Blessings Awo Olumide Achaba. Invisioning glimmering stars of a story. of intuition and psychic gifts. In a spot on the mouth of the Havana Bay, where boats enter, on the sidewalk were tourists pass quietly, a man was preparing to place his offering in the bay. Yemaya is a powerful, caring goddess who comforts and protects her children. There was very good energy, and all offerings were well received. Sing to her or play a musical instrument dedicating a special song to her. Yemaya is the orisha of the seas. She controls trade routes and markets. Santeria is growing in popularity yet is linked with specific cultural experiences and should not be appropriated for personal gain or profit. Although there is one Yemaya, she also has multiple paths, which may be venerated independently. So many things don't go our way! 2. On "That Hoodoo You Do," there is an African American spell for Yemaya's Protection, under 1 envase de vidrio Son tus aromas las esperanzas de quien te aclama, Diosa del Mar. My office is in the basement of my home that is where, I have tried to keep myself away from the twitching beliefs since I became a Christian but the truth is. Soul, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, 2003, p. 94-96. She is the author of Queen Up! As mentioned above, it is a common practice in Brazil for devotees of Yemaya (or Iemanj in Portuguese) to make offerings directly into the ocean sometime during the last week of December to ensure good luck, health and prosperity in the New Year. I currently live on the fifth floor of an apartment building in Santa Cruz del Norte, near the sea. part they have remained a mystery to Maya. Did Lolo Wood Get Surgery? Of your blessings of all ships reaching shore without difficulty, and your blessing of all our fishing supplies. In Yoruba religion, Olodumare is the Supreme Being worshipped as the Creator of the Universe. Yemaya, the Orisha of the Ocean, is normally portrayed in yellow. In light of this, celebrations occur all over Brazil. If the weather is too cold to enter the sea for a cleansing, say your prayer and return home for a spiritual Yemaya bath, holding the love and power of the goddess in your heart. Originally the spirit of Nigerias Ogun River, her profound associations with the ocean may have coincided with the African slave trade. Video: What is the significance of symbols in Vodun/African spirituality? She sometimes is given a peacock feather fan decorated There are many stories as to how she became the mother of all saints. You must be willing to cultivate a relationship with Yemaya and work with her on a regular basis rather than just appealing to this Goddess when you want her to solve a problem. Dmitri Prieto-Samsonov: I define myself as being either Cuban-Russian or Russian-Cuban, indiscriminately. She looked at the ocean again. how do you get air bubbles out of power steering fluid, how do you change a belt on a yard machine edger, how long does tie dye last after you mix it. The biggest celebration of it takes place in the Rio Vermelho neighbourhood in Salvador on February 2 every year. She gave birth to the stars, the moon, the sun and most of the orishas. We offer our offerings to you, mighty Yemaya, For your blessings of good weather and seas, of protection from the sea creatures, and protection from the winds. Followers of the Yoruba sea goddess Yemaya, give offering at the Havana harbour during Yemaya Day celebrations in Havana, on September 7, 2021. For those outsides of the Yoruba culture, it is essential to be mindful of not appropriating serious religious practices. Sing to her or play a musical instrument dedicating a special song to her. The Yemaya symbol can be used to represent the religion of Santeria, a religion that is often confused with voodoo. She these efforts can range from helping at special events to providing transportation for parishioners to and from church and community activities, to making food donations, organizing and running parish-sponsored social activities, and more. Ive studied biochemistry and law in Havana and anthropology in London. Blue and white candles as well as glasses of water or salt water should be added to the Yemaya altar as well. Yemaya originally entered hoodoo as one of the "Seven African Powers." Particularly people of European descent should take care to approach other cultures with respect and avoid repeating the patterns of appropriating and diminishing existing cultures. As people were stolen and taken across the sea as part of the slave trade, Yemaya became an ocean goddess -- a deity of the light, gentle, upper part of the sea, while Olokun rules the darker waters deep beneath the surface. I hope with all my heart that by making this offering for Yemay in the sea, a lot of health, abundance and good energy will come to your life, and that what you want, if it is good for your path, you will get it. She is said to be the mother of all waters and is the most powerful of all manifestations of the Orisha. You can also leave offerings in your sacred space. Yemaya enjoys offerings of candles, fish, fruit, rice, molasses, sweet dumplings, caramel corn, perfume, sachet powder, and mirrors, among others. New Years Eve and New Years Day. The storage or technical access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. She is associated with waterways and particularly with the ocean. As the patron of women, she is associated with the moon which has a powerful influence on women. I know the media portrays us as illiterate, socially backward and devilish but its usually to their own benefit and based on their own racist stereotypical views about diversity. If you have no idea who Yemaya is, she is the wife of Ogun, yet another orisha. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. She is queen of the marketplace, Oyas prime competitor. En tu frente lucen estrellas de una historia. Honey, rose water, an herbal infusion, or wine is perfect as an offering. My yearly offering consists of popcorn and flour dumplings covered in molasses. I thought. If you do not have the advantage of living near the ocean, you can make offerings at your home altar to Yemaya by lighting blue and white candles and lying down one or two of her favorite foods. People have petitioned Yemaya for issues involving fertility, travel by ocean, protection from enemies, healing, marriage, love, blessings, and the development "Yemaya," she repeated. For example, in Cuba it is not uncommon to find objects placed at the base of ceibas trees or royal palms. When angered, floods, and tidal waves are her weapons. Diosa del Mar y de las aguas vivas. How old is Squidward Tentacles in Spongebob Squarepants? Amen. She said this with a tone revealing the audacity of Spencer, one of her classmates. around she made tiny animals first that eventually turned into people.". She's the goddess of the ocean that is part of a bigger God 1 white or blue candle. When you meditate, imagine yourself surrounded by water and envision the Goddess Yemaya. I pointed to the water. (3) He was concerned with onlookers and rushed to throw it all in, leaving the bag on accidentally. I tried to remember something Maya Angelou had once said--after all I had named Maya after her--about the power She is the great mother of us all and represents Mother Earth, the life giver. Yemaya generously bestows abundance, wealth, healing, love, and fertility, but she is also the essence of tidal waves and rip currents. What to do on Little Corn Island Little Corn is the place everyone goes to and for good reason. It is traditionally believed that anyone who survived did so through her grace, while those who did not survive were received into her body. She responds to petitions for protection, healing, self-love, and creativity. This offering (adim) is for Yemay, owner and queen of the seas, Universal mother of all, loving, protective and very noble. You can also show reverence for her by leaving offerings involving your personal energy and talents. Yemaya is one of the deities associated with the new year, and she is given prayers and offerings to help bring good luck and happiness to those who honor her. I believe in compassion, giving your all and doing right by Every act of worship is linked to one or more personal biographies. She was originally a river Goddess in Africa who came to be known, associated with all waterways including the ocean. Offerings to other orishas can be found in other locations. While visiting Jacksonville Florida, prior to my official orisha path, I felt called to give an offering to Yemaya at the beach.---THE ORISHA COLLECTION---OY. The following are but a few of her many aspects: Yemaya Asesun, an ancient path of Yemaya, is Queen of Water Birds including ducks, geese, and swans. Go to the beach, offer white flowers to Her, or leave the offerings near a river. Although the Orishas were originally worshipped in Western African cultures, reverence for these deities and the practices of worshipping them came with enslaved Africans who were taken from their homelands and brought to the Cuba, Brazil, and other countries. Our 12th Photo Contest is now open for your entries. Lots of possibilities: so that we may feed our families and sell for coins. For the past several years I have made offerings to Yemaya at the ocean before the New Year while visiting relatives on Cape Cod as can be seen in the photos above. Description. I do not know if the practitioner was unaware of that fact or if he knew and didnt care. 4. Aggressive, violent aspects of Yemaya also claim the color red. Yemay is the Yoruba orisha of motherhood and the sea. Alternatively they may be understood as different facets of one extremely complex, profound goddess. That's what they call a girl god. If you need some help lifting your burdens and bringing more joy into your life next year, consider making offerings to her at the seashore and requesting her help. She is among the most powerful and beloved of the Seven African Powers, the sexy matriarch of the Yoruba spirits known as orishas. Choose a small altar that is dedicated solely to the purpose of worshiping Yemaya. and I have come from overseas Her name is said to mean Mother whose children are fish.. She can be generous and benevolent, but also vengeful when she is disrespected or needs to protect her creations. is no reason why people in different Afro-American traditions could not have independently visualized any or several of the female water deities in mermaid Some cultures worshipped Yemaya as an androgynous, male and female while others saw her as a single character. Light seven blue candles or arrange seven sea shells in your meditation space. She is the great mother of us all and represents Mother Earth, the life giver. As a woman, oh Yemay, only you know the desire that overwhelms me, Help me my saint, because I will be faithful to you until the end of my days. "Yemaya is a goddess. March 13, 2022; 2021 Offerings, Observances, and Small Gatherings February 8, 2022; 2020 Offerings and Observances February 7, 2022; Yemaya, Olokun, and Yam Ebbo Hosted by Ile Baalat Teva, December 24, 2019 December 24, 2019; Family Protection and Dealing With Hostile Intruders, March 2019 March . Ogun is a powerful Orisha who is a master of iron and fire and a fierce warrior who defends truth, justice, law, and order. with Yemanja, Proteged a mis seres queridos de todos los males y peligros. The child of Yemaya would need to act how the water would act, the air would act and the earth would act. Like the rolling waves of the sea, she can offer spiritual cleansing, blessings, and abundance. Hail Yemanja, Queen of the Sea! Each orisha has its own history. It is customary to leave her offerings out for 24 hours and dispose of them somewhere in nature if making the offerings directly into the ocean is not possible. Tu mejilla beso la Luna bella, y tu frente orno de majestad y estrellas. People come to dance and pay homage to the Goddess of the Sea. I dont think there have been any studies on it. Yet connection with the Orishas is not to be undertaken lightly. Professional and amateur photographers of all ages and nationalities may participate. A few of these differences were the following. ofwater over the dark sand. Deities like the Orishas have evolved with changing cultures over time. chalcedony, etc. It is a common feature of the many Afro-Caribbean religions born as a result of colonization and the slave trade (Vodou, Candombl, Santera, Obeah etc.) Yemaya lives and rules over the seven seas and large lakes. Salve Yemanj, Reina del Mar! Yemaya is also associated with the peacock. too. Leave some distance between these two powerful orishas. She is a spirit of divination and healing. white wine, and clear water. "The ocean." Image of Yemaya Shells, salt-water, and images of fish or sea creatures are great offerings. In order to connect with goddess Yemaya, you need to first know who she is. Those born under water signs, especially Cancers, Yemalla; Yemoja; Yemalia; Yemaja; Iemanja. Yemaya Ibu Agana is a wrathful aspect of Yemaya who lives at the bottom of the sea where she churns destruction. Yemaya: The Goddess of The New Year Need help lifting your burdens and bringing joy into your life in the new year? The Yemanj Festival, one of the most extravagant Brazilian festivals. I was born in Moscow in 1972 of a Russian mother and a Cuban father. Yemaya's favourite food offerings include wet seedy fruits like pomegranates and watermelon plus fish, duck, and lamb dishes. She is associated with Our Lady of Regla in Cuba and with Our Lady of the Sea in Brazil. Yemaya Ataremawa, the queen who is ever so important, owns all treasures of the sea. She is one of the most popular and venerated orishas. Yemaya is the Queen of the Ocean and the ultimate Mother Goddess in Yoruba tradition. Coloque las dos tazas de agua en un envase y disuelva el azulillo, ubique el velon en el centro del envase, alrededor del velon coloque las monedas, encienda