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In the path of spirituality that I walk right now, there are Orisa or Orisha. Orishas serve as the intermediary between us as humans, and the divine creator, named Olodumare. These Orisha embody forces of nature, destinies of humans, and ancestral spirits. Ifa, the name of the spirituality was originally based in what would be Southern Nigeria, Benin, and some of Togo The language is Yoruba, and it is a beautiful, poetical, parable-lead language. Offshoot of Ifa are Santeria, Candomblé, Vodou (Haitian.)

Each Orisha has its unique personalities, powers, and attributes which link people to natural objects and natural phenomena. Orishas are called upon daily for protection, divine interaction, guidance, and other issues concerning daily life.

There are parts I am leaving out. Suffice it to say I am a child of, and therefore, favored by Oya.

Oya is the Orisha most closely associated with winds, storms, lightning, and rapid transformation. She governs the river Niger in Nigeria, as well as the nine tributaries that run into the Niger. Her number is nine. Possibly because she gave birth to 9 stillborn babies She is the guardian off the market place and guardian of the cemetery, making her an Orisha of spirits and ancestors. She can talk to and usher the dead to their next place of repose.. As far as the ancestors (Egungun), her connection is strong. She clears paths as a tornado or hurricane would. It is often rapid. When this is applied to ones life, it is a way of clearing out that which no longer serves the person.

She is a represented by the buffalo, which is to show strength, power, and fertility. She is a fierce protector of women. She is often show to be wearing red, burgundy, purpleish colors and is depicted carrying a machete and a flywhisk. Her name literally means “She Tore” showing that the machete cuts through the thick of an issue to show the clear path.

She is one of the principle deities in the Yourba spirituality of Ifa.

She has multiple festival days throughout the year. The one coming up is today Feb 2, It is syncretized with the Catholic Saint is Our Lady of La Candelaria. She is often associated with saints related to fire or transition. With Candelaria, Oya highlights become that of bringing fire and purification

Oya is often associated with Bride from the Celtic belief. Also, Maman Brijit in Haitian Vodou.

Ritual foods are things in her colors: plums, eggplants, fish pennies (brass is big too) nine of them. Take these to the crossroads or a cemetery gate to leave as an offering.PRA

PRAYER TIME

Since this is Her Day, I will be invoking her. And a lot of people will be doing the same. The language used is Yoruba.

AHALAIYE, AJALORUN, FUN MI NI IRE - WINDS OF EARTH AND HEAVEN BRING ME GOOD FORTUNE

YOU COULD CALL OYA BYE HER TITLE “EEPARREI!” OR EPAHHEY, OIA!

This is an opening while using offerings, requesting the clearing of obstacles

GENERAL PRAYER

EEPARREI! (TO GREET OR CALL UPON OYA)

ORIKI - KIND OF LIKE A PHRASE OF PRAISE

AJALAIYE, AJALORUN, FUNMU NI IRE, ASE ASE ASE. - WINDS OF EARTH AND HEAVENS, BRING ME GOOD FORTUNE. AS IT MAY BE

IBA YANSAN, FUNMI NI ALLAFIA, ASE ASE ASE. - PRAISE TO THE MOTHER OF NINE , BRING ME WELL BEING. AS MAY IT BE

WINIWINI - WONDROUS OR MARVELOUS - USED TO DESCRIBE OYA’S POWER

TO INVOKE OYA

FOCUS ON CHANGE: ACKNOWLEDGE HER AS THE FORCE OF TRANSFORMATION CLEARING OUT THE OLD AND BRINGING IN THE NEW

OFFERINGS ARE NECESSARY - POMEGRANATES PLUMS EGGPLANTS GRAPES RICE FISH, ALL ACCEPTIBLE OFFERINGS. DROP AT CROSSROADS OR CEMETERY GATE TO SYMBOLIZE HER DOMAIN OVER THE REALM OF SPIRITS AND AND ANCESTORS

SAY HER NAME OYA OR OYA YANSAN OR JUST YANSAN - CALL OUT NINE TIMES ASK FOR BLESSINGS AND REQUEST HER TO CLEAR ANY OBSTACLES BEFORE YOU

FEEL HER PRESENCE IN NATURE. IN THE WAY THE WIND PICKS UP, BLOWS LEAVES THROUGH THE SKIES. SHAKES THE BRANCHES OF THE TREES

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT MENTION THAT OYA IS RIVER ORISHA. AS SUCH SHE HAS THE POWER TO SHAPE AND CONTROL NATURE AND HOW IT IS FORMED. THE SPIRITUAL QUALITIES GO DEEPER.

IYA OYA IYA OYA IYA OYA X 3 MO YIN O.