YouTube Treasures: Obatalá Dance - Marta Ruiz

On My Etsy Shop: Obatala

On My Etsy Shop: Signed & Matted 5x7 Obatala Art Prints $20. Obatala is an Orisha. He is the Sky Father and the creator of human bodies, which were brought to life by the smooth breath of Olodumare. Obatala is the father of all Orishas and the owner of all ori.

YouTube Treasures: Oración a la Mano Poderosa de Dios

Though I was raised Catholic, I haven't considered myself one since my mid-teens. However, I find this prayer and the voice in which it is spoken to be very soothing.

On My Etsy Shop: Eleggua

On My Etsy Shop: Signed & Matted 5x7 Eleggua Art Prints $20. In Yoruba mythology, Eleggua is the Orisha associated with the crossroads or "opening the ways". Often depicted as a child or a small man, he is a playful trickster and a brilliant strategist amongst the divinities. Worshipers often have a cement head with a metal spike in its top, and cowrie shells for eyes and a mouth, as a representation of Eleggua which receives offerings and bestows protection in return. He is the appropriator of ceremonies. No ceremony should be started without paying tribute to him first. Without Eleggua being acknowledged first, chances are the outcome desired in a ceremony will not come to full fruition.

On My Etsy Shop: Chango

On My Etsy Shop: Signed & Matted 5x7 Chango Art Prints $15. Chango is a god of thunder, and the ancestor of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Chango was envied for his vast magical powers, but was feared because whenever he spoke, fire would shoot forth from out of his mouth. Chango is a son of Yemaya, queen of all the oceans and the mother goddess of the Orishas. He was known to have had three wives: Oya, who fearlessly stole the secrets of Chango's magic in an attempt to save him from his enemies; Oshun, the beautiful river goddess of love, who is his favorite because of her culinary abilities; and Oba, who desperately tried to win his affections by offering her own ear for him to eat.

On My Etsy Shop: Cernunnos

On My Etsy Shop: Signed & Matted 5x7 Cernunnos Art Prints $15. Cernunnos is the “Horned One”, a Celtic god associated with sexuality, fertility, the hunt, and the underworld. He was worshiped as the “lord of wild things” by the iron age Celts all across Europe as late as the first century, but his worship began centuries before that. Cernunnos is nearly always portrayed with animals, in particular the stag. He alternates with the goddess of the moon in ruling over life and death, continuing the cycle of death, rebirth and reincarnation.