The Orisha are the Messengers of Oludumare, the God/dess of the Yoruba Traditional Spiritual Tradition known as Ifa. The Yoruba Spiritual Tradition is centered in West Africa in what is now called Nigeria. During the time of the enslavement of African people in the New World, known as the Maafa ( Kiswahilli for Great Disaster), Ifa came to the Americas and the Caribbean. Anyone caught practicing the religion was put to death.
Since Christianity was the only religion allowed to the enslaved Africans, the Orisha of Ifa were hidden behind the Catholic saints wherever similarities were seen between the two. For example, Shango, Orisha of Thunder and Transformation, carrier of the double headed ax, was served through Saint Barbara since she too was portrayed with the double headed ax. This assured that the Orisha would survive the transatlantic passage and live on.
Centuries later the Orisha are still being worshipped behind the masks of Saints...and openly by their original African names and images. People of all colors, genders, and nationalities now celebrate the Orisha in the privacy of their own home and along with their spiritual families, commonly called Houses or Iles.
Here are five suggestions to help you to connect with the beauty and harmony of the Orisha.
1. Attend lectures about traditional West African Spiritual Practice. Check with your local universities to learn of lectures in the Comparative Religions, Anthropology, and African Studies Departments.
2. Subscribe to reputable lists about Orisha and African Traditional Spirituality on the internet. You can find Orisha focused discussion listed by doing a search at Yahoogroups.com and at Google.com. Be prepared to state your intentions and to show respect to the guidelines of the list.
3. Attend lectures and view exhibits of West African Art at your local museums. Call them and ask to be added to their mailing lists for to learn of upcoming events
4. Check your local holistic newspaper for workshops, seminars, and lectures in your area given by initiates in the Ifa tradition or one of its adaptations in the New World, such as Santeria, Candomble, Shango Baptist, or Lucumi.
5. Attend conferences and workshops that are centered around Orisha practice. Check with local metaphysical bookstores and botanicas for a list of upcoming events.
Supplementing your reading about Ifa with hands-on contact with people who are involved in the Ifa tradition will give you a different perspective and enhance your experience of the Orisha immensely.
Meri Tahset is a rootworker, aborisha, spiritual counselor, and sistaservant of the spirits dedicated to helping people to heal themselves and to maintain their connection to spirit in their daily lives. Meri can be reached at http://www.sistahealer.com
Alto Pass chicago limos ..As Christians, we know we need God in every aspect... Read More
New Age Spirituality is all about getting back your power.... Read More
Even Pandora and her box come in two versions. In... Read More
The Evil Eye has been around since the beginning of... Read More
After 6 years, I left an abusive relationship with an... Read More
Universal Law is an invisible influence in every individual's life,... Read More
That we must live with imperfections is a fact of... Read More
Karen was the name of the reception person, who sat... Read More
Here they are, our Ladies of Mercy and Divine Benevolence.... Read More
Do you have a dream, but are waiting for "just... Read More
Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More
There is a chronology of events from creation to the... Read More
The human body is surely a miracle of God's creation.... Read More
Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional... Read More
Whenever, we have a task or project to carry out... Read More
One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More
Everybody knows that if you stick your hand in a... Read More
We as human beings travelled in small bands for hundreds... Read More
In an edition of Reader's Digest, I stumbled upon a... Read More
To understand the nature of esoteric and occult secrets it... Read More
Far to many people have become "followers" rather than BEING... Read More
While there are alot of warnings and admonishments regarding what... Read More
One of the most touching stories in New Testament scripture... Read More
Connecting with the Moon phases, the Full and New Moon... Read More
(Channelled)The greatest gift you can give me, is to acknowledge... Read More
Alto Pass cool limo .."But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and... Read More
Would you like an exciting and wonder-full resolution for the... Read More
The Birth of Jesus Christ18 Now the birth of Jesus... Read More
There is an old tradition song called, The Lighthouse and... Read More
Military personnel at a U.S. prison in Guantanamo, Bay, Cuba... Read More
The famous prayer of Jabez, where Jabez prayed for prosperity,... Read More
Whether we admit it or not, we operate by emotion.... Read More
But my God shall supply all your need according to... Read More
The truth revealed as we read about Hazael also reminds... Read More
Unless God has changed the way he does things it... Read More
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.... Read More
When I first heard Donnie McClurkin's song, "We Fall Down... Read More
An etheric body, also known as the aura, surrounds every... Read More
Far to many people have become "followers" rather than BEING... Read More
Enlightenment, which is as varied as each individual's fingerprint, is... Read More
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the... Read More
I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out... Read More
Are you always looking for bargains, especially something that you... Read More
I am often asked to explain what I mean by... Read More
One night, whilst watching TV, I understood a very useful... Read More
Not a Failure!Those of you who are unemployed, or desire... Read More
1. Gabriel means: "God is my strength" or "God is... Read More
What is the purpose of guilt?Well, let's look at it.Some... Read More
Eden, the garden of ecstasy is no longer available to... Read More
We have a proclivity to think of individuals and nations... Read More
Spirituality |