Oshun is the Orisha of sweetness, love, and beauty. She is the embodiment of feminine grace, and is a flirtatious coquette. She is a generous and loving mother, but she can also quickly turn bitter if she is wronged. Once she is soured, she is unforgiving and unbending. Oshun can accomplish miracles untold. She is the youngest of the Orishas and is depicted as a flirtatious, mixed race woman dressed in yellow, gazing in a mirror. Oshun’s colors and yellow and amber. Her number is 5.
Oshun is the deity of the river waters and is also seen as the embodiment of love and sexuality. She represents the joy of life and is, in many ways, what makes life worth living, Oshun is the patron of gold and all wealth is hers to give. She also rules marriage and is the giver of fertility. Her influence is gentle and loving and she teaches humanity that the secret of life is love.
Oshun Prayer: “Oshun please guide and protect me. Open the doors of opportunity by removing obstacles from my path. Give me courage to overcome my problems and defeat my enemies. Bring justice and balance to my life by bestowing your wisdom upon me. With your powers please give me the strength to fight and win my daily battles. I am ready for your winds of change that bring prosperity to my realm. AMEN.”
The traditional story of this Virgin says that around the year 1620 two Indians and a Black Slave went to the Bay of Nipe near the mining province of Cobre to look for salt. As they were rowing in their canoe, they noticed a strange object among the waves. As they approached , they saw that what had attracted their attention was an image of the Virgin Mary that was floating on a piece of wood. The image was approximately 15 inches long, carved in wood. In one arm the Virgin held the Infant Jesus and on the other a cross of gold.
The legend at her feet read: Yo Soy La Virgen de La Caridad (I am the Virgin of Charity). The three men picked up thew image and brought it to Santiago where a small chapel was built in her honor. In 1916 she was declared patron of Cuba. The many miracles of La Caridad are celebrated each year on her feast day of September 8th.
Ochun is syncretized with la Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, who is the Patroness of Cuba. On September 8, Cubans show their devotion to Ochún by dressing in yellow, putting sunflowers and special treats like honey and pumpkins on her altar, lighting candles and, if possible, holding a tambor (drumming ceremony) or violín (classical music played by a solo violin or a small string orchestra) in her honor. One reason Ochun and La Caridad del Cobre were syncretized in Cuba is that both are traditionally represented as women of mixed race, thereby thought to symbolize the Cuban people.
Our Lady Of Charity Prayer: “Oh, Caridad Del Cobre, unique spirit, without beginning or end, ever present, ever powerful. I am but a drop in your ocean of life. Let me feel the presence of your power. Let me know more clearly what you are and what I mean to you. Make the consciousness of your spiritual reality penetrate my whole being and occupy all the parts of my soul. May your spiritual power which is in my soul penetrate my body. Infuse me with health, vigor, and vitality, so, that I can become a better temple of the Holy Spirit. Give this body the peace, strength, and life that belong to you by virtue of your being. This I ask of you, oh never present spirit, because I am your child and because of your promise of eternal knowledge. AMEN.”
Say a prayer of your choice each time you put on the bracelet.
Orishas are spiritual beings who have been tasked with maintaining this Earth, watching over the affairs of humanity and each has dominion over a portion of nature. Each Orisha is identified with natural forces as well as with human interests or endeavors. These Orishas are mediators between humanity and the Supreme Being.
Pray to Orishas because they are already in heaven, and they can intercede for you. In moments of anxiety, you need to hope and believe in something that helps you recover faith and maintain peace in your life.
Bracelets can be worn as a rite of passage that helps change a person’s destiny for the better. Think of it as a prescription that should be undertaken by those who have a need for it to heal their lives. Bracelets in the patterns and colors of Orishas, Saints, and Gods. It is a good idea to wear it to clear the mind of negativity and connect to higher guidance.
Approximately 6 to 9 inches long adjustable pull string bracelet.
