Oshun is the west African Orisha/Goddess of joy, prosperity, romantic love, and the sweetness of life.  Aje Shaluga is one of her husbands (or wives, depending on your tradition), and the owner of all material wealth and currency.  Many if not most workings or spells for love and prosperity call upon Oshun, and if material wealth is involved, Aje Shaluga as well.

When you go to a priest/ess or root worker for assistance in these matters, sometimes they will give you a nkisi that you are supposed to attend to or just keep safely, and sometimes they keep it with them.  Most of the time, these don’t require too much maintenance, but sometimes they do.  Sometimes this is unknown, and one has to wait and see whether or not Oshun will require more than the initial offerings.

With matters of the heart and with market forces, there are ups and downs though.  From time to time, there is a weird year or out of the ordinary weather or astronomical phenomena which mean that the relay between the root worker and the seeker will need to be strengthened.  More will need to be done by both in order for workings to be more effective and in a timely manner.

Generally, workings done with a female beneficiary or target take three lunar months to come to fruition.  Workings with a male beneficiary or target take a season.  What a season is depends on their local weather patterns.  Even though they take awhile to finish, something should move within a week or two of the offerings to Oshun and/or Aje Shaluga.  Various incidents should also indicate that the Spirits are on the move and have actively put their hands to the matter.

If things are exceptionally weird or there is stagnation for too long, this could be an indication of a blockage or too much chaos.  Although this has no effect on the final outcome, they can cause way too much anxiety that could lead to a blockage where there wasn’t one initially.  In order to smooth things out, the seeker should give small offerings to increase their own personal bond with the Spirits.

Because of privacy concerns, you may not be able to make an altar at home.  The good news is that most Vodun/Obeah/Santeria types are masters of stealth.  There were times in history when if we were caught, we’d be tortured and executed in horrible ways.  So we learned well how to give observances to our Orishas/Gods secretively.

In order to open the way to give offerings to other Orishas, you must give some to Eshu.  Fortunately, Eshu does not require more ceremony than directed thoughts and speaking one of his names or titles three times.  You can leave or bury offerings for Eshu at any crossroads/intersection, the inside corner of forked roads, or between two houses or buildings, in the doorway or entrance of a gateway, or believe it or not, your home trash can so long as it is to the left of a doorway or in a corner.

You will often see people from Brazil setting aside a portion of their food on a separate plate before they eat when they are having something that Eshu or another Orisha likes.  Quite often, when they have coffee, they will pour some in a corner if they are outside.  Eshu loves coffee.  Some will even blow some of the first puff of smoke from their cigarette or cigar to their left side for Eshu.  Here is a list of things Eshu likes:

• chicken legs and thighs
• caramel, toffee, cinnamon, and honey candy
• coffee
• tobacco
• rum, or sweet “grog” (recipe later in this article)
• coffee liquor or coffee vodka
• spice cake
• cinnamon and sugar toast
• raisins and other dried fruits
• peanuts, peanut butter, peanut butter ice cream, Snickers bars, and other peanut candies
• spice cake, especially heavy fruit cakes and honey cakes or black cake

He likes many other things, but these are the best known standards.  Offerings to him should be in multiples of threes.  Meaning 3 chicken leg and thigh quarters, three pieces of cake, 12 peanuts, etc.  The best days to give offerings to him are Mondays and Fridays.

Then on Saturdays, you should give offerings to Oshun and Aje Shaluga.  These can be given at a body of fresh water such as a fountain, lake, or river.  If you have nowhere else, they can be given at the ocean/sea (give a little to Yemaya too if you do this) or your bathtub or shower.

Things Oshun likes are:

• sweets, especially golden, yellow, and green ones
• honey, honey cake, and honey candy
• pumpkins, yellow squash, butternut squash
• wild lettuce, Roman lettuce
• mustard greens, mustard flowers, mustard seeds, foods made with these
• a handfull of sugar, five sugar cubes or rocks, sugar candy
• stevia, stevia tea
• honey grog
• oubli berries
• chamomile tea with honey
• yellow roses or other pretty yellow flowers
• gold leaf
• pearls

Again, she likes many other things, but these are the standards.

Whenever you give offerings, tell your root worker.  It will make them feel better to know that you are taking an active role in your working.  They can also help you work through weird times with more patience.

Now here is the recipe for honey grog that both Eshu and Oshun like.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 liter of water
• 1/2 liter of rum
• 1 cup/glass of honey
• 3-5 bags/6-10 grams of black tea
• the juice of one lemon

Instructions:

Brew the tea in the water, and then add the honey while it is still hot.  When it is cool, add the rum and lemon juice.

Pour this into the ground at a crossroads or between two buildings for Eshu, or into a body of fresh water for Oshun.

Relating to Your Root Worker

Romantic and financial matters can be frustrating and very stressful, but please try not to project this stress and frustration onto your root worker.  In order to do their job properly, they have to remain optimistic and free of too much negative energy related to your case.  If it is still within the three lunar months for a female or full season for a male, then complaining to the root worker each and every time things don’t seem to be moving the way you want them to, will not help your case come to fruition sooner.  It causes blockages and delays that don’t need to be there because then you are applying negative energy to the work.

Some root workers are used to this and don’t mind it so much, but even the ones who don’t mind too many complaints and venting of frustrations will often ignore these messages or take their time answering because they want to sift through all the negativity to get to what might be some actual news.  So just know that if you have nothing to say but, “He hasn’t called me yet,” then save it.  This is not something your root worker needs to know unless or until at least a month has passed.  Even then, simply state it as a progress report, and do not gush about how sad and dejected you are, or threaten your root worker.

Threatening your root worker with destroying their work is very bad, to say the least.  You may have put money into it, but they have put time, energy, and their reputation into it.  Nobody wants to see something they worked hard on go to hell.  If you have not paid for it, or got it for a big discount because they were doing well and had extra time and supplies, and the work was done on good faith, then it is even more important that you not dump a lot of negativity on or threaten your root worker.  You and they have made a commitment, and they have spent their time and money and energy on you for free.  If it doesn’t work they know that they won’t get paid unless you are one of those super honorable and observant practitioners of Vodun who is thankful to the Orishas even when you don’t get what you want…and there are very few of those.

If you ask for a work, whether you paid for it or not, then you should follow through.  If you are a woman and asked for the Orishas to give you the love of a particular man, you should avoid having sex with someone else until the season has passed.  If you have asked for a reconciliation then whatever you do, do NOT allow yourself to get dragged into an argument with the person while the Orishas are working on rekindling their emotions.

Follow the instructions of your root worker.  I don’t care if it seems like it will break your ego to pieces to do so.

Helping the Orishas to Help You

When it comes to money, it is very important that when the Orishas bring you opportunities when the work is active, take them.  If you’re not sure about a particular one, get a reading to see if it’s okay.  Generally though, opportunities should be taken as they come.  Sometimes you may have to step a bit outside your comfort zone or do something you’re good at whether or not it’s what you want to do at the moment.

In love as well, it’s very hard for the Orishas to help you if you won’t help yourself.  If they bring someone you love to you or back to you and you mistreat them or settle for a less than positive situation, then it is your fault, not the root worker or the Orishas’ fault that the working goes south.

Don’t behave as if you’re okay in the friend zone when you’re not.  If you’re a man, be territorial and stake your claim.  “My way or the highway,” is the proper male attitude.  If you’re a woman, then your attitude should be submissive but in a hard core way.  Make it clear that you want a relationship in which you can trust a man enough to be a good girlfriend or wife, not a “friend with benefits”.  FWB, unless it happens naturally between people who are already long term friends with a history of “ride or die” trust, is not a natural situation so the Orishas aren’t going to help sustain that.

In summary, to help your love and/or money spell to work well, you should:

1. give offerings
2. stay positive
3. don’t pester your root worker with your negative feelings, but DO give them actual news about the situation
4. follow the root worker’s instructions for your conduct
5. take opportunities the Orishas give you

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them.

Traditions vary, but in every one I know of, one should generally don their Eshu/Elegua eleke first if they are wearing them for ritual purposes.  Even this is not a hard rule though.  In some traditions, people wear a simpler string of white beads or pearls to represent all Orishas.

It is best to follow whatever the traditions of your ile or community are.  If you are a solitary practitioner, simply do divination to find out what you specifically should do.  Many people I know in the diaspora wear them in an order like this:

Eshu

The ethereals (Obatala, Orunmila, Damballah, etc.)

Your Head Orisha

The Ancestors (Egungun, Oduduwa, Your heritage beads, specific Ancestors and ascended admired persons/avatars of deities, etc.)

Cosmic and Planetary (Yemaya, Ogun, Zodji, etc.)

Elemental (Shango, Oshun, Oya, etc.)

Emotional and functional (Oba, Ochossi, Dada, etc.)

Some wear them in an order like:

Eshu

The other Warriors (Shango, Ochossi)

Your Head Orisha

Everyone else

Which order is right for you will come out in divination.  Be mindful though that different occasions call for different things.  You will probably not be wearing all of your elekes at once on every occasion.

Another possible concern is what sort of energy you want around you at the moment.  If your head Orisha is an ethereal, it may be beneficial for you to always wear it with Eshu so that you understand signs and messages you receive.  If your head or an Orisha you’re feeling particularly close to that day is more physical-world active such as Ogun or Oya however, they may be worn alone without danger so long as your Ori is very compatible.

Again, divination will serve you well in this if your ile doesn’t have standard traditions in this.

I’ve posted some new videos on YouTube about how to read the bones. 

Normal Evil Eye Pendant

If they are part of a ceremonial working or it is specifically sacred, you can and should if you need them.  If it is just a stand-alone item, you should not.  The reason why is that these sorts of items are activated by being given as gifts.

Evil eye is caused by a buildup or strong projection of negative energy from other people looking upon you with envy/jealousy or possessiveness.  When you buy a non sacred amulet for yourself, it is just another possession.

Sacred Islamic pendant with Ayatal Kursee for protection from the evil eye

On the other hand, when you buy an amulet that has a prayer or sacred symbol inscribed on it, or it has been properly consecrated, the protection factor is more than psychological or impulsive.  It is a gift from the Spirits.

So normal protection talismans such as eyes, figas, Italian horns, and the like should be received as gifts or bought to give to others.  Prayer inscribed amulets, small nkisi, and consecrated items can be bought for yourself.

An Eshu mirror box to house protection talismans.

In modern Vodun and diaspora systems, a mirror box has a variety of uses.  Basically, it is a box that has mirrors on the inside.  The purposes of these depend on why they are there.

Mirrors, aside of being sacred to Oshun, and to some degree Boyuto, capture and reflect a person’s image.  This captures and reflects Ashe in some cases, or aspects of a person’s Ori in others.  It can also shield or amplify, as the mirror itself has its own Ashe and natural characteristics.  Much like crystals, they can be given a purpose depending on their natural options.

Inside a box, it can shield the outside world from the box’s contents by reflecting the energy of the object inside back to itself.  It can capture a person’s image while making a request or prayer in order to “program” objects such as crystals or nkisi.  It can aid in imprinting a talisman housed in a box onto its possessor.  It can also help to amplify the power of an object.

Mirrors in a mirror box are numbered and arranged according to their purpose for being there.  Their shape is also relevant.  Square or diamond shaped mirrors are generally used for protection, containment, and sometimes “hexing” when a curse is for justice or preventing someone from doing harmful things.  Round mirrors are generally used for love and emotional issues, and also for radiating energy.  Triangular mirrors or mirrors arranged in a triangular pattern are often used for fertility, charisma, and worldly power.  Different people may have different ways of doing things, but these are generally the standard.

As I’ve said in previous articles, some things are best put in the hands of a priest/ess or someone of that level.  However, I understand that not everyone is going to take that advice.  Also many people in the diaspora live in areas with no priests, or they’ve encountered one too many charlatans.  Whatever reason you want to take things into your own hands, there are some things you should know before you do that.

First of all, the Orishas are not Santa Claus.  You need them every day to survive.  They are in you, in your blood, in the air all around you, in the earth, and everywhere.  If you think you might ever want to make a specific request from them, you should be doing daily observances.

Also, if you know who your head is, you should be walking your natural path, and living a life that glorifies them and glorifies God/Olodumare/Mawu-Lisa.  You can’t be living counter to Nature and expect to get good things from her.  It just doesn’t work that way.

For example, if your head is Oshun, you should be living beautifully.  Even if you are dirt poor, the dirt should be elegant, organized, and the softest, nicest dirt anyone was ever poor in.  Clean your house.  Repair your clothes.  Make what little you may have sparkle, and take care of yourself and the people around you.

If your head is Eshu, you might be able to get away with some trickiness and hustling, but you’d better treat the children and the elderly well.

If your head is Shango and you don’t stand up for yourself, you’re doing it wrong.

If your head is Ogun and you are lazy, you are messing up.  Get where I’m going with this?

Live Vodun.

Next, there is community.  If there is something specific you need from the Orishas, it helps to get the word out to trusted people.  Don’t try to go it alone.  Get others directing energy and offerings towards the same goal.  If you are sure that you are not the priestly type, then forming a community may encourage someone to step up and put some time and energy into study.

Ebo or community feasts are very important.  If there are no priests, you and other Vodun observant or friendly friends should still be having them.  Don’t worry too much about formality so much as respecting the Orishas.

While you’re respecting the Orishas, don’t forget that the Egungun is important as well.  You should keep photos or other tokens of your departed relatives and loved ones in a special place in your house or room.  Visit their graves, bringing them flowers and some of their favorite foods from time to time.

If you do all this then your DIY workings will have a greater chance of success because you are at least being observant and living in line with Nature.

They most certainly can.  Some Orishas have a dual gender, and some have various paths, personas, or character traits that are comfortable for people of the opposite gender in daily life.  Spirits in general, unless they are not so much Spirits as alterdimensional beings, don’t have what can be described as a physical gender so much as a “feel”.  The way they express themselves will be more associated with maleness, femaleness, or androgyny, and some tend to be embodied in avatars of a particular gender.

So, as an example, it is entirely possible for a straight man to have Oshun as his head or a straight woman to have Ogun as her head.  Your gender has no bearing on who will choose you.

They most certainly can.  We just prefer to think of them as light skinned.

Scientifically speaking, the genetic origin of all humans living today is in Africa.  So it is not a question of whether White people are naturally entitled to the Vodun or not.  The big issue around it is mostly cultural, and for adherents to the idea of human biodiversity, capability of understanding Vodun.

I can’t say that all people of European ancestry can get it, but certainly some can.  Those who do get it, same as Black folks, get it through their Ancestors.  Rather than co opting Vodun, they learn the Vodun and various ways of honoring them, and then apply that to their spirituality in a way that honors their own Ancestors.

As an example, let’s say a person of mostly Nordic ancestry begins to have dreams and visions that are clearly from an Orisha presenting themselves in African form rather than “translating” their appearance to a Nordic one.  This likely means that there is something in Vodun they need to learn that they might not otherwise get or understand.  It is usually that they need assistance from an African because some knowledge has been lost to Nordic people that is still alive in Africans.

Some apparently European people though, actually need to go through the conversion to Vodun as a faith.  It could mean that they have an African Ancestor who they are aligned with somehow, and this Ancestor wants them to basically be African.  It could also be that they are not going to get what they need spiritually anywhere else.

The problem is that though the Spirits, not humans, choose who is going to serve them and how, humans do have issues and hangups.  There is the external opposition to White faces in Vodun, and there is also the massive cultural and social chasm between Europeans and Africans.  In order to fully embrace Vodun, a White person has a longer and more perilous road to travel than someone who wakes up Black every day of their lives.

As someone I don’t remember said long ago, a White person can put on a suit and be acceptable in western society.  A Black person, no matter how well dressed, is still viewed as a n*****.  That is in the diaspora.  In Africa itself, most indigenous Africans do not trust White people, and for good reason.  This may not be something to feel particularly bad about though, since Europeans often do not trust certain other Europeans, and some Africans often don’t trust certain other Africans.  There is tribalism everywhere.

You should consider though, how you would feel if you met an African who told you they were having dreams about Odin, and they felt they were called to Asatru.

One of your first questions would be if they were mixed.  If their answer was no, you would wonder whether someone was simply adding to their perspective or running away from their ancestry.

Like a person can’t solve the problems with their spouse in the arms of another lover, you won’t solve issues with your ancestry by running to a different culture.  Though the Orishas belong to everyone, African culture belongs to Africans.  Be mindful of the lines, so that you don’t disrespect your own Ancestors or someone else’s.

We now have a calendar and a chatroom.  You can browse the calendar on the site or subscribe to it using Google calendar.

If you want to add additional holidays or local event announcements, feel free to contact us or post a comment on the calendar page.

There are two chats you can use on the site, one pop-over chat in the bottom right corner, and the chat page.

Vodun is not and never has been a rich person’s faith.  It is about the effort, sincerity, and alignment with the Forces of Nature, not how expensive a gift is.  Remember the story of Yemaya’s three crowns.

For your normal observances, if you do what you can afford, the Spirits will accept this.  Just don’t be cheap with them if you really can afford to do more.

What priests charge for their services is due to the expense, time, and risks involved with doing things at an optimal level with maximum efficiency.  If you can’t afford this, then there are often other ways to get the job done.  They will just be less efficient and require more effort, time, and risk on your part than they would if you put the issue into the hands of a priest.

Some things simply cannot be done by someone who has not spent a sufficient amount of time studying and preparing themselves for the kind of work that needs to be done.  Things that would require the use of psychoactive plants to get into a particular trance state, for instance, should only be done by experts.  Same with other things that can lead to injury of the body or psyche.  A layperson attempting some things can die or permanently injure themselves.

Other things though, can be done relatively safely with the proper preparation and instruction.  The question of course is whether or not you are ready to do what it takes.

There was a young man who was wrongly convicted of a crime, whose sister studied law in order to save her brother.  If you have the level of dedication to go through all it takes to prepare yourself to do a working, then you can do it.

Please refer to this article for ways a non priest can make their workings more effective.