Tell us which Loa, Orisha, Spirit You feel closest to and why?

[Teresa]

Okay , I want to transcend these paths and ask everyone who follows a similar one or feels a pull from one of these, to talk to us about which Orisha or Loa, Lwa, or Ancestor spirit you feel the closest to and why? It could be that you just work with this one most often, perhaps they did something wonderful that drew you to them, perhaps they have claimed you? Let's share some stories! :thumbsup:

I am coming back to share mine too!

[Caitlin.ann]

In my minimal experience with the Lwa, I'd have to Ayizan. I'm not on a hoodoo, voodoo, or related path but when my fiance began delving into Voodoo and working with the Lwa Ayizan came to both of us.

[Teresa]

I am usually dealing with Yemanja or Erzuli, Oya, Obatala. Well that was until a recent event. I guess a few of you heard about my being held up at gun point Saturday afternoon after work while walking home down a street in broad daylight with cars passing by.

As some of you also know, Ola has been teaching me about Ifa. I had dreams of Ogun this past week a few times. The last dream I was telling him about was like a Cartoon that I was watching. After my incident I realized that in that cartoon there was a gun and Ogun was there. Ogun protected me that day as I struggled with the mugger to keep the gun from harming me. I did not understand the dream at the time. I just find it fascinating that I have made a connection to such a strong masculine Orisha. I am giving offerings this week to Ogun for keeping me safe and overcoming the negative part of humanity on my behalf.

Iba se Egungun! Homage to the Ancestors!

[tallwoman.9169]

New to this path, just starting to look into it. By Ancestors, do you mean our personal Ancestors? And do they have to be way, way back there, or could it be a grandparent who has passed?

[Teresa]

New to this path, just starting to look into it. By Ancestors, do you mean our personal Ancestors? And do they have to be way, way back there, or could it be a grandparent who has passed?

Ancestors do not have to be way way back. Yes they can be grandparents that have passed too.

[Philosophia]

Even though I'm not on any of these paths, I do feel particularly close to Oya and Yemaja.

[Brightshores]

I'm not on these paths either, but I have felt a pull towards Yemaja for quite some time... I haven't really explored it yet, but this thread is inspiring me to do so. :)

[Teresa]

I'm not on these paths either, but I have felt a pull towards Yemaja for quite some time... I haven't really explored it yet, but this thread is inspiring me to do so. :)

I hope that you do she is awesome! :thumbsup: As far as being on a specific path, IMO they call their own to them. You may go a lifetime and not deal with another or you may have different ones call you as time progresses. Many people get caught up with a title for their path. I am learning even today that a title doesn't mean anything. Humans are the ones that like labels not the Spirits. :thumbsup:

[Teresa]

Even though I'm not on any of these paths, I do feel particularly close to Oya and Yemaja.

Oya and Yemanja are both great to work with. They call out to those of their own, that does not mean that You have to be on a specific path. :hugz:

[Caitlin.ann]

I didn't realize that Yemaja is also venerated as LeSiren in Haiti. She sounds wonderful. :)

[aranarose]

Erzulie. Because she won't leave me alone.

[Teresa]

I didn't realize that Yemaja is also venerated as LeSiren in Haiti. She sounds wonderful. :)

Yes, and she is awesome!

[yemayashija]

Yemaya, Oggun, Eleggua, Ochosi, Oya, Agallu and Chango. Because they have protected and guided me and my family whenever we have a need, whether we know it or not. But my strongest pull has always been between Oya and Yemaya.

[tallwoman.9169]

I am very close to my grandmother who has passed. She was a huge influence in my life. This past weekend she came through with a medium. It was kind of funny. G'ma lived her whole life on a farm, the medium was from NYC originally. You should have heard him trying to describe a butter churn and a swimmin hole. I don't have a picture of her to put on my alter, but I have her memory, and I've included her as I can there.

[Agaliha]

I'm not of these paths, but I've been drawn to Yemaya for sometime. :smile:

[David19]

Like Agaliha, I'm not Santerian, I'm a Sumerian recon, and worshipper of Ereshkigal, as some of you know already, but, I do want to learn a lot more about Oshun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osun) (& here (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Oshun&meta=)). She seems very interesting, IMO. Is there anyone here who worships her, or honours her, or has and/or does work with her?.

[Teresa]

Like Agaliha, I'm not Santerian, I'm a Sumerian recon, and worshipper of Ereshkigal, as some of you know already, but, I do want to learn a lot more about Oshun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osun) (& here (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Oshun&meta=)). She seems very interesting, IMO. Is there anyone here who worships her, or honours her, or has and/or does work with her?.
I will tell you a little of Osun later on. She is in my life as well as Ogun and those are who my Husband had worshiped.

When I do go to Africa I will be initiated there as he was. His Grandfather was from Osun, there is a long story to this that I will get into at another time. I did not know when he was living that he had this connection to Africa. The more I am learning the more I have found out about things. There is a strong drive in me to see this dream of me going to Africa come true. I have to follow this one.

[Lajmar]

Oya has always called to me, I feel her in the wind, and as the lightening strikes. That is one of the reasons I love electrical storms. I'm not sure why I have always felt pulled to her, but even when I look at and work with other Orisha's and the Lwa none pull as strongly, except perhaps Erzulie Freda , with whom I also feel a kinship.

[David19]

I will tell you a little of Osun later on. She is in my life as well as Ogun and those are who my Husband had worshiped.

When I do go to Africa I will be initiated there as he was. His Grandfather was from Osun, there is a long story to this that I will get into at another time. I did not know when he was living that he had this connection to Africa. The more I am learning the more I have found out about things. There is a strong drive in me to see this dream of me going to Africa come true. I have to follow this one.

I'd be interested in hearing that, and I hope your dream of going to Africa comes true, soon :hugz:.

[plumedsnake]

I will tell you a little of Osun later on. She is in my life as well as Ogun and those are who my Husband had worshiped.

When I do go to Africa I will be initiated there as he was. His Grandfather was from Osun, there is a long story to this that I will get into at another time. I did not know when he was living that he had this connection to Africa. The more I am learning the more I have found out about things. There is a strong drive in me to see this dream of me going to Africa come true. I have to follow this one.

Wow!! I'd love to hear this story. Didn't he ever mention his ancestry? I sounds like you are destined to go to Oshogbo, what with Ola teaching you about Ifa and now finding out that your husband came from there.

[Teresa]

Wow!! I'd love to hear this story. Didn't he ever mention his ancestry? I sounds like you are destined to go to Oshogbo, what with Ola teaching you about Ifa and now finding out that your husband came from there.

His Grandfather on his Dad's side came from Osogbo. I knew his Father was dark skinned for a French Man but I had no clue at all really, until his Mom and I began talking after his death. I knew Tony loved Africa and having contracts there. He worshiped Ogun and Osun. Ogun came from his Grandfather fighting in a war there and he and his friends prayed to Ogun to keep them safe during this time and Osun because that was where they come from. Ola says that their grandfathers were good friends and actually fought together.

[BlackLili]

I have an altar to Papa Legba in my sanctuary, and another one to my Papa (Grandfather) Joe. They are the two "men" of my spiritual life.

It can be exhausting relating to Legba - living and working at a crossroads means change is really the only constant. Its weird for a Capricorn like me who appreciates stability.

Literal crossroads, musical crossroads, gates and gatekeepers have always been a part of my life.

I've always felt like I'm a crossroad for some people. I tell others, "People come to me in this life, they hang around for as long as they need me, then they go back out into the world with whatever they needed that I can provide." Like I'm a pit-stop in life or something.

This was all stuff I realized before I ever became interested in hoodoo, Voudon, or the lwa. I had previously just assumed it all meant I had an association with Coyote but that was all. In the last year or two though, I've become more educated about the lwa and found that much of what I related to in Coyote are facets of Legba as well.

Gotta tell you though, I'm getting better at knowing when I want to light His candle in the mornings, and when I'd rather not!

[Darkest Eve]

Loko is the one I feel most drawn to. Healing, herbs, and the like... kinda self-explanatory if you know me well. :)

The Baron has his own appeal because he reminds me of certain aspects portrayed in coven members... but he calls moreso to my SO than to me.

[~Elise~]

Literal crossroads, musical crossroads, gates and gatekeepers have always been a part of my life.

I've always felt like I'm a crossroad for some people. I tell others, "People come to me in this life, they hang around for as long as they need me, then they go back out into the world with whatever they needed that I can provide." Like I'm a pit-stop in life or something.



Nexxus...that what I am for people. Just picture that infinity symbol lying on its side. They come to me, they get what they need and then I send 'em off to their next teacher or out into the world. I've known this for years and it makes things easier knowing that.

Look at it this way, BL, look at how many people we've touched in our lives. How many we've helped, even a little. You know, THAT is a legacy I can live with.

Elise

[BlackLili]

Nexxus...that what I am for people. Just picture that infinity symbol lying on its side. They come to me, they get what they need and then I send 'em off to their next teacher or out into the world. I've known this for years and it makes things easier knowing that.

Look at it this way, BL, look at how many people we've touched in our lives. How many we've helped, even a little. You know, THAT is a legacy I can live with.

Elise

Funny you should mention the infinity symbol. I have one in each of my tattoos. I need to get the one freshened up a bit too.

Nexxus, izzat wot it's called, then? Much more polite than "pit stop," I s'pose. (Which rather made me sound a bit cheap, I thought.)
:thumbsup:

[LithiumViolets]

I've felt a strong pull from Oya since I first read about her, here actually, in relation to Kali who I also serve....Since I have been to Ocha ceremonies (bembes, misas, etc) and had readings from both a Palo priest and a Santera/Ocha priestess, I've been told Oya and Shango are very close to me. Recently, on my own, however, I've been drawn more to and working with Oshun and Vodou's Erzulie (as well as the Kemetic pantheon's Het-Hert)

[~Elise~]

Funny you should mention the infinity symbol. I have one in each of my tattoos. I need to get the one freshened up a bit too.

Nexxus, izzat wot it's called, then? Much more polite than "pit stop," I s'pose. (Which rather made me sound a bit cheap, I thought.)
:thumbsup:

WATC of that being in your tattoos??? hmmmmm :giggle:

And, baby, there ain't nuttin' cheap about us, we're like L'Oreal, we're worth it! :bow:

Elise

[Teresa]

Elise, is that why total strangers come up and proceed to tell their whole life stories and share private things with you that they have never told anyone else before? Is that why they feel so comfortable just opening up? I have often wondered about the people that wander in and our of our lives...... I have always known that I am here to help others. The crossroads have always held a deep spiritual meaning to me from an early age. It is amazing the people that I do come in contact with at a crossroads. Usually quiet ones where you would not expect to find another person.

This makes me wonder about a phase of tests it seems I have been going through..... My own life now is at a crossroads so to speak and I am trying to determine which direction I am gong to head off in...

[BlackLili]

Elise, is that why total strangers come up and proceed to tell their whole life stories and share private things with you that they have never told anyone else before? Is that why they feel so comfortable just opening up? I have often wondered about the people that wander in and our of our lives...... I have always known that I am here to help others. The crossroads have always held a deep spiritual meaning to me from an early age. It is amazing the people that I do come in contact with at a crossroads. Usually quiet ones where you would not expect to find another person.

This makes me wonder about a phase of tests it seems I have been going through..... My own life now is at a crossroads so to speak and I am trying to determine which direction I am gong to head off in...
:hugz: You've got us with you no matter where you go, babe.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Papa Legba for me...right after my nineteen day kundalini
experience , an old Irishman showed up in my life , with
a limp...we spoke of the crossroads , and my initiation...

When he left , after staying with me three days , he was
walking fine , and I had the limp...for the next six months...:lol:

When I crossed over to the Otherside...and came back...

I brought back the image of three concentric circles , and
a equilibrium cross...my crossroads gate...

I tip a top hat to Papa...:thumbsup:

[~Elise~]

Elise, is that why total strangers come up and proceed to tell their whole life stories and share private things with you that they have never told anyone else before? Is that why they feel so comfortable just opening up? I have often wondered about the people that wander in and our of our lives...... I have always known that I am here to help others. The crossroads have always held a deep spiritual meaning to me from an early age. It is amazing the people that I do come in contact with at a crossroads. Usually quiet ones where you would not expect to find another person.

This makes me wonder about a phase of tests it seems I have been going through..... My own life now is at a crossroads so to speak and I am trying to determine which direction I am gong to head off in...

You know...people sit down across from me and tell me everything about them and their lives. It happens all the time. Some are there for a short time, some for more. You know what I hate...the argument/disagreement sometimes that comes up to makes them leave. I think they've stayed longer than they're supposed to and it takes that to make them leave. I sure hate losing people like that.
I think they get comfortable and don't want to move on like they're supposed to. I prefer them to leave on good terms. *sigh*
It used to really hurt my feelings each time it happened. I learned to not take it personal...also, I think I don't let people get as close as they could, just because I don't want that hurt.
It took me a few years to get to that point once I started leading the group. I think that there are some people who don't think I care, but that isn't the case. It hurts too bad when they leave (and they most always leave) so I don't let them too close anymore.
That trait plays havoc with more personal relationships...it's hard at times to let even them in.

Elise

[Teresa]

You know...people sit down across from me and tell me everything about them and their lives. It happens all the time. Some are there for a short time, some for more. You know what I hate...the argument/disagreement sometimes that comes up to makes them leave. I think they've stayed longer than they're supposed to and it takes that to make them leave. I sure hate losing people like that.
I think they get comfortable and don't want to move on like they're supposed to. I prefer them to leave on good terms. *sigh*
It used to really hurt my feelings each time it happened. I learned to not take it personal...also, I think I don't let people get as close as they could, just because I don't want that hurt.
It took me a few years to get to that point once I started leading the group. I think that there are some people who don't think I care, but that isn't the case. It hurts too bad when they leave (and they most always leave) so I don't let them too close anymore.
That trait plays havoc with more personal relationships...it's hard at times to let even them in.

Elise

I totally understand :hugz: Sometimes it is also hard to try to stay positive about it but then you just have to think if I have helped just one person along the way out of all those people that have come and gone then it was worth it after all. :thumbsup: Love Ya Elise!

[David19]

Papa Legba for me...right after my nineteen day kundalini
experience , an old Irishman showed up in my life , with
a limp...we spoke of the crossroads , and my initiation...

When he left , after staying with me three days , he was
walking fine , and I had the limp...for the next six months...:lol:

When I crossed over to the Otherside...and came back...

I brought back the image of three concentric circles , and
a equilibrium cross...my crossroads gate...

I tip a top hat to Papa...:thumbsup:

That's quite a cool experience you had, I'd just love to have some of the experiences you've had.

[BlackLili]

You know...people sit down across from me and tell me everything about them and their lives. It happens all the time. Some are there for a short time, some for more. You know what I hate...the argument/disagreement sometimes that comes up to makes them leave. I think they've stayed longer than they're supposed to and it takes that to make them leave. I sure hate losing people like that.
I think they get comfortable and don't want to move on like they're supposed to. I prefer them to leave on good terms. *sigh*
It used to really hurt my feelings each time it happened. I learned to not take it personal...also, I think I don't let people get as close as they could, just because I don't want that hurt.
It took me a few years to get to that point once I started leading the group. I think that there are some people who don't think I care, but that isn't the case. It hurts too bad when they leave (and they most always leave) so I don't let them too close anymore.
That trait plays havoc with more personal relationships...it's hard at times to let even them in.

Elise
:hugz:

That sounds so familiar. Question for you and Shalaye though.

Have you ever noticed that people, once they're "supposed" to be out of your life for good - you've done what you were meant to do, given them or healed or taken what was necessary - and then they insist on somehow maintaining some sort of involvement?

Specific example: Boyfriend and I were engaged from my senior year of high school through my sophomore year of college. Sophomore year, I realized that time was being wasted and he no longer was supposed to be with me getting lazy. Breakup ensued, communication was not severed but severely limited. (I think we had coffee once after that.)

Flashback to Freshman year of college. I made two whole friends that year. We made many great oaths about being friends until death, being there for the birth of each others' children, etc. I knew it was all so much talk, but in the spirit of the time, added my voice to theirs. During this time, they met Boyfriend. Freshman year ended, and I knew that my time with them was done. They wouldn't need me anymore. I mourned privately, and even tried to defy it and keep connected, but the Universe knew what it was doing and we lost touch.

Flash forward to last year - I come to find out that ex-Boyfriend, in an attempt to keep a "piece" of me with him, had started dating one of my Freshman Friends. Not only dating, but had decided to marry.

In the meantime, the three of them together (both FFs and ex-BF) decided that I wasn't worth pissing on if I was on fire, and have since kept trying to "keep an eye" on me via social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.

This isn't the first time this has happened, but the most notable in my mind. But it always happens when my time with someone is good and done, and bridges keep getting repaired/rebuilt. Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I need to sever connections more thoroughly. Cut my own cords, so to speak. But I swear, every time I am certain that someone is supposed to be done with me and they come back - its always ugly eventually.

And like you said, Elise - I hate pushing them away. It hurts, there are fights, its painful. But it's so much worse if they come back.

[Teresa]

:hugz:

That sounds so familiar. Question for you and Shalaye though.

Have you ever noticed that people, once they're "supposed" to be out of your life for good - you've done what you were meant to do, given them or healed or taken what was necessary - and then they insist on somehow maintaining some sort of involvement?

Perhaps I have been lucky in this aspect that we have just lost contact afterwards or I just did not respond or keep in touch and they finally lost interest. The pain is there no less.

[~Elise~]

With me, most times they'll come back a couple of years later now...but only in a short time bursts. At first when this started, it was like you describe BL, but now...when they return it is usually for a reason, like letting me know that the time with me as their teacher was some of the most straight forward, BS-less teaching they've had.

With some it is very gratifying to see how they've grown, some you just have to shake your head and let 'em go. All you can do is give 'em the tools needed, it's up to them to use them. Some think I'm full of $hit and wasn't a good teacher...but I don't force feed my students, I make them go discover stuff on their own. (in fact, several of my current and former IRL students are on this board)
I let them think for themselves, make their own decisions. I don't think it's what some of them are used to. I let them have their own opinions and don't tell them how to think. Some weren't comfortable with that...they're now with people that tell their students how to think and what they can and can't do, who they can and can't see.
ah well, c'est la vie.
Eww...ex bf came back after I was married to Rick. Thought I wouldn't honor my vows...(just cause he never did, doesn't mean I wouldn't) Of course when I called the BS and shut it down...I was misunderstanding his intentions according to him...riiiiight.

Elise

[BlackLili]

With me, most times they'll come back a couple of years later now...but only in a short time bursts. At first when this started, it was like you describe BL, but now...when they return it is usually for a reason, like letting me know that the time with me as their teacher was some of the most straight forward, BS-less teaching they've had.

With some it is very gratifying to see how they've grown, some you just have to shake your head and let 'em go. All you can do is give 'em the tools needed, it's up to them to use them. Some think I'm full of $hit and wasn't a good teacher...but I don't force feed my students, I make them go discover stuff on their own. (in fact, several of my current and former IRL students are on this board)
I let them think for themselves, make their own decisions. I don't think it's what some of them are used to. I let them have their own opinions and don't tell them how to think. Some weren't comfortable with that...they're now with people that tell their students how to think and what they can and can't do, who they can and can't see.
ah well, c'est la vie.
Eww...ex bf came back after I was married to Rick. Thought I wouldn't honor my vows...(just cause he never did, doesn't mean I wouldn't) Of course when I called the BS and shut it down...I was misunderstanding his intentions according to him...riiiiight.

Elise
I don't think I've really seen myself as a teacher. I've coached a few crews on how to row, but that's not really what I mean here.

I wish I knew how to describe it better. It just feels like most folks who come into contact with me draw something from me - an experience, a new emotion, new depth to something - usually in a very intense and passionate manner. Not necessarily sexually passionate, but sometimes.

...and then they're gone. I used to think I was the girl all my guy friends would sleep with, and then ask for advice on how to get a girl they were in love with to date them. This was true, but when I realized that my platonic friends were essentially doing the same thing (sharing intimacies then asking for guidance on how to achieve the same closeness with someone else,) it made me start to think that well, this is what I'm here for.

In the corporate sector, we call it "developing talent." ;)

But once they're gone - they're gone and usually want nothing else to do with me. Except for those few who refuse to follow their path and want to hang on to their old ways and old friends and refuse to grow - and that's when it tends to get uglynasty.

But I don't think that I could objectively plan to do what I do with the people who need me. Its all this super-subjective experience, starting from how I decide to make friends and how close we become to how the relationship ends. There's usually no teacher-student dynamic that I've been aware of, but more like the camaraderie of children getting in trouble together, or any other implicit accomplices.

Yeahhhh (thinking out loud now) "accomplice" might be the best term to describe how my relationships feel.

The sad truth? The only folks who have stuck around (outside of blood and my DH) are the ones I've wound up in spells to stay with me. My love spells have given me the few friends I maintain. I've altered their path so that they can come in and out of my life without the usual upheaval everyone gets.

DH will need me til he dies. I knew it when I met him, as surely as I can still feel it now. He's an odd duck though. LOL

[~Elise~]

I don't think I've really seen myself as a teacher. I've coached a few crews on how to row, but that's not really what I mean here.

I wish I knew how to describe it better. It just feels like most folks who come into contact with me draw something from me - an experience, a new emotion, new depth to something - usually in a very intense and passionate manner. Not necessarily sexually passionate, but sometimes.

...and then they're gone. I used to think I was the girl all my guy friends would sleep with, and then ask for advice on how to get a girl they were in love with to date them. This was true, but when I realized that my platonic friends were essentially doing the same thing (sharing intimacies then asking for guidance on how to achieve the same closeness with someone else,) it made me start to think that well, this is what I'm here for.

In the corporate sector, we call it "developing talent." ;)

But once they're gone - they're gone and usually want nothing else to do with me. Except for those few who refuse to follow their path and want to hang on to their old ways and old friends and refuse to grow - and that's when it tends to get uglynasty.

But I don't think that I could objectively plan to do what I do with the people who need me. Its all this super-subjective experience, starting from how I decide to make friends and how close we become to how the relationship ends. There's usually no teacher-student dynamic that I've been aware of, but more like the camaraderie of children getting in trouble together, or any other implicit accomplices.

Yeahhhh (thinking out loud now) "accomplice" might be the best term to describe how my relationships feel.

The sad truth? The only folks who have stuck around (outside of blood and my DH) are the ones I've wound up in spells to stay with me. My love spells have given me the few friends I maintain. I've altered their path so that they can come in and out of my life without the usual upheaval everyone gets.

DH will need me til he dies. I knew it when I met him, as surely as I can still feel it now. He's an odd duck though. LOL


well, there's teaching and then there's teaching. I've done that, too, in the past before I was leading the group and teaching. WAyyyyy before Rick, of course. Been ...well, somethings don't need to be shared--they're too Sacred.

You know...maybe that's something you might want to look into-teaching, that is. I think you've definitely got the knowledge and talent. Just keep ego out of it...and you be okay. I've seen some start teaching others and ego overruns good sense.

Elise

[BlackLili]

Just keep ego out of it...and you be okay. I've seen some start teaching others and ego overruns good sense.

Elise

Ain't it the truth! I had one friend who I used to love hanging out with and just bouncing ideas off each other. Then she got it into her head that she was a guru and teacher and mentor and I just could not abide her when she was in that "mode".

I suppose that's why I avoid explicit teaching. It's always been more fun to feel like the other person and I are "getting away with" something - even boring mundane somethings. I suppose I'd better get over that before I have kids though, eh? LOL

[tallwoman.9169]

Elise, is that why total strangers come up and proceed to tell their whole life stories and share private things with you that they have never told anyone else before? Is that why they feel so comfortable just opening up?

This used to happen to me all the time, when I was young. I wonder if I grew out of this, or if my life experience has hardened me so I don't have that part of me open anymore. If that is the issue, how would I go about opening that again. I think I need to do some inner work on me first, but eventually I feel I'm supposed to be one of those people that others come to in time of need. I also feel I'm supposed to be a teacher, of what, I don't know. But teaching has been a constant in my life. I know this is off topic, and I apologize. The direction of the conversation brought this up for me.

I'm starting to research the Loa and Orisha. I've seen a few that are interesting, but none that just grabbed me. Waiting to be grabbed. LOL

[~Elise~]

This used to happen to me all the time, when I was young. I wonder if I grew out of this, or if my life experience has hardened me so I don't have that part of me open anymore. If that is the issue, how would I go about opening that again. I think I need to do some inner work on me first, but eventually I feel I'm supposed to be one of those people that others come to in time of need. I also feel I'm supposed to be a teacher, of what, I don't know. But teaching has been a constant in my life. I know this is off topic, and I apologize. The direction of the conversation brought this up for me.

I'm starting to research the Loa and Orisha. I've seen a few that are interesting, but none that just grabbed me. Waiting to be grabbed. LOL

You've got you to work on you first, dear heart. Then we'll go on from there.

And, you've heard it a hundred and one times from me, but be careful what you ask for.

Elise

[Teresa]

be careful what you ask for.

Elise

Ain't That the Truth! Sometimes I think Uni is a jackass! Be careful how you word things too! :thumbsup:

[~Elise~]

Ain't That the Truth! Sometimes I think Uni is a jackass! Be careful how you word things too! :thumbsup:

Gotta be clear and consise or you may ask for someone to see things clearly and they end up wearing glasses. :hehehehe: Or something along those lines, I've learned that lesson the hard way.

[tallwoman.9169]

Yeah, I was using Marion Weinstein's words of power for a job, and it included for the good of all and harm none. Didn't get the job I wanted and needed. I'm being much more careful about how I word things. You can get what you don't want, and not get what you do. The Gods and Goddesses are very literal!

[Dumunzi]

Baron Samedi.

I haven't quite figured out why, but it's just one of those connections.

[MoonBreath]

I don't really have much of a personal connection now, but my first real significant goddess oriented dream involved Oya. I remember waking up from the dream, and the name Oya immediately popped into my head. Until then, i had never even heard of Oya before! :)

[sparrowspirit]

I've been feeling an intense connection to the wind and air element. I've always been connected to air, as a fire sign I can sort of understand why.

I've scoured this site for any info of Oya and found very little.... so digging up some stuff, I found some links.

Oya has many different names throughout the Voo-Doo and Santeria practices

http://www.link-pedia.com/detail/www.angelfire.com/1260332

I hope this link helps others.

[Teresa]

Well, I have not come in this thread for a while now but it seems that the Ghede and Baron Samedi like hanging out with me.

I also forgot to tell you all about the time I was short on money for a bill that I needed to pay. I had prayed at my altar about it and on my way home from work at a crossroads there was a ton of loose coins just laying there. No one was around. I looked high and low. It was the exact amount that I needed to the penny. It was so amazing that I had to tell someone about it soon as I got home. I picked up the phone and called a dear friend and told them about it.

From time to time I leave an offering of 3 pennies at the crossroads in thanks for my needs being met along with various other items depending on what has been going on.

I am drawn to the Settlers Cemetery uptown. I find myself going by here and hanging out as much as possible. The names of everyone there are listed and I have searched the list to see if there could be a reason that is obvious. Most of these people are of Scot - Irish decent. As far as I know there is no family connections for me to either.

[Dumunzi]

The Baron Samedi.

I worry and think a lot about my loved ones who've died, and for some reason when I think of Voodoo I think of him. It's just one of those connections, you know? One of those that are so strong you can all most reach out and touch it.

I plan on doing some ritual for him in the future. Absolutely do.

[Amaris]

I have to put my two cents worth in on this one. My personal experience with any orisha, I work closer to the Santeria path, would have to be Ogun. I did a sort of spell, well I'm not sure what it was. I lit a green candle, burnt some eucalyptis leaves and asked him for a favor. I was in a calligraphy class where the teacher had this favoritism thing going on and she would constantly expect the exact thing she would literally write it for you. She was demanding, to the point of condescending. I asked Ogun to protect me from her, to have her leave me alone, and not to harm her in any way. For the next two weeks she never came towards me anymore and when I felt that I had the courage to deal with her I burnt the same candle and asked him to back off. The next day at the class she started up again but I could deal with it. Then Ogun showed up to me in a sort of trance state of mind, I think. I had prayed to him to help a friend out and that night, I sleep on the bottom bunk, I saw something, a figure, pass a sword over my body, foot to head and then back down again. I opened my eyes and there was no one there. So I guess I have a personal connection with Ogun.
Well that's my bit. Thanks for listening.

BB,
Amaris

[Deerwoman]

For me it is Papa Legba, mostly because he stalked me for years trying to get my attention, teaching me many lessons whether I wanted them or not, that is his way after all; to make us live with the consequences of our choices and grow stronger for them. I can be quite dense sometimes, he had to sit next to me on my daily bus ride a couple times in his true form for me to connect the dots - I nearly peed myself! But who he was finally hit home. It is still unnerving when he talks to me through someone he is possessing, or sends a spirit to deliver me a message. But I seem to be getting used to it, I still never expect it though, he likes his suprises! I now work with him in my belief and ritual and leave him offerings. There's many a crossroad where I live...

[SanguineHalo]

It hasn't been long but I feel very close to my dad.He died three years ago this November. I wasn't very close to him while he was alive, except for the last two years before he died. He was an alchoholic and a jackass. I learned after he died that it was mostly my mother that caused our bad relationship. She would use me to fight with him and at that time I was young and everything my mom said was law.

I bring him 40ounce cans of Milwaukee's Best to his masoleum on Father's Day, His birthday and the day he died. I've been doing this before I became interested in Hoodoo.

Interesting story. I was very upset over him not meeting my fiancee (we got together shortly after he died. actually the first father's day after his death was the catalyst of our relationship... huh... i never thought of it that way!) I would think a lot about how he would never walk me down the aisle, see his grandbabies.. etc... Then last November on the day before the anniversary of his death a guy goes to my fiancee about a tattoo (he's a tattooer). He wants a tattoo of the album cover of My Chemical Romance "The Black Parade" tattooed on him. I've told my fiancee since day one that "The Black Parade" ALWAYS reminds me of my dad and without talking about it my brother, me, my sister, my nephew and neice had felt that was "his song" after he died. He wanted to set the appt. for the anniversary of my dad's death.

I don't know much about the other Spirits, but I'm brand new and still studying! :):boing:

[zombi]

The Baron is stalking me. I swear.

[phathead]

Aganyu - Cuz that is who I was initiated to. But I honor and serve all Orisha.