10 elements about the Seven African Powers that you may not have known

Many say that when we find ourselves in a difficult and desperate situation, we should invoke the help of the Seven African Powers to find a quick and safe solution to our problems.

And it is that the energy that these deities possess is so powerful and of such strength that it is capable of facing any obstacle.

Knowing the 7 Powers ...

Let's see now, 10 elements that characterize the Seven African Powers:

1. What are the Seven African Powers?

It is made up of seven main deities of the Yoruba pantheon, invoked as a single force to support the devotees.

These powers and natural forces combined are destined to aid believers in cases of extreme need or urgency. His energy guides and protects the path of men on earth.

2. What deities are included among the Seven African Powers?

They constitute the Seven Powers, the representations of the Divinity that are revered in the Santeria or Regla de la Ocha as the main members of the Yoruba Pantheon. They are the most revered Elder Orishas.

We present them below:

Obatala, the old father of the world:

Obatalá is the father of all children on earth, he is the creator of human beings and everything that hasabita in the planet. He rules all parts of the human body, mainly the head, thoughts and human life and is the owner of whiteness. He is governed by the color white as a symbol of peace and purity.

It represents creation and the magnanimous and superior, but also pride, anger, despotism and people with physical and mental defects or difficulties. Bring intelligence, peace and calm to the world. Does not tolerate disrespect. Syncretized with the Virgen de las Mercedes in the Catholic religion.

Shango, King of drums:

Shango, is the leader of Santeria within the Yoruba religion. He is a Major Orisha, warrior and owner of thunder, lightning, fire and drums. He is the Orisha of justice and is characterized as historical and divine.

It symbolizes the joy of living in an intense way, masculine beauty, passion, intelligence and wealth. He has control over the religious system of Osha-Ifá and was the first interpreter of the oracle.

He is the priest of the oracle of Diloggún and that of Biange and Aditoto, and has a close relationship with the Eggunes (spirits).

Shango is associated with reason and intellect, as well as the values of justice and law. Synchronized with Santa Barbara.

Eleggua, the one who decides fate:

Elegguá is the owner of the roads and the destination and his name means "the messenger prince. "

It is the first protection of the devotees and a warrior Osha who cares for destiny. This Orisha protects the Ilé (house) of the one who possesses it and the uninitiated or aleyos must first receive or consecrate it.

He leads the group of the Orisha Oddé along with Osún, Oggún and Oshosi, who are called together The Warriors.

He is considered the fundamental messenger of Olofin, the main interpreter of the letters of the Diloggún oracle system. Syncretizes with the Santo Niño de Atocha.

Oshun, Goddess of fresh water:

Oshún, the most beautiful of the Yoruba pantheon, is the Goddess of Love and Rivers, and is in the group of leading Oshas. She represents the intensity of feelings and the joy of life, spirituality, human sensuality and femininity. In nature it is symbolized by rivers and their clear water flows.

It protects pregnant women and women in labor and is also closely related to jewelry, money and body ornaments. Syncretizes with the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, the Patron Saint of Cuba.

Oggun, the lord of irons:

Oggún is a major deity of the Yoruba Pantheon, master and lord of iron. He is the Orisha patron of blacksmiths, who walks through the mountains with his machete looking for a good game, a tireless warrior who fights day and night.

Caretaker of army surgeons and anyone who works with metals. He is the second Orisha to be received and is also an Osha from the group of Orisha Oddé or Warriors.

He is considered the owner of the keys and chains and can be a lonely hunter and gatherer, together with Oshosi the vigilante achieves the best hunts. He masters all the mysteries of the mountains, and for this reason he is a witch, healer and sorcerer. Syncretizes with Saint Peter the Apostle.

Orunmila (Orula), the wise soothsayer:

Orula is the representation of wisdom and reason, good decisions, the factors in favor in the destiny of men. He is the great benefactor of humanity, the Orisha of divination, the supreme oracle that reveals the past, the present and the future through the secret of Ifá.

The babalawos are the representatives of Orula on Earth. As a soothsayer and owner of the oracle, you have the ability to influence fate, even if it is the most adverse. Syncretized with Saint Francis of Assisi.

Yemaya, the protective mother of the world:

Yemayá (Iya Moaye, Mother of the World) is one of the greatest deities of the Yoruba pantheon. From it all things on this Earth are born and life is born. It is the mermaid of waters, the belly of the universe and the terrifying sea.

Protector of the needy and newborns, she is the Mother of Fish and it is said that she was born with the moon as Obatalá was born from the sun.

Yemayá is as old as Obatalá and the other Orishas are born from that marriage. It is the goddess who can influence the parts of the human body such as the uterus, liver, chest and buttocks. His element in nature is the sea and his Offerings are taken there. Syncretized with the Virgin of Regla.

3. Attributes of the Seven Powers

In the rituals and ceremonies of the 7 powers, each of the deities has specific attributes, elements of power that characterize them in the Osha:

Obatalá: The scepter of power called opa. A silver bracelet and a powerful iruke, an object made with horsehair with which to ward off disease and bring peace.
Chango: The two-headed ax, a cup and a sword, warrior attributes that drive away enemies and win any battle.
Elegguá: the doodle, an element of power that he uses to open paths and remove the bad from destiny.
Oshún: with a yellow sandalwood or peacock feather fan and its five gold bracelets, it attracts love, wealth and much abundance.
Oggún: His iron tools with which he provides employment, development and firmness in the face of any war.
Orunmilá: The oracle of ifá, with which he sees everything, and can predict the destiny of all men and orishas.
Yemayá: Her fan of duck or peacock feathers decorated with mother of pearls and shells allows her children to solve problems on earth.

4. Petitions to the Seven Powers

Devotees turn to the 7 African powers when they need their protection, primarily to request health, prosperity and money, employment, love, and success.

But each Orisha is made special requests separately, qualities for which they stand out.

Obatalá: Peace and harmony.
Chango: Power over enemies.
Elegguá: Open paths and eliminate obstacles.
Oshún: Love and wealth.
Oggún: Employment and protection.
Orunmilá: Wisdom.
Yemayá: Marriage, motherhood, and family.

5. How can we pray to him and attend to the Seven Powers?

In the Yoruba religion to the seven powers it is possible to make a request to all the deities, or to one in particular, according to the qualities and protections that each one represents, although all the Orishas attend and take care of those who ask from their hearts.

It can be requested through prayers such as the one shown in point number 10 or dedicating an offering or special attention such as some of the following works:

6. Every devotee can invoke the help of the Seven Powers

The invocation of these Orishas, as advised by the great sages of the Yoruba religion, should not be taken lightly, as it is indicated that there must always be an important situation to resort to them.

But it is also made clear that every devotee deserves the help of the Seven Powers of the Yoruba pantheon and they can invoke them when they understand that all the doors have been closed and their situation becomes difficult, of course, always with a lot of faith and love.

7. History of the Seven African Powers

Orula, who is the deity of divination, Olodumare the Supreme God, was entrusted with the task of assigning all the Orishas the elements of nature that would rule them.

Thus, Obatalá should populate the earth, while Yemayá, Oshún and Shangó were entrusted with the task of caring for the sea, rivers and fire, respectively.

Elegguá, would be the owner of the roads that would open the key of fortune for the devotees and Oggún, the warrior god who would defend those who pass through life.

To these main 7 gods, many more were added that today the Yoruba pantheon collects.

8. Colors to invoke the seven powers

To invoke the Seven Powers, we must respect the representative color of each one separately, which have very powerful spiritual meanings.

The Orisha Obatala is always linked to the white color of purity and clarity.
To Yemayá with the color blue in all its tones, by the sea and its depths.
Oshún is represented by the yellow and gold tones, for luxury and wealth.
The color red is related to Shango, for fire, passion and courage.
Elegguá, also wears the red of fortune, although it can also be dressed in black in the eternal balance between good and evil.
Oggún was assigned the green color of the mountain that alternates with the black color of the iron.
Orula, can wear the color green in combination with yellow, representing wisdom and divination.

9. How to invoke the seven powers of the Yoruba religion?

In the Yoruba religion there are numerous rituals to invoke the Seven Powers in situations where the roads are closed and life becomes difficult.

One of them indicates that an altar to the deities should be prepared, covered with a white tablecloth. On it, a 7-color candle is placed on a ceramic or clay plate and offerings of flowers, a glass of water and grated coconut.

When the 7-color candle is lit, the prayer that all devotees know, but whose author is unknown, is recited. Next, we present it ...

10. Prayer to the Seven African Powers for protection

Oh, 7 Powers that are around the Holy One among the holy ones!
I humbly kneel before your miraculous painting, to implore your intercession before God, loving father who protects all creation, animate and inanimate.
I ask you, in the name of the most sacred and sweet name of Jesus, that you agree to my request and give me back my peace of mind and material prosperity, moving away from my house and removing from me the obstacles that are the cause of my ills, so they can never haunt me again.
My heart tells me that my request is fair, and if you agree to it, añaYou will say more glory to the blessed name of God, Our Lord, from whom we have received the promise to ask and it will be given to you. So be it in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!
Listen to me, Chango!
Listen to me, Oshún!
Attend to me Yemayá!
Look at me with good eyes, Obatala!
Don't abandon me, Oggún!
Be auspicious, Orula!
Intercede for me Eleggúa!
Grant me what I ask of you, through the intercession of the Seven African Powers!
Oh Holy Christ of Olofin! Blessed are you forever and ever.
Ashe.